Topic 24 of 32: This Day in History
Wed, Feb 2, 2000 (16:37) |
Marcia (MarciaH)
Events which occurred on the date they are posted.
407 responses total.
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 1 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 2, 2000 (16:39) * 69 lines
This Day in History for February 2:
** This is Groundhog Day!
It was comedian Bill Murray's least favorite day. For those of you
who have seen the 1993 movie, "Groundhog Day", you'll remember that
Bill Murray had to relive Ground Hog Day over and over again. Well,
not here, bubba!
We have the goods on just what this special day is about. Ground Hog
Day is when a bunch of folks in Punxsutawney, PA get up way before
the crack of dawn, put on tuxedos and fancy gowns, march to the city
park, and pull old Punxsutawney Phil out of his little house in a
tree trunk. Then they observe him as he goes about doing his
groundhog shadow thing. If the woodchuck (aka ground hog) doesn't see
his shadow, it means spring is on its way. If the critter sees his
shadow, it means six more weeks of winter, which upsets the folks
gathered 'round. So they fry him up for breakfast... Surely, you've
heard of 'ground chuck'? (Sorry.)
The tradition of groundhog weather watching dates back to this day in
1887, long before Willard Scott. But not that much longer.
** Events
1863 - Samuel Langhorne Clemens decided to use a pseudonym for the
first time on this very day. Now he is better remembered by the name,
Mark Twain.
1876 - Baseball's National League was born. Eight competing baseball
teams met in New York City's Grand Central Hotel. The first president
of the new league was Morgan Gardner Bulkeley, who later became a
U.S. Senator. The eight original cities with teams were: Boston,
Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Louisville
and Hartford. Two of the original teams are now in the American
League (Boston and New York) while Louisville and Hartford are now
minor-league baseball towns.
1980 - The U.S. Hockey Team won its "Do you believe in miracles?"
gold medal. Final score: U.S. 4, Finland 2. The drama had begun with
the U.S. team's upset win over the powerful Soviet team. When the
U.S. polished off Finland for the gold medal, folks all over the U.S.
decided to start believing, indeed!
1987 - In a poll conducted by "People" magazine, readers selected
Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant as their favorite, all-time acting
greats.
** Birthdays
1947 - Farrah Fawcett-Majors (actress: Charlie's Angels, The Burning
Bed; ex-Mrs. Lee Majors; Playboy pictorial [12/95])
1954 - Christie Brinkley (model: Cover Girl Cosmetics; actress:
National Lampoon's Vacation)
1954 - John (Thomas) Tudor (baseball: pitcher: Boston Red Sox,
Pittsburgh Pirates, SL Cardinals [World Series: 1985, 1987], LA
Dodgers [World Series: 1988])
** Chart Toppers from 1985
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Easy Lover - Philip Bailey with Phil Collins
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael
A Place to Fall Apart - Merle Haggard with Janie Fricke
** Know a friend who would like this list? Forward a copy to them!
====================================================
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 2 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 3, 2000 (16:28) * 75 lines
Your History for February 3:
* The Day the Music Died
February 3, 1959 was a sad day in rock 'n' roll history: 22-year-old
Buddy Holly, 28-year-old J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) and
17-year-old Ritchie Valens died in an airplane crash near Mason City,
Iowa. February 3rd has been remembered as "The Day the Music Died"
since Don McLean made the line popular in his 1972 hit, "American
Pie".
Buddy Holly, born Charles Hardin Holly in Lubbock, Texas, recorded
"That'll Be the Day", "Peggy Sue", "Oh, Boy", "Maybe Baby", and
others, including "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (recorded just before
his death, a smash in the U.K., non top-10 in the U.S.). Buddy was
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. A convincing
portrait of the singer was portrayed by Gary Busey in "The Buddy
Holly Story", a made for TV movie.
J.P. (Jiles Perry) Richardson was from Sabine Pass, TX. He held the
record for longest, continuous broadcasting as a DJ at KTRM Radio in
Beaumont, TX in 1956. He was on the air for 122 hours and eight
minutes. In addition to his smash hit, "Chantilly Lace", Richardson
also penned "Running Bear" (a hit for Johnny Preston) plus "White
Lightning" (a hit for country star, George Jones).
Richard Valenzuela lived in Pacoima, CA (near LA) and had a role in
the 1959 film, "Go Johnny Go". Ritchie Valens' two big hits were
"Donna" and "La Bamba" ... the last, the title of a 1987 film
depiction of his life. "La Bamba" also represented the first fusion
of Latin music and American rock.
Of the three young stars who died in that plane crash, the loss of
Buddy Holly reverberated the loudest over the years. But, fans of
1950s rock 'n' roll will agree, all three have been sorely missed.
** Events
1964 - Coach Adolph Rupp of the University of Kentucky got win #700
as the Wildcats defeated Georgia 108-83.
1964 - The British group, The Beatles, received its first gold record
award for the single, "I Want To Hold Your Hand". The group also won
a gold LP award for "Meet The Beatles". The album had been released
in the United States only 14 days earlier. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
1984 - A sellout crowd of 18,210 at Madison Square Garden in New York
City saw Carl Lewis best his own world record in the long jump by
9-1/4 inches.
1989 - Former first baseman Bill White was the first African American
to head a major professional sports league in the United States. He
became National League president this day.
** Birthdays
1945 - Bob Griese (football: Miami Dolphins quarterback: Super Bowl
VI, VII, VIII)
1950 - Morgan Fairchild (Patsy McClenny) (actress: Dallas, Flamingo
Road, North and South, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Writer's Block)
1952 - Fred (Fredric Michael) Lynn (baseball: Boston Red Sox: [Rookie of the
Year: 1975/World Series: 1975/AL Baseball Writers' Award:
1975/all-star: 1975-1980], California Angels [all-star: 1981-1983],
Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, SD Padres)
** Chart Toppers for 1986
That's What Friends are For - Dionne & Friends
Burning Heart - Survivor
I'm Your Man - Wham!
Just in Case - The Forester Sisters
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 3 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Feb 4, 2000 (21:36) * 67 lines
Know Your History for February 4:
* This is USO Day!
On this day in 1941, the Salvation Army, the YMCA and YWCA, the
National Catholic Community Services, the National Travelers Aid
Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board pooled their
resources, at the request of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to
form a new organization. The United Service Organizations was created
to provide unduplicated recreational services to members of the U.S.
Armed Forces who were on leave.
USO centers became the GI's home away from home, providing a meeting
place, a quiet place, religious counsel, entertainment and free
coffee and doughnuts. The USO at once became synonymous with the
entertainment of American troops. During World War II, USO Camp Shows
entertained on the home front and overseas. The Korean War, Viet Nam,
peace time stations, Desert Storm, Somalia ... anywhere, anytime
there is an American in the Armed Forces, the USO is there.
The USO's mission has changed since its inception; its objective is
to enhance the quality of life of U.S. Armed Forces personnel and to
create a partnership between the military and civilian communities
worldwide.
This volunteer, civilian organization, although chartered by
Congress, is not part of the U.S. government; yet without it, the men
and women in the U.S. Armed Forces would be isolated from civilian
influences and without a place to call home.
* Events
1913 - Louis Perlman of New York City received a patent for his
famous demountable tire-carrying rims. We call them wheels.
1938 - The play, "Our Town", by Thornton Wilder, opened in New York
City at the Henry Miller Theatre. The play was a Pulitzer
prize-winner for the writer.
1987 - The show-biz world was saddened when Liberace died at his Palm
Springs, CA estate. He was 67. Lee, as he was known, was the master
of Las Vegas. Hundreds of thousands flock to his museum there
(operated by his brother, George) to see Liberace's garish suits,
trademark candelabra, and learn of the myths behind this hugely
successful star of television, stage and concerts the world over.
* Birthdays
1921 - Betty Friedan (Goldstein) (feminist author: The Feminine
Mystique; founder of the National Organization for Women [NOW])
1923 - Conrad Bain (actor: Mork & Mindy, Postcards from the Edge, Bananas)
1945 - David Brenner (comedian, talk-show host: The David Brenner
Show, Nightlife)
1947 - Dan Quayle (44th Vice President of the United States under
President George Bush)
* Chart Toppers - 1987
At This Moment - Billy Vera & The Beaters
Open Your Heart - Madonna
Land of Confusion - Genesis
You Still Move Me - Dan Seals
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 4 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Feb 5, 2000 (11:34) * 57 lines
Know Your History for February 5:
** This is Bobbie Day!
London's finest, known as Bobbies, were named after Robert Peel, who
was born on this day in 1788, in Lancashire, England.
Robert aka Bobbie Peel was an English statesman who first established
the Irish constabulary. The people commonly called this police
organization 'Peelers' after Mr. Peel.
Then, when Robert Peel became Home Secretary of England, he
reorganized the London police. It was 1829 and London's populace had
grown to the point that it needed an organized police force to
question travelers after dark, hold all suspicious persons and quell
any disturbances. (There were already special police to guard docks
and markets and to serve notices and warrants.) Peel organized a paid
and trained force for day and night duty called the Metropolitan
Police of London. Once again, the people nicknamed the police after
Peel.
They have been referred to as Bobbies ever since.
** Events
1953 - Walt Disney's film, "Peter Pan", opened at the Roxy Theatre in
New York City. Although the film is now recognized as a great work,
not all of the critics in 1953 took to the Disney stylization of the
J.M. Barrie play.
1972 - Bob Douglas became the first black man elected to the
Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. Douglas not only coached
the New York Renaissance, an all-black team which won 88 consecutive
games in 1933, he owned the team.
1987 - The Dow Jones industrial average closed above the 2,200-point
mark for the first time. The market closed at 2201.49.
** Birthdays
1900 - Adlai Stevenson (Democratic party candidate for US president
[1952, 1956]; governor of Illinois, UN representative from U.S.
[1961-1965]; passed away July 14, 1965)
1934 - Hank (Henry Louis) Aaron ('Hammerin' Hank': Baseball Hall of
Famer: Milwaukee Braves [all-star: 1955-1965, 1975/World Series:
1957, 1958], Atlanta Braves [all-star: 1965-1974]; home run champ
[755]: eclipsed Babe Ruth's record of 714; baseball executive:
Atlanta Braves)
1942 - Roger Staubach (football: Dallas Cowboys QB: Super Bowl V, VI,
X, XII, XIII; Heisman Trophy Winner: Navy [1963])
** Chart Toppers - 1988
Need You Tonight - INXS
Could've Been - Tiffany
Hazy Shade of Winter - Bangles
Wheels - Restless Heart
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 5 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 6, 2000 (15:46) * 69 lines
Know Your History for February 6:
** This is Win One for the Gipper Day!
The 40th president [1981-1989] of the United States and once governor
of California [1967-1975], Ronald Wilson Reagan, was born on this day
in 1911. Reagan also served six terms as president of the Screen
Actors Guild, leading the union of members in his other career:
acting.
It was acting that brought Ronald Reagan the recognition and
notoriety that led to his most successful career in politics.
However, it has been written that he had only one notable performance
-- in the film, "King's Row" [1941]; although most of us remember his
many performances as the host (and, sometimes, the star) of "General
Electric Theatre" [1954-1962] and "Death Valley Days" [1965-1966];
and role as George Gipp in the 1940 movie, "Knute Rockne,
All-American". Reagan resurrected the line (from the movie), "Win one
for the Gipper," during his presidency as a way to gather support for
his anticommunist, conservative Republican policies.
Comedians used his role in the 1951 movie, "Bedtime for Bonzo", to
gain yucks and guffaws during the Reagan Years (two presidential
terms). The personable, good-natured President was once married to
actress, Jane Wyman ("Falcon Crest"); but former actress, Nancy
Davis, has been his wife for many years. Son, Michael, is a radio
talk-show host. Son, Ron, has appeared frequently on television (even
in his underwear on "Saturday Night Live") and daughter, Patty, is a
writer.
Age has played Ronald Reagan a cruel hand, as he suffers from
Alzheimer's disease. It would be good to "win one for the Gipper" now.
