- 1790] Musical Capitals: The capital of these United States moves from New York City to Philadelphia (8/17). Apparently they preferred cheesesteaks more than bagels and lox...
- 1896] Thar's gold in them thar hills: The Klondike gold rush is set off by George Carmack who discovers gold in Rabbit Creek, Alaska (8/17)...
- 1920] "Happy Trails": 29-year old Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians is beaned by Yankees fastballer Carl Mays (8/16) and succumbs to the beaning (8/17). It's the first and last time a baseball player is killed in a game (so far)...1935] Humorist Will Rogers (56) and aviator Wiley Post, 37, are killed when their experimental, top-heavy plane crashes near Point Barrow, Alaska (8/15)...1948] Babe Ruth loses his battle with throat cancer at 53 (8/16). His body lies in state at Yankee Stadium as thousands pay their respects...1973] 34-year old Paul Williams of The Temptations dies from a self-inflicted gun shot wound (8/17)...1977] Elvis Presley dies suddenly at home in Memphis (8/16). Cause of death is listed as "coronary arrhythmia". "The King" was just 42. The world mourns...
- 1939] Premiered on this date: The MGM musical "The Wizard of Oz" premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood (8/15)...1948] CBS-TV inaugurates the 1st nightly news broadcast with anchorman Douglas Edwards (8/15)...
- 1945] V-J Day: The Allies proclaim V-J Day, one day after Japan agrees to surrender unconditionally (8/15)...
- 1954] On the cover of Sports Illustrated: Milwaukee slugger Eddie Matthews as SI debuts (8/16)...
- 1958] Wedding Bells: Buddy Holly and Maria Elena Santiago rock down the aisle in Lubbock (TX) (8/15)...1983] Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher tie the knot (8/16)...1985] Ditto - Madonna and Sean Penn (8/16)...
- 1988] "I'm confessin": President Bill Clinton finally admits to an improper relationship (but not sex, right?) with "That woman, Miss Lewinsky" (8/17)...
- 1990] A bad break: Cancer sufferer, Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky breaks his arm while throwing a pitch in a televised game (8/15)...
- 1992] Daddy Dearest: Woody Allen admits to being romantically involved with 17-year old Soon-Yi Previn, adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, Allen's longtime companion (8/17). They are now married. Woody and Soon-Yi, not Woody and Mia...
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