Fun On this date in history...

Sad, sad tragedy.

 

Well at least its in the right place this time.

 

I really think she is one of the most remarkable person I've ever seen. She's not just beautiful, but also so brave against the Royal House. She also helped so many people. Just like they said in the end of her documentary, she made many mistakes but was able to go through it, that's why people love her so much.

Charles was a big big idiot, probably the most stupid person seriously.

 

If I may...

ON AUGUST 31st:

In 1776, William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey, began serving his first term.

In 1886, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.3 devastated Charleston, SC, killing at least 60 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In 1888, Mary Ann Nichols, believed to be the first victim of "Jack the Ripper," was found slain in London's East End.

In 1895, German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin patented his “navigable balloon”.

In 1903, announcer/program host Arthur Godfrey was born in Manhattan.

In 1914, actor Richard Basehart was born in Zanesville, OH. Gypsy’s obsession with him would come later.

In 1928, actor James Coburn was born in Laurel, NE.

In 1932, actor/entertainer Roy Castle was born in Scholes, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. His portrayal of Ian Chesterton in the movie “Dr. Who and the Daleks” is still controversial among some Whovians.

In 1935, the U.S. Congress passed the first of the Neutrality Acts, in an effort to prevent the U.S. from entering World War II.

In 1939, the first issue of “Marvel Comics”, featuring the original Human Torch, was published by Timely Publications in New York.

In 1940, actor Jack Thompson, AM was born in Sydney, Australia. In addition to his distinguished list of roles in Australian cinema, he also played Cliegg Lars in “Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones”.

In 1941, the radio program "The Great Gildersleeve," a spinoff from "Fibber McGee and Molly" starring Harold Peary, debuted on NBC. It was one of the earliest spin-offs in broadcast history.

In 1946, the “Merrie Melodies” cartoon “Walky Talky Hawky” was released in the U.S. It featured the first appearance of Foghorn Leghorn and Barnyard Dawg.

In 1949, the thriller “The Third Man”, starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles, was released in the UK.

In 1954, Hurricane Carol hit the northeastern Atlantic states; Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of Massachusetts bore the brunt of the storm, which resulted in some 70 deaths.

In 1962, the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago became independent of British colonial rule.

Also in 1962, voice actor Dee Bradley Baker was born in Bloomington, IN. Among his many roles, he provided all of the Clonetrooper voices for the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”.

In 1965, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in voting to establish the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In 1972, at the Munich Summer Olympics, American swimmer Mark Spitz won his fourth and fifth gold medals in the 100-meter butterfly and 800-meter freestyle relay, while Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut won gold medals in floor exercise and the balance beam.

In 1973, producer/director John Ford died in Palm Desert, CA at age 79.

In 1979, the science fiction movie “Time After Time”, starring Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen and David Warner, was released in the U.S.

In 1980, Poland's Solidarity labor movement was born with an agreement signed in Gdansk that ended a 17-day-old strike.

In 1989, Britain's Princess Anne and her husband, Capt. Mark Phillips, announced they were separating after 15 years of marriage.

In 1990, John Nathan-Turner officially resigned as producer of “Doctor Who”, and the program’s production office at the BBC was shut down.

In 1991, author/screenwriter Gerry Davis, best-known for co-creating the Cybermen for “Doctor Who”, died in Venice, CA at age 61.

In 1996, during the “MST3K ConventioCon ExpoFest-a-Rama 2: Electric Boogaloo”, attendees watched a presentation of “Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie”. In many cases, due to the film’s limited theatrical release, it was the first time they’d seen it.

In 1997, a car crash in Paris claimed the lives of Princess Diana, Dodi Fayed and their driver, Henri Paul.

In 2005, actor Michael Sheard died on the Isle of Wight at age 67. He was well-known to “Star Wars” fans for playing Admiral Ozzel in “The Empire Strikes Back”, and to Whovians for his seven appearances (including audio and video stories) on “Doctor Who”.

In 2010, President Barack Obama ended the U.S. combat mission in Iraq.