** Events
1943 - Frank Sinatra made his debut as vocalist on radio's "Your Hit
Parade" this night. Frankie had left the Tommy Dorsey Band just four
months prior to beginning the radio program. He was described as,
"...the biggest name in the business."
1971 - NASA Astronaut Alan B. Shepard took a six-iron that he had
stashed away inside his spacecraft and swung at three golf balls on
the surface of the moon. Shepard whiffed the first swing, so, he got
a 'Mulligan' on that one. The others were good, crisp shots that
went, oh, a few hundred yards in the vacuum of space. Due to the
bulkiness of his moonwalk suit, however, he didn't quite get enough
of a swing to launch the golf balls into orbit. But he did take a
couple of divots. Boy, what he might have done with a driver or
three-wood. Fore!
1985 - The noted French mineral water company, Perrier, debuted its
first new product in 123 years. On grocery shelves and in trendy
establishments, one could find water with a twist of lemon, lime or
orange added to the well-established popular product line.
** Birthdays
1895 - Babe (George Herman) Ruth ('The Sultan of Swat', 'The
Bambino': Baseball Hall of Famer: Boston Red Sox pitcher [won 89
games over six seasons/World Series: 1915, 1916, 1918], NY Yankees
outfielder [World Series: 1921-1923, 1926-1928, 1932/60 home runs in
1927/all-star: 1933, 1934], Boston Braves; 714 home runs in 22
seasons; passed away August, 16, 1948)
1911 - Ronald Wilson Reagan (40th U.S. President [1981-1989]; see Win
One for the Gipper Day [above])
1917 - Zsa Zsa (Sari) Gabor (actress: Boy's Night Out, Moulin Rouge,
Ninotchka; Beverly Hills police slapper)
1940 - Tom Brokaw (news anchor: NBC Nightly News, Today; author: The
Greatest Generation)
** Chart Toppers - 1989
When I'm with You - Sheriff
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
When the Children Cry - White Lion
What I'd Say - Earl Thomas Conley
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 6 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Feb 7, 2000 (21:13) * 89 lines
Know Your History for February 7:
** Today is Eubie Day!
Pianist, bandleader and writer of 1,000 songs, James Hubert Blake was
born this day in 1883 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Better known to music aficionados the world over as Eubie, Blake
learned his trade from W. Llewellyn Wilson, piano teacher of New
York's black music teachers and entertainers in the 1920s. By the
time Eubie was sixteen, he was entertaining in cafes in Baltimore and
writing songs like "Charleston". Vaudeville was his stage in 1915
when he teamed with Noble Sissle. They had a hit song, "It's All Your
Fault" and produced the musical, "Shufflin' Along". Its hit songs
were composed by Eubie ("Love Will Find a Way" and "I'm Just Wild
About Harry"). (The latter became the theme song for the 1948 U.S.
presidential election campaign for Harry S Truman.)
Blake also worked on other Broadway shows: "Chocolate Dandies",
"Blackbirds of 1930" (which produced another favorite Eubie hit,
"Memories of You"), "Shuffle Along of 1932", "Atrocities of 1932",
"Swing It", "Tan Manhattan", "Brownskin Models" and "Hit the Stride"
(the last was accomplished in his 72nd year).
WWII troops, ragtime enthusiasts, jazz audiences, concert goers and
TV viewers have all had the pleasure of being entertained by Eubie
Blake. His honors were many, including playing at U.S. President
Jimmy Carter's 1978 jazz party, receiving the Presidential Medal of
Freedom [1981], kudos from ASCAP on his 90th birthday and recording
on his own label almost to his 100th birthday.
Eubie Blake died five days after his 100th year. Fans the world over
will always honor him by listening to his music.
** Events
1882 - The last bareknuckle fight for the heavyweight boxing
championship took place in Mississippi City. John L. Sullivan punched
Paddy Ryan's lights out and sent him to nighty-night land in round
nine. Ouch! Sleep well...
1940 - Movie fans watched the world premiere of the Walt Disney
animation, "Pinocchio", at the Center Theatre in Manhattan. The
showing followed that of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" as
Disney's second feature-length film. One critic called the show, "The
happiest event since the war." We are still arguing about the meaning
of that statement. Let us know if you can figure it out...
1964 - More than 3,000 fans jammed Kennedy Airport in New York as
Beatlemania invaded the U.S. The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul
McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr arrived for their first
U.S. visit (including an appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"). The
'Fab Four' controlled the top spot on the pop music charts for the
next 15 weeks and owned the top of the album charts for 10 weeks.
"Meet The Beatles", indeed!
1985 - "Sports Illustrated" released its annual swimsuit edition. It
was the biggest regular edition in the magazine's history, weighing
in at 218 pages. Paulina Porizkova joined Cheryl Tiegs and Christie
Brinkley as the only models to make the cover more than once.
1985 - "New York, New York" became the official anthem of the Big
Apple. The announcement was made by then New York mayor, Ed "How'm I
Doin'?" Koch. Sinatra fans rejoiced at the honor.
** Birthdays
1885 - (Harry) Sinclair Lewis (1st American Nobel prize-winning
author [1930]: Elmer Gantry; refused Pulitzer prize: Arrowsmith
[1926]; Main Street; passed away Jan 10, 1951)
1951 - Benny Ayala (baseball: NY Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore
Orioles [World Series:1979, 1983], Cleveland Indians)
1962 - (Troyal) Garth Brooks (Grammy Award-winning singer: In
Another's Eyes [1998 w/Trisha Yearwood]; Friends in Low Places, The
Thunder Rolls; LPs: Ropin' the Wind [first LP in history to debut at
#1 on Billboard's pop and country charts], The Chase, In Pieces,
Fresh Horses, Sevens, Double Live; has sold over 80 million albums --
second only to The Beatles)
** Chart Toppers - 1982
Centerfold - The J. Geils Band
Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
Turn Your Love Around - George Benson
Lonely Nights - Mickey Gilley
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 7 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 8, 2000 (13:42) * 61 lines
Know Your History for February 8:
** This is Boy Scouts Day!
William D. Boyce of Chicago, Illinois incorporated the Boy Scouts of
America on this day in 1910. He didn't, however, conceptualize the
scouting movement -- the Boy Scouts were originated by Englishman,
Sir Robert S.S. Baden-Powell.
It seems that Mr. Boyce was visiting England and one foggy day in
London town, he lost his way. A young boy guided him, but refused any
monetary reward. A surprised Mr. Boyce queried as to why. The boy
replied that he was a Scout and Scouts did not accept a reward for
doing a good turn. This gesture of good will so inspired Boyce that
he searched out Baden-Powell to learn more about the British Scouts.
Upon his return to the United States, he formed the Boy Scouts of
America.
Boyce's Scouts, and all those who followed, included along with their
good deeds, outdoor camping, community service projects and other fun
and educational projects. These are all part of the merit badge
system for boys from eleven to seventeen years of age. Younger boys
start out as Cub Scouts and older young men join the Explorers post.
Salute a Boy Scout today!
** Events
1924 - General John Joseph Carty of the Bell Telephone System spoke
in Chicago, IL. His speech was carried across the nation on the first
coast-to-coast radio hookup. An estimated 50-million people heard the
speech.
1963 - Lamar Hunt, owner of the American Football League franchise in
Dallas, TX, moved the operation to Kansas City. He named the new
team, the Chiefs. Dallas got possession of an NFL franchise known as
the Cowboys.
1985 - "The Dukes of Hazzard" ended its 6-1/2 year run on CBS
television. The series was credited with using more stunt men than
any other TV series in history. The show had used as many as eight
cars per episode when the crash sequences got complicated. Waylon
Jennings did the theme song, "The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)".
1986 - Billy Olson, who actually claimed that he was afraid of
heights, broke an indoor pole vault record for the seventh time in
four months. He vaulted 19 feet, 5-1/2 inches.
** Birthdays
1828 - Jules Verne ('the father of science fiction': writer: 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in Eighty Days)
1925 - Jack Lemmon (John Uhler III) (Academy Award-winning actor: Mr.
Roberts [1955], The Apartment [1960], Save the Tiger [1973]; The Odd
Couple, Grumpy Old Men, Some Like It Hot, The China Syndrome, Airport
'77, The Fortune Cookie, Irma La Douce, Days of Wine and Roses, Bell,
Book and Candle)
1940 - Ted Koppel (journalist; anchor: Nightline)
1941 - Nick Nolte (actor: Down and Out in Beverly Hills, The Deep,
Blue Chips, 48 Hours, The Prince of Tides, Extreme Prejudice)
** Chart Toppers - 1991
The First Time - Surface
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C & C Music Factory
featuring Freedom Williams
Play that Funky Music - Vanilla Ice
Daddy's Come Around - Paul Overstreet
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 8 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 9, 2000 (20:26) * 57 lines
Your History for February 9:
** This is Weather Bureau Day!
In 1870, the United States Weather Bureau was authorized by Congress.
We think people always just sat around and talked about the weather,
but it took an act of Congress to do something about it! The weather
bureau is officially known as the National Weather Service (NWS) and
is a department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
The National Weather Service protects the life and property of U.S.
citizens by issuing forecasts and warnings for natural disasters such
as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and severe weather conditions. NWS
communicates this information to the populace through an intricate
and varied network. The NOAA Weather Wire Service or NWWS is the
primary satellite communications system for NWS transmission.
Warnings and other services are delivered in this manner to
newspapers, radio and TV stations and emergency agencies. More than
6400 individual products are transmitted every day.
NWS also generates data to be delivered to the public over a
nationwide network of FM radio transmitter sites. Most of the U.S.
including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa
can receive these broadcasts. Cable TV weather channels and AM radio
channels also broadcast this information.
** Events
1895 - The first college basketball game was played as Minnesota
State School of Agriculture defeated the Porkers of Hamline College,
9-3. That was basketball at its finest, folks...
1964 - Several days after their arrival in the U.S., the Beatles made
the first of three record-breaking appearances on "The Ed Sullivan
Show". The audience viewing the Fab Four was estimated at 73,700,000
people in TV land. The Beatles sang "She Loves You" and "I Want to
Hold Your Hand". One could barely hear the songs above the screams of
the girls in the audience.
1969 - The Boeing 747 flew its inaugural flight this day. The
milestone ushered in the age of the jumbo jet.
** Birthdays
1914 - Carmen Miranda (de Cunha) ('Brazilian Bombshell': singer: Mama
Eu Quero, The Lady with the Tutti Frutti Hat; dancer, actress:
Copacabana, Springtime in the Rockies, Down Argentine Way; Chiquita
Banana)
1928 - Roger Mudd (newsman: CBS News, NBC News, PBS)
1945 - Mia Farrow (Maria de Lourdes Villers) (actress: Peyton Place,
Hannah and Her Sisters, Rosemary's Baby; ex-Mrs. Frank Sinatra;
ex-Mrs. Woody Allen)
** Chart Toppers - 1984
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Joanna - Kool & The Gang
Running with the Night - Lionel Richie
Show Her - Ronnie Milsap
=======================================================
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 9 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 10, 2000 (15:10) * 56 lines
Your History for February 10:
** This is Fit News Day!
How did the newspaper that holds a top-ranking position in journalism
get to such enviable heights? The publishers, editors and writers
obviously believed in its slogan. "All the news that's fit to print"
has appeared on the front page of "The New York Times" since this day
in 1897.
Henry J. Raymond and two associates started "The New York Times" in
1851. It began as a penny paper ... one cent for news vs. the
six-cent political rags of the day. In October of 1896, the paper
held a contest offering readers a one-hundred-dollar prize if they
could come up with a better slogan ... in ten words or less ... than
"All the news that's fit to print." No one did.
And no one has, since. Over one million people read "The New York
Times" every day, making it the seventh most-read paper in the world
and the third in the United States, behind "The Wall Street Journal"
and "USA Today".
** Events
1934 - The first imperforated, ungummed sheets of postage stamps were
issued by the U.S. Postal Service in New York City. Talk about
inconvenience! One had to cut the stamps out of the sheet and then
put some glue on the back to get them to stick on an envelope.
Fortunately, the Postal Service changed this idea after many
complaints. Letters were, literally, gumming up the works...
