Fun On this date in history...

The Mets' first home game was in 1962, not 1963 1962 New York Mets season - Wikipedia, the free ...

 

I stand corrected. My brother, a longtime Mets fan, would've caught that immediately.

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 16th:

In 73 A.D., Masada, a Jewish fortress, fell to the Romans after several months of siege, ending the Great Jewish Revolt.

In 1521, Martin Luther made his first appearance before the Diet of Worms to be examined by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the other estates of the empire.

In 1746, the Battle of Culloden was fought between the French-supported Jacobites and the British Hanoverian forces commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, in Scotland. After the battle many highland traditions were banned and the Highlands of Scotland were cleared of inhabitants. (There are conflicting reports regarding the disappearance of one James Robert MacCrimmon following the battle.)

In 1789, President-elect George Washington left Mount Vernon, Virginia, for his inauguration in New York.

In 1889, comedian/filmmaker Charlie Chaplin was born in London.

In 1917, actor Barry Nelson, the first actor to play James Bond on-screen, was born in San Francisco.

In 1918, highly-influential comedian Spike Milligan was born in Ahmednagar, British India.

In 1924, composer/conductor/arranger Henry Mancini was born in Cleveland, OH.

In 1935, the radio comedy program "Fibber McGee and Molly" premiered on NBC's Blue Network.

In 1940, Major League Baseball's first (and, to date, only) opening day no-hitter took place as Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians pitched a no-no against the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, at Comiskey Park.

In 1945, during World War II, several events occurred: a Soviet submarine in the Baltic Sea torpedoed and sank the MV Goya, which Germany was using to transport civilian refugees and wounded soldiers; it's estimated that up to 7,000 people died. The Red Army began the final assault on German forces around Berlin, with nearly one million troops fighting in the Battle of the Seelow Heights. U.S. troops reached Nuremberg, while U.S. forces also invaded the Japanese island of Ie Shima. And the U.S. Army liberated Nazi Sonderlager (high security) P.O.W. camp Oflag IV-C, better known as Colditz.

Also in 1945, in his first speech to Congress, President Harry S. Truman pledged to carry out the war and peace policies of his late predecessor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1947, the French ship Grandcamp blew up at the harbor in Texas City, TX; another ship, the High Flyer, exploded the following day. (The blasts and fires killed nearly 600 people.)

Also in 1947, financier Bernard M. Baruch said in a speech at the South Carolina statehouse, "Let us not be deceived — we are today in the midst of a cold war."

In 1952, voice actor Billy West was born in Detroit, MI. Space limitations prevent a full listing of his characters.

In 1960, the horror movie “Ein Toter hing im Netz” (better-known as “Horrors of Spider Island”) was released in West Germany. It would later be one of the last movies featured during the original run of “Mystery Science Theater 3000”.

In 1962, Walter Cronkite made his debut as anchorman of "The CBS Evening News."

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in which he said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

In 1972, Apollo 16 blasted off on a voyage to the Moon with Mission Commander John W. Young, LM Pilot Charles M. Duke Jr. and CM Pilot Ken Mattingly on board.

In 1979, the Western “Heaven’s Gate” started filming in Glacier National Park in Montana. Filming would be completed nearly a year later.

In 1986, dispelling rumors he was dead, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi appeared on television to condemn the U.S. raid on his country and to say that Libyans were "ready to die" defending their nation.

In 1991, principal photography began on “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”.

In 2005, the BBC announced that David Tennant would succeed Christopher Eccleston in the role of the Doctor on “Doctor Who”.

In 2007, a mentally disturbed student killed 32 people on the campus of Virginia Tech before taking his own life.

In 2014, more than 300 people, mostly students, died when a South Korean ferry, the Sewol, sank while en route from Incheon to the resort island of Jeju; 172 people survived.

In 2015, the second trailer for "Star Wars: Episode VII- The Force Awakens" was released, following its premiere at the 2015 Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, CA. The fan reaction was somewhat emotional.

In 2016, Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu, Japan suffered a second earthquake in two days. The second had a magnitude of 7.0. Both events resulted in an initial combined death toll of 42, with approximately 3,000 injured.

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 17th:

In 1492, a contract was signed by Christopher Columbus and a representative of Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, giving Columbus a commission to seek a westward ocean passage to Asia.

In 1861, the Virginia State Convention voted to secede from the Union.

In 1924, the motion picture studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was founded, the result of a merger of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and the Louis B. Mayer Co.

In 1937, Daffy Duck made his debut in the Warner Bros. animated cartoon "Porky's Duck Hunt," directed by Tex Avery.

In 1938, director Richard Marquand, best-known for directing “Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi”, was born in Llanishen, Cardiff, Wales.

In 1941, Yugoslavia surrendered to Germany during World War II.

In 1949, at midnight 26 Irish counties officially left the British Commonwealth, ushering in the Republic of Ireland.

In 1960, singer Eddie Cochran died after suffering severe head injuries in a car crash in Bath, Somerset, England at age 21. Musician Gene Vincent and Cochran's girlfriend were injured.

In 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion by the third day. (Reports that the invasion was the idea of CIA agent Vince Ricardo have not been confirmed.)

In 1964, Geraldine "Jerrie" Mock became the first woman to complete a solo airplane trip around the world as she returned to Columbus, Ohio, after 29 1/2 days in her Cessna 180.

Also in 1964, The Rolling Stones' self-titled debut album was released in Britain.

In 1966, the monster movie “Daikaiju ketto: Gamera tai Barugon” was released in Japan. Retitled “Gamera vs. Barugon”, it would be featured twice on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”.

In 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert splashed down safely in the Pacific, four days after a ruptured oxygen tank crippled their spacecraft while en route to the moon.

In 1973, director George Lucas began writing a story treatment titled “The Star Wars”. It was later made into a somewhat successful movie.

In 1975, Cambodia's five-year war ended as the capital Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge, which instituted brutal, radical policies that claimed an estimated 1.7 million lives until the regime was overthrown in 1979.

In 1984, an 11-day police siege began at Libya's embassy in London when an unidentified shooter inside the building fired on a crowd of protesters, killing police officer Yvonne Fletcher. (The Libyans in the embassy were eventually allowed to leave the country as Britain and Libya severed relations.)

In 1990, the Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, the civil rights activist and top aide to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., died in Atlanta, GA at age 64.

In 1993, a federal jury in Los Angeles convicted two former police officers of violating the civil rights of beaten motorist Rodney King; two other officers were acquitted.

In 1998, musician/photographer/activist Linda McCartney died in Tuscon, AZ at age 56.

In 2004, actor Bruce Boa, known to “Star Wars” fans for playing Gen. Rieeken in “The Empire Strikes Back”, died in Surrey, England at age 73.

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 18th:

In 1506, the cornerstone of the current St. Peter’s Basilica was laid.

In 1775, Paul Revere and William Dawes began their famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, MA, warning American colonists that the British were coming. They were later joined by Dr. Samuel Prescott as they attempted to continue on to Concord.

In 1865, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman near Durham Station in North Carolina.

In 1882, conductor Leopold Stokowski was born in London. One of the most famous conductors of the 20th century, he’s best-known today for appearing in “Fantasia” and being imitated by Bugs Bunny.

In 1899, The St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria.

In 1906, a devastating earthquake struck San Francisco, followed by raging fires; estimates of the final death toll range between 3,000 and 6,000.

In 1907, Oscar-winning composer/conductor Miklos Rosza was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary.

In 1923, the original Yankee Stadium, the House that Ruth Built, opened in the Bronx.

In 1930, actor Clive Revill, the original voice of the Emperor, was born in Wellington, New Zealand.

In 1936, singing cowboy Gene Autry recorded his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again."

In 1942, during World War II, an air squadron from the USS Hornet led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle raided Tokyo and other Japanese cities.

Also in 1942, the first World War II edition of “The Stars and Stripes” was published as a weekly newspaper.

In 1943, during World War II, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was killed when his aircraft is shot down by U.S. fighters over Bougainville Island.

In 1945, during World War II, famed American war correspondent Ernie Pyle, age 44, was killed by Japanese gunfire on the Pacific island of Ie Shima, off Okinawa.

In 1953, actor/comedian/screenwriter Rick Moranis was born in Toronto.

In 1954, Gamal Abdel Nasser seized power in Egypt.

In 1955, physicist Albert Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 76.

In 1956, actor Eric Roberts was born in Biloxi, MO. He’s appeared in many, many movies, but I’m still waiting for him to co-star with Derek Jacobi, John Simm, and Michelle Gomez in “The Four Masters”.

In 1965, actress Camille Coduri was born in Wandsworth, London. Whovians know her for playing Jackie Tyler (both of her).

Also in 1965, the adventure/fantasy movie “She” was released in the UK. Produced by Hammer Films, it starred Ursula Andress and Peter Cushing, and was based on H. Rider Haggard’s novel.

In 1971, actor David Tennant was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. He recently played a Scottish detective (and the detective’s American doppelganger) in a hit British series (and its American doppelganger). Oh, and I hear he played a doctor in some BBC show.

In 1978, the Senate approved the Panama Canal Treaty, providing for the complete turnover of control of the waterway to Panama on the last day of 1999.

In 1981, the, to date, longest professional baseball game ever played, was begun in Pawtucket, R.I. The game, a Triple-A International league game between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings, was suspended at 4:00 the next morning after 32 innings, and finally completed with the 33rd inning on June 23rd. (The Red Sox won 3-2.)

In 1983, 63 people, including 17 Americans, were killed at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, by a suicide bomber.

In 1985, Tulane University abolished its 72-year-old basketball program. The reason was charges of fixed games, drug abuse, and payments to players.

In 1996, “Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie”, based on the cult favorite TV series, premiered at the State Theater in Minneapolis, MN.

In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in a 5–4 decision.

In 2012, the book Darth Vader and Son was published by Chronicle Books. At that year’s Star Wars Celebration, author Jeffrey Brown would autograph a copy for your humble correspondent, who then donated it to the South Plainfield Free Public Library.

Also in 2012, radio & TV host/producer Dick Clark died in Santa Monica at age 82.

 

Lest we forget...

 

The last I heard, there's just two of the original Doolittle Raiders still alive. IMO, that was one of the gutsiest military operations ever.

 

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo was one of my favorite books to read when I was in elementary school.

 

Yes, that book is the real deal. The movie is pretty good too; not nearly as Hollywood as you'd expect. (glares accusingly at the Pearl Harbor movie)

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 19th:

In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Also in 1775, post rider Israel Bissell began a trip to spread