July 25, 1996
Two UF researchers create the world/s largest synthetic diamond, packing 1,600 carats at a whopping 11 inches in diameter.
The feat was accomplished by injecting a solution of suspended diamond particles into a silicon disk. After chemical processing, the scientists were left with their record-breaking result.
"Making the world/s largest diamond was just serendipity," said James Adair, one of the researchers involved. "It wasn/t our goal."
Some scientists believe synthetic diamonds have many potential uses, such as wear coating on jet airplanes, or a smaller, faster replacement for silicon in computer circuitry.
July 21, 1967
Two dozen hippies stage a love-in, painting themselves, blowing bubbles and handing out flowers to puzzled spectators on UF/s Plaza of the Americas.
"It/s a basic love experience," said organizer Les Lewis. "With the world at war we lose sight of some of the simpler things life has to offer."
Participants say Gainesville was the home of a large hippie population, stating more would have shown up to the event if it had been better planned. The love-in lasted a little more than an hour.
July 19, 1957
Sen. John F. Kennedy (D-Mass.) is announced as the main speaker for the Florida Blue Key Homecoming banquet.
The topic of his speech has yet to be determined, but it would be confirmed that Sen. Kennedy would be introduced by his close friend, Florida Sen. George Smathers.
Ironically, in the original article, the Alligator falsely reports the Senator/s name as John S. Kennedy, marring the future-president/s famous middle initial.
"(It) comes from his mother/s side," said William Link, a UF American history professor. "(Her) father, "Honey Fitz" (John Fitzgerald), was a Boston Irish politico."
With his parents/ marriage, the Kennedy name was attached to a political family, becoming one of the most famous political lineages in U.S. history.