1956 - Elvis Presley wiggled his way through "Heartbreak Hotel" this
day for RCA Records in Nashville, TN. The record received two gold
records, one for each side. The hit on the other side was "I Was the
One". For those wanting to know even more trivia that will make you a
big hit at cocktail parties, tell your friends that the first known
million-seller was by Ben Selvin back in 1919. It, too, was a two
sided hit, featuring "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Darandella".
Now, you really are up to date!
1985 - One of the Houston Rockets' 'Twin Towers',
seven-foot-four-inch Ralph Sampson (the Rockets star center), scored
24 points to lead the West over the East, 140-129 in the NBA All-Star
Game in Indianapolis, IN. Sampson was named the games' Most Valuable
Player.
** Birthdays
1890 - Boris Pasternak (poet, writer: Doctor Zhivago)
1893 - Jimmy Durante (actor, comedian: "Good night Mrs. Calabash,
wherever you are."; Ziegfeld Follies, The Man Who Came to Dinner, It
Happened in Brooklyn, The Jimmy Durante Show)
1950 - Mark Spitz (swimmer: U.S. Olympic 9-time gold medal winner,
the most gold medals won by an individual [seven in 1972 and 2 in
1968])
** Chart Toppers
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Easy Lover - Philip Bailey with Phil Collins
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael
Ain't She Somethin' Else - Conway Twitty
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 10 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Feb 11, 2000 (16:46) * 66 lines
History for February 11:
** This is Inventor's Day!
Who could have guessed that when little Thomas Alva Edison entered
the world on this day in 1847 the world would never be the same.
Little Al (his folks called him Alva or Al) was a curious child,
always asking questions. When he didn't get an answer, he'd try to
figure it out for himself by experimenting. His incessant questions
exasperated his school teacher so much that Al's mother had to take
him out of school after only three months. A lack of formal education
didn't stop Thomas Edison. He is now considered the greatest inventor
in history. In 1928, the U.S. Congress awarded a gold medal to Thomas
Edison for "development and application of inventions that have
revolutionized civilization in the last century."
His first invention was an automated telegraph message machine. He
attached a gadget to a clock that would send a signal even if he was
asleep. From then on, Edison invented more than 2000 gadgets, holding
1,093 patents, some which improved the inventions of others, like the
telephone, typewriter, motion pictures, the electric generator and
electric-powered trains. He was very close to inventing the radio; he
predicted the use of atomic energy, and received $40,000 for his
stock-ticker patents. And Al was only going to ask for $5,000, hoping
to get $3,000.
He is also credited with inventions such as the storage battery, a
cement mixer, the dictaphone, a duplicating machine ... even a way to
make synthetic rubber. Edison received so many awards for his
accomplishments that he once joked, "I have to measure them by the
quart."
One of the world's most original inventions, the phonograph, was also
Thomas Edison's favorite. But, the invention that virtually changed
the world forever was his electric incandescent light bulb.
A century later, the genius of Thomas Alva Edison still permeates
every part of our lives. He died October 18, 1931, but if he was
alive today, we are sure he would still remain humble and insist that
his genius was "one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
** Events
1752 - Through the efforts of Benjamin Franklin, the Pennsylvania
Hospital opened. It was the very first hospital in America.
1943 - General Dwight David Eisenhower was selected to command the
allied armies in Europe. The General's efforts in World War II made
him so popular that he was elected President of the United States
less than a decade later.
1966 - Willie Mays became the highest-paid baseball player in either
league as he signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
for a salary of about $130,000 a year.
1987 - North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith got his 600th
career coaching win as the Tar Heels defeated Wake Forest 94-85. At
the time, Smith had 600 wins and 173 losses in his 26-year coaching
career.
1990 - James 'Buster' Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson in the 10th
round to grab the heavyweight boxing crown for himself. Douglas went
into that bout in Tokyo a 35-1 underdog.
** Birthdays
1847 - Thomas Alva Edison (inventor of more than 1000 patented ideas;
see Inventor's Day [above])
1919 - Eddie Robinson (football coach: record for most victories in
overall NCAA competition [388])
1926 - Eva Gabor (actress: Green Acres, Gigi, The Last Time I Saw Paris)
** Chart Toppers
That's What Friends are For - Dionne & Friends
Burning Heart - Survivor
I'm Your Man - Wham!
Hurt - Juice Newton
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 11 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Feb 12, 2000 (17:15) * 70 lines
History for February 12:
** This is Honest Abe Day!
His life was what America was all about. An average boy, born on this
day in 1809 on a farm in a log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, was
able to become the 16th President of the United States.
He studied hard, by the light of a fireplace, to become first, a
lawyer, then a statesman. Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered
U.S. Presidents, served his country during one of the most turbulent
times in its history. The term of his presidency (1861 - 1865)
encompassed the Civil War between the States. His "Emancipation
Proclamation" made on January 1, 1863 to free slaves; and his
"Gettysburg Address" given on November 19, 1863 at the site of one of
the most famous battlegrounds of the Civil War are still held high as
classic statements of democratic beliefs and goals.
President Lincoln was also responsible for one of the most popular
holidays in the U.S.: Thanksgiving Day. He proclaimed that the last
Thursday of November shall be observed as such. And so it was, and
still is.
Abraham Lincoln lived during tragic times and died a tragic death.
While watching a performance of "Our American Cousin" at Washington's
Ford Theatre, he was shot by John Wilkes Booth and died a few hours
later. Lincoln was the first U.S. President to be assassinated.
'Honest Abe' earned his nickname when he was practicing law in
Illinois. It was his unfailing honesty that made him known throughout
the state. When convinced that his client was right, he could argue
the case strongly. If not convinced, he was hardly powerful in his
client's defense. Lincoln would persuade clients to settle out of
court even though that meant he would receive a lesser fee. And, when
this was not possible, he could argue a case equally as well before a
judge or before an uneducated jury. To Abe Lincoln, being a lawyer or
President meant seeking the truth for client or for country.
** Events
1918 - All theatres in New York City were shut down in an effort to
conserve coal.
1924 - Calvin Coolidge, known by many as the 'Silent President', made
the first presidential political speech on radio. The speech
originated from New York City and was broadcast on five radio
stations. Some five million people tuned in to hear the President
speak.
1973 - The State of Ohio went metric, becoming the first in the U.S.
to post metric distance signs along Interstate 71. These new signs
showed the distance in both miles and kilometers. The metric system,
though standard in many nations around the world, never quite caught
on in the United States, except on major-league baseball stadium
fences -- and on that highway in Ohio.
** Birthdays
1809 - Charles Darwin (naturalist: theory of evolution: On the Origin
of the Species by Means of Natural Selection, Preservation of
Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, The Descent of Man and
Selection in Relation to Sex)
1809 - Abraham Lincoln (16th U.S. President [1861-1865]: assasinated
April 16, 1865; see Honest Abe Day [above]) 1880 - John L. Lewis
(U.S. labor leader: United Mine Workers of America)
1955 - Arsenio Hall (Emmy Award-winning TV talk-show host: Emmy
Award-winning TV talk-show host: The Arsenio Hall Show Show [1990,
1993]; MTV Video Music Awards [1988-1991], The Late Show, The 1/2
Hour Comedy Hour; actor: Harlem Nights Coming to America, Amazon
Women on the Moon, Martial Law; entertainer: Thicke of the Night,
Motown Revue)
** Chart Toppers - 1987
Open Your Heart - Madonna
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Change of Heart - Cyndi Lauper
Leave Me Lonely - Gary Morris
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 12 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 13, 2000 (18:58) * 55 lines
History for February 13, 2000
** This is American Gothic Day!
The artist who is most remembered for portraying the architecture,
landscape and people of 1930s Midwestern U.S. was born on this day in
1892, in Anamosa, Iowa. Grant Wood studied at the University of Iowa,
taught there and made Iowa the focus of his paintings.
Wood was not only a teacher, but a printer, sculptor, woodworker and
one of America's first 'regionalist' painters. His was a style that
was purely American. He portrayed scenes of Midwestern rural life as
well as simplified, childlike versions of American history. His first
works were unique in that they combined photographic realism with
satire. His painting, "Daughters of the Revolution" was an example of
Wood's beginning style. "Dinner for Threshers", "Young Corn", "Fall
Plowing" and "Stone City" are representative of his Middle Western
realism.
And, there is hardly a soul who hasn't viewed the most famous Grant
Wood, "American Gothic". It has appeared in satirical situations on
television, in magazines and newspapers. Its fame is such that many
who have seen it have never even been in an art museum, yet "American
Gothic" is recognizable just the same. The painting of the
puritanical farmer and his wife, the farmer holding a pitchfork, is
on display at The Art Institute of Chicago.
** Events
1971 - The Osmonds, a family singing group from Ogden, Utah, began a
five-week stay at the top of the pop music charts with the hit, "One
Bad Apple". The song, featuring the voice of little Donny Osmond,
also showcased the talent of Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond. The
brothers were regulars on Andy Williams' TV show from 1962 to 1967.
The group began as a religious and barbershop quartet in 1959.
Together, the Osmonds scored with 10 singles in four years -- four of
them were top ten hits.
1985 - The Dow Jones industrial average closed at a record high of
1297.92 after it topped the 1300 mark earlier in the trading session.
The market went on to post an increase of 21.31 points for the day.
1986 - In a report issued on this day by the Association of Secondary
School Principals, it was revealed that high school salaries for U.S.
principals topped $70,000. The lowest salary reported for a high
school principal was $15,200. The average salary for a high school
principal was $49,670. On average, a principal would hand out more
than 1,342,328,321 hours of detention in his or her career.
** Birthdays
1885 - Bess Truman (Wallace) (wife of 33rd U.S. President Harry S Truman)
1923 - Chuck Yeager (pilot: broke sound barrier; featured in movie:
The Right Stuff)
** Chart Toppers
Could've Been - Tiffany
Seasons Change - Expose
I Want to Be Your Man - Roger
Wheels - Restless Heart
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 13 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Feb 14, 2000 (14:17) * 51 lines
Your History for February 14:
** This is Valentine's Day!
Sometime during the 1st century, the conservative right thought there
should be something else to do on this date than to observe the
ancient pagan holiday of Lupercalia. For those who don't remember --
or can't remember -- Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility
festival. Instead of revelry and sacrificing goats and dogs, it was
determined that two Christian martyrs should be celebrated. Both were
named St. Valentine. One of the saints was a priest and doctor who
was beaten and beheaded while on the Flaminian Way, Rome, Italy in
the year 269. A year later, the Bishop of Terni met the same fate in
the same place.
Something got lost in the translation and the two celebrations became
one. St. Valentine's Day, the most widely celebrated unofficial
holiday, is a modern-day fertility rite. (There's even an old legend
that says birds choose their mates on this day.)
This is the day that lovers of all ages give tokens of affection to
each other; with kisses accompanied by flowers, candy or romantic,
candlelit dinners. Thoughts of love are traded between lovers; often
expressed in greeting card form or with sunset, moonlight, a glass of
wine and thou!
Hearts and flowers to you on this Valentine's Day!
** Events
1899 - Voting machines for use in federal elections were approved by
the U.S. Congress on this day.
1966 - Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers set a National
Basketball Association record as he reached a career high of 20,884
points after seven seasons as a pro basketball player.
1972 - The musical, "Grease", opened at the Eden Theatre in New York
City. The play later moved to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway
where it became the longest-running musical ever with 3,388
performances. A hit movie based on the stage play starred John
Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and produced the hit song, "Grease",
by Frankie Valli, "You're the One That I Want" and "Summer Nights" by
Travolta and Newton-John.
** Birthdays
1859 - George Ferris (inventor: Ferris wheel)
1946 - Gregory Hines (dancer, actor: Renaissance Man, Tap, The Cotton
Club, Eubie!)