In 2012, the fact-based thriller “Argo”, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, premiered at the Telluride Film Festival.

In 2017, a series of small explosions occurred at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, TX after floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey shut down the cooling systems that kept the chemicals stable.

Also in 2017, actor Richard Anderson, well-known for playing Oscar Goldman on “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “The Bionic Woman”, died in Beverly Hills at age 91.

 

And in an alternate universe Mr. Von Zepplin's inventions are still flying to this day (and in fact the main source of travel in Britain).

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 1st:

In 1715, following a reign of 72 years, King Louis XIV of France died four days before his 77th birthday.

In 1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr was found not guilty of treason. (Burr was then tried on a misdemeanor charge, but was again acquitted.)

In 1864, Confederate Army General John Bell Hood ordered the evacuation of Atlanta, ending a four-month siege by General William Tecumseh Sherman.

In 1878, Emma Nutt became the world's first female telephone operator when she was recruited by Alexander Graham Bell to the Boston Telephone Dispatch Company. History doesn’t record if her first words on the job were, “Number, plee-ase!”

In 1897, The Tremont Street Subway in Boston opened, becoming the first underground rapid transit system in North America.

In 1902, “Le voyage dans la lune” (English title: “A Trip to the Moon”), considered one of the first science fiction films, was released in France.

In 1905, Alberta and Saskatchewan entered Confederation as the eighth and ninth provinces of Canada.

In 1914, the last passenger pigeon in captivity, Martha, died at the Cincinnati Zoo.

In 1923, the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Yokohama were devastated by an earthquake that claimed some 140,000 lives.

In 1939, World War II began as Nazi Germany invaded Poland.

Also in 1939, the mystery “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” was released in the U.S. It starred Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce as Holmes & Watson, with George Zucco as Prof. Moriarty.

In addition in 1939, General George C. Marshall became Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

In 1944, the comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace”, based on the hit stage play and starring Cary Grant, premiered in New York City.

In 1948, the film noir “Sorry, Wrong Number”, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster, was released in the U.S.

In 1949, the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", performed by Gene Autry, was released by Columbia Records.

In 1951, the United States, Australia and New Zealand signed a mutual defense pact, the ANZUS treaty.

Also in 1951, author Timothy Zahn was born in Chicago, IL. Most recently, he’s well-known for his “Star Wars” novels (whose canonicity is now a subject of much discussion by fans).

In 1960, composer/musician/singer Joseph Williams was born in Santa Monica, CA. In addition to his work on film scores and with the band Toto, he wrote the music and English lyrics for “Lapti Nek”, the song from the original version of “Return of the Jedi”.

In 1969, a coup in Libya brought Moammar Gadhafi to power.

In 1972, in Reykjavik, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer beat Russian Boris Spassky to become the world chess champion.

In 1979, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “Destiny of the Daleks” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance of Lalla Ward as Romana.

Also in 1979, the unmanned NASA space probe Pioneer 11 became the first spacecraft to visit Saturn when it passed the planet at a distance of 13,000 miles.

In 1983, 269 people were killed when a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 was shot down by a Soviet jet fighter after the airliner entered Soviet airspace.

In 1985, a U.S.-French expedition located the wreckage of the Titanic on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean roughly 400 miles off Newfoundland.

In 1991, Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union.

In 2004, The Beslan school hostage crisis began when armed terrorists took children and adults hostage in Beslan in North Ossetia, Russia.

In 2012, on “Doctor Who”, “Asylum of the Daleks” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance (in a way) of Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald.

 

Some September 2nd Birthdays:

• 1946 – Walt Simonson, American author and illustrator
• 1964 – Keanu Reeves, Lebanese-Canadian actor, singer, and producer

• 1966 – Salma Hayek, Mexican-American actress, director, and producer
  

and it is:

• National Blueberry Popsicle Day (United States) (Wha?)

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 2nd:

In 31 B.C., in the Battle of Actium, off the western coast of Greece, the forces of Octavian defeated troops under Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

In 1666, the Great Fire of London broke out. Reports that an expatriate Time Lord and one or more of his Companions were involved remain unconfirmed.

