This month is one of those watershed months for us: we all heave a sigh of relief as cool nights and cooler days arrive (and stay!) and we all mark the arrival of Fall and we notice the changes in license plates as our winter visitors return. October is also the month we celebrate the first singing of the Star Spangled Banner (Oct. 19, 1814), the launch of Sputnik I (the first space vehicle) on Oct. 4, 1957, National Grouch Day (Oct. 15), and the start point for cell phones, texting, and humongous telephone bills – the very first two-way telephone conversation took place on October 9, 1876.

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