1960 - Meg Tilly (actress: Journey, Body Snatchers, The Two Jakes,
Agnes of God, Psycho 2, The Big Chill, Winnetka Road)
** Chart Toppers - 1989
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
Wild Thing - Tone Loc
Born to Be My Baby - Bon Jovi
Song of the South - Alabama
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 14 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 15, 2000 (20:59) * 64 lines
History for February 15:
** This is Reaper Day!
What do you do when there are too few hands to harvest the crops and
there are miles and miles of flat, stoneless prairie on which to grow
crops? You build a mechanical reaper. And that's exactly what Cyrus
Hall McCormick did.
McCormick, who was born on this day in 1809 on a farm in Walnut
Grove, Virginia, had watched his father's unsuccessful attempts at
building a reaper. Cyrus was bound and determined to succeed where
his father had failed. So he went about the task of building a
mechanical reaper which he tested in a Virginia wheat field. By his
25th birthday, he had improved the reaper enough to get a patent for
it. Then, at the age of 38, with sixty dollars in his pocket, Cyrus
went to Chicago where he set up a reaper factory.
The time and place were right for reaping ... the rich prairie
wheatlands of the United States were being developed. Little did
Cyrus McCormick know that he was creating the machine that would be
second only to the railroad in the development of the United States,
a symbol of the mechanical revolution in agriculture.
McCormick survived two decades of court battles to gain patent rights
for reaper parts. He purchased other patents and made his company a
leader in reapers. His invention had achieved worldwide notoriety and
he became a millionaire before his fortieth birthday as head of The
McCormick Harvesting Machine Company.
Cyrus Hall McCormick died on May 13, 1884. 18 years later, his
company merged into what we now know as International Harvester
Company. And the world has been reaping the benefits of his wonderful
machine ever since.
** Events
1758 - Mustard, that tangy, yellow stuff made for hot dogs and
hamburgers, was advertised for the first time in America. Who do you
think was responsible for bringing mustard to the U.S.A.? No, not
French's, nor Grey Poupon. It was Benjamin Franklin. We wonder
whether Ben preferred the yellow or the dark mustard -- and what he
would have thought of the many uses of mustard in haute cuisine.
1842 - Adhesive postage stamps were used for the first time by the
City Dispatch Post (Office) in New York City. They probably tasted
just like today's adhesive lick 'em and stick 'em stamps. Maybe
flavored postage stamps will be the next great idea. Remember that
you read about it first right here.
1965 - Canada displayed its new red and white Maple Leaf flag, which
replaced the old Red Ensign standard.
1978 - Boxer Leon Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali to win the universally
recognized heavyweight boxing crown. Spinks won a split decision over
Ali, who had held the title for seven years. The 24-year-old
challenger had only seven professional fights to his credit. The
title bout was held in the Pavilion at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
** Birthdays
1803 - John Sutter (early California settler: owned Sutter's Mill
near Sacramento, site of first gold strike in U.S.)
1812 - Charles Tiffany (jeweler who had a lot of breakfasts at his
store; name synonymous with highest quality jewelry)
1954 - Matt Groening (cartoonist: The Simpsons)
** Chart Toppers - 1990
Opposites Attract - Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair
Two to Make It Right - Seduction
Janie's Got a Gun - Aerosmith
Southern Star - Alabama
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 15 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 16, 2000 (13:44) * 50 lines
History for February 16:
** This is Goodson-Todman Day!
"That's three down. We move now to Arlene Francis." On this day in
1950, Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen, humorist Hal Block, and
Louis Untermeyer joined host John Daly as one of the classics of
early television debuted on CBS. "What's My Line" stayed on the air
for 17 years -- the longest-running game show in the history of
prime-time network television -- and launched one of TV's biggest
production companies: that of Mark Goodson and Bill Todman.
During many years in the television industry, the Goodson-Todman name
became famous for such hit game shows as "I've Got a Secret", "Beat
the Clock", "The Name's the Same", "To Tell the Truth", "The Price is
Right" and "The Match Game". What many people don't know is that Mark
Goodson and Bill Todman also produced a dramatic anthology, "The
Web", which aired on CBS-TV from July 1950 through September 1954 and
then on NBC-TV (for four months) in 1957.
As the announcer for these shows would say, "This program is a Mark
Goodson - Bill Todman Production."
** Events
1963 - The Beatles moved to the top of the British rock charts with
"Please, Please Me" exactly one month after the record was released.
It was the start of the Beatles domination of the British music
charts, as well as the beginning of the British Invasion in America
and elsewhere around the world.
1968 - Elvis Presley received a gold record for his sacred album of
hymns, "How Great Thou Art". Despite his popularity in the pop music
world, Elvis won only 3 Grammy Awards -- one for this album, the
Lifetime Achievement Award in 1970; then for "He Touched Me" in 1972.
He did, however, receive over a dozen Grammy nominations.
** Birthdays
1957 - LeVar Burton (actor: Alex Haley's Roots, Star Trek: Next Generation)
1959 - John McEnroe (tennis' bad boy for his frequent outbursts on
the tennis court: Wimbledon Men's Singles Champion [1981,83, 84];
U.S. Open Men's Singles Champion: [1979, 80, 81, 84])
1961 - Andy Taylor (musician: guitar: group: Duran Duran: Planet
Earth, Hungry like the Wolf, Save a Prayer, Rio, Is There Something I
Should Know, Union of the Snake, Wild Boys)
** Chart Toppers 0 1991
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C & C Music
Factory featuring Freedom Williams
All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston
One More Try - Timmy -T-
Brother Jukebox - Mark Chesnutt
=======================================================
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 16 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 17, 2000 (17:42) * 58 lines
History for February 17:
** This is PTA Day!
The National Congress of Mothers was organized on this day in 1897 in
Washington, DC by Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst.
At first, the objectives of the organization were devoted to child
study. The National Congress urged parents to study the school
curriculums that were being used in the schools their children
attended. The Congress also suggested that parents, both mothers and
fathers, should take reading courses that provided information about
children and schooling.
The group later changed its name to the National Congress of Parents
and Teachers or the NPTA with local groups known as the PTA
(Parent-Teacher Associations). The first State Congress of the NPTA
was organized in New York in 1897. And one of the first major
projects the PTA worked on was the extension of kindergartens to the
elementary school grades.
In recent years many local PTA groups emphasized greater involvement
of students and are known as Parent-Teacher-Student Associations or
PTSA.
PTA or PTSA meetings are commonly held monthly at public schools
throughout the U.S. If you're a member, remember that you're supposed
to be promoting the educational, emotional and social welfare of our
children.
** Events
1958 - Former New York Giants football star Frank Gifford signed a
seven-year contract with Warner Brothers in a film deal that didn't
make him the movie star the studio expected. So, Giff went into
broadcasting instead. His first job was as a sportscaster for WCBS-TV
in New York. He then moved to WABC-TV in New York and on to network
television as primary play-by-play announcer and then to color
commentator on ABC's "Monday Night Football". Frank is married to
Kathie Lee Gifford of "Regis and Kathie Lee" morning TV fame.
1985 - Postage stamp prices were hiked to 22 cents for first-class
mail in the U.S.
1985 - Laffit Pincay Jr. rode his 6,000th career winner at Santa
Anita Race Track in Arcadia, CA. He became the third jockey to reach
that coveted mark (behind Willie Shoemaker and Johnny Longden). Talk
about a Winner's Circle of racing legends...
1987 - Don Mattingly won the highest award in the 13-year history of
salary arbitration when a judge ruled that the New York Yankee first
baseman deserved a salary of $1,975,000. Have times ever changed...
** Birthdays
1766 - Thomas Malthus (economist, demographer: The Malthusian Theory:
population growth exceed production growth)
1934 - Willie (Charles) Kirkland (baseball: SF Giants, Cleveland
Indians Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators)
1936 - Jim Brown (Pro Football Hall of Famer; actor: The Dirty Dozen,
El Condor, Ice Station Zebra, Crack House)
** Chart Toppers
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
Joanna - Kool & The Gang
Jump - Van Halen
That's the Way Love Goes - Merle Haggard
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 17 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Feb 18, 2000 (15:21) * 46 lines
History for February 18:
** This is Nude Descending a Staircase Day!
No, this isn't about the latest Hugh Hefner "Playboy" centerfold...
We speak of this day in 1913 when the famous French painting, "Nude
Descending a Staircase" by the French artist Marcel Duchamp, was
displayed at an 'Armory Show' (don't ask) in New York City. The work
was labeled as America's first look at modern art. Critics called the
work "scandalous" and "meaningless." Yeah, well, it's a beautiful,
classic work of art no matter if it looks like an android doing "The Twist".
** Events
1841 - The first continuous filibuster in the U.S. Senate began. It
lasted until March 11th. Talk about a big bag of wind...
1908 - U.S. postage stamps were sold for the very first time. They
cost only a penny...
1985 - Diver Greg Louganis was recognized as the top amateur athlete
in the United States, as he received the James E. Sullivan Award of
the Amateur Athletic Union in Indianapolis, IN. Louganis had won
double gold at the 1984 Olympic Games.
1987 - The executives of the Girl Scout movement decided, because the
older girls wanted a change, that it was time to change the color of
the scout uniform from the traditional Girl Scout green to the newer
Girl Scout blue.
** Birthdays
1920 - Jack Palance (Vladimir Palahnuik) (Academy Award-winning
actor: City Slickers [1991]; Requiem for a Heavyweight, Batman,
Cyborg 2, Cops and Robbersons, Bronk, Ripley's Believe It or Not)
1931 - Toni Morrison (Chloe Anthony Wofford) (Nobel Prize [1993] and
Pulitzer Prize-winning author: Beloved [1988]; National Book Critics
Circle Award: Song of Solomon [1977], Jazz, Tar Baby, Sula, The
Bluest Eye)
1933 - Yoko Ono Lennon (singer: Walking on Thin Ice; artist; John
Lennon's widow)
1954 - John Travolta (actor: Welcome Back Kotter, Saturday Night
Fever, Grease, Urban Cowboy, Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty, Broken Arrow)
1957 - Vanna White (Rosich) (TV game show personality: Wheel of Fortune)
1964 - Matt Dillon (actor: My Bodyguard, Drugstore Cowboy, The Outsiders)
** Chart Toppers - 1985
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael
Loverboy - Billy Ocean
Method of Modern Love - Daryl Hall John Oates
Make My Life with You - The Oak Ridge Boys
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 18 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Feb 19, 2000 (13:24) * 62 lines
History for February 19:
** This is Bollingen Prize Day!
Thanks to the Bollingen Foundation and Yale University, starving
poets have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars. The first
Bollingen Prize in poetry ($5,000) was awarded to Ezra Pound on this
day in 1949. Mr. Pound was presented with the prize for his poetry
collection, "The Pisan Cantos". Unfortunately, this first award
presentation by the Bollingen Foundation was filled with controversy.
It seems that Ezra Pound, a talented poet, was also a pro-fascist,
and had been charged with treason for broadcasting his political
beliefs while in Italy during WWII. Pound was still given the award.
The Bollingen Prize was presented annually through 1963 when Robert
Frost was the recipient, after which it became a biennial award. The
$5,000 award was upped to $10,000 in 1989 when Edgar Bowers was the
prize winner, and to $25,000 in 1995. The $25,000 award went to poet,
Kenneth Koch.
Keep writing those odes, rhymes and stanzas. You may be the next
winner of the Bollingen Prize in Poetry. And maybe, just maybe, the
award will receive another cost-of-living adjustment.
** Events
1878 - Thomas Alva Edison, famed inventor, patented a music player at
his laboratory in Menlo Park, NJ. (This music device is the one we
know as the phonograph.) Here's the real skinny on the story: Edison
paid his assistant $18 to make the device from a sketch Edison had
drawn. Originally, Edison had set out to invent a telegraph repeater,
but came up with the phonograph or, as he called it, the speaking
machine. When asked why he invented the machine, Edison told
reporters, "How else am I gonna listen to my Dixie Chicks stuff?"
1942 - The New York Yankees announced that they would admit 5,000
uniformed servicemen free to each of their home ball games during the
coming season.
1984 - The XIV Winter Olympic Games ended at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.
The Soviet Union led all countries with 25 medals, the United States
captured nine medals to tie for fifth place. Within the shadow of
what was the Olympic Stadium, hundreds, maybe thousands, of Bosnians
are now buried; the result of the civil war that began in the early
1990s.