In 1789, the United States Treasury Department was established.

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln reluctantly restored Union Gen. George B. McClellan to full command after Gen. John Pope’s disastrous defeat at the Second Battle of Bull Run (a.k.a. Second Manassas).

In 1864, during the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman's forces occupied Atlanta.

In 1901, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt offered the advice, "Speak softly and carry a big stick" in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair.

In 1912, Arthur Rose Eldred was awarded the first Eagle Scout award of the Boy Scouts of America.

In 1923, the drama “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, starring Lon Chaney as Quasimodo, premiered in New York City.

In 1935, a Labor Day hurricane slammed into the Florida Keys, claiming more than 400 lives.

In 1937, the adventure movie “The Prisoner of Zenda”, starring Ronald Coleman, premiered in New York City.

In 1945, Japan formally surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending World War II.

In 1948, teacher/astronaut Christa McAuliffe was born in Boston, MA.

In 1949, the crime drama “White Heat”, starring James Cagney, premiered in New York City.

In 1958, a U.S. Air Force C-130 A-II was shot down by fighters over Yerevan in Armenia when it strayed into Soviet airspace while conducting a sigint mission. All of the crew members were killed.

In 1963, Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace prevented the integration of Tuskegee High School by encircling the building with state troopers.

Also in 1963, the “CBS Evening News” became U.S. network television's first half-hour weeknight news broadcast, when the show was lengthened from 15 to 30 minutes.

In 1964, Alvin C. York, who received the Medal of Honor for actions during World War I, died in Nashville, TN at age 76.

In 1973, author/poet/philologist J.R.R. Tolkien died in Bournemouth, England at age 81.

In 1978, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “The Ribos Operation” was broadcast on BBC1. It was the first episode of the season-long “Key to Time” series, and featured the first appearance of Mary Tamm as Romana.

In 1986, a judge in Los Angeles sentenced Cathy Evelyn Smith to three years in prison for involuntary manslaughter for her role in the 1982 drug overdose death of comedian John Belushi. (Smith served 18 months.)

In 1994, actor/singer/dancer/comedian Roy Castle, OBE died in Gerrard’s Cross, Buckinghamshire, England at age 62.

In 1998, a Swissair MD-11 jetliner crashed off Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people aboard.

Also in 1998, the UN’s International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda found Jean-Paul Akayesu, the former mayor of a small town in Rwanda, guilty of nine counts of genocide.

In 2008, animator/director/producer/voice artist Bill Melendez, best-known for his work on the original “Charlie Brown” movies and TV specials, died in Santa Monica, CA at age 91.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 3rd:

In 1189, England's King Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart) was crowned in Westminster Abbey.

In 1658, Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England, died in London at age 59; he was succeeded by his son, Richard.

In 1783, representatives of the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War.

In 1868, the Japanese city of Edo was renamed Tokyo.

In 1923, the United States and Mexico resumed diplomatic relations.

In 1923, cartoonist Mort Walker, the creator of “Beetle Bailey” and “Hi and Lois”, was born in El Dorado, KS.

In 1939, Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand declared war on Germany, two days after the Nazi invasion of Poland.

In 1943, during World War II, the Allied invasion of Italy began on the same day that U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Italian Marshal Pietro Badoglio signed the Armistice of Cassibile aboard the Royal Navy battleship HMS Nelson off Malta.

In 1950, “Nino” Farina became the first Formula One Drivers’ champion after winning the 1950 Italian Grand Prix.

In 1951, the television soap opera "Search for Tomorrow" made its debut on CBS.

In 1959, actor Merritt Butrick was born in Gainesville, FL. He’s known to Trekkers for playing David Marcus in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock”.

In 1967, the original version of the television game show "What's My Line?," hosted by John Charles Daly, broadcast its final episode after more than 17 years on CBS.

In 1970, football player/coach/executive Vince Lombardi died in Washington, D.C. at age 57.

In 1971, Qatar became an independent state.

