Friday, February 27, 2009

(Weekend Edition) February 27 - March 1, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1854] Having a grand old time: The Republican Party is organized in Ripon (WI) when fifty opponents of slavery start the new political party (2/28)...
  2. 1932] Kidnapped: The 22-month old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh is kidnapped from the family house near Hopewell (NJ) (3/1). The baby's lifeless body will be found in May...
  3. 1949] L'chaim: Chaim Weizmann becomes the first Israeli President. Break out the Manischewitz and challah (2/27)...
  4. 1949] Curtains: The legendary Joe Louis who held the heavyweight title longer than any fighter in history, retires with a record of 63-3 with 49 KOs and 25 successful title defenses (3/1)...1969] Mickey Mantle tells the Yankees: "I can't hit anymore" and with that, retires (3/1). Number 7 will return in June for "Mickey Mantle Day" at Yankee Stadium. The Mick will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 with 88% of the votes...
  5. 1953] What should we call it?: WJZ-AM becomes WABC in New York City (3/1)...1962] WMGM in New York changes calls to WHN (2/28)...
  6. 1962] "Happy Trails": Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the Teenagers overdoses on heroin at 25 (2/28)...1974] Bobby ("Montego Bay") Bloom dies from a self-inflicted gun shot wound at 28 (2/28)...2008] Mike Smith, lead singer of the Dave Clark Five dies at 64 from pneumonia (2/28), a complication from an earlier fall...2008] "Voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers" Myron Cope passes away from respiratory failure at 79 (2/27)...2008] Conservative author and commentator William F. Buckley Jr. is found slumped at his desk. His death at 82 is attributed to the results of emphysema and diabetes (2/27)...
  7. 1982] Guilty as charged: Wayne B. Williams is found guilty of murdering 2 of the 28 bodies found in the Atlanta area in a two-year period (2/27)...1990] The Exxon Corp. and Exxon Shipping are indicted on 5 criminal counts in reference to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (2/27)...
  8. 1983] M*A*S*Hing the competition: The final episode of "M*A*S*H" draws a household rating of 60.2%. Seen in over 50 million homes it's still the highest rated show of all-time (2/28). The series started in September, 1972...
  9. 1992] Miniature golfer: 16-year old amateur golfer Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to compete in a PGA Tour event (The Nissan L.A. Open) and posts a one-over-par 72, just barely missing the cut (2/27)...
  10. 1993] Wacko in Waco: U.S. Federal agents raid the compound of the Branch Davidians, lead by David Koresh in Waco (TX). The fifty-one day standoff will result in the killing of 4 agents and 6 Davidians, including Koresh (2/28)...For more on February 27 - March 1st:

C L I C K:

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Thursday, February 26, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1919] The original Big Dig: Congress establishes Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. You really can't enjoy the magnificence of this world wonder until you visit it...
  2. 1930] Go at the green - not in between: New York City installs traffic lights. Prior to that New Yorkers start what's commonly known as 'flipping the bird'...
  3. 1951] After two, you're through: The 22nd amendment to the Constitution is ratified, limiting U.S. Presidents to two terms in office...
  4. 1955] The '45' rules: Billboard Magazine reports that the 45 rpm single is outselling 78's for the first time...
  5. 1987] Slapping the wrist: The Tower Commission rebukes President Ronald Reagan for failing to control his national security staff in the Iran-Contra hearing...
  6. 1990] In cold blood: Cornell Gunter of the Coasters is murdered in Las Vegas while sitting in his car. Gunter was just 53...
  7. 1991] Saddam backs down: Iraq's President Saddam Hussein orders his troops to withdraw from Kuwait...
  8. 1993] The first WTC bombing: Six are killed and more than one thousand injured when a van explodes in the World Trade Center parking garage. An act of terrorism by Islamic extremists and a precursor to something far worse in 2001...
  9. 1998] O no, you don't: A Texas jury rejects an $11 million lawsuit by cattlemen who blamed Oprah Winfrey for a price drop after her on-air comments about mad-cow disease. To show her appreciation Miss O buys everyone in her audience a year's supply of steak and steak knives...
  10. 2007] Shaq attack: Shaquille O'Neal passes the 25,000 point mark for his career in the Heat's losing effort to the Knicks, 99-93. Shaq becomes the 7th player to reach 25,000 points and 10,000 rebounds...For more on February 26th:

C L I C K:

