Two of history’s most terrifying volcanic eruptions took place in August: Mount Vesuvius, on August 24-25 in 79 A.D., and Krakatoa, on August 26-27 in 1883. Each blasted colossal volumes of burning ash and rock high into the atmosphere and killed thousands of people for miles around.

Alan Turing was born June 23, 1912, in London. He was an extraordinary man well ahead of his time, who was recognized early on as a genius by his peers.

Even as music increasingly moves online, for true fans the local brick-and-mortar record store will always be the holy place of discovery and sharing, where like-minded fanatics and novices gather to dig through the bins for new releases, dusty gems, and 180-gram gatefold pressings, trade band tips and deb

Looking for a nice mellow hike to a remote locale with scenic views in every direction…from which one might blast off a nuclear missile at an incoming Soviet bomber if it was 1965? L.A.’s decommissioned Nike missile command and launch sites may be for you.