In 1976, the unmanned NASA Viking 2 lander touched down on Mars to take the first close-up, color photographs of the planet's surface.

In 1977, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “The Horror of Fang Rock” was broadcast on BBC 1. It was the first episode produced by Graham Williams.

In 1989, a Cubana de Aviacion jetliner crashed after takeoff in Havana, killing all 126 aboard and 45 people on the ground.

In 1991, writer/producer/director Frank Capra died in La Quinta, CA at age 94.

In 1994, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the thriller “Bloodlust!” was broadcast on Comedy Central. The episode marked the first appearance of Mary Jo Pehl as Pearl Forrester.

In 1995, the online auction site eBay was founded in San Jose, CA by Pierre Omidyar under the name "AuctionWeb."

In 2004, The Beslan school hostage crisis, in which Islamic terrorists from a Chechnian group took over 1,100 people hostage, ended on its third day when Russian security forces stormed the building, resulting in the deaths of 385 people, more than half of whom were children.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 4th:

In 1781, Los Angeles was founded by Spanish settlers under the leadership of Governor Felipe de Neve.

In 1882, Thomas Edison switched on the first commercial electrical power plant in history, lighting one square mile of lower Manhattan.

In 1886, a group of Apache Indians led by Geronimo surrendered to Gen. Nelson Miles at Skeleton Canyon in Arizona.

In 1887, director Roy William Neill was born in Ireland. He’d later direct most of the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Homes movies, which my Dad and I would watch many, many times.

In 1888, George Eastman received a patent for his roll-film box camera, and registered his trademark: "Kodak."

In 1917, the American Expeditionary Forces in France suffered their first fatalities during World War I when a German plane attacked a British-run base hospital.

For what it’s worth…in 1918, broadcaster Paul Harvey was born in Tulsa, OK.

In 1919, actor/director Howard Morris was born in the Bronx. He’s well-known for his work on “Your Show of Shows”, and as Ernest T. Bass on “The Andy Griffith Show”.

In 1948, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands abdicated after nearly six decades of rule for health reasons.

In 1951, President Harry S. Truman addressed the nation from the Japanese peace treaty conference in San Francisco in the first live, coast-to-coast television broadcast.

In 1952, the horror comedy “Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla”, featuring the comedy team of Duke Mitchell & Sammy Petrillo, premiered in New York City.

In 1953, the sci-fi movie “Project Moon Base” was released in the U.S.

In 1957, Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus used Arkansas National Guardsmen to prevent nine black students from entering all-white Central High School in Little Rock.

Also in 1957, Ford Motor Co. began selling its ill-fated Edsel.

In addition in 1957, actress/stunt performer/studio executive Patricia Tallman was born in Pontiac, IL. Her service with Psi-Corps would come later.

In 1963, a Swissair Caravelle III carrying 80 people crashed shortly after takeoff from Zurich, killing all on board.

Also in 1963, the sci-fi/horror movie “The Crawling Hand” premiered in Hartford, CT. Like the previously-noted “Project Moon Base”, it would be memorably MSTed during Season 1.

In 1966, at the World Science Fiction Convention in Cleveland, OH, Gene Roddenberry hosted the first public showing of “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, the second pilot film for the original “Star Trek” series. Afterwards, at the audience’s request, there was a showing of “The Cage”, the series’ first pilot film.

In 1968, actor/voice artist/comedian John DiMaggio was born in North Plainfield, NJ. Sometime later, one of his characters would urge others to bite his shiny…you know the rest.

In 1970, Salvador Allende was elected President of Chile.

In 1971, an Alaska Airlines jet crashed near Juneau, killing all 111 people on board.

In 1972, U.S. swimmer Mark Spitz won a seventh gold medal at the Munich Olympics, in the 400-meter medley relay.

In 1974, the United States established diplomatic relations with East Germany.

In 1975, “Breakaway”, the first episode of the science fiction series “Space: 1999” premiered in Great Britain over ITV.

In 1984, Canada's Progressive Conservatives, led by Brian Mulroney, won a landslide victory in general elections over the Liberal Party of Prime Minister John N. Turner and the New Democrats headed by Ed Broadbent.