1985 - Mickey Mouse was welcomed to China as part of the 30th
anniversary of Disneyland. The touring mouse played 30 cities in 30
days. Tough schedule even for a mouse!
1987 - A controversial anti-smoking ad aired for the first time on
television. It featured actor Yul Brynner in a public service
announcement that was recorded shortly before his October 1985 death
from lung cancer.
** Birthdays
1473 - Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikolaj Kopernick) (Polish astronomer:
the Copernican theory: the sun is the center of our universe)
1924 - Lee Marvin (Academy Award-winning Best Actor: Cat Ballou
[1965]; The Caine Mutiny, The Dirty Dozen, Delta Force, Ship of
Fools; passed away Aug 29, 1987)
1966 - Justine Bateman (actress: A Century of Women, Primary Motive,
The Fatal Image, Family Ties)
** Chart Toppers - 1986
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going - Billy Ocean
Kyrie - Mr. Mister
Makin' Up for Lost Time (The Dallas Lovers' Song) - Crystal Gayle & Gary Morris
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 19 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (16:50) * 53 lines
History for February 20:
** Today is Father of Little League Day!
Millions of kids throughout the world have spent their summer days
playing baseball thanks to a man named Carl E. Stotz. Stotz was born
in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on this day in 1910. Twenty-nine years
later, Carl Stotz found a way for little boys to play at the man's
game of baseball. He founded the Little League Baseball Organization,
which consisted of three teams. (Today, each local league may have
from four to ten teams.)
Boys, ages 8 to 12, formed the baseball teams that played on a
diamond two-thirds the size of a regulation diamond; and played for
six innings. Wearing rubber cleats and using bats no longer than 33
inches, boys were able to participate in America's favorite pastime.
Girls have been included in Little League since 1974 and championship
tournaments are played at the end of the regular season of at least
15 games. The tournaments are held to select eight regional winners
from around the world.
In honor of Carl Stotz, each August, the regional winners from the
U.S. compete in the Little League World Series in Williamsport,
Pennsylvania.
** Events
1792 - President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act.
Letters delivered up to 30 miles cost six cents to mail. For letters
up to 150 miles, postage was 12-1/2 cents. And, just like today,
letters over 150 miles were not guaranteed to be delivered at all.
1962 - America's first space hero, John Glenn, made space history.
Glenn orbited the world three times in 4 hours, 55 minutes.
"Godspeed, John Glenn. You're cleared for orbit."
1974 - After a decade of marriage, Cher filed for separation from
husband Sonny Bono. Not long afterwards, she filed for divorce and
the accompanying alimony. This time she sang, "I Got You Babe", for
real ... before becoming a successful solo singer and movie actress
in films such as "Moonstruck" (Best Actress Oscar in 1987).
** Birthdays
1946 - J. (Jerome) Geils (guitarist: group: The J. Geils Band:
Looking for a Love, Give It to Me, Freeze-Frame, Centerfold)
1955 - Kelsey Grammer (Emmy Award-winning actor: Frasier [1994,
1995]; Cheers, Another World)
1963 - Charles Barkley (basketball: Phoenix Suns; shortest player
[6'6"] to lead NBA in rebounds)
1967 - Kurt Cobain (musician, singer: group: Nirvana: LP: Nevermind;
creator of grunge rock; passed away [apparent suicide] April 8, 1994)
1967 - Andrew Shue (actor: Melrose Place)
** Chart Toppers - 1987
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Change of Heart - Cyndi Lauper
Touch Me (I Want Your Body) - Samantha Fox
How Do I Turn You On - Ronnie Milsap
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 20 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Feb 21, 2000 (12:59) * 55 lines
History for February 21:
** Today is Washington Monument Day!
On this day in 1855, the official dedication of the Washington
Monument took place in Washington, D.C., although the monument wasn't
completed for another thirty-three years. In fact, the structure took
a total of forty-eight years to finish.
The stone obelisk honoring the first President of the United States
was designed by Robert Mills who died in this, the year of the
dedication.
A major visitor attraction, one can see the entire city of Washington
D.C., plus parts of the surrounding states of Virginia and Maryland
from the top of the 555-foot monument. If you visit the city when the
cherry trees are in blossom, you will be treated to a spectacular
view from ground level too, as images of the blossoms and monument
shimmer in the rectangular pool facing the Washington Monument. Now,
that's something to reflect on...
** Events
1878 - The first telephone directories issued in the U.S. were
distributed to residents in New Haven, CT. It was easy to "Let Your
Fingers Do the Walking" at that time as only 50 subscribers' names
were listed.
1981 - Dolly Parton reached the top spot on the pop music charts with
"9 to 5", from the movie of the same name, in which Dolly starred
with Lili Tomlin and Jane Fonda. The hit song stayed at #1 for a
week, gave way to Eddie Rabbitt's "I Love a Rainy Night" and bounced
back two weeks later for another week at Number One.
1984 - The Toy Manufacturers of America met in New York City to show
the top toys of the year. They included: Menudo, Michael Jackson
(accessories sold separately), Mr. T. and Judy Garland from "The
Wizard of Oz". Dolls were very big that year...
** Birthdays
1927 - Erma Bombeck (Fiste) (humorist, columnist, writer: The Grass
Is Always Greener over the Septic Tank)
1936 - Barbara Jordon (lawyer, educator, U.S. Congresswoman)
1943 - David Geffen (Tony Award-winning producer: Cats [1983], M
Butterfly [1988]; Miss Saigon, Beetlejuice, Risky Business record
executive: Geffen Records; partner in famous Dreamworks film
production company with Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg)
1946 - Tyne (Ellen) Daly (Tony Award: Gypsy [1990] and Emmy
Award-winning actress: Cagney and Lacey [1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85,
1987-88]; Christy, On the Town, Your Place or Mine, A Matter of Life
and Death, Speedtrap, Intimate Strangers, The Enforcer, Larry, Angel
Unchained, The Butter and Egg Man, John and Mary, The Virginian;
daughter of actors James Daly and Hope Newell; sister of actor Tim Daly)
** Chart Toppers - 1988
Seasons Change - Expose
What Have I Done to Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
Father Figure - George Michael
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star - Merle Haggard
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 21 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 22, 2000 (12:28) * 69 lines
History for February 22:
** This is Gentle Giant Day!
How tall is the tallest man? Most information collected before the
1900s can not be proven. In fact, exaggeration and dishonesty
prevailed. Even medical papers were unreliable. Depending on the
measurements of the time and the translation of such, even Goliath
stood a mere 6 feet, 10 inches.
However, there is irrefutable evidence that Robert Pershing Wadlow,
born on this day in 1918 in Alton, Illinois, still holds the record
for being the tallest recorded man. Oh yes, Robert was quite normal
at birth, weighing in at 8.5 lbs. At the age of two, he had a double
hernia operation and something changed. He started to grow, and grow
and grow. By age 5 he was 5'4" tall and weighed 105 lbs. On his 8th
birthday, Robert weighed in at 169 lbs. and topped the ruler at six
feet. He grew another foot by the time he was thirteen and still
another by his seventeenth year.
On June 27, 1940, Mr. Wadlow was measured by Dr. Cyril MacBryde and
Dr. C. M. Charles, Associate Professor of Anatomy at Washington
University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. They recorded
Wadlow's height at 8' 11.1". A week later, Wadlow was fitted with a
brace on his right leg. The brace fit poorly and inflamed his ankle,
causing cellulitis. Robert Wadlow died from the infection on July 15,
1940. A coffin was made especially for him: 10'9" long, 32" wide, 30"
deep. Had he not died, he would have continued to grow, according to
the doctors.
Wadlow, who faced constant public attention and often, ridicule, was
always kind, patient and friendly, a demeanor that earned him the
nickname 'the gentle giant'. Fortunately he was a gentle giant. If he
wasn't, his harassers would have faced a 439 lb. man who wore shoes,
size 37AA, a size-25 ring on hands that measured 12 3/4" from the
wrist to the tip of the middle finger. His arm span was nine feet,
five and three-quarter inches.
What we want to know is, where did he buy his clothes? And, could he
play basketball?
** Events
1860 - Organized baseball's first game was played in San Francisco,
CA. With all the complaints, one would think that Candlestick Park
was the first stadium in which the game was played but, this is not
true. Candlestick wasn't opened until 1960.
1956 - Elvis Presley entered the music charts for the first time.
"Heartbreak Hotel" began its climb to the number one spot on the pop
listing, reaching the top on April 11, 1956. It stayed at the top for
eight weeks.
1965 - Filming began for the Beatles' second movie, "HELP!", in the Bahamas.
** Birthdays
1732 - George Washington (1st U.S. President [1789-1797]; "I cannot
tell a lie..." ; passed away Dec. 14, 1799)
1932 - Edward Kennedy (U.S. Senator from Massachusetts; brother of
35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Attorney General Robert
Kennedy)
1950 - Julius Erving II (Basketball Hall of Famer: Philadelphia
76ers: Dr. J. the third pro player to score more than 30,000 career
points [after Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar])
1975 - Drew Barrymore (actress: Bad Girls, Irreconcilable
Differences, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Altered States, Wayne's
World 2, Batman Forever, Scream, The Wedding Singer; autobiography
[at age 14]: Little Lost Girl; daughter of actor/director John
Barrymore, Jr.; granddaughter of actor John Barrymore, Sr.;
great-niece of actors Ethel Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore)
** Chart Toppers - 1989
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
Wild Thing - Tone Loc
Born to Be My Baby - Bon Jovi
Big Wheels in the Moonlight - Dan Seals
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 22 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:29) * 53 lines
History for February 23:
** This is Stars, Stripes & Marines Forever Day!
It was February 23, 1945 and four days of bitter battle had taken its
toll on the 28th Regiment of the Fifth Marine Division of the U.S.
Marines. Their task had been to neutralize the defenses and scale the
heavily fortified Mount Surabachi. The volcanic peak, at the southern
tip of the Japanese Island of Iwo Jima, was one of the first
objectives of the Marines' invasion of this small, strategic island,
750 miles south of Tokyo.
Although losses were heavy, the Marine platoon succeeded in its
mission and reached the top of Mount Surabachi on this day. Victory
was triumphant -- as the famous photograph (by Joe Rosenthal) of
these Marines raising the American flag portrayed.
The photograph inspired the Marine Corps Memorial, Iwo Jima Statue
which now stands at Arlington National Cemetery, the largest cast
bronze statue in the world. This monument is dedicated to all U.S.
Marines (since 1775) who have given their lives for their country.
As the flag was being raised, Navy Secretary Forrestal was standing
on the beachhead below. When he saw Old Glory waving in the breeze,
he told Lt. General Holland M. Smith, "The raising of that flag on
Surabachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."
** Events
1957 - The United States Supreme Court ruled that professional
football operations of the NFL did fall within coverage of existing
antitrust laws.
1974 - The Symbionese Liberation Army demanded $4 million more for
the release of Patty Hearst. Hearst had been kidnapped on February
4th and her father, publisher Randolph Hearst, had already coughed up
$2 million hoping for her freedom. Randolph said he would consider
this request too.
1985 - Breaking with tradition, the TV show, "Gimme a Break", was
broadcast live before a studio audience. It was the first TV sitcom
to be seen live since television's Golden Age in the 1950s.
** Birthdays
1685 - George Frederick Handel (composer: Messiah)
1939 - Peter Fonda (director, actor: Easy Rider, Futureworld, The
Wild Angel's, Love and a .45; Jane's brother; Henry's son; Bridget's
Dad)
1943 - Fred Biletnikoff (football: Oakland Raiders wide receiver:
Super Bowl II, XI)
1963 - Bobby (Roberto Martin Antonio) Bonilla (baseball: Chicago
White Sox Pittsburgh Pirates [all-star: 1988-1991], NY Mets
[all-star: 1993, 1995/highest salary in baseball: 1994: $6,300,000],
Baltimore Orioles)
** Chart Toppers - 1990
Opposites Attract - Paula Abdul with The Wild Pair
Two to Make It Right - Seduction
Escapade - Janet Jackson
On Second Thought - Eddie Rabbitt
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 23 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Feb 24, 2000 (16:29) * 60 lines
History for February 24:
** Today is Voice of America Day!
It was an historic day in radio broadcasting, as the Voice of America
(VOA) signed on for the first time on this day in 1942. The
worldwide, shortwave radio service, a department of the United States
Government, continues to beam a variety of programming around the
globe under the auspices of the United States Information Agency
(USIA).
