|
Post by pegasus on Oct 6, 2011 8:19:26 GMT -7
JAZZ SINGER DAY “Mammy, how I love you, how I love you, my dear old mammy!” It was Al Jolson in blackface, singing in the first full-length talking picture, The Jazz Singer, as it opened in New York City on Oct 6th in 1927. In reality, The Jazz Singer was not a true talkie. There were only 291 spoken words in the landmark film; however, it was the first to integrate sound and this small amount of dialogue into a story through the Vitaphone disk process; and the first to entertain a large audience. The talking part was mostly singing, and it was Al Jolson who made the flick a success, proving to the critics that an all-talking film could work. (Because he didn’t think the pioneer of talkies would be all the rage, George Jessel actually turned down the starring role; as did Eddie Cantor.) A silent version of the film was released to movie theaters who had not yet popped for the $20,000 or so that it cost to rewire their venue. The audience was thrilled with Jolson’s sound performance as a cantor’s son, Jake Rabinowitz, rejecting the world he came from to become a singer of popular music, changing his name to Jack Robin in the process. Although not jazz as we know it, the songs Al Jolson sang became part of American music culture: "Toot Toot Tootsie (Goodbye)", "Blue Skies", "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" and, of course, "My Mammy". For those truly with a need to know, Neil Diamond did not audition for Jolson’s part when finding out that Jessel had turned it down. Diamond performed in a remake of The Jazz Singer in 1980. As Jolson said, “Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet!” Maybe, through the wonders of modern technology, we could hear Jolson and Diamond together, in concert. That would be the Mammy of all jazz singin’.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 7, 2011 13:15:00 GMT -7
GOLDEN TORNADO DAY Ah, to be a radio or TV sportscaster back on this day in 1916, a crisp, clean autumn gridiron day. A day to watch the Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech win big time against helpless Cumberland College. This was one of the most lopsided wins in football history. Georgia Tech’s Yellow Jackets ate the competition 222-0! This was football, sports fans! We’re speaking slaughter, here. We’re talking tune-out ratings. Boy, the instant replay gizmo must have gone ballistic on this one, eh? In the words of ABC’s Keith Jackson, “Whhhhoooaaa, Nellie! Touchdown!!!! Georgia Tech, again! For the 32nd time! This game is waaaaaaay out of control.” Unfortunately, there was no play-by-play of this classic game; but can you imagine the number of commercial breaks? Coach John Heisman (of Heisman Trophy fame) led the Golden Tornado, as his Georgia Tech team was nicknamed, into the history books. They carried the ball for 978 yards, and never once threw a pass! No team has ever matched the score of the game referred to in Reader’s Digest as the ‘Little Big Horn of football’.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 8, 2011 10:04:44 GMT -7
MRS. O'LEARY'S COW DAY
When Mrs. O?Leary?s cow kicked over a lantern in the barn on Oct 8th in 1871, it was no laughing matter. The barn, on DeKoven Street in Chicago, caught fire. The fire spread, scorching almost four square miles, killing about 300 people and leaving a path of destruction valued at over two hundred million dollars -- a lot of dollars for that time.
Of course, Patrick & Mrs. O?Leary?s barn was destroyed; as were 17,450 other buildings, leaving almost 99,000 people homeless. The city of Chicago was virtually leveled. And out of the ashes, a phoenix, in the guise of a steel and concrete Chicago, rose -- all because of one cow.
Now, more than 125 years later, a history buff, Richard Bales, says it may not have been Mrs. O?Leary?s cow, after all. It seems that Daniel ?Peg Leg? Sullivan, a neighbor of the O?Leary?s, was in the barn feeding his mother?s cow. He either kicked over a lantern or dropped a match or pipe, setting the famous fire. Sullivan, who had been questioned about the fire, said he was across the street when he saw the fire break out. A two-story building would have blocked his view. So, Bales theorizes that Sullivan lied and was the cause of the fire, rather than Mrs. O?Leary?s cow.
You'll have to draw your own conclusion about the Great Chicago Fire.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 9, 2011 10:23:29 GMT -7
IMAGINE DAY
John Winston Lennon -- composer; musician; one fourth of the famed rock group, The Beatles; husband of Yoko Ono; father of Julian and Sean -- was born on Oct 9th in 1940 in Liverpool, England. It’s hard to imagine what the world would be like without his influence on music.