In 1987, director Richard Marquand, best-known for his work on “Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”, died in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England at age 49.

In 1998, Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two students at Stanford University.

In 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the South Island of New Zealand causing widespread damage and several power outages.

In 2016, Pope Francis canonized Mother Teresa at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

 

So declaring yourself Emperor is a thing (I have never paid historical attention) and this was one of a few things to note today, September 5th:

• 917 – Liu Yan declares himself emperor, establishing the Southern Han state in southern China, at his capital of Panyu.
• 1774 – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia.
• 1839 – The United Kingdom declares war on the Qing dynasty of China.

and some good news:

• 1882 – The first United States Labor Day parade is held in New York City.
• 1960 – Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) wins the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing competition at the Olympic Games in Rome.
• 1977 – Voyager Program: NASA launches the Voyager 1 spacecraft.

Happy Birthday:

• 1929 – Bob Newhart, American comedian and actor (many more to the Button Down mind. He remains one of my most favorite American Comedians)
• 1939 – George Lazenby, Australian actor
• 1940 – Raquel Welch, American actress and singer
• 1946 – Freddie Mercury, Tanzanian-English singer-songwriter and producer (d. 1991)
• 1951 – Michael Keaton, American actor and producer

 

If I may...

ALSO ON SEPTEMBER 5th:

In 1666, the Great Fire of London ended. Ten thousand buildings including St. Paul’s Cathedral were destroyed, but only six people are known to have died.

In 1781, during the Battle of the Chesapeake in the Revolutionary War, the British Navy was repelled by the French Navy, contributing to the British surrender at Yorktown.

In 1793, the Reign of Terror began during the French Revolution as the National Convention instituted harsh measures to repress counter-revolutionary activities.

In 1836, Sam Houston was elected president of the Republic of Texas.

In 1906, Brandbury Robinson of St. Louis University was recognized as throwing the first forward pass in football history. He threw it to Jack Schneider as part of St. Louis’ 22-0 win over Carroll College of Wisconsin.

Also in 1914, the First Battle of the Marne, resulting in a French-British victory over Germany, began during World War I.

In addition in 1914, make-up artist/designer Stuart Freeborn was born in Leytonstone, London, England. He’s well-known for his work on “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

In 1927, “Trolley Troubles”, the first cartoon featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, was released. It was created by producer Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks.

In 1939, four days after war had broken out in Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation declaring U.S. neutrality in the conflict.

In 1945, Japanese-American Iva Toguri D'Aquino, suspected of being wartime broadcaster "Tokyo Rose," was arrested in Yokohama. (D'Aquino was later convicted of treason and served six years in prison; she was pardoned in 1977 by President Gerald R. Ford.)

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed legislation making aircraft hijackings a federal crime.

In 1972, the Palestinian group Black September attacked the Israeli Olympic delegation at the Munich Games; two members of the Israeli team were killed in the initial attack.

In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford escaped an attempt on his life by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a disciple of Charles Manson, in Sacramento, CA.

In 1987, the last episode of “American Bandstand” on ABC was broadcast. It later moved to first-run syndication.

In 1988, actor Gert Frobe, best-known for playing the title role in “Goldfinger”, died in Munich at age 75.

In 1995, France ended its three-year moratorium on nuclear tests, setting off an underground blast on a South Pacific atoll.

In 1997, breaking the royal reticence over the death of Princess Diana, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II delivered a televised address in which she called her former daughter-in-law "a remarkable person."

In 2017, the Trump Administration announced that, during the following six months, it would be ending the DACA program that had halted the deportation of about 800,000 people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Congress was called upon to pass legislation to deal with the situation.

 

On 9-7:

• 1652 – Around 15,000 Han farmers and militia rebel against Dutch rule on Taiwan.
• 1986 – Desmond Tutu becomes the first black man to lead the Anglican Church in South Africa.