The VOA transmits from modern studios in Washington, DC and beams
much of its programming via satellite to transmitters worldwide. In
addition, the VOA maintains huge transmitters in the U.S. and around
the world in order to provide distinctly American information,
culture and entertainment, in dozens of languages, to every corner of
the globe. For years, the tune, "Yankee Doodle", has opened each
sign-on broadcast.
More than 40 years after the VOA was launched, the USIA started Radio
Marti, an immensely powerful radio transmitter tethered from a huge
blimp in the Florida Keys. The controversial station broadcast to
Cuba, irritating Cuban Premier Fidel Castro enough for him to jam the
signals of U.S. broadcasters. The Radio Marti blimp crashed after
deflating while airborne a number of years ago. The station returned
to the air and has been joined by TV Marti as well.
** Events
1866 - The Capitol in Washington, DC displayed an American flag made
entirely of American bunting -- another first.
1940 - Frances Langford recorded one of the classic songs of all time
-- and one that would become a Walt Disney trademark. "When You Wish
Upon a Star" was recorded on Decca Records during a session in Los
Angeles. Many artists have recorded the song, including pop diva
Linda Ronstadt (with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in the early 1980s).
One can hear the song not only on record, but as the theme in the
opening credits of any Disney movie, video and TV program and those
"I'm going to Disneyland/World!" commercials, too.
1942 - The U.S. Government shut down deliveries of all 12-gauge
shotguns for sporting use. The Feds needed to make more weapons
available for war production.
1985 - Quarterback Doug Flutie played his first game as a pro. Flutie
led the New Jersey Generals against Birmingham, losing 38-28. The
former Boston College standout had a shaky start in his USFL debut,
but still completed 12 of 18 passes in the fourth quarter of the game.
1989 - Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was so irritated by Salman
Rushdie's novel, "The Satanic Verses", that he sentenced the author
to death and slapped a one to three-million-dollar bounty (depending
upon who got him) on his head. Talk about "2 thumbs down..."
** Birthdays
1786 - Wilhelm Grimm (author w/brother Jakob: Grimm's Fairy Tales:
Rumpelstiltskin, Snow-White, The Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb)
1922 - Steven Hill (actor: Law & Order, Mission: Impossible, The
Firm, Billy Bathgate, Legal Eagles, Yentl, A Child is Waiting)
1947 - Edward James Olmos (Emmy Award-Winning Best Supporting Actor
in a Drama Series: Miami Vice [1985]; Stand and Deliver, Blade Runner)
** Chart Toppers - 1991
All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston
One More Try - Timmy -T-
Someday - Mariah Carey
Walk on Faith - Mike Reid
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 24 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Feb 25, 2000 (13:44) * 61 lines
History for February 25:
** This is Mr. Magoo Day!
Mr. Magoo was born on this day in 1913 ... well, not really. It's the
birthday of Mr. Magoo's voice, actor Jim Backus. The actor, who bore
no resemblance to the extremely nearsighted, Rutgers College
pennant-waving, elderly Magoo, brought him to life once John Hubley
created him in 1949. Backus' raspy, Mr. Magoo voice is immediately
recognizable to 'toon aficionados the world over.
Mr. Backus entire persona is also immediately recognizable to
"Gilligan's Island" fans. From 1964 to 1967 (with reruns, it seems
much longer than 4 seasons), he played the role of Thurston Howell
III in CBS-TV's popular "Gilligan's Island" series; and returned for
several sequels, the first, "Rescue from Gilligan's Island" aired in
1978 and was a big hit. (Later versions did not fare as well;
although one can catch them in reruns on late-night TV.)
Jim (James Gilmore) Backus starred in "I Married Joan" from 1952
through 1955; was the first host of "Talent Scouts" in 1962 and
played the role of Dagwood's boss, Mr. Dithers, in the 1968 version
of "Blondie". Jim Backus appeared in many films including: "The Great
Lover" in 1949, "Rebel Without a Cause" in 1955, "It's a Mad, Mad,
Mad, Mad World" in 1963, "Angel's Brigade" in 1979 and "Slapstick of
Another Kind" in 1984.
This is just a sampling of the entertainment brought to us by the man
whose career spanned several decades of radio, film and TV until his
death on July 3, 1989. We miss you, Mr. Quincy Magoo.
** Events
1836 - Samuel Colt was sure as shootin', as he received a patent for
what became his now famous pistol, the Colt 45.
1924 - Ty Cobb, one of the legends of baseball, issued an edict to
his team, the Detroit Tigers, that forbid players to play the game of
golf during training camp. A report in the Detroit Free Press said
that Cobb went so far as to confiscate players' golf clubs! Wow! Talk
about being a little 'teed off', huh?
1964 - Twenty-two-year old Cassius Clay won the world heavyweight
boxing title by defeating Sonny Liston in the seventh round in Miami,
FL. Clay had been an 8-1 underdog. In fact, only 8,297 fans showed up
for the bout.
1986 - "We are the World" captured four Grammy Awards. The song,
featuring more than 40 superstar artists gathered at one time, was
awarded the Top Song, Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance and
Best Short Video Awards.
** Birthdays
1841 - Pierre Renoir (Impressionist artist: Oarsman at Chatou, The Bathers)
1943 - George Harrison (former Beatle, singer: My Sweet Lord, Isn't
It a Pity, What is Life?, All Those Years Ago, Concert for
Bangla-Desh)
1943 - Sally Jessy Raphael (TV talk-show hostess)
1951 - Cesar (Encarnacion) Cedeno (baseball: Houston Astros
[all-star: 1972-1974, 1976], Cincinnati Reds, SL Cardinals [World
Series: 1985], LA Dodgers)
** Chart Toppers - 1984
Jump - Van Halen
99 Luftballons - Nena
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
Stay Young - Don Williams
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 25 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Feb 26, 2000 (21:56) * 57 lines
History for February 26:
** This is Grand Canyon Day!
The Grand Canyon was established as a National Park on this day in
1919 by an act of the U.S. Congress. The gigantic gorge that cuts
through the high plateaus of the northwest corner of Arizona was
formed by thousands of years of erosion. The raging Colorado River
was the culprit.
Called one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world, the
Grand Canyon National Park covered 1,218,375 acres ... and still
does. It measures 18 miles across, over two hundred miles long, and
is a mile from its rim to the Colorado River below.
The Grand Canyon, home to American Indian tribes for many hundreds of
years, was first discovered by European explorers on the Coronado
expedition of 1540. An inspiration for artists, musical compositions,
amusement park attractions, novels and more, it remains one of
nature's most magnificent displays, attracting over two million
sightseers a year.
** Events
1916 - Mutual signed Charlie Chaplin to a film contract. Three years
later, the 'old' Charlie Chaplin films were released and were very
successful at the box office.
1930 - Seven years after Garrett A. Morgan invented traffic lights,
New York City decided it might be a good idea to install some of the
newfangled contraptions. The city fathers had been studying traffic
plans in other cities and had rejected the wide use of amber lights
being used to slow motorists down before they came to a red light.
The New York Board ruled that the yellow lights were ineffective. So
on this date, after too many complaints had been received from
drivers complaining about pedestrians straying into their paths, the
first red and green signal lights were placed at Manhattan street
corners.
1993 - Six people were killed and more than a thousand injured in New
York City. A van packed with a 1,210-pound bomb exploded in the
parking garage underneath the World Trade Center. The explosion left
a gigantic crater 200 feet wide and caused over 591 million dollars
in damage. Fourteen of his followers and Dr. Sheik Omar Abdul Rahman
were accused of the bombing. Rahman is now serving a life sentence in
a U.S. prison.
** Birthdays
1802 - Victor Hugo (author: Les Miserables; famous quote: "An
invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has
come.")
1932 - Johnny Cash (guitarist, Grammy award-winning country singer:
Folsom Prison Blues [1968], I Walk the Line, Don't Take Your Guns to
Town, A Boy Named Sue, Ring of Fire; TV show with wife: June Carter)
1953 - Michael Bolton (Grammy Award-winning singer: When a Man Loves
a Woman [1991], How Am I Supposed to Live Without You [1989])
** Chart Toppers - 1985
Careless Whisper - Wham! featuring George Michael
Loverboy - Billy Ocean
Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On - Mel McDaniel
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 26 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:25) * 32 lines
History for February 27
LONDON (Reuters) - Here are some notable events from this date in history:
1706 - English writer John Evelyn died; he kept a diary throughout most of his
life which is now considered an invaluable record of the period.
1807 - American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow born; he wrote ``The Song
of Hiawatha'' and ``The Wreck of the Hesperus.''
1847 - Dame Ellen Terry, English stage actress, born. She played her first
role at age eight and became the leading Shakespearean actress of the time.
1879 - The discovery of saccharin was reported.
1887 - Alexander Borodin, Russian composer and scientist, died.
1888 - Lotte Lehmann, German soprano born. She sang in ``Der
Rosenkavalier'' after being chosen by Richard Strauss.
1900 - The British Labor Party was founded with Ramsay MacDonald as its
Secretary.
1902 - John Steinbeck, American novelist and Nobel Prize winner, born.
1930 - Joanne Woodward, American film actress and wife of Paul Newman,
born.
1932 - Elizabeth Taylor, film actress, born in London. She made her screen
debut in 1942 at the age of 10 in ``There's One Born Every Minute.''
1933 - The German parliament building, the Reichstag, was destroyed by fire.
Alleging a Communist conspiracy, the Nazis used it as a pretext to crush its
opponents. A Dutchman, Marius van der Lubbe, was executed for starting the
fire.
1951 - The 22nd amendment to the U.S. constitution was finally ratified,
limiting presidential terms of office.
1967 - Pink Floyd records its first single, ``Arnold Layne,'' in London.
1973 - Militant Indians began an occupation of Wounded Knee, South
Dakota, in a siege that lasted until May.
1995 - Mafia superboss Salvatore ``Toto'' Riina and 47 other suspected
members of the crime organization went on trial on charges of complicity in
48 murders in Sicily.
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 27 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 27, 2000 (20:53) * 64 lines
History for February 27:
** This is Marian Anderson Day!
In the 1960s, folk-rock singer Joan Baez was exposed to the
prejudices of the Daughters of the American Revolution when she was
refused permission to use their hall for a concert. Similarly, the
D.A.R. prevented opera singer Marian Anderson from performing at
Washington's Constitution Hall in 1939. The former was based on
political prejudice, the latter on racial prejudice. Negative
reactions to both incidents were directed at the D.A.R. and
ironically, helped to promote the success of the singers. Anderson
did sing in Washington, D.C., on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
It was Easter Sunday, 1939. 75,000 people showed up to hear her sing.
Thousands more heard her sensational voice on a simultaneous radio
broadcast.
Marian Anderson, who was born in Philadelphia on this day in 1897,
was destined to become one of the world's finest contraltos. She
began her singing career as a member of the Union Baptist Church
choir. However, even a performance with the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra could not dispel the racial hate that would prevent her
from having a successful career in the United States. And so, Marian
Anderson moved to Europe where she was accepted for her color and her
magnificent voice and versatility.
Sixty years after her birth, Marian Anderson became the first
African-American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera. She
then became a U.S. delegate to the United Nations. In 1961, she came
full circle. This time, she was invited to sing in Washington, D.C.
-- at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, and was, several
years later, presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Marian Anderson passed away on April 8, 1993; but the sound of her
voice will live forever.
** Events
1908 - Star #46 was added to the U.S. flag -- for Oklahoma, which had
entered the union on November 16, 1907.
