Fun On this date in history...

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 8th:

In 1565, a Spanish expedition established the first permanent European settlement in North America at present-day St. Augustine, FL.

In 1636, Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S., was founded in Cambridge, MA.

In 1761, Britain's King George III married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz a few hours after meeting her for the first time.

In 1883, The Northern Pacific Railway was completed in a ceremony at Gold Creek, Montana. Former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in an event attended by rail and political luminaries.

In 1892, an early version of "The Pledge of Allegiance," written by Francis Bellamy, appeared in "The Youth's Companion."

In 1900, Galveston, TX was struck by a hurricane that killed an estimated 8,000 people.

In 1921, Margaret Gorman, age 16, of Washington, D.C., was crowned the first "Miss America" in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In 1922, actor/comedian/writer/musician Sid Caesar was born in Yonkers, NY.

In 1925, actor/comedian/singer Peter Sellers was born in Southsea, England.

In 1930, 3M began marketing Scotch transparent tape.

In 1934, more than 130 people lost their lives in a fire aboard the liner SS Morro Castle off the New Jersey coast.

In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long was shot and mortally wounded inside the Louisiana State Capitol. (The assailant was identified as Dr. Carl Weiss, who was gunned down by Long's bodyguards.)

In 1941, German forces began a siege against the Soviet Union’s second-largest city, Leningrad.

In 1944, London was hit by a V-2 rocket for the first time.

In 1945, Bess Myerson of New York was crowned Miss America in Atlantic City, NJ, becoming the first Jewish contestant to win the title.

In 1954, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was founded in Manila by the United States, France, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan.

In 1954, the film version of the musical “Brigadoon” was released in the U.S. It starred Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse, and was directed by Vincente Minelli.

In 1965, the television trade publications "Daily Variety" and "The Hollywood Reporter" ran an ad seeking "Folk & Roll Musicians-Singers for acting roles in new TV series." The final four choices became the group The Monkees.

In 1966, the situation comedy "That Girl," starring Marlo Thomas, premiered on ABC-TV.

Also in 1966, the original series “Star Trek” had its U.S. premiere over NBC-TV.

In 1971, actor Martin Freeman, the cinematic Arthur Dent, was born in Aldershot, Hampsire, England.

In 1973, the continuation “Star Trek: The Animated Series” premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1974, President Gerald R. Ford granted a "full, free, and absolute pardon" to former President Richard Nixon covering his entire term in office.

In 1980, the sci-fi movie “Battle Beyond the Stars” premiered in New York City.

In 1985, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds tied Ty Cobb's career record for hits, singling for hit number 4,191 during a game against the Cubs in Chicago.

In 1994, USAir Flight 427, a Boeing 737, crashed into a ravine as it was approaching Pittsburgh International Airport, killing all 132 people on board.

In 2004, animator Frank Thomas, one of the “Nine Old Men” at Walt Disney Studios, died in La Canada Flintridge, CA at age 92.

In 2015, the book “William Shakespeare’s ‘Tragedy of the Sith’s Revenge: Star Wars, Part the Third’” by Ian Doescher was published by Quirk Books.

 

It's September 8th which means...random historical bits

• 617 – Battle of Huoyi: Li Yuan defeats a Sui dynasty army, opening the path to his capture of the imperial capital Chang'an and the eventual establishment of the Tang dynasty.
• 1930 – 3M begins marketing Scotch transparent tape.
• 1966 – The landmark American science fiction television series Star Trek premieres with its first-aired episode, "The Man Trap".

and Birthdays:

• 1922 – Sid Caesar, American comic actor and writer (d. 2014)
• 1925 – Peter Sellers, English actor and comedian (d. 1980)
• 1971 – Martin Freeman, English actor

and it's

• International Literacy Day (International)

 

September 10th, random history bits:

• 1858 – George Mary Searle discovers the asteroid 55 Pandora.
• 1932 – The New York City Subway's third competing subway system, the municipally-owned IND, is opened.

Happy Birthday:

• 1954 – Don Wilson, American kickboxer and actor
• 1960 – Colin Firth, English actor and producer
• and this one is personal, my mom

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 9th:

In 1543, Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle, nine months after she was born.

In 1585, French clergyman/noble/statesman Cardinal Richelieu was born in Paris.

In 1776, the second Continental Congress made the term "United States" official, replacing "United Colonies."

In 1850, California became the 31st state of the union.

In 1893, Frances Cleveland, wife of President Grover Cleveland, gave birth to a daughter, Esther, in the White House; it was the first (and, to date, only) time a president's child was born in the executive mansion.

In 1919, some 1,100 members of Boston's 1,500-man police force went on strike. (The strike was broken by Massachusetts Gov. Calvin Coolidge with replacement officers.)