Birthdays:

• 1937 – John Phillip Law, American actor (d. 2008) Post-humous birthday greets to a favorite 60s cult actor of mine (Diabolik, the blind angel in Barbarella and my favorite Sinbad to name but three.)

plus, a film director whom I resisted watching for many, many years, but has since become an absolutely huge influence on how I watch and enjoy movies (despite his output being awful post 1987):

• 1940 – Dario Argento, Italian director, producer, and screenwriter (He's taught me so much about art, color and the evils some characters can do. )

and

• 1949 – Gloria Gaynor, American singer-songwriter
• 1951 – Chrissie Hynde, American singer-songwriter and guitarist

Plus, it's

• National Acorn Squash Day (United States) -
• National Beer Lover's Day (United States)

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 6th:

In 1522, The Victoria, the only surviving ship of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, returned to Sanlucar de Barrameda in Spain, becoming the first ship to circumnavigate the world.

In 1620, the Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth, England, on the Mayflower to settle in North America. (This date varies according to the calendar used; more recent calendars place the departure date as September 16th.)

In 1861, during the Civil War, Union forces led by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant occupied Paducah, KY.

In 1893, military aviator Claire Lee Chennault was born in Commerce, TX. He’s best-known for commanding the “Flying Tigers” and the Republic of China Air Force during World War II.

In 1901, President William McKinley was shot and mortally wounded by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.

In 1916, the first self-service grocery store, Piggly Wiggly, was opened in Memphis, TN by Clarence Saunders.

In 1925, the silent horror film "The Phantom of the Opera," starring Lon Chaney, had its official world premiere at the Astor Theater in New York City.

In 1937, writer/cartoonist Sergio Aragones, best-known for his work for MAD Magazine, was born in Sant Mateu, Castellon, Spain.

In 1939, the Union of South Africa declared war on Germany.

In 1943, 79 people were killed when a New York-bound Pennsylvania Railroad train derailed and crashed in Philadelphia.

In 1947, actress/comedienne/Not Ready for Prime Time Player Jane Curtin was born in Cambridge, MA.

In 1954, groundbreaking took place for the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in western Pennsylvania.

In 1956, the sci-fi movie “Fire Maidens from Outer Space” was released in the U.S., long before the Mads inflicted it upon Joel & the ‘bots.

In 1966, South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd was stabbed to death by an apparently deranged page during a parliamentary session in Cape Town.

Also in 1966, the original series “Star Trek” premiered on Canadian TV, two days before its U.S. premiere.

In 1966, the film version of “Fahrenheit 451”, based on Ray Bradbury’s novel and directed by Francois Truffaut, premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

In 1970, Palestinian guerrillas seized control of three U.S.-bound jetliners. (Two were later blown up on the ground in Jordan, along with a London-bound plane hijacked on Sept. 9; the fourth plane was destroyed on the ground in Egypt. No hostages were harmed.)

In 1972, nine members of the Israeli Olympic team taken hostage at the Munich Olympic Games by the Palestinian “Black September” terrorist group died (as did a German policeman) at the hands of the kidnappers during a failed rescue attempt at Munich Airport.

Also in 1972, Idris Elba was born in Newham, London, England. He’d help cancel the Apocalypse some time later.

In 1975, 18-year-old tennis star Martina Navratilova of Czechoslovakia, in New York for the U.S. Open, requested political asylum in the United States.

In 1985, all 31 people aboard a Midwest Express Airlines DC-9 were killed when the Atlanta-bound jetliner crashed just after takeoff from Milwaukee's Mitchell Field.

In 1986, on “Doctor Who” part one of “The Mysterious Planet” was broadcast on BBC 1. It was the first episode of the season-long “Trial of a Time Lord” story, and featured the first appearance of Michael Jayston as the Valeyard.

In 1991, the Soviet Union recognized the independence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. In addition, Russian lawmakers upheld a decision by residents of Leningrad to restore the city's pre-revolutionary name, St. Petersburg.

In 1995, Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles played in his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking Lou Gehrig’s record that had stood for 56 years.

In 1997, a public funeral was held for Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey in London, six days after her death in a car crash in Paris.