1942 - Notre Dame football coach Frank Leahy announced his intention
to concentrate on the T formation instead of the famous Knute Rockne
'Notre Dame shift' in South Bend, Indiana. Go, Fighting Irish! Rah!
1974 - A new magazine was issued by Time-Life (now Time-Warner). The
magazine was "People". It had an initial run of one million copies
and became the most successful celebrity weekly 'zine ever published.
Weekly circulation of "People" grew to 3,424,858 by 1994. When you
include the people that "People" is passed around to by other people,
that figure is way higher. "People. People who need "People"."
Indeed...
** Birthdays
1917 - John Connally (former governor of Texas: suffered gunshot
wounds during Kennedy assassination in 1963; passed away June 15,
1993)
1932 - Elizabeth Taylor (Academy Award-winning actress: Butterfield 8
[1960], Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? [1966], Jean Hersholt
Humanitarian Award [1992]; Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, National Velvet,
Cleopatra; Perfume spokesperson [Passion])
1980 - Chelsea Clinton (daughter of 42nd U.S. President William
Clinton and 1st Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton)
** Chart Toppers - 1986
How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
Kyrie - Mr. Mister
Sara - Starship
There's No Stopping Your Heart - Marie Osmond
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 28 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (21:59) * 34 lines
Today in History for February 28
LONDON (Reuters) - Here are some notable events from this date in history:
1784 - John Wesley signed the ``deed of declaration'' formalizing the
establishment of the Wesleyan faith, or Methodism.
1824 - Blondin, pseudonym of Jean-Francois Gravelet, French tightrope
walker who made several crossings of Niagara Falls, born.
1844 - The U.S. navy was demonstrating its new frigate Princeton On the
Potomac River when one of its guns exploded, killing the secretary of state,
navy secretary and other officials.
1854 - U.S. opponents of slavery meeting at Ripon, Wisconsin agreed to form
a new political party; the Republican Party was born later in the year.
1901 - Professor Linus Pauling, U.S. chemist and physicist, born; he won the
Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1954 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.
1909 - British poet and critic Stephen Spender born.
1913 - Vincente Minnelli, U.S. film director, born. He won several Oscars for
his musicals in the 1950s. His marriage to Judy Garland produced a
daughter, Liza Minnelli.
1916 - Henry James, American novelist, died in England.
1933 - A day after the Reichstag burned down, Adolf Hitler persuaded
President Hindenburg to sign a decree suspending guarantees of personal
liberty, freedom of speech and the press and the right of assembly.
1967 - Henry Luce, American publisher, died. He was a co-founder of Time
magazine and also founded Life and Fortune.
1971 - The male voters of Liechtenstein defeated a referendum on giving
women the vote.
1975 - In Britain's worst underground rail crash, 42 people died when a train
crashed at London's Moorgate station.
1991 - After 42 days of the Gulf War, U.S. and allied forces ceased fire and
Iraq told its army to stop fighting.
1993 - The siege at Waco, Texas, began after federal agents tried to serve an
arrest warrant for weapons charges on Branch Davidian sect leader David
Koresh.
1996 - Princess Diana, on what she called the saddest day of her life, agreed
to divorce her estranged husband, Prince Charles.
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 29 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (11:58) * 29 lines
Today in History for February 29
LONDON (Reuters) - Here are some notable events from this date in history:
1792 - Gioacchino Rossini, Italian composer of ``The Barber of Seville,'' born.
1840 - John Philip Holland, inventor of the modern submarine, born in Ireland.
1868 - Benjamin Disraeli took over as British prime minister from Lord Derby.
1896 - William Wellman, U.S. film director of ``Wings,'' ``Public Enemy ``and
``A Star is Born,'' born.
1896 - Shri Morarji Desai, former Indian prime minister, born. He became
prime minister in 1977 but his government was troubled by internal strife and
Desai resigned in 1979.
1944 - The Germans opened a third major offensive against Anzio
beach-head.
1948 - A Cairo to Haifa train was bombed by the underground Jewish Stern
Gang, killing 35 British troops.
1956 - Pakistan became an Islamic Republic.
1960 - The port of Agadir was destroyed in an earthquake, killing 12,000
people out of a population of 40,000.
1968 - Dr Jocelyn Burnell announced the discovery of the first pulsating radio
source (pulsar).
1984 - Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau resigned as leader of the
Liberal Party.
1988 - Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was arrested for demonstrating
outside Parliament.
1996 - The long siege of Sarajevo was declared formally at an end as
Moslem-Croat police took over a strategically-located suburb.
1996 - In the worst accident in Peru's history, a Faucett airline Boeing 737
crashed in the Andes killing all 117 passengers and six crew. The plane, on a
flight from Lima, crashed at the city of Arequipa, 625 miles south of Lima.
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 30 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 29, 2000 (14:09) * 86 lines
History for February 29:
** This is Leap Year Day!
We all know that Leap Year is the year we add an extra day to the
month of February -- giving February 29 days; but do you know when
this all began and why it is called LEAP year?
This confusing state of calendars began in 45 B.C., when Julius
Caesar added an extra day to the Julian calendar every fourth year
upon the advice of astronomer, Sosigenes. Or it could have been 1582
when Pope Gregory XIII ordered every fourth year to be a leap year
(leap year brought the Gregorian calendar closer to the earth's
orbital period of 365.2422 days) unless it is a century year that
cannot be divisible by 400. Or maybe it was 1698 when the Protestant
rulers of Germany and the Netherlands thought it was time they agreed
with the pope, or 1752 when the English made this calendar move or
1918 when the Russians picked up on the Gregorian calendar. It's your
call.
It is called Leap Year because it is not a COMMON year. A common year
consists of exactly 52 weeks plus one day. That extra day means that
a specific date moves one day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.)
ahead the following year. For example: if your birthday falls on a
Tuesday in one common year, it will fall on a Wednesday in the next
one. Just when you get it all straight, four years have passed and a
leap year comes along to confuse the issue. A leap year consists of
exactly 52 weeks plus two days. So now, if your birthday fell on a
Wednesday last year, it will fall on a Friday this year (February 29
through February 28 of next year). Got that?
Just be happy you're not listed on our Birthday Board for this leap
year. Those who are must divide their years by four for their
calendar ages unless there's a century year in the way -- one that
cannot be divided by 400, that is.
Leap Years also have a very uncommon tradition attached to them. It
seems that in a Leap Year or Bissextile, a woman could propose
marriage to the man of her choice. At least that's what happened in
Scotland in 1288 when a law was passed making this custom legal. This
traditon spread throughout the rest of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain, as did the law. A woman was expected to enforce and insist
upon acceptance from the gentleman of choice or he would receive a
penalty or fine. A penalty could be that the gentleman had to pay for
a silk or satin dress selected by the scorned woman. And, you know
the old saying, "Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned." ...
especially in a Leap Year.
** Events
1704 - The town of Deerfield, MA was raided on this day by French
Canadians and Indians who were trying to retrieve their church bell
that had been shipped from France. The bell was to hang in the
Canadian Indian's village church. Neither the raiders nor the
residents of Deerfield were aware that the bell had been stolen from
the ship. The Deerfield folks had purchased the bell from a
privateer, unaware that it belonged to the Indian congregation.
Although 47 people were killed in the incident, we could say that the
120 captured were saved by the bell.
1860 - The first electric tabulating machine -- the forerunner of the
calculator -- was invented by Herman Hollerith. We think it was
unfortunate that Mr. Hollerith chose to make his invention on Leap
Day, causing the machine to only calculate numbers divisible by four.
1944 - The first woman appointed secretary of a national political
party was named to the Democratic National Committee. Dorothy McElroy
Vredenburgh of Alabama began her new appointment this day.
1980 - Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings became the first player
in NHL history to score 800 career goals (in a 3-0 Wings' win over
the St. Louis Blues). Howe finished his career with 801
regular-season goals. Only Wayne Gretzky has surpassed that mark.
** Birthdays
1840 - John Philip Holland (inventor of first true submarine accepted
by U.S. Navy [spent 57 years working with submersibles]; invented
device to allow sailors to escape from damaged subs; passed away Aug
12, 1914)
1916 - Dinah (Frances Rose) Shore (Emmy Award-winning singer,
entertainer: The Dinah Shore Show [1951], Dinah's Place [1970];
Daytime Emmy: Dinah's Place [1970], Dinah! [1974]; The Dinah Shore
Chevy Show, Oh, God!, Death Car on the Freeway; singer: Yes, My
Darling Daughter, The Breeze and I, Blues in the Night, I'll Walk
Alone, Buttons and Bows; sponsored Dinah Shore Classic pro golf
tournament for over twenty years; passed away Feb 24, 1994)
1972 - Antonio Sabato, Jr. (actor: Earth 2, Beyond the Law, War of
the Robots, Thundersquad)
** Chart Toppers - 1992
To Be with You - Mr. Big
I'm Too Sexy - R*S*F (Right Said Fred)
Remember the Time - Michael Jackson
What's She Doing Now - Garth Brooks
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 31 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Mar 2, 2000 (12:57) * 72 lines
History for March 1:
** This is FM Radio Day!
Hey gang, crank up the FM stereo tuner and celebrate the reason why
you listen to that hard rock/alternative music stuff in the first
place. FM Radio began in the U.S. when station W47NV in Nashville, TN
started operations on this day in 1941. W47NV was the first
commercial FM radio station to receive a license, some 20 years after
its AM radio counterpart, KDKA in Pittsburgh. For those of you who
don't remember, FM stands for 'frequency modulation' as opposed to
'amplitude modulation'.
W47NV operated with 20,000 watts on a frequency of 44,700 kilocycles.
FM stations don't do that anymore. They operate in a different
segment of the radio spectrum (88-108 MHz) and at power outputs not
exceeding 100,000 watts, except in rare instances. (There are a few
FM stations in the U.S. with power output up to 300,000 watts and
antennas more than a thousand feet high.)
In the beginning, FM radio was pretty much a graveyard for beautiful
music that numbed us in doctor's offices and in elevators. It became
a primary source for educational programming; featuring classical
music, opera and jazz.
Today, more than 80 percent of radio listening in the United States
is done by way of FM and one can hear just about everything, from
oldies, rock and pop, country and blues to National Public Radio --
not to mention Howard Stern and his ilk. (And if you haven't heard
Howard Stern's ilk, you haven't heard anything.)
That's it. I'm Mr. Wizard. Thank you. And thank you FM!
** Events
1867 - The Cornhusker State, aka the Beef State, aka the Tree Planter
State, aka Nebraska (37th state), entered the United States of
America. Nebraska means 'flat water' in Oto Indian speak. Lincoln is
the official seat of Nebraska government. Nebraska's motto: Equality
before the law. The western meadowlark holds the honor of being the
state bird; while the goldenrod takes its place as the state flower.
Other state symbols include the cottonwood tree (state tree); the
honeybee (state insect); blue agate (state gemstone); whitetail deer
(state mammal); mammoth (state fossil); prairie agate (state rock);
"Beautiful Nebraska" (state song) ... that's original ... and, the
state soil: typic arguistolls, Holrege Series. State soil?
1968 - Elton John's first record, "I've Been Loving You", was
released by Philips Records in England. Philips, not realizing the
potential of the soon-to-be superstar, released him in 1969, just
prior to his teaming with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Elton then signed a
contract with Uni Records and began to turn out what would become a
string of more than 50 hits over the next 25 years.
1969 - Mickey Mantle announced his retirement from baseball on this
day. 'Number 7' was considered to be the final link to the great
Yankee dynasty of the 1950s and 1960s. Mantle's World Series records
include: home runs (18), runs scored (42), RBIs (40), walks (43) and
strikeouts (54). Mickey Mantle died in 1995.