In 1922, composer Hoyt Curtin, best-known for his work on Hanna-Barbera productions, was born in Downey, CA.

In 1926, the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) was incorporated by the Radio Corp. of America.

In 1941, singer/songwriter/producer Otis Redding was born in Dawson, GA.

In 1942, a Japanese floatplane dropped incendiary bombs near Brookings, OR. It was the first time the continental U.S. was aerially bombed during wartime, but the attack caused only minor damage.

In 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was declared.

In 1952, actress Angela Cartwright was born in Altrincham, Cheshire, England. Her travels aboard the Jupiter II came along some time later.

In 1953, actress/agent Janet Fielding was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The ill-fated attempts to get back to Heathrow would come along later.

In 1955, animator/writer/director/voice artist John Kricfalusi, best-known for creating “Ren and Stimpy”, was born in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada.

In 1956, Elvis Presley made the first of three appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In 1965, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Final score: 1-0.

In 1971, prisoners seized control of the maximum-security Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, NY, beginning a siege that ended up claiming 43 lives.

In 1976, Communist Chinese leader Mao Zedong died in Beijing at age 82.

In 1986, Frank Reed, director of a private school in Lebanon, was taken hostage; he was released 44 months later.

In 1994, after 1 ½ days of filming the pilot episode for “Star Trek: Voyager”, actress Genevieve Bujold, who played Capt. Janeway, left the series. She would be replaced by Kate Mulgrew.

In 1995, the animated series “Pinky and the Brain” premiered on the WB Network.

In 1997, Sinn Fein, the IRA's political ally, formally renounced violence as it took its place in talks on Northern Ireland's future.

In 2001, the mini-series “Band of Brothers”, based on Stephen Ambrose’s book about Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, premiered on HBO.

In 2015, Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.

In 2016, North Korea completed its fifth nuclear weapons test.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 10th:

In 1608, John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown colony council in Virginia.

In 1813, an American naval force commanded by Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. (Afterward, Perry sent out the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours.")

In 1846, Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.

In 1908, composer/musician/producer/inventor Raymond Scott was born in Brooklyn. His music will be very familiar to fans of “Looney Tunes”.

In 1914, director/producer/editor Robert Wise was born in Winchester, IN.

In 1919, New York City welcomed home Gen. John J. Pershing and 25,000 soldiers who'd served in the U.S. First Division during World War I.

In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long died in Baton Rouge at age 42, two days after being shot in the Louisiana state Capitol, allegedly by Dr. Carl Weiss.

In 1939, Canada declared war on Germany.

In 1945, Vidkun Quisling was sentenced to death in Norway for collaborating with the Nazis (he was executed by firing squad in October 1945).

Also in 1945, the fact-based espionage drama “The House on 92nd Street” was released in the U.S.

In 1955, "Gunsmoke" premiered on CBS-TV, after running on CBS radio since 1952. Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon, the program ran for nearly 20 years on TV.

In 1960, at the Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, Abebe Bikila became the first sub-Saharan African to win a gold medal, winning the marathon in bare feet.

In 1961, at the Italian Grand Prix, a crash caused the death of German Formula One driver Wolfgang von Trips and 13 spectators who are hit by his Ferrari.

In 1963, 20 black students entered Alabama public schools following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace.

Also in 1963, actor/singer Jay Laga’aia was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Years later, he’d be tasked with guarding an adventurous senator from Naboo.

In 1972,The United States suffered its first loss of an international basketball game in a disputed match against the Soviet Union at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.

In 1979, four Puerto Rican nationalists imprisoned for a 1954 attack on the U.S. House of Representatives and a 1950 attempt on the life of President Harry S. Truman were freed from prison after being granted clemency by President Jimmy Carter.

Also in 1979, the mini-series “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”, starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, premiered on BBC 2.

In 1987, Pope John Paul II arrived in Miami, where he was welcomed by President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan as he began a 10-day tour of the United States.

In 1991, the Senate Judiciary Committee opened hearings on the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1993, the TV series "The X-Files" premiered on the Fox Network.

In 2002, Switzerland, traditionally a neutral country, joined the United Nations.

In 2008, The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, described as the biggest scientific experiment in history, was powered up in Geneva, Switzerland.

In 2014, actor Richard Kiel died in Fresno, CA at age 74.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida as a category 4 hurricane, killing at least three people and knocking out power to over one million households.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 11th:

In 1297, at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Scots jointly-led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated the English.

In 1609, Henry Hudson discovered Manhattan Island and the indigenous people living there.

In 1714, the forces of King Philip V of Spain overcame Catalan defenders to end the 13-month-long Siege of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession.

In 1789, Alexander Hamilton was appointed the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

In 1814, an American fleet scored a decisive victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Champlain in the War of 1812.