There is hardly a soul anywhere in the world who isn’t familiar with the songs he wrote as half of the team of Lennon and McCartney. When The Beatles were no longer touring, John Lennon collaborated with Yoko Ono in avant-garde works. He then began to express his political views through his music, and in some cases, his actions. Live Peace in Toronto was his first gesture for world peace. And, he returned the coveted Order of the British Empire award (the MBE) to protest British involvement in the Nigerian Civil War. He continued his quest for peace in Give Peace a Chance and with his bed-in for peace at the Amsterdam Hilton following his marriage to Yoko Ono.
His music traced his lifestyles, his views, his childhood, his pain, and jubilation: "Cold Turkey", "InstantKarma", "Mother", "Working Class Hero", "Jealous Guy", "Crippled Inside" and "How Do You Sleep". "Imagine", from the LP of the same title, became his best known work. It also made a statement, paying homage to nonmaterialism. Then there was the LP, Sometime in New York City, filled with anti-establishment verses. Mind Games and Walls and Bridges followed.
"Whatever Gets You Through the Night" was cause for celebration. It was his first solo #1 hit in the U.S. Lennon then recorded an LP with Yoko, each alternating songs on Double Fantasy. He celebrated his son Sean with "Beautiful Boy", his wife with "Woman" and his new life with both in "Just like Starting Over".
He had barely begun to start over when, on December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building.
It’s hard to Imagine ...
[/color][/size]
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 10, 2011 8:51:58 GMT -7
FIRST LADY OF THE AMRICAN THEATER DAY
Ten months into the 20th century, the world received a gift. A baby named Helen Brown was born in Washington, D.C. on Oct 10th in 1900. She was destined to become the First Lady of the American Theater. We know her as Helen Hayes. Her best work on stage was as Great Britain’s Queen Victoria in the play, Victoria Regina.
She was more than wonderful on Broadway and her Tony Awards attest to that: Best Dramatic Actress in 1947 for Happy Birthday, and again in 1958 for Time Remembered. Her talents were recognized on movie screens (Hayes appeared in films as early as 1927). She received an Academy Award for Best Actress for her first major role: The Sin of Madelon Claudet in 1931, and forty years later for Best Supporting Actress in Airport. Other silver screen performances included roles in Arrowsmith, A Farewell to Arms and Anastasia. Helen Hayes was recognized for her talents on the small screen as well, garnering an Emmy for TV’s Best Actress on February 5, 1953. And, as late as 1974 she was still performing on TV in The Snoop Sisters.
Helen Hayes died on March 17, 1993. Married to playwright Charles MacArthurs and the mother of one of TV’s well-known actors, James MacArthur (Hawaii Five-O’s Danno), Helen Hayes will always be the First Lady of the American Theater. * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * *
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 11, 2011 11:48:55 GMT -7
PARSON WEEMS DAY
As children, many of us were scolded for telling a lie -- even a little white lie. In fact, we were told about the first President of the United States, George Washington, who, as a little boy had chopped down his father’s cherry tree with a hatchet. Little George could not tell a lie, so he told his father what he had done. George Washington was to be an example for us all. The truth of the matter is that the story about George and the cherry tree was a lie ... or rather, a fictitious story.
It seems that Mason Weems, who was born on Oct 11th in 1759, grew up to become a preacher; an Episcopalian clergyman to be exact. Parson Weems was also a seller of books. Weems would fictionalize history in stories like the one he wrote of George Washington in the book, Life of Washington. The readers of his books loved the stories and often believed that they were true.
The fables got the readers interested in history and Parson Weems had some best sellers on his hands. Some of his tales live on today -- like the story of George and the cherry tree.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 12, 2011 13:02:00 GMT -7
COLUMBUS DAY DAY
In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. And on this day, with a crew of 90 and three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, he landed on Guanahani Island in the Bahamas.
Italian born Christopher Columbus, sailing for Spain’s Queen Isabel, had been in search of a water passageway to Cathay (cHINA). It was a long and dangerous journey across what Columbus called “shoreless seas,” so there was much jubilation when they saw land. Columbus renamed the island, San Salvador, and claimed it for the Spanish Crown.
An entry in his journal described meeting the natives of the island, “As I saw that they were friendly to us, and perceived that they could be much more easily converted to our holy faith by gentle means than by force, I presented them with some red caps, and strings of beads to wear upon the neck, and many other trifles of small value, wherewith they were much delighted and became wonderfully attached to us.”