** Birthdays
1926 - Pete (Alvin) Rozelle (football: LA Rams GM, NFL commissioner;
passed away Dec 6, 1996)
1927 - Harry Belafonte (singer: The Banana Boat Song, Jamaica
Farewell, Mary's Boy Child; actor: Island in the Sun, Buck and the
Preacher; UNICEF goodwill ambassador; Shari's father)
1954 - Catherine Bach (actress: The Dukes of Hazzard, African Skies,
Rage and Horror, Street Justice, Driving Force, Cannonball Run 2,
Nicole)
1954 - Ron Howard (Emmy Award-winning producer: From the Earth to the
Moon [1998]; actor: The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, American
Graffiti; director: Night Shift, Splash, Cocoon, Backdraft, Apollo 13)
1956 - Timothy Daly (actor: Diner, Wings)
** Chart Toppers - 1988
Father Figure - George Michael
What Have I Done to Deserve This? - Pet Shop Boys & Dusty Springfield
She's like the Wind - Patrick Swayze featuring Wendy Fraser
I Won't Take Less Than Your Love - Tanya Tucker
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 32 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Mar 2, 2000 (18:59) * 60 lines
History for March 2:
** This is TIME Day!
Take time to celebrate the fact that on this day in 1923, the first
issue of the weekly periodical "TIME" appeared on newsstands. The
first issue was 32 pages and featured a charcoal sketch of House
Speaker Joseph Gurney 'Uncle Joe' Cannon on the cover. It was the
United States' first modern news magazine.
The worldwide news weekly, founded by Henry Luce and Briton Hadden,
is printed in several languages and is among the most popular
magazines in history with readership topping four million. The
magazine, published by Time Inc., has a corporate staff housed in its
own building: the Time and Life Building in New York City.
** Events
1925 - State and federal highway officials developed a nationwide
route-numbering system and adopted the familiar U.S. shield-shaped
numbered marker. For instance, in the east, there is U.S. 1 that runs
from New England to Florida and in the west, the corresponding
highway, U.S. 101, from Tacoma, WA to San Diego, CA.
1927 - Babe Ruth signed a 3-year contract with the New York Yankees
for a guarantee of $70,000 a year, thus becoming baseball's highest
paid player.
1962 - Wilt 'The Stilt' Chamberlain scored 100 points and broke an
NBA record as the Philadelphia Warriors beat the New York Knicks
169-147. Chamberlain broke NBA marks for the most field goal attempts
(63), most field goals made (36), most free throws made (28), most
points in a half (59), most field goal attempts in a half (37), most
field goals made in a half (22), and most field goal attempts in one
quarter (21). The 316 total points scored tied an NBA record. What's
not known is if Chamberlain set the record for most gallons of sweat
pouring off a man's body during a game.
1974 - Stevie Wonder got five Grammy Awards for his album,
"Innervisions" and his hit songs, "You Are The Sunshine of My Life"
and "Superstition".
1987 - Government officials reported that the median price for a new
home had topped $100,000 for the first time. The new six-figure
price: $110,700, actually, was up from $94,600.
** Birthdays
1793 - Sam Houston (fought for Texas' independence from Mexico;
President of Republic of Texas; U.S. Senator; Texas governor; passed
away in 1863)
1904 - Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) (Pulitzer Prize-winning
author [1984]: The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,
Green Eggs and Ham; passed away Sep 24, 1991)
1931 - Mikhail Gorbachev (President of the Soviet Union)
1931 - Tom Wolfe (author: The Bonfire of the Vanities, The Right Stuff)
1944 - Lou Reed (Firbank) (singer, songwriter, guitarist: group:
Velvet Underground; solo: Walk on the Wild Side, Charley's Girl; I
Love You Suzanne; appeared in Paul Simon film: One Trick Pony)
1962 - Jon Bon Jovi (John Bongiovi) (singer, musician, songwriter:
You Give Love a Bad Name, Living on a Prayer)
** Chart Toppers
Straight Up - Paula Abdul
Lost in Your Eyes - Debbie Gibson
The Lover in Me - Sheena Easton
I Sang Dixie - Dwight Yoakam
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 33 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Mar 3, 2000 (17:45) * 67 lines
History for March 3:
** Today is Star-Spangled Banner Day!
It was on this day in 1931 that "The Star-Spangled Banner", written
by Francis Scott Key, officially became the national anthem of the
United States. Despite the fact that millions sing (in a manner of
speaking) the anthem before sporting events, civic club meetings and
other public gatherings, it is still ranked as the most difficult
national anthem on earth to sing.
While's Key's lyrics reflected an enduring sentiment of America
during war time of 1812, with its "rockets red glare and bombs
bursting in air" over Fort McHenry at Baltimore, MD; the melody goes
against most everything musical and the words themselves are quite
difficult to remember -- especially those following the first verse.
Originally an English drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven", the
melody is next to impossible for most of us to sing. Maybe that's why
it was a drinking song. You either have to be drunk to sing it or if
everyone's drunk, who cares!
Amateur singers embarrass themselves as they attempt to hit the high
notes at the end of the song. They do this in the shower and at
community events; while professional opera singers and pop music
stars go flat ... or forget the words ... in front of national
television audiences. Performers such as Robert Morley, Jimi Hendrix,
Marvin Gaye, Jose Feliciano, Ray Charles and others have had
difficulties in musically translating the nation's anthem.
Almost from the moment the song was adopted officially, there has
been movement to bring about change. Many would like to see "America
the Beautiful" become the U.S. national anthem and every so often,
there is talk of such a change, but to no avail, in this, "the home
of the braaaaaaaaaaaaave."
** Events
1845 - The U.S. Congress passed legislation overriding a President's
veto. It was the first time Congress had done so. President John
Tyler was in office at the time.
1845 - Florida became the 27th state of the United States of America.
The word 'Florida' comes from the Spanish 'feast of flowers'. But we
call it the Sunshine State. The capital of the Sunshine State is ...
no, not Walt Disney World ... Tallahassee. The state flower is the
fragrant orange blossom and the mockingbird is the state bird. Do you
think the mockingbird can mimic Donald Duck? Or maybe it sings the
Florida state song, "Suwannee River". The Florida state motto is: "In
God we trust."
1985 - Kevin McHale of the University of Minnesota set a Boston
Celtics scoring record this night as he poured in 56 points in a
138-129 win over the Detroit Pistons.
** Birthdays
1911 - Jean Harlow (Harlean Carpenter) (actress: Platinum Blonde, Red
Dust, Bombshell, Dinner at Eight, China Seas, Libeled Lady; passed
away June 7, 1937)
1920 - James Doohan (actor: Star Trek TV series, Star Trek: The
Motion Picture, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The
Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The
Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek:
Generations, Loaded Weapon 1, Bug Buster)
1962 - Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Olympic gold medalist & 1st woman to
hold world record in the heptathlon: 7,044 points [1992]; 1st athlete
to win multi-event medals in 3 Olympics [pentathlon, long jump])
1966 - Tone-Loc (rap singer: Wild Thing)
** Chart Toppers - 1982
Centerfold - The J. Geils Band
Open Arms - Journey
Shake It Up - The Cars
Lord, I Hope This Day is Good - Don Williams
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 34 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (20:13) * 33 lines
Reuters Today in History for March 4
LONDON (Reuters) - Here are some notable events from this date in history:
1394 - Portuguese explorer Prince Henry the Navigator born. He sponsored
expeditions along the African coast which led to the foundation of the
overseas Portuguese empire.
1461 - In the English Wars of the Roses, Edward of York took the English
throne as Edward IV.
1678 - Antonio Vivaldi, Italian composer, born. Best known for ``The Four
Seasons,'' he wrote more than 230 violin concertos and 120 concertos for
other solo instruments.
1681 - King Charles II granted William Penn by charter almost all of what is
now Pennsylvania.
1789 - The first U.S. Congress convened in New York City until September
29. 28 Senators and 65 Representatives sat for the 13 States.
1791 - Vermont became the 14th state of the United States.
1793 - George Washington was inaugurated for a second term as president of
the United States in Philadelphia. He was the only president to be
inaugurated in two cities the first was New York.
1801 - Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as the third president of the United
States and he became the first to be inaugurated in the new capital of
Washington.
1824 - The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded.
1877 - Tchaikovsky's ballet ``Swan Lake'' was first performed at the Bolshoi
Theater in Moscow.
1913 - John Garfield, U.S. film actor, born as Julius Garfinkle. Best known for
his roles in the films ``Juarez'' and ``The Postman Always Rings Twice.''
1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in as 32nd U.S. president.
1970 - The French submarine Eurydice sank off the coast of Toulon. All 57
aboard died.
1971 - Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau secretly married Margaret
Sinclair.
1975 - Film actor Charlie Chaplin was knighted at Buckingham Palace.
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 35 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Mar 4, 2000 (20:19) * 69 lines
History for March 4:
** Today is Mike Day!
This day is celebrated by disc jockeys, TV hosts, movie stars,
department store announcers, rock groups, politicians and many, many
others. For it was on this day in 1877 that Emile Berliner, the man
behind so many inventions, came up with a thing called the
microphone. Good thing, too, because the Bell System, run by
Alexander Graham Bell, was in desperate need of something to save it
from financial ruin -- and to help the progress of the telephone.
So, the Bell Labs came up with a compact way to put Mr. Berliner's
microphone on a wooden box, with a crank, an earpiece, a cradle hook
for the earpiece and some wires, and called it the telephone.
There was no such thing as a telephone dial. One rang up 'Jenny' (the
operator) with three turns on the crank. That got her to put a cord
into the switchboard connecting you directly to the phone you were
calling. Because of the microphone, people could hear you speak.
Neat, huh?
And in 1957, operators in upstate New York (90 miles from Manhattan)
and other somewhat rural areas throughout the U.S. were still saying,
"Number, plee-uz" into their little mouthpiece microphones attached
to headsets.
Even as late as the 1980s, the average Joe would shy away when a
microphone was stuck in his face. Today, with all the amazing
electronic gadgets we have, hardly a soul is afraid of a microphone.
Witness karaoke!
** Events
1791 - Vermont, the 14th state, was admitted to the union on this
day. It sits way up in the northeast corner of the United States,
adjacent to New York, nestled in the Green Mountains. No wonder it's
known as the Green Mountain State! Coincidentally, that's what the
French phrase 'vert mont' means. Montpelier is Vermont's capital
city. "Hail Vermont" is the state song which goes right along with
the state motto: Vermont, Freedom and Unity. The hermit thrush stands
alone as the state bird; and the red clover is the colorful state
flower which attracts the state insect, the honeybee. The Morgan
horse is the state animal, and the state tree ... you guessed it ...
is the one that makes all that famous Vermont maple syrup, the sugar
maple tree. Every now and then some of these state symbols make
sense.
1925 - Calvin Coolidge took the oath of office in Washington DC. The
presidential inauguration was broadcast on radio for the very first
time.
1950 - Walt Disney's "Cinderella" was released. It was the first
full-length, animated, feature film in eight years from the man who
brought us Mickey Mouse.
1985 - "Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care" was published with Dr.
Michael Rothenberg sharing authorship with Dr. Benjamin Spock, 'The
Baby Doc'. It was the fifth edition of the book to be published.
30,000,000 copies had been printed -- second only to the Bible in the
best seller category.
** Birthdays
1888 - Knute Rockne (College Football Hall of Famer: coach: Notre
Dame [1918-1930]: 122 games: won 195, lost 12, tied 5; killed in
plane crash Mar 31, 1931)
1961 - Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini (lightweight boxing champion, actor:
The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission, Aces: Iron Eagle III, The Search
for One-eye Jimmy, Body and Soul; film based on his life: Heart of a
Champion: The Ray Mancini Story [1985])
1968 - Patsy Kensit (actress: Tunnel Vision, Fall from Grace, Blame
It on the Bellboy, Chicago Joe and the Showgirl, Lethal Weapon, Monty
Python and the Holy Grail, The Great Gatsby)
1969 - Chastity Bono (singer; daughter of Sonny & Cher)
** Chart Toppers - 1991
All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston
Someday - Mariah Carey
One More Try - Timmy -T-
Walk on Faith - Mike Reid
Topic 24 of 32 [today]: This Day in History
Response 36 of 407: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Mar 5, 2000 (16:08) * 50 lines
History for March 5:
** This is Annie Oakley Day!
Just five feet tall, one wouldn't expect Phoebe Anne Oakley Mozee to
be able to use a rifle, a pistol or a shotgun. Yet, the d