In 1857, the Mountain Meadows Massacre took place in present-day southern Utah as a 120-member Arkansas immigrant party was slaughtered by Mormon militiamen aided by Paiute Indians.

In 1892, actor/voice artist/animator Pinto Colvig was born in Jacksonville, OR. In addition to being the original Bozo the Clown, he was also the original voice of Goofy in Walt Disney cartoons.

In 1916, filmmaker Ed Sabol, co-founder of NFL Films, was born in Atlantic City, NJ.

In 1917, actor Herbert Lom, best-known as Dreyfus in the “Pink Panther” movies, was born in Prague, Austria-Hungary.

In 1936, Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam) began operation as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a key in Washington to signal the startup of the dam's first hydroelectric generator.

In 1937, pilot/engineer/astronaut Robert Crippen was born in Beaumont, TX. He was pilot for the first NASA Space Shuttle flight, and served as Mission Commander in three other Shuttle flights.

In 1939, Canada declared war on Germany, the country's first independent declaration of war

In 1941, groundbreaking took place for the Pentagon.

Also in 1941, in a speech that drew accusations of anti-Semitism, Charles A. Lindbergh told an America First rally in Des Moines, IA that "the British, the Jewish and the Roosevelt administration" were pushing the United States toward war.

In 1945, Australian 9th Division forces liberated the Japanese-run Batu Lintang camp, a POW and civilian internment camp on the island of Borneo.

In 1954, the Miss America pageant made its network TV debut on ABC; Miss California, Lee Meriwether, was crowned the winner.

In 1962, The Beatles completed their first single for EMI, "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You," at EMI studios in London.

In 1967, "The Carol Burnett Show" made its debut on CBS-TV. It ran until 1978.

In 1973, a coup in Chile headed by General Augusto Pinochet toppled the democratically elected president Salvador Allende. Pinochet exercised dictatorial power until he was ousted in a referendum in 1988, staying in power until 1990.

In 1974, Eastern Airlines Flight 212, a DC-9, crashed while attempting to land in Charlotte, NC, killing 72 of the 82 people on board.

Also in 1974, the family drama "Little House on the Prairie", starring Michael Landon, premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1976, a group of Croatian nationalists planted a bomb in a coin locker at Grand Central Terminal. After stating political demands, they revealed the location and provided instructions for disarming the bomb. The disarming operation were not executed properly and the bomb exploded, killing one NYPD bomb squad specialist.

In 1983, Harry Sullivan’s War, a “Doctor Who” spin-off novel written by Ian Marter, who played Harry in the series, was published by Target Books.

In 1997, Scots voted to create their own Parliament after 290 years of union with England.

In 2001, nineteen al-Qaida members hijacked four passenger jetliners, sending two of the planes smashing into New York's World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field in western Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.

In 2008, a major Channel Tunnel fire broke out on a freight train, closing part of the tunnel for six months.

In 2012, The U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya was attacked by Islamic terrorists, resulting in four deaths and ten people injured.

In 2015, a crane collapsed onto the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Saudi Arabia, killing 111 people and injuring 394 others.

 

Lest we forget...

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 12th:

In 1814, the Battle of North Point took place in Maryland during the War of 1812 as American forces slowed British troops advancing on Baltimore.

In 1897, author/magician Walter B. Gibson was born in Philadelphia, PA. He’s best-known for the nearly 300 pulp novels he wrote (usually under the pen name Maxwell Grant) featuring the Shadow.

In 1913, athlete/Olympic Gold medalist Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, AL.

In 1914, during World War I, the First Battle of the Marne ended in an Allied victory against Germany.

Also in 1914, actor Desmond Llewelyn was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. He’d later do some interesting work for Q Branch.

In 1938, Adolf Hitler demanded the right of self-determination for the Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia.

In 1943, Benito Mussolini, dictator of Italy, was rescued from house arrest on the Gran Sasso in Abruzzi, by German commando forces led by Otto Skorzeny.

In 1944, the Second Quebec Conference opened with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in attendance.

Also in 1944, singer/songwriter/musician Barry White was born in Galveston, TX.

In 1953, Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in Newport, RI.

In 1957, composer/producer Hans Zimmer was born in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany.

In 1958, the sci-fi/horror movie “The Blob”, starring Steve McQueen, was released in the U.S.

In 1959, the Western series “Bonanza” premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1960, Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy addressed questions about his Roman Catholic faith, telling a Southern Baptist group, "I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me."

In 1962, in a speech at Rice University in Houston, President John F. Kennedy reaffirmed his support for the manned space program, declaring: "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

In 1964, the spaghetti Western “Per un pugno di dollari”, starring Clint Eastwood, was released in Italy, its country of origin. Under the title “A Fistful of Dollars”, it would be released in the U.S. in January, 1967.