And most people in Spanish-speaking countries and the Americas are still pretty much attached to Columbus, as they continue to celebrate this day as a holiday in his honor.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 13, 2011 10:10:44 GMT -7
MOLLY PITCHER DAY
A young woman, nicknamed Molly, by her husband, William Hays, was born on this day in 1754 near Trenton, New Jersey. Her birth name was Mary Ludwig. During the American Revolution, and specifically at the Battle of Monmouth, Molly was helping out as a water carrier. She gained a new nickname, Molly Pitcher.
Her husband, William, was wounded during the battle. At that point, Molly dropped the water pitcher and picked up her husband’s job of loading and firing a cannon. Gen. George Washington appointed her a noncommissioned officer; and Mary Ludwig Hays garnered a new nickname, Sergeant Molly.
Sgt. Molly Pitcher added yet another name to her already long moniker. She married George McCauley after William Hays died, her full name then read: Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley.
The name, Molly Pitcher, became a synonym for a heroine. Her nickname was given to another famous woman, Harriet Tubman, rescuer and heroine of abolitionist times.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 14, 2011 12:09:21 GMT -7
POOH BEAR DAY
Oh-tay, boys and girls, gather ’round as we tell you that the classic A.A. Milne book, Winnie-the-Pooh, made its debut on Oct 14th in 1926.
Alan Alexander Milne wrote this and other delightful Winnie-the-Pooh stories, centering the tales around his little son, Christopher Robin, and Christopher’s stuffed animals, like the honey-loving Pooh Bear, Eeyore (the donkey), Piglet and Tigger, too.
The other A.A. Milne Pooh books were The House at Pooh Corner, When We were Very Young and Now We are Six. That’s it.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 15, 2011 8:18:53 GMT -7
GRAND OLE OPRY DAY
If you’re a country music performer, the day you make it to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry is the day you’ve made it! The Grand Ole Opry started on radio in Nashville, Tenn. (where it still originates) in 1925. It was first heard on network radio in 1939. The show finally made it to TV on this day in 1955.
The ABC network carried just one hour of Opry (it continued through the night) live from Nashville. This arrangement only lasted for one year; although the Grand Ole Opry was used as a staging arena for other successful shows like Classic Country Featuring Stars of the Grand Ole Opry and Hayride.
Then, miracle of miracles for country music fans, Grand Ole Opry came to TV to stay. In 1985, the Nashville Network (TNN) positioned the show on Saturday nights. In 2001, Opry was carried on Country Music Televison (CMT). In 2003, Grand Ole Opry (Opry Live) moved to GAC (Great American Country).
The Grand Ole Opry made it! And it looks like it will continue in Nashville, regardless of which cable TV channel it is on at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 16, 2011 9:40:34 GMT -7
POPULATION CONTROL DAY
If you think that Planned Parenthood and other such organizations are unique to today’s society, think again. Long before most of us were born, three women, Margaret Sanger, Fania Mindell and Ethel Burne, all from New York, decided that the poor should have some help in controlling the size of their families. They felt they could help if they opened a birth control clinic because “no social progress is possible, especially where poverty is a factor, unless the size of families is limited.” Talk about being way ahead of your time...
They opened the doors of the first such clinic in the United States, right smack in the middle of Brooklyn at 46 Amboy Street on this day in 1916. Ms. Sanger served 30 days in jail for her bold action. A year earlier she had been indicted for using the U.S. mail to disseminate birth control information in three languages throughout the United States.
A public nurse, Margaret Sanger went on to become the first president of the International Planned Parenthood Foundation in 1953.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 17, 2011 8:13:59 GMT -7
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE DAY
The first issue of National Geographic Magazine was on newsstands Oct 17th in 1888. The highly acclaimed magazine was published on a somewhat irregular basis at first. Material was hard to come by in the early years, so the publisher just waited to publish the next issue until enough material accumulated to fill it.
The science and travel magazine, the official journal of the National Geographic Society (incorporated 27 Jan 1888), soon became a monthly and it wasn’t long before it became famous for its maps and photographic essays of exotic locales and peoples.
