ISSUE 133– STEVE KOVACS FUN WITH MAPS
DAILY FEATURE: By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)
LOVELAND, OH (December 21, 2020) – In Issue 133 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps we go to the hardwood.
Dr. James Naismith invented basketball on this date: Decembr 21, 1891 (Stock images)
Basketball
A game of spurts. A game where height does matter.
The only game invented in America that has large global following and participation, as measured by number of nations sending their teams to the Olympics in this sport category. Sorry baseball and football.
In a rather common American fashion, the game’s inventor wasn’t native born. He is James Naismith from Canada. He invented the game out of necessity of sorts. He wanted his Springfield YMCA, now Springfield College (Massachusetts), gym class active on rainy days, so he hoisted a peach basket to shoot at with soccer balls. And the rest is history.
The first game of basketball with Naismith’s rules was played on this day in 1891.
Who is your favorite basketball player and team?
Here is an 1864 Johnson map of three New England States, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
New England States – 1864 (Credit Steve Kovavs)
Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.
Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.