In 1966, Gemini 11, the penultimate mission of NASA's Gemini program, was launched, crewed by Command Pilot Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr. and Pilot Richard F. Gordon, Jr.

Also in 1966, the musical comedy series “The Monkees” premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1974, Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed by Ethiopia's military after ruling for 58 years.

In 1977, South African black student leader Steve Biko died while in police custody, triggering an international outcry.

In 1983, Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon by L. Neil Smith was published by Del Rey.

In 1984, Dwight Gooden set the baseball record for strikeouts in a season by a rookie with 246, previously set by Herb Score in 1954. (Gooden's 276 strikeouts that season, pitched in 218 innings, set the current record.)

In 1992, NASA launched Space Shuttle Endevour on STS-47, which marked the 50th shuttle mission. On board were Mae Carol Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, Mamoru Mohri, the first Japanese citizen to fly in a US spacecraft, and Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space.

Also in 1992, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the movie “Hercules and the Captive Women” was broadcast on Comedy Central. Yes, this day was dedicated to Uranus.

In 1994, Frank Eugene Corder crashed a single-engine Cessna 150 into the White House’s south lawn, striking the West Wing. Corder was killed in the crash.

In 1995, the Belarusian military shot down a hydrogen balloon during an international race, killing its two American pilots, John Stuart-Jervis and Alan Fraenckel.

In 1999, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the movie “Merlin’s Shop of Mystical Wonders” was broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel. It was the last first-run episode of the series; due to rights issues, it was aired more than a month after the series finale.

In 2003, The United Nations lifted sanctions against Libya after that country agreed to accept responsibility and recompense the families of victims in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

In 2011, the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City opened to the public.

 

Where was I? Oh, yes...

ON SEPTEMBER 13th:

In 1788, the Congress of the Confederation authorized the first national election, and declared New York City the temporary national capital.

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British naval forces began bombarding Fort McHenry in Baltimore but were driven back by American defenders in a battle that lasted until the following morning. (During the battle, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem “Defense of Fort McHenry”, later used as the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner”.)

In 1899, in New York City, Henry Bliss was the first person in the United States to be killed in an automobile accident.

In 1908, actress/voice artist/singer Mae Questel was born in the Bronx. She’s best-known for her work for Fleischer Studios, providing the voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl.

In 1914, Max J. Rosenberg, co-founder of Amicus Productions, was born in the Bronx. He’s best-known for producing, with partner Milton J. Subotsky, Amicus’ slate of horror and fantasy films in the 60’s and 70’s.

In 1931, actress Barbara Bain was born in Chicago, IL. Her alleged activities on behalf of the IMF have been disavowed by the Secretary.

In 1939, actor Richard Kiel was born in Detroit, MI.

In 1948, Republican Margaret Chase Smith of Maine was elected to the U.S. Senate; she became the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.

In 1959, Elvis Presley first met his future wife, 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, while stationed in West Germany with the U.S. Army. (They married in 1967, but divorced in 1973.)

In 1965, the kaiju movie “Ghidora, the Three-Headed Monster” was released in the U.S., nearly a year after its original Japanese release. In addition to presenting Ghidora’s debut, the movie also featured Special Guest Stars Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra.

In 1970, the first New York City Marathon took place. Fireman Gary Muhrucke won the race. The race was run entirely inside Central Park.

In 1971, a four-day inmates' rebellion at the Attica Correctional Facility in western New York ended as police and guards stormed the prison; the ordeal and final assault claimed the lives of 32 inmates and 11 employees.

In 1974, the private-eye series “The Rockford Files”, starring James Garner, premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1985, “Super Mario Bros.” was released in Japan for the NES, which started the “Super Mario” series of platforming games.

In 1989, Fay Vincent was elected commissioner of Major League Baseball, succeeding the late A. Bartlett Giamatti.

In 1990, the drama series "Law & Order" premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1993, at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat signed the Oslo Accords, granting limited Palestinian autonomy.

Also in 1993, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1999, following a series of massive nuclear explosions, the Moon was blasted out of Earth’s orbit. The fate of the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha remains uncertain.

In 2007, The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly.

In 2014, Islamic State extremists released a video showing the beheading of British aid worker David Haines, who had been abducted in Syria the previous year; British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the slaying as "an act of pure evil."

Also in 2014, on “Doctor Who”, the episode “Listen” was broadcast on BBC 1. It would later be nominated for a Hugo Award, and be the first “Doctor Who” episode to be nominated for a Bram Stoker award.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 14th:

In 1715, Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Perignon, credited with advances in the production of champagne, died in Hautvillers, France, at age 76.

