![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/William_R._Parnell.jpg/70px-William_R._Parnell.jpg)
- ... that the 1878 constitution of San Francisco's Congregation Beth Israel prohibited members from praying out loud?
- ... that H. Brett Melendy was the first chairman of the history department of San José State University, California?
- ... that a new orchid species, Ornithidium donaldeedodii, was "discovered" when a mislabeled plant at the University of California Botanical Garden had its DNA analyzed?
- ... that California's first State House was originally a hotel in San Jose owned by businessman Pierre "Don Pedro" Sainsevain and his associates?
- ... that Medal of Honor recipient William R. Parnell (pictured) died in San Francisco, California on August 20, 1910, after falling from a street car?
April - June 2010