Friday, August 7 — National Lighthouse Day

Some moments become symbols almost immediately. Others become legends over time.

Today, we begin with George Washington creating the Badge of Military Merit, a simple piece of purple cloth that eventually became one of America’s most recognizable military honors. Then we meet Philippe Petit, the high-wire artist who secretly rigged a cable between the Twin Towers and walked above New York City. Finally, we cross the Bering Strait with Lynne Cox, whose freezing-water swim became a symbol of connection during the Cold War.

We also explore the life of Mata Hari, a woman whose carefully created public image became almost impossible to separate from the person behind it.

History is full of people who crossed boundaries — physical, political, and personal — and whose stories became larger than the moments that created them.

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