In 1741, composer George Frideric Handel completed his oratorio, “The Messiah”.

In 1814, 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry" after witnessing the American flag flying over the Maryland fort following a night of British bombardment during the War of 1812; the poem later became the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner", the U.S. National Anthem.

In 1861, the first naval engagement of the Civil War took place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schooner Judah off Pensacola, FL.

In 1901, President William McKinley died in Buffalo, NY at age 58 of gunshot wounds inflicted by assassin Leon Czolgosz; Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him.

Who was that masked man? He was actor Clayton Moore, born in Chicago, IL in 1914.

In 1916, producer James H. Nicholson, co-founder of American International Pictures, was born in Seattle, WA.

In 1923, George Burns (Boston Red Sox) performed the third unassisted triple play in baseball history.

In 1927, modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan died in Nice, France, when her scarf became entangled in a wheel of the sports car she was riding in.

Also in 1927, author/screenwriter Martin Caidin was born in New York City. He’s best-known for his novels Marooned (later made into an Oscar-winning movie) and Cyborg (the basis for the TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man”).

In 1936, actor/screenwriter Walter Koenig was born in Chicago, IL. His involvement with Star Fleet and Psi-Corps would come later.

In 1944, the Great Atlantic Hurricane passed close to North Carolina and Virginia before heading up the northeastern U.S. coast; nearly 400 people died, most at sea.

In 1954, the Soviet Union detonated a 40-kiloton atomic test weapon.

In 1959, the unmanned Soviet probe Luna 2 crashed onto the Moon, becoming the first man-made object to reach it.

In 1960, The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded.

In 1964, Pope Paul VI opened the third session of the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, also known as "Vatican II." (The session closed two months later.)

Also in 1964, President Johnson awarded Walt Disney the Medal of Freedom, the U.S.’s highest civilian honor.

In 1965, the notorious situation comedy "My Mother the Car," starring Jerry Van Dyke as a man who acquires an antique automobile that's the reincarnation of his mother (voiced by Ann Sothern), premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1967, the crime drama series “Ironside”, starring Raymond Burr, premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1972, the family drama series “The Waltons” premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1975, Pope Paul VI declared Mother Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton the first U.S.-born saint.

In 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly actress Grace Kelly, died in Monaco at age 52 of injuries from a car crash the day before.

Also in 1982, Lebanon's president-elect, Bashir Gemayel was killed by a bomb.

In 1994, on the 34th day of a strike by players, Acting Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced the 1994 season was over.

In 2009, actor/singer/dancer Patrick Swayze died in Los Angeles at age 57.

In 2016, it was announced that Turner Entertainment had acquired exclusive basic cable rights to the entire “Star Wars” live action franchise, including upcoming films.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 15th:

In 1789, the U.S. Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed the Department of State.

In 1831, the locomotive John Bull operated for the first time in New Jersey on the Camden and Amboy Railroad.

In 1857, William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the U.S., then the 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was born in Cincinnati, OH.

In 1890, author/playwright Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, Devon, England.

In 1916, tanks were used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

In 1922, fight choreographer/swordmaster Bob Anderson was born in Gosport, Hampshire, England. Years later, he’d handle the dueling scenes for a certain breath-masked Sith Lord.

In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws deprived German Jews of their citizenship.

In 1940, during the World War II Battle of Britain, the tide turned as the Royal Air Force inflicted heavy losses upon the Luftwaffe during a day-long battle involving around 1,500 aircraft. (The event is now commemorated in the U.K. as Battle of Britain Day.)

In 1942, the U.S. Navy aircsaft carrier USS Wasp was sunk by a Japanese torpedo at Guadalcanal.

In 1944, the Battle of Peleliu began as the U.S. Marine Corps’ 1st Marine Div. and the U.S. Army’s 81st Infantry Div. hit White and Orange beaches under heavy fire from Japanese infantry and artillery.

In 1950, during the Korean conflict, United Nations forces landed at Incheon in the south and began their drive toward Seoul.

In 1959, Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States.

In 1963, four African-American girls were killed when a bomb went off during Sunday services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. (Three Ku Klux Klansmen were eventually convicted for their roles in the blast.)

In 1964, the thriller “Fail-Safe” premiered at the Second New York Film Festival.

In 1965, the sci-fi series "Lost in Space" and the comedy series "Green Acres" both premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1967, on the original series “Star Trek”, the episode “Amok Time” was broadcast on NBC-TV. It featured the first appearance of Mr. Spock’s home planet, Vulcan.

In 1968, the Soviet Zond 5 unmanned spacecraft was launched, becoming the first spacecraft to fly around the Moon and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.

In 1969, the fact-based war drama “Battle of Britain” premiered in London.