In 1998, filmmaker Akira Kurosawa died in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan at age 88.

In 2005, the California State Legislature became the first legislative body in the nation to approve same-sex marriages, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger later vetoed the bill.

In 2017, heavy damage was inflicted and at least seven people were killed on the islands of Barbuda, St. Barts and St. Martin when record-setting Category 5 Hurricane Irma made landfall.

 

If I may...

ALSO ON SEPTEMBER 7th:

In 1533, England's Queen Elizabeth I was born in Greenwich.

In 1812, the Battle of Borodino took place as French troops clashed with Russian forces outside Moscow. (The battle, ultimately won by Russia, was commemorated by composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture.")

In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution, bade farewell to President John Quincy Adams at the White House.

In 1876, in Northfield, MN, Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang attempted to rob the town's bank, but were driven off by armed citizens.

In 1909, producer/writer/director/actor Elia Kazan was born in Constantinople.

In 1921, in Atlantic City, NJ, the first Miss America Pageant, a two-day event, was held.

In 1927, American television pioneer Philo T. Farnsworth, age 21, succeeded in transmitting the image of a line through purely electronic means with a device called an "image dissector."

In 1936, singer/songwriter/musician Buddy Holly was born in Lubbock, TX.

In 1940, Nazi Germany began its eight-month blitz of Britain during World War II with the first air attack on London.

In 1945, Japanese forces on Wake Island, which they had held since December of 1941, surrendered to U.S. Marines.

In 1953, Nikita Khrushchev was elected first secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

In 1955, actress/singer Mira Furlan was born in Zagreb, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia. Her diplomatic posting to Babylon 5 would come later.

In 1957, the original animated version of the NBC-TV peacock logo, used to denote programs "brought to you in living color," made its debut at the beginning of "Your Hit Parade."

In 1957, the song “You Send Me”, sung by Sam Cooke, was released by Keen Records.

In 1963, the National Professional Football Hall of Fame was dedicated in Canton, OH.

In 1964, the controversial "Daisy" commercial for President Lyndon Johnson's election campaign, featuring a girl plucking flower petals followed by footage of a nuclear explosion, aired on NBC-TV.

In 1977, the Panama Canal treaties, calling for the U.S. to eventually turn over control of the waterway to Panama, were signed in Washington by President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos.

In 1978, musician/songwriter/actor Keith Moon died in Westminster, London, England at age 32.

In 1979, the ESPN cable network debuted with the first broadcast of “SportsCenter.

In 1984, the horror movie “Shark: Rosso nell’oceano” was released in Italy. Re-titled “Devil Fish”, it would be inflicted upon Mike & the ‘bots some years later.

In 1985, the animated series “Star Wars: Droids” and “Star Wars: Ewoks” premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1987, Erich Honecker became the first East German head of state to visit West Germany as he arrived for a five-day visit.

Also in 1987, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “Time and the Rani” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance of Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor (and also, briefly, as the Sixth Doctor).

In 1990, Kimberly Bergalis of Fort Pierce, FL came forward to identify herself as the young woman who had been infected with AIDS, allegedly by her late dentist. (Bergalis died the following year.)

In 1994, director/screenwriter Terrence Young died in Cannes at age 79. He directed three of the first four James Bond movies, and had considerable creative input on developing the character for film.

In 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur was shot and mortally wounded on the Las Vegas Strip; he died six days later.

In 1996, actress Bibi Besch, well-known to “Star Trek” fans for playing Dr. Carol Marcus in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”, died in Los Angeles at age 54.

In 1999, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake rocked Athens, rupturing a previously unknown fault, killing 143, injuring more than 500, and leaving 50,000 people homeless.

In 2008, the U.S. government took control of the two largest mortgage financing companies in the country, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

In 2012, Canada officially cut diplomatic ties with Iran by closing its embassy in Tehran and ordering the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, over nuclear plans and alleged rights abuses.

 

Kenneth Morgan - thanks for posting that Monty Python Zeppelin skit . Makes me realize just how much Graham Chapman still cracks me up.