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1836] Run and gun: Inventor Samuel Colt receives a patent for the Colt .45 - the gun not the malt liquor...
  2. 1940] Dropping the puck: The Rangers and Montreal play the first televised NHL game on W2XBS in New York, using just one camera in a fixed position. The Rangers beat the Canadiens 6-2 at Madison Square Garden...
  3. 1950] Debuted on this date: "Your Show of Shows" debuts on NBC-TV. Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris become household names. Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and Neil Simon were writers on the show...
  4. 1964] Eat your words: That's what Cassius Clay told Sonny Liston after upsetting Liston to win the heavyweight crown. Liston couldn't answer the bell for round 7...
  5. 1983] 'Happy Trails': Playwright Tennessee Williams is found in his New York hotel suite after choking on a bottle cap. Williams was 71...
  6. 1989] This Cowboy gets roped: After 29 seasons and 2 Super Bowl Championships as Dallas coach, Tom Landry is dumped by new Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jimmy Johnson replaces Landry...
  7. 1994] Holy Cow: That was the reaction by Phil Rizzuto when told he was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at age 76...
  8. 1994] Lucy faced: Bad girl Tonya Harding puts the 'Peanuts' Lucy face on when a last-minute loose skate lace turns her from lutzing contender to klutzy pretender in the Olympics...
  9. 1997] Guilty as charged: A jury in Media (PA) convicts multimillionaire John E. DuPont of third-degree murder but decides he was mentally ill when killing world-class wrestler and neighbor, David Schultz...2005] Municipal employee and church leader Dennis Rader is arrested for the BTK serial killings that terrorized Wichita, Kansas. Rader is now serving 10 years to life...
  10. 2000] Acquitted: A jury in Albany (NY) acquits four NYPD officers of second-degree murder and lesser charges in the February, 1999 shooting death of Amadou Diallo...For more on February 25th:

C L I C K:

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tuesday, February 24, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1868] Phat Tuesday: The first parade to use floats? The New Orleans Mardi Gras on this date...
  2. 1903] Guantanamo-ra: An area in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased to the U.S. for use as a naval base. The clock is ticking on GB under the Obama administration...
  3. 1980] Winter Gold: The U.S. hockey team wins a gold medal after beating Finland 4-2 at the Lake Placid Winter Games...1994] Figure skater Oksana Baiul of the Ukraine injures her back in practice but two days later beats Nancy Kerrigan to win a gold medal at Lillehammer, Norway
  4. 1981] Murder she wrote: Jean Harris is convicted of murdering Scarsdale Diet Doctor (Tarnower). HBO makes a movie out of it in 2006...
  5. 1987] The King and I: Larry King suffers a heart attack requiring quintuple bypass surgery...
  6. 1989] Is that plant moving?: Stalker Margaret Ray is found in David Letterman's home in Connecticut claiming to be his wife. Letterman is not amused...
  7. 1992] Wayne's World: The movie starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey opens in U.S. theaters. Schhhwiiiing!!!
  8. 1994] Saturday Night Alive: Garrett Morris is shot during a robbery but eventually recovers from his wounds...
  9. 1998] "Happy Trails": Legendary comedian Henny Youngman dies from pneumonia at 91...
  10. 2008] Oscar gold: "No Country For Old Men" wins the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 80th awards show...For more on February 24th:

C L I C K:

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Monday, February 23, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1822] Please come to Boston: The city of Boston is incorporated...
  2. 1836] Remember the Alamo: The siege of the Alamo begins in San Antonio (TX)...
  3. 1896] Rockin' the Tootsie Roll: The Tootsie Roll is introduced by transplanted European Leo Hirshfield. The Tootsie Pop came along in 1931. Tell me there's anything better than cherry TPs...
  4. 1927] Let the fun begin: President Calvin Coolidge signs a bill creating the Federal Radio Commission. On July 1, 1934 the name will be changed to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)...
  5. 1954] Salkin' it to ya: The first mass inoculation of children against polio using the Salk vaccine begins in Pittsburgh...
  6. 1965] "Happy Trails": Stan Laurel (Laurel & Hardy) dies in his sleep following a heart attack at 74...1995] Melvin Franklin, bass singer of the Temptations dies from heart failure at 52...
  7. 1983] Big Bucks for a Bulldog: Junior running back Herschel Walker of Georgia becomes the highest paid player in football history when he signs a $1.5 million a year contract with Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals of the USFL...
  8. 1997] Madman goes berserk: A Palestinian madman opens fire on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, killing one person and wounding six before taking his own life. A classmate of my son Robert, Matt Gross was shot in the head and suffered permanent brain damage. Matt's brother Daniel started a successful anti-violence group...
  9. 1997] Hello Dolly: Scientists in Scotland confirm the successful cloning of the lamb named Dolly...
  10. 1999] Guilty as charged: A jury in Jasper (TX) convicts white supremacist John William King of murder in the dragging death of a black man - James Byrd Jr...For more on February 23rd:

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Friday, February 20, 2009

(Weekend Edition) February 20 - 22, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1792] Going postal: George Washington signs the Postal Service Act, creating the U.S. Post Office (2/20). NRA membership is given to each new employee..
  2. 1879] Five and dime: Frank W. Woolworth opens his first '5 and 10 cent' store (2/22) in Utica (NY)...
  3. 1925] Debuted on this date: The New Yorker Magazine is published (2/21)...1931] Alka Seltzer is introduced with a "plop, plop, fizz, fizz" (2/21)...1947] Edwin Land demonstrates the Polaroid Land Camera to the Optical Society of America in New York City (2/21). It's the first camera to take, develop and print a black and white print in 60 seconds. The camera will go on sale in 1948...
  4. 1958] Peace and love, man: The Peace symbol is designed by Gerald Holtom in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (2/21)...
  5. 1962] Going in circles: John Glenn makes space history, orbiting the earth 3 times to become the first American to orbit the earth aboard 'Friendship 7' (2/20)...
  6. 1965] In cold blood: Malcolm X is assassinated at the Audobon Ballroom in Manhattan at the age of 39 (2/21). Three Black Muslims are charged and jailed for the murder...2002] The State Department declares Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl dead, one month after he had been abducted by Islamic extremists in Pakistan (2/21)...
  7. 1976] "Happy Trails": Original Supreme, Florence Ballard is the victim of a fatal heart attack (2/22). At 32, she was living on welfare after being fired from the Supremes 9 years earlier. Ballard leaves 3 children...1982] Murray the K (Kaufman) is a victim of cancer at 60 (2/21)...1987] Pop Art guru Andy Warhol dies from a heart attack in his sleep following gall bladder surgery. Warhol was 58 (2/22)...1999] Movie critic Gene Siskel dies from complications following brain surgery at 53 (2/20)...2006] Curt Gowdy loses his long battle with leukemia at 86 (2/20). Curt's funeral procession circles Fenway Park before he's interred...
  8. 1980] Olympic Gold: Al Michaels makes the call: "Do you believe in miracles?" as the U.S. Hockey team beats the Russians in a semi-final game (2/22). Two nights later they beat Finland for the gold...1998] American Tara Lipinski, 15, is the youngest gold medalist in Winter Olympic history when she wins the Ladies figure skating title in Nagano (2/20)...2002] 16-year old Great Neck North student Sarah Hughes shocks the world by winning the women's figure skating gold medal at the Salt Lake City games (2/21)...
  9. 1988] I cried a tear: TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart tearfully confesses to his congregation in Baton Rouge (LA) that he was guilty of an "unspecified sin" and temporarily leaves the pulpit (2/21). Reports that he had taken up with a prostitute are later confirmed by him...
  10. 2003] Death by fire: Fire breaks out in a West Warwick (RI) club killing 100 including Great White guitarist Ty Longley. Two hundred are injured (2/20). Law suits are still being settled 6 years later...For more on February 20 -22: C L I C K:

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thursday, February 19, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1878] Something to play your records on: Thomas Alva Edison patents a music player - the phonograph is born...
  2. 1942] Internment: Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an executive order giving the military authority to relocate and intern Japanese-Americans...
  3. 1953] Splendid indeed: Ted Williams, a Marine pilot since 1951, escapes after crash-landing his F-9 Panther after being hit in Korea. He climbs down from the cockpit just before the plane explodes...
  4. 1966] The Joe Pa era begins: Joe Paterno moves from assistant head coach of Penn State, where he began at the school in 1950, to head coach replacing Rip Engle. Forty-three years later he's still head coach...
  5. 1977] I beg your pardon: President Gerald Ford pardons Iva Toguri D'Aquino aka "Tokyo Rose"...
  6. 1984] Winter gold: Twin brothers Phil and Steve Mahre finish 1-2 in the men's slalom on the final day of the Sarajevo Winter Olympics...
  7. 1985] This is a new drink?: Cherry Coke is introduced by Coca-Cola. This is a drink that was discovered a lot earlier than that in every neighborhood of New York City along with the Egg-Cream - apparently not in Atlanta...
  8. 1987] The smoking light goes out: A controversial anti-smoking commercial airs for the first time on network TV. It features Yul Brynner who would soon die from lung cancer resulting from his heavy smoking...
  9. 1995] Wedding Bells: Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson rock down the aisle. This relationship has had more ups and downs than the light switch on your wall...
  10. 2008] Adios Fidel: Fidel Castro announces that he will resign as President of Cuba. Brother Raul succeeds him...For more on February 19th: C L I C K:

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1885] Never the Twain until today: Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is published in the U.S. for the first time...
  2. 1930] The dwarf planet: Clyde Tombaugh was spinning in his grave when Pluto was designated a "dwarf" planet. Clyde discovered the former planet on this date...
  3. 1951] Close shave: The biggest point-shaving scandal in college basketball history begins when three players from defending-champion CCNY, are charged with accepting bribes to throw games. They eventually admit their crimes along with 29 others from 6 schools, including powerhouse Kentucky...
  4. 1953] Get those 3-D glasses out: "Bwana Devil", the first 3-D movie opens in New York City...
  5. 1953] Signed, sealed, delivered: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz sign a contract worth $8 million to continue "I Love Lucy" through 1955...
  6. 1970] Guilty as charged: Five of the "Chicago 7" are found guilty of intent to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The convictions are later overturned...
  7. 1979] Not petty at all: Richard Petty wins his 6th Daytona 500...
  8. 1998] "Happy Trails": Cubs play-by-play man Harry Carey dies of a heart attack at 83...2001] Dale Earnhardt dies from injuries suffered in a crash at the Daytona 500. Earnhardt was 49...
  9. 1999] Trading places: The Yankees and Toronto make a blockbuster deal: 5-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens goes from the Blue Jays to the Yankees for David Wells...
  10. 2004] Not going quietly: Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean abandons his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination after going bonkers at that infamous press conference...For more on February 18th:

C L I C K:

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Tuesday, February 17, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1801] Heads it's Jefferson, tails, it's Burr: The U.S. House of Representatives breaks an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr by picking Jefferson as President and Burr as his VP...
  2. 1913] Art replaces war: The Armory Show opens at the 69th Regiment Armory in Manhattan with paintings and sculpture on display. This show continues to be held yearly at the same Armory...
  3. 1933] TIME is not on their side: Newsweek is published for the 1st time...
  4. 1933] Wedding Bells: Blondie and Dagwood walk down the cartoon aisle, 3 years after they met in the papers. They celebrate their 76th wedding anniversary today...
  5. 1947] VOA is born: The Voice of America begins its broadcasts to the Soviet Union...
  6. 1965] Facelift #1: Joan Rivers makes her first guest appearance substituting for Johnny Carson...
  7. 1968] Hooping it up: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opens to the public for the first time in Springfield (MA)...
  8. 1986] Oh Howard: Howard Stern takes over the morning show at K-Rock in New York...
  9. 1992] Murder Inc: In Milwaukee, mass murderer Jeffrey Dahmer is sentenced to life in prison. In November of 1994 he is beaten to death in prison...1995] LIRR killer Colin Ferguson is convicted on six counts of murder in the December, 1993 shootings. Ferguson will later be sentenced to a minimum of 200 years in prison. No tears are shed on either of these two sentences...
  10. 1996] Deeply blue: World chess champion Garry Kasparov beats Deep Blue, the IBM supercomputer in Philadelphia on what would have been IBM founder Thomas Watson's 122nd birthday. Deep Blue gets revenge when it beats Kasparov in 1997...For more on February 17th:

C L I C K:

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Monday, February 16, 2009

(Presidents Day Edition) February 16, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1868] Benevolent and Protective: 'The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks' is formed in New York City (what the devil does the BPOE do besides being benevolent and protective???)...
  2. 1883] Ladies Day: The Ladies Home Journal begins publication. Their first issue is a shocker: 'Are hems on bathing suits being raised to above the ankles?' Say it isn't so...
  3. 1946] Whirlybird heaven: The first commercially designed helicopter is unveiled and tested in Bridgeport (CT)...
  4. 1948] A new career for Ed Herlihy: NBC-TV begins airing its first nightly newscast featuring Fox and Movietone newsreels...
  5. 1959] Have a cigar: Fidel Castro seizes power in Cuba after the overthrow of President Fulgencio Batista...
  6. 1968] My old stomping grounds gets famous: The first 911 emergency telephone system is inaugurated in Haleyville (AL) where I started my radio career at WJBB at 18...
  7. 1970] The winner and new champ: Joe Frazier begins his reign as undefeated heavyweight champ by knocking out Jimmy Ellis in 5 rounds. Frazier keeps his title until losing it to George Foreman in January, 1973. It will be Frazier's first professional defeat...
  8. 1982] "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett say "I don't", divorcing after separating in 1979. The marriage lasted almost 9 years...1989] Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden split up after 16 years of marriage...
  9. 1984] Winter gold: 23-year old Bill Johnson becomes the first American to win Olympic downhill skiing gold at Sarajevo...
  10. 1990] Busted: Ike Turner is sentenced to 4 years in prison on cocaine charges...For more on February 16th:

C L I C K:

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Friday, February 13, 2009

(Weekend Edition) February 13 - 15, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1635] School bells ring and children sing: Boston Latin is founded. It is our nation's first public school. The school will open on April 23, 1635 (2/13)...
  2. 1903] Oh won't you be my teddy bear: Russian immigrants Morris and Rose Michtom introduce the first teddy bear to America (2/15)...
  3. 1914] Hello - Royalties: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers aka ASCAP is formed in New York City (2/13)...
  4. 1929] Happy Valentine's Day: The 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' in Chicago takes 7 lives. All of the mobsters killed were rivals of Al Capone (2/14)...2007] The 'Valentine's Day Blizzard', a nor-easter, starts on February 12th and won't end until February 20th. It peaks on Valentine's Day, killing 37 and dumping 48" of snow in Stowe (VT). The storm affects the east coast from Philadelphia to New England and midwest from Nebraska to Ohio (2/12 - 2/20)...
  5. 1954] Century mark: Eight years before Wilt Chamberlain drops 100 points on the Knicks, Furman's Frank Selvy scores 100 against Newberry College in a 149-95 victory (2/13). Both schools are in South Carolina. If you had the under 244 points - you lose...
  6. 1962] Hi, I'm Jackie your tour guide: First lady Jacqueline Kennedy gives us a televised tour of the White House (2/14)...
  7. 1965] "Happy Trails": Nat "King" Cole passes away from lung cancer at 46 (2/15). Cole was a heavy smoker...1984] Ethel Merman dies from an inoperable brain tumor at 76 (2/15)...2002] Country outlaw singer Waylon Jennings dies in his sleep, a victim of diabetes at 64 (2/13)...2008] Legendary Boston radio and television personality Jess Cain dies from prostate cancer at 81 (2/14)...2008] American businessman, aviator and adventurer Steve Fossett is declared legally dead after missing since September 3, 2007 (2/15). Fossett was 63...
  8. 1976] Gold Standard: Dorothy Hamill wins a gold medal at the Winter Olympics and captures the hearts of Americans with her youthful innocence, good looks and flawless style (2/13)...
  9. 1989] No green bananas for you: Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini calls on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses". Rushdie continues to live despite the death warrant (2/14)...
  10. 2005] YouTube sees the light: YouTube is launched in the U.S. (2/15)...For more on February 13 - 15:

C L I C K:

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thursday, February 12, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1809] Honest: If my math is correct, Abraham Lincoln would have been 200 today. I'll have to check with Williard Scott on that. Honest Abe's birthday became a national holiday in 1892 when he would have been 83. Of course that celebration was taken away from Lincoln and Washington in lieu of 'President's Day', Feb. 16th this year...1915] The cornerstone for the Lincoln Memorial is laid in Washington, D.C...
  2. 1909] Advancing the cause: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is organized...
  3. 1924] First in the nation: Calvin Coolidge makes his first presidential political speech on radio...
  4. 1971] 'Happy Trails': James Cash (J.C.) Penney dies from natural causes at 95. Penney's closes its stores for half a day. They couldn't close for a full day??? 1983] Ragtime pianist, the great Eubie Blake passes away peacefully, 5 days after his 100th birthday...2000] Charles M. Schulz, creator of 'Peanuts' dies from cancer at 77...2000] Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry, who led the Dallas Cowboys to 5 Super Bowls, winning 3, passes away from leukemia at 75...
  5. 1976] Murder in Hollywood: 37-year old actor Sal Mineo is found murdered in his driveway, the victim of a botched robbery attempt...
  6. 1989] Vote for me: Tiny Tim declares himself a New York City mayoral candidate but changes his mind...
  7. 1999] Free at last: Bill Clinton is acquitted of impeachment charges by the Senate...
  8. 2004] The best part of breaking up: Mattel announces the breakup of 'Barbie' and 'Ken'. The pair met on the set of their first TV commercial in 1961. America's favorite couple has since reconciled...
  9. 2006] Nor'easter: A powerful Nor'easter blankets the Northeast dumping 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington, D.C. to New England. We got an exaggerated 26.9" of snow, an all-time record in New York...
  10. 2007] Trolley Square shooting: A beserk gunman opens fire at Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City killing 6, including himself...For more on February 12th:

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1960] I kid you not: Jack Paar walks off "The Tonight Show" over network censorship when they cut a joke about a 'water closet' claiming it was in poor taste. Paar storms off the set in tears and won't return for a month...
  2. 1965] Wedding Bells: Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox rock down the aisle. The Beatle and Beatle-ette will divorce in 1975...
  3. 1968] Adding MSG: The new Madison Square Garden officially opens. The 4th Garden holds nearly 20,000 and celebrates its 41st anniversary today...
  4. 1979] Ayatollyahso: Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seize power in Iran 9 days after the religious leader returns after 15 years of exile...
  5. 1982] It's blowin' in the Winds: ABC-TVs presentation of "The Winds of War" concludes. The 18-hour miniseries cost $40 million to produce but is the most watched TV program in history at the time...
  6. 1990] Free at last: South African activist Nelson Mandela is freed after 27 years in prison...
  7. 1990] Busted: James "Buster" Douglas beats the unbeatable Mike Tyson by a KO to win the heavyweight crown in a shocker in Tokyo...
  8. 2002] Not Nyet: Canadian pairs couple, David Pelletier and Jamie Sale are robbed of a gold medal when a French judge tries to fix the event in favor of the Russian team at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The judge is overturned and gold is awarded to the now married Canadians...
  9. 2006] Did you forget to duck?: VP Dick Cheney accidentally shoots and wounds a companion during a weekend quail-hunting trip to Texas...
  10. 2007] Grammy Gold: The Dixie Chicks dominate the 2007 Grammy's by winning 5 awards including 'Record' and 'Song' of the year. Mary J. Blige and Carrie Underwood are also winners...For more on February 11th:

C L I C K:

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1870] Not celebrated in song: The YWCA is founded in New York City. I always thought there should've been an answer hit to the Village People's "YMCA" by a group called the Village Girls, titled "YWCA"...
  2. 1897] The Gray Lady: The New York Times begins printing the slogan, "All the News That's Fit to Print", upper-left, front page. 112-years later it's still there...
  3. 1933] Hmmmmmm: The singing telegram is introduced by the Postal Telegram Company of New York City. Roughly 53 trillion butcherings of "Happy Birthday" follow...
  4. 1942] That sinking feeling: The Normandie, the former French liner capsizes in New York Harbor after catching fire while being fitted for the U.S. Navy the day before...
  5. 1968] Ice queens: Peggy Fleming wins a gold medal in women's figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France...1992] Bonnie Blair wins gold in 500-meter speed skating at Albertville, France becoming the first woman to win gold medals in consecutive Winter Olympics...
  6. 1981] Death in the casino: Fire breaks out at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino, killing 8 and injuring 198...
  7. 1992] "Happy Trails": "Roots" author Alex Haley dies of a heart attack at 70...2005] Playwright Arthur Miller succumbs to heart failure at 89...2008] Veteran actor Roy ("Jaws") Scheider dies at 75 from a staph infection after being treated for multiple myeloma...
  8. 1992] Guilty as charged: Mike Tyson is convicted in Indianapolis of raping a Miss Black America contestant...
  9. 2005] The arms race: North Korea publicly announces for the first time that it has nuclear arms...
  10. 2007] Vote for me: Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill) announces his bid for president...For more on February 10th: C L I C K:

http://melphillipsnowandthen.com



Monday, February 9, 2009

Monday, February 9, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1825] Flip a coin: The U.S. House of Representatives elects John Quincy Adams president after no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes...
  2. 1870] Undulating patterns and circular swirls arrive: The U.S. Weather Bureau is authorized by Congress. It's officially known as the National Weather Service...
  3. 1895] Bikinis to follow: The game of volley ball is invented by W.G. Morgan...
  4. 1942] Time has come today: Daylight-savings 'War Time' goes into effect. This year DST begins Sunday, March 8, 2009 when we turn clocks ahead one hour...
  5. 1950] Better dead than red: Senator Joseph McCarthy charges that the State Department is filled with Communists as we usher in that fun era - McCarthyism...
  6. 1971] Third time is the charm: Apollo 14 returns to earth after man's 3rd landing on the moon...
  7. 1971] Don't look back, someone might be gaining on you: Satchel Paige becomes the first Negro League player elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame...
  8. 1973] "Happy Trails": Max Yasgur who owned the farm where the original Woodstock took place, dies of a heart attack at 53...1981] Bill Haley suffers a fatal heart attack at his home in Harlingen, Texas. Haley was 56...2002] Britain's Princess Margaret suffers a fatal massive stroke at 71...
  9. 1997] Homer the Hero: "The Simpsons" passes "The Flintstones" as the longest running prime-time animated series...
  10. 2006] Kidnap video: Kidnapped-American journalist Jill Carroll appears in a video aired on a Kuwaiti TV station, appealing for her supporters to do whatever it took to win her release "as quickly as possible." Jill is freed the following month...For more on February 9th: C L I C K:

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Friday, February 6, 2009

(Weekend Edition) February 6 - 8, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1915] Giving birth: Director D.W. Griffith's civil war epic, "Birth Of A Nation" premieres at Clune's Auditorium in Los Angeles. The three-hour silent movie cost $100,000, a fortune in 1915 (2/8)...
  2. 1935] Pass 'Go' and collect $200: The board game of 'Monopoly' goes on sale for the first time (2/6)...
  3. 1940] Premiered on this date: Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" has its world premiere at the Center Theater in Manhattan (2/7)...1974] "Blazing Saddles" debuts in movie theaters (2/7)...
  4. 1959] "Happy Trails": Thousands attend Buddy Holly's funeral in Lubbock, Texas (2/7)...1960] 27-year old singer Jesse Belvin, his wife and driver, are all killed in an automobile accident in Los Angeles. Jesse's wife survived the crash but died several days later (2/6)...1990] Singer Del Shannon dies from a self-inflicted gun shot wound at 50 (2/8)...1993] Tennis Hall of Famer and human rights advocate Arthur Ashe dies of complications of AIDS, contracted during a blood tranfusion. I used to live across the street from Arthur who was just 49 at the time of his death (2/6)...1998] 51-year old Carl Wilson one of the founding members of the Beach Boys dies from complications of lung cancer with his family at his side (2/6)...2005] Former Epic Records head of promotion, Al Gurewitz passes away from bladder cancer at 73 (2/8)...2007] Legendary singer Frankie Laine dies of heart failure at 93 (2/8)...2007] Anna Nicole Smith dies from 'combined drug intoxication' at 39 (2/8)...
  5. 1965] The Name Game: Cassius Clay becomes a Muslim and adopts the name, Muhammad Ali (2/7)...
  6. 1985] Swimsuit edition: Sports Illustrated releases its annual 'Swimsuit Edition' which somehow manages to be not only the largest regular edition but the 'most read' edition (2/7)...
  7. 1985] Start spreading the news: "New York, New York" becomes the official anthem of New York City. When the Yankees win they play Frank Sinatra's version and when they lose, it's Liza Minelli's version, which should make her feel real good (2/7)...
  8. 1987] Vote for me: Sonny Bono declares his candidacy for mayor of Palm Springs and will get elected to that office (2/6)...2000] First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton launches her successful candidacy for the U.S. Senate from New York (2/6)...
  9. 2003] Eye opening 20/20 interview: ABC-TV's '20/20' airs a British documentary on Michael Jackson in which the singer reveals he sometimes lets children sleep in his bed (2/6)...
  10. 2005] Super Bowl Sunday: The New England Patriots win their second consecutive SB and 3rd in 4 years with a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. Ah the good old days (2/6)...For more on February 6 -8: C L I C K:

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thursday, February 5, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1921] It's read all over: Reader's Digest hits the newsstands for the first time...
  2. 1921] The house that Ruth built: The Yankees purchase 20 acres in the Bronx to build Yankee Stadium. The stadium goes up 2 years later in 1923. Eighty-six years later, the new stadium is about to open in April...
  3. 1967] Smothered: "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS-TV. It will switch to NBC and finally ABC before ending in May of 1975...
  4. 1990] The color of money: Notre Dame becomes the first major college football team to sell its home games to a major TV network - NBC, where it still resides...
  5. 1994] Guilty as charged: White separatist Byron De La Beckwith is convicted in Jackson (MS) of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963. De La Beckwith is sentenced to life in prison...1999] Mike Tyson is sentenced to one year in prison for assaulting two people after a car accident in 1998. He's also fined $5,000 and serves two years of probation and community service upon release...2002] A federal grand jury indicts John Walker Lindh on 10 charges, alleging he was trained by Osama bin Laden's network and conspired with the Taliban to kill Americans...
  6. 1997] Wedding Bells: Investment banker Morgan Stanley announces a $10 billion merger with Dean Witter...
  7. 2001] Regis gets ripped: Kelly Ripa is announced as Regis Philbin's new co-host. The show is renamed "Live! with Regis and Kelly". Ripa replaces Kathie Lee Gifford...
  8. 2001] This cruise is over: Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman announce their separation...
  9. 2003] WMD alert: Secretary of State Colin Powell urges the U.N. Security Council to move against Iraq, saying that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was harboring terrorists, claims that later turned out to be false...
  10. 2006] Super Bowl Sunday: The Pittsburgh Steelers win a record-tying 5th Super Bowl (they tie San Francisco) with a 21-10 win over Seattle and now they're known as the 'Sixburgh Steelers'...For more on February 5th: CLICK: http://melphillipsnowandthen.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Wednesday, February 4, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1789] And the winner is: Electors unanimously choose George Washington as the first President of the United States, making his election official...
  2. 1932] Let the games begin: The first Winter Olympics takes place at Lake Placid (NY)...
  3. 1941] Bob Hope books a flight: The United Service Organization (USO) is created...
  4. 1957] The Right Type: Smith-Corona rolls out the first electric typewriter weighing a hefty 19 pounds...
  5. 1969] Meet the new Commish: Bowie Kuhn replaces the fired William Eckert as Baseball Commissioner...
  6. 1983] 'Happy Trails': Karen Carpenter passes away from heart failure probably caused by years of suffering from anorexia nervosa. Karen was just 32...1987] Liberace falls victim to AIDS related complications at 67...
  7. 1987] Signed, sealed, delivered: Having failed to get Bill Parcells from New England as coach, the Jets hire Bill Belichick as H.C. How'd that work out Jets fans???
  8. 1997] Guilty as charged: A civil jury in California finds O.J. Simpson liable in the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Goldman's parents are awarded $8.5 million in damages...
  9. 1999] Amadou disaster: An unarmed Amadou Diallo is cut down in a hail of bullets when four New York City plainclothes police officers thought he was armed. He wasn't...
  10. 2007] Super win: The Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI...For more on February 4th: C L I C K:

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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Tuesday, February 3, 2009...

10 Timeline Memories:
  1. 1690] "Money, money, money, monnnnney": The 1st paper money in the U.S. is issued by the Massachusetts colony. The currency is used to pay soldiers fighting in the war against Quebec (was this over hockey, eh?)...
  2. 1815] Cheesy: The world's 1st commercial cheese factory is established in Switzerland (no mention of who was used to cut the cheese)...
  3. 1913] The Taxman is coming: The 16th amendment to the Constitution is ratified authorizing the power to impose and collect income tax (how about a vote to repeal it?)...
  4. 1959] The day the music died: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson aka 'The Big Bopper' perish when their small plane goes down in Iowa...
  5. 1961] Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: Over 17" of snow blankets New York City. It's the 6th largest snowfall in the city...
  6. 1998] Lights out: Texas executes Karla Faye Tucker who becomes the first women executed since 1984. All Karla did was hack two people to death with a pickax...
  7. 1998] Plunging to death: A U.S. Marine jet slices a cable in Italy causing the death of 20 skiers on a lift. They will fall 370 feet to their deaths...
  8. 2002] I get a kick out of you: Britney Spears sings the national anthem and then Adam Vinatieri kicks a 48-yard field goal and the underdog Patriots win their first Super Bowl over the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI. Tom Brady wins the first of two SB MVPs...2008] Super Bowl XLII goes to the Giants who beat the Patriots 17-14...
  9. 2003] Murder at the mansion: Record producer Phil Spector is arrested in the shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson at his mansion in California...
  10. 2007] Baghdad bomber: A suicide truck bomber strikes a Baghdad market, killing more than 130...For more on February 3rd: C L I C K:

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

10 Timeline Memories:

  1. 1653] Start spreading the news: New Amsterdam, now known as New York City is incorporated...
  2. 1790] Supes on: The U.S. Supreme Court convenes for the first time...
  3. 1876] Senor circuit: Baseball's National League is formed in New York with these original franchises: New York, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Hartford, Louisville, Philadelphia and St. Louis...
  4. 1887] They say we're young and we don't know: The first 'Groundhog Day' is celebrated in Punxsutawney (PA). The 1993 movie starring Bill Murray immortalizes the day and Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" wakes Murray up 33 times...
  5. 1946] Debuted on this date: Mutual Broadcasting airs "Twenty Questions" for the first time on radio. The show moves to TV three years later...
  6. 1967] Jump it up: The American Basketball Association is formed...
  7. 1972] Bloody Sunday aftermath: The British embassy in Dublin is destroyed in protest over Bloody Sunday...
  8. 1979] "Happy Trails": Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols dies from a drug overdose at 21, less than 4 months after fatally stabbing girlfriend Nancy Spungen at the Chelsea Hotel...1996] The legendary Gene Kelly passes away after suffering two strokes...
  9. 1990] Free Mandela: F.W. de Klerk, allows the African National Congress to legally function and promises to release Nelson Mandela...
  10. 2004] Super Bowl Sunday: In my first Super Bowl, my Patriots thanks to Adam Vinatieri's field goal, beat the Carolina Panthers with 4 seconds remaining, 32-29. This is the SB that Janet Jackson suffered (?) a wardrobe malfunction at halftime...For more on February 2nd: C L I C K:

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