In 1971, the first regular episode of the detective series "Columbo," starring Peter Falk, debuted on NBC-TV. (Two made-for-TV movies featuring the character had aired, respectively, in 1968 and 1971.)

In 1972, a federal grand jury in Washington indicted seven men in connection with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex the previous June.

In 1973, on the animated series “Star Trek”, the episode “Yesteryear” was broadcast on NBC-TV. It’s regarded by many Trekkers as the best episode of the animated series, and was reportedly the only animated episode considered to be a part of official series canon by “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry.

In 1978, the comedy “Up in Smoke”, starring Cheech & Chong, was released in the U.S.

In 1981, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Sandra Day O’Connor to become the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Also in 1981, the John Bull became the oldest operable steam locomotive in the world when the Smithsonian Institution operated it under its own power outside Washington, D.C.

In 2008, Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 16th:

In 1810, Mexicans were inspired to begin their successful revolt against Spanish rule by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and his "Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores)."

In 1893, more than 100,000 settlers swarmed onto a section of land in Oklahoma known as the "Cherokee Strip."

In 1898, author/illustrator H.A. Rey, co-creator of Curious George, was born in Hamburg, Germany.

In 1908, General Motors was founded in Flint, MI by William C. Durant.

In 1911, writer/producer Paul Henning was born in Independence, MO. He’s best-known for developing the “Hooterville Trilogy”.

In 1919, the American Legion received a national charter from Congress.

In 1920, a bomb in a horse wagon exploded in front of the J.P. Morgan building in New York City killing 38 and injuring 400.

In 1924, actress Lauren Bacall was born in the Bronx.

In 1925, the Irving Berlin song "Always" (written for his future wife, Ellin Mackay) was published.

Also in 1925, singer/songwriter/musician B.B. King was born in Berclair, MS.

In 1935, producer/director/author/composer Jules Bass was born in Philadelphia, PA. He’s best-known for co-founding Rankin/Bass Productions, which would produce memorable stop-motion animated movies and TV specials.

In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act.

In 1943, the Allied invasion of Italy concluded when Heinrich von Vietinghoff, commander of the German Tenth Army, ordered his troops to withdraw from Salerno.

In 1953, the Biblical drama "The Robe," starring Richard Burton, had its world premiere at the Roxy Theater in New York City. It was the first movie released in the CinemaScope widescreen format.

There is nothing wrong with your message board. In 1963, the science-fiction anthology series "The Outer Limits" premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1964, the rock and roll TV show "Shindig!" premiered on ABC. The first show opened with Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, The Wellingtons, The Righteous Brothers, Bobby Sherman and comedian Alan Sues.

In 1967, the private eye series “Mannix”, starring Mike Connors, premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1968,U.S. Presidential candidate Richard Nixon appeared on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In". He spoke the show signature line "Sock it to me."

In 1972, the sit-com "The Bob Newhart Show" debuted on CBS-TV.

In 1974, President Gerald R. Ford announced a conditional amnesty program for Vietnam War deserters and draft-evaders.

In 1982, the massacre of between 1,200 and 1,400 Palestinian men, women and children at the hands of Israeli-allied Christian Phalange militiamen began in west Beirut's Sabra and Shatila refugee camps.

In 1984, the first episode of the crime drama "Miami Vice" aired on NBC-TV.

In 1992, the trial of the deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega ended in the United States with a 40-year sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering.

In 1994, a federal jury in Anchorage, Alaska, ordered Exxon Corp. to pay $5 billion in punitive damages for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (the U.S Supreme Court later reduced that amount to $507.5 million).

Also in 1994, the sci-fi/action movie “Timecop”, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, was released in the U.S.

In 2007, O.J. Simpson was arrested in the alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors in Las Vegas. (Simpson was later convicted of kidnapping and armed robbery and sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison.)

In 2011: the animated movie “LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace” was released on DVD and Blu-Ray.

In 2013, a gunman killed twelve people and injured three others at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. before being killed by police.

 

The Wellingtons were awesome when they portrayed the Mosquitos--Bingo, Bango, Bongo, and Irving--on Gilligan's Island.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 17th:

In 1787, the Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

In 1862, more than 3,600 men were killed in the Civil War Battle of Antietam in Maryland. It remains the bloodiest day in American military history.

In 1908, Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge of the U.S. Army Signal Corps became the first person to die in the crash of a powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer, at Fort Myer, VA, just outside Washington D.C.

In 1928, actor/director/photographer Roddy McDowall was born in Herne Hill, London, England.

In 1930, pilot/astronaut Thomas P. Stafford was born in Weatherford, OK. He was Pilot of Gemini 6A, Command Pilot of Gemini 9A, and Commander of Apollo 10 and the American crew of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

In 1931, RCA Victor demonstrated the first 33-and-a-third RPM long-playing record in New York.

In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland during World War II, more than two weeks after Nazi Germany had launched its assault.

In 1943, the mystery “Sherlock Holmes Faces Death”, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as Holmes and Watson, was released in the U.S.

In 1944, during World War II, Allied paratroopers launched Operation Market Garden, landing behind German lines in the Netherlands. (After initial success, the Allies were beaten back by the Germans.)

In 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded "Sixteen Tons" by Merle Travis for Capitol Records in Hollywood.

In 1961, the sit-com “Car 54, Where Are You?” premiered on NBC-TV.

Also in 1961, the world's first retractable-dome stadium, the Civic Arena, opened in Pittsburgh.

In 1963, the drama series “The Fugitive” premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1964, the James Bond movie "Goldfinger," starring Sean Connery, premiered in London.

Also in 1964, the fantasy sitcom "Bewitched," starring Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York, premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1965, the sit-com “Hogan’s Heroes” premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1966, the spy-fi series “Mission: Impossible” premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1967, The Who appeared on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." Following a live performance of “My Generation”, a powder charge in Keith Moon’s drum kit was set off. However, unknown to the crew, Moon had replaced the original charge with one much stronger. The resulting explosion temporarily overloaded the cameras, knocked Moon backwards, and singed Pete Townshend's hair and damaged his hearing.

In 1972, the sit-com "M*A*S*H" premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1976, the first Space Shuttle, Enterprise, was unveiled by NASA.

In 1978, after meeting at Camp David, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a framework for a peace treaty.

Also In 1978, the original series "Battlestar Galactica" premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1980, after weeks of strikes at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, the nationwide independent trade union Solidarity was established.

In 1983, Vanessa Williams of New York became the first black contestant to be crowned Miss America. The following July, she also became the first Miss America to resign in the wake of her "Penthouse" magazine scandal.

In 1994, Heather Whitestone of Alabama was crowned the first deaf Miss America.

In 2001, The New York Stock Exchange reopened for trading after the September 11 attacks, the longest closure since the Great Depression.

In 2003, principal photography was completed for “Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith”.

In 2011, a demonstration calling itself Occupy Wall Street began in New York, prompting similar protests around the U.S. and the world.

In 2016, an explosion occurred in Seaside Park, NJ, shortly before the USMC 5K Run in the area. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Also in 2016, a bombing occurred in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, injuring 29 people.

In addition in 2016, a mass stabbing at Crossroads Center in St. Cloud, MN left fifteen injured. The attacker was later shot and killed inside the mall by an off-duty police officer.

 

And on September 17, 2017, the Greatest Wrestling Manager of All Time, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan passed away.









- the height of Heenan at the commentary booth.

RIP Weasel, the humanoids will miss you, greatly.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 18th:

In A.D. 14, the Roman Senate officially confirmed Tiberius as the second emperor of the Roman Empire, succeeding the late Augustus.

In 1759, the French formally surrendered Quebec to the British.

In 1793, President George Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol.

In 1810, Chile made its initial declaration of independence from Spain with the forming of a national junta.

In 1850, The U.S. Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, requiring that all escaped slaves were, upon capture, to be returned to their masters and that officials and citizens of free states had to cooperate in the law.

In 1851, “The New-York Daily Times”, later known as “The New York Times”, was first published.

In 1905, actor/comedian Eddie “Rochester” Anderson was born in Oakland, CA. Years later, he’d play the butler of a certain perpetual 39-year-old.

In 1917, actress/voice artist June Foray was born in Springfield, MA. Limited space prevents a full list of her roles, but she’s probably best-known for providing the voice of Rocket J. Squirrel.

In 1927, the Columbia Phonograph Broadcasting System (later CBS) made its on-air debut with a basic network of 16 radio stations.

In 1939, the Nazi propaganda broadcaster known as Lord Haw-Haw began transmitting.

In 1942, the mystery “Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror”, starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce as Holmes & Watson, was released in the U.S. It was the first of the Universal Holmes series, and the first to be based in the then-current era of World War II.

In 1947, the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency were established in the United States under the National Security Act.

Also in 1947, The U.S. Air Force became an independent branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

In 1949, the comedy mystery “Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff” premiered in New York City.

Klaatu barada nikto! In 1951, the science fiction movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still” premiered in New York City.

In 1956, actor Tim McInnerny was born in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, England. He’d later play both allies and antagonists of several Blackadders.

In 1961, United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold was killed in a plane crash in northern Rhodesia.

In 1963, the sitcom “The Patty Duke Show” premiered on ABC-TV.

Also in 1963, the horror movie “The Haunting” was released in the U.S.

In addition in 1963, the sci-fi movie “X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes”, starring Ray Milland and directed by Roger Corman, was released in the U.S.

In 1964, the fantasy sitcom “The Addams Family” premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1965, the situation comedies "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Get Smart" both premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1970, singer/songwriter/musician Jimi Hendrix died in Kensington, London, England at age 27.

In 1975, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was captured by the FBI in San Francisco, 19 months after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

In 1978, the sit-com “WKRP in Cincinnati” premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1983, the book Doctor Who: A Celebration by Peter Haining was published by W.H. Allen. The U.S. edition of the book would later be an invaluable resource for your humble correspondent until he could see all of the show’s existing episodes on NJN.

In 1984, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Joe Kittinger became the first person to complete a solo balloon flight across the Atlantic Ocean as he landed in Italy, four days after leaving Maine.

In 1987, the Disney animated series “Duck Tales”, based on the Carl Barks comic book stories, premiered in syndication.

In 2009, the 72-year run, from radio to TV, of the soap opera “The Guiding Light” ended as its final episode was broadcast on CBS.

In 2014, Scotland voted against independence from the United Kingdom.

 

If I may...

ON SEPTEMBER 19th:

In 1676, Jamestown, in the Virginia colony, was burned to the ground by the forces of Nathaniel Bacon during Bacon’s Rebellion.

In 1777, the first Battle of Saratoga was fought during the Revolutionary War; although British forces succeeded in driving out the American troops, the Americans prevailed in a second battle the following month.

In 1778, the Continental Congress passed the first U.S. federal budget.

In 1796, President George Washington's farewell address was published.

In 1863, during the Civil War, the first day of the Battle of Chickmauga, in northwestern Georgia, took place. It was the bloodiest two-day battle of the conflict, and the only significant Confederate victory in the war's Western Theater.

In 1881, James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the U.S., died 2½ months after being shot by Charles Guiteau; Chester Alan Arthur became president.

In 1915, vaudeville performer W.C. Fields made his movie debut as "Pool Sharks," a one-reel silent comedy, was released.

In 1928, actor Adam West was born in Walla Walla, WA. His residency at Stately Wayne Manor would come later.

In 1931, the Marx Brothers comedy “Monkey Business” was released in the U.S.

In 1933, actor David McCallum was born in Glasgow, Scotland. I’m not sure whether birthday greetings should be sent c/o NCIS or UNCLE.

In 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was arrested in New York and charged with the kidnap-murder of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr.

In 1940, actress Caroline John was born in York, North Yorkshire, England. It’s still a bit unclear when exactly she worked with UNIT; the dating protocols on the files are a bit variable.

In 1944, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, between the U.S. and Nazi Germany, began.

In 1945, Nazi radio propagandist William Joyce, known as "Lord Haw-Haw," was convicted of treason and sentenced to death by a British court.

In 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, visiting Los Angeles, reacted angrily upon being told that, for security reasons, he wouldn't get to visit Disneyland.

In 1963, filming began for “An Unearthly Child”, the first episode of “Doctor Who”, consisting of the final moments of the episode.

In 1970, the situation comedy "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" debuted on CBS-TV.

In 1973, the action movie “Doll Squad” was released in the U.S. It would later be one of the last movies (to date) riffed on by Cinematic Titanic.

In1975, the Brit-com “Fawlty Towers”, starring and co-written by John Cleese, premiered on BBC 2.

In 1985, the Mexico City area was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed at least 9,500 people.

Also In 1985, Frank Zappa appeared before a Senate panel to protest a proposal to rate the lyrics of rock music based on sexual and violent content.

In 1989, a Paris-bound DC-10 belonging to French airline UTA was destroyed by a bomb over Niger, killing all 170 people on board. (A French court later convicted six Libyans in absentia for the bombing; Libya agreed in 2004 to pay $170 million in compensation, although it stopped short of acknowledging responsibility.)

Also in 1989, the Library of Congress announced the first 25 of 75 films named to the new national film registry. The registry was established to get high-quality copies of films to make sure they would be preserved. The first group included "Gone With The Wind," "The Maltese Falcon" and "Citizen Kane."

In 1994, during the making of the “Star Trek: Voyager” episode “Caretaker”, Kate Mulgrew filmed her first scenes as Capt. Janeway.

In 1995, The New York Times and The Washington Post published the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, which proved instrumental in identifying and capturing him.

In 2010, the leaking oil well in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was sealed.

In 2017, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Mexico, causing the collapse of 29 buildings in Mexico City, widespread evacuations and at least 139 deaths. Ironically, it occurred hours after an annual earthquake drill in commemoration of the 1985 Mexico earthquake.