2.2 1920s In early June 1940 the Italian Regia aeronautica attacked and besieged Malta a British possession in late summer through early autumn Italy conquered British Somaliland and made an incursion into British-held Egypt in October Italy attacked Greece but the attack was repulsed with heavy Italian casualties; the campaign ended within days with minor territorial changes. Germany started preparation for an invasion of the Balkans to assist Italy to prevent the British from gaining a foothold there which would be a potential threat for Romanian oil fields and to strike against the British dominance of the Mediterranean, President Woodrow Wilson opened the deep-water Port of Houston in 1914 seven years after digging began by 1930 Houston had become Texas' most populous city and Harris County the most populous county in 1940 the U.S Census Bureau reported Houston's population as 77.5% white and 22.4% black, Houston is home to various styles of residential architecture from the mansions of River Oaks and Memorial to row houses in the several wards a number of Houston's earliest homes are now located in Sam Houston Park including the Kellum-Noble House which was built in 1847 and is Houston's oldest brick dwelling. During the late 1930s and early 1940s the Kellum-Noble House served as a public office for the City of Houston's Park Department and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. . Although Christopher Columbus was credited with the discovery of the Americas by Europeans the ships in his four voyages never reached the Gulf of Mexico Instead Columbus sailed into the Caribbean around Cuba and Hispaniola the first European exploration of the Gulf of Mexico was by Amerigo Vespucci in 1497 He followed the coastal land mass of Central America before returning to the Atlantic Ocean via the Straits of Florida between Florida and Cuba in his letters Vespucci described this trip and once Juan de la Cosa returned to Spain a famous world map depicting Cuba as an island was produced, 6.5 Commerce Heat and humidity in Houston make air conditioning important in day-to-day life. Most indoor workers spend the hottest part of the day in air conditioning After World War II air conditioning stimulated the growth of Houston called the most air-conditioned city in the world in 1950 for construction workers landscapers and others who must work outdoors there is little relief from the summer heat and humidity Industrial workers automobile mechanics and others who usually work in non-air conditioned indoor spaces often rely on large electric fans to provide some relief. .
. Highways Main article: Climate of Texas On November 13 delegates voted to create a regular army and named Sam Houston its commander-in-chief in an effort to attract volunteers from the United States soldiers would be granted land bounties This provision was significant as all public land was owned by the state or the federal government indicating that the delegates expected Texas to eventually declare independence. Houston was given no authority over the volunteer army led by Austin which predated the Consultation. Houston was also appointed to the Select Committee on Indian Affairs Three men including Austin were asked to go to the United States to gather money volunteers and supplies the delegates elected Henry Smith as governor on November 14 the Consultation adjourned leaving Smith and the Council in charge. Morgan's Point 12.4 Economic and demographic change Texans also enjoy the rodeo the world's first rodeo was hosted in Pecos Texas the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world it begins with trail rides that begin from several points throughout the state that convene at Reliant Park the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth is the oldest continuously running rodeo incorporating many of the state's most historic traditions into its annual events Dallas hosts the State Fair of Texas each year at Fair Park, In August 1942 the Allies succeeded in repelling a second attack against El Alamein and at a high cost managed to deliver desperately needed supplies to the besieged Malta a few months later the Allies commenced an attack of their own in Egypt dislodging the Axis forces and beginning a drive west across Libya. This attack was followed up shortly after by Anglo-American landings in French North Africa which resulted in the region joining the Allies. Hitler responded to the French colony's defection by ordering the occupation of Vichy France; although Vichy forces did not resist this violation of the armistice they managed to scuttle their fleet to prevent its capture by German forces the Axis forces in Africa withdrew into Tunisia which was conquered by the Allies in May 1943. .
UNIVERSITY VILLAGE PLUMBING