At last check, National Geographic Magazine maintained a paid circulation of some 8.5 million readers worldwide.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 18, 2011 6:53:44 GMT -7
MR. ROCK 'N' ROLL DAY
Between St. Louis and outer space, there is only one person who can stand up and be saluted with the refrain, “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Born Charles Edward Anderson Berry in St. Louis, Missouri on oCT 19th in 1926, ‘Chuck’ Berry was destined to become a musical icon, the creative artist who established rock ‘n’ roll as its own art form.
With influences like Nat King Cole and Muddy Waters, Berry led the Sir John’s Trio, which soon became the Chuck Berry Combo, to big success at the well-known Cosmopolitan Club in St. Louis. It was 1955, and Chuck Berry was ready to move on to bigger things like a recording contract. Muddy Waters introduced him to Leonard Chess (Chess Records). As fate would have it, it wasn’t a rhythm and blues song that influenced Chess to sign Berry, but a country number, "Ida Red", the forerunner of "Maybellene".
"Maybellene" was true to Chuck Berry, kick-starting his trip to stardom. When it hit #5 on the Billboard pop charts, Berry became a rarity … a black performer entertaining mostly white teenagers. Berry theorized that it was his diction (the Nat King Cole influence) that helped him climb the pop charts. He said, “The pop fan could understand what I was saying better than many other singers.” Looking back, we can confidently add that his success was his innate ability to relate to his young audience through his lyrics and music. The thirtysomething singer/songwriter’s list of hits became high school anthems: "School Days", "Rock and Roll Music", "Roll Over, Beethoven", etc.
Chuck Berry also inspired the musicians of the ’60s … groups like the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys (who borrowed "Sweet Little Sixteen" for their own hit, "Surfin’ U.S.A." only to be forced, legally, to give Chuck Berry due credit). He appeared on stage in concerts, in films, including playing himself in American Hot Wax, and, in 1979, performed at the White House for Pres. Carter. Berry received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following year by Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, who quipped, “It’s hard for me to induct Chuck Berry, because I lifted every lick he ever played!”
Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll’s only #1 pop chart hit of his career was the novelty ditty, "My Ding-a-Ling", in 1972. But it was a clip of his most famous tune, "Johnny B. Goode" from 1958 that made it into outer space on the Voyager I spacecraft to represent rock music.
Hail! Hail! Chuck Berry.
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 19, 2011 12:35:03 GMT -7
ANNIE PECK DAY
On this day in 1850, a baby girl was born in New York City, destined to become one of the world’s renowned mountain climbers. Her name was Annie. Annie Smith Peck. When Annie turned 45, she gained international recognition by climbing the Matterhorn -- and we’re not talking about the Disney ride here, but the real thing in the Swiss Alps. Annie would probably have loved the song, "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough." After the Matterhorn, she took on 21,812 foot-high Huascaran, a mountain peak in Peru. She accomplished the feat gaining the distinction of being the first American to reach this high a pinnacle in the Western Hemisphere.
Then, Mt. Coropuna, also in Peru, proved no obstacle. It was a mere 562 feet shorter than Huascaran. Not bad for a 61-year-old woman. When Annie got to the top of this mountain she placed a banner there that said, “Votes for Women.”
Why did Annie Peck climb those peaks? Because they were there...
|
|
|
Post by pegasus on Oct 20, 2011 12:16:29 GMT -7
SATURDAY NIGHT MASSACRE DAY
Richard M. Nixon pulled out his presidential pistol and let ’em have it this night. Nixon was under heavy pressure to turn over some tape recordings he had made of conversations with various folks in the Oval Office. The taped conversations were regarding the break-in at the Watergate apartment/office complex in Washington DC.
Special Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox, whom Nixon had appointed, was applying the pressure, thinking that there might be some interesting stuff on those tapes. So, on this Saturday night in 1973, the President asked U.S. Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Cox. Richardson refused, so Nixon fired Cox himself. Then, in protest, Richardson resigned. Nixon, a little peeved by now, fired Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus, who also had refused to fire Cox. Finally, Solicitor General Robert Bork did the job.
Unfortunately for the U.S. President, this Saturday Night Massacre, as it immediately came to be known, only made things worse. Nixon eventually did turn over those tapes; but since there were little pieces of dialogue mysteriously missing, suspicion about the President’s involvement in Watergate grew to the point where he resigned from office (August 9, 1974) rather than face (almost certain) impeachment.
It seems Nixon was also a victim of the Saturday Night Massacre.
|
|