Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Friday, August 7, 20261782 General George Washington created the National Badge of Merit, which later became known as the Purple Heart. 1978 The Love Canal area, near Niagara Falls, was declared a national disaster due to toxic waste. 1973 Roy Sullivan of Greene County Virginia was struck by lightning for the 5th of his record breaking SEVEN times. Source: Guinness Book of World RecordsMusic History:1980 John Lennon began recording his final album, ‘Double Fantasy’ at The Hit Factory, in New York City. It would be released on November 17th by the newly formed Geffen Records and would win the 1982 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.