August 14

In August 1592, on a voyage seeking a northern route to Asia, navigator John Davis sailed into the South Atlantic and observed a string of rugged islands now known as the Falklands. Davis recorded them as 'Davis Islands', noting their harsh winds and barren terrain. Although he did not land, his sighting marked the first documented European encounter with the archipelago. Over the centuries, the islands would attract sealers, whalers, and settlers drawn by their rich wildlife. The Falklands' strategic significance and remote location later fueled disputes between colonial powers. Davis's ephemeral glimpse opened a new chapter in South Atlantic exploration. His logs inspired subsequent voyages that charted and mapped the islands in greater detail.

On August 14, 1948, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game launched the Beaver Drop program to reintroduce beavers to Central Idaho’s waterways. Wild beavers were captured in Northwestern Idaho, placed in special crates, and flown by airplane over remote terrain. Parachutes were attached so each crate could land safely in the Chamberlain Basin river systems. Released into the wild, the beavers began building dams that improved water retention and created vital wetlands. The project boosted local beaver populations, enriched habitats for fish and wildlife, and captured public imagination. This inventive approach to wildlife management remains a legendary example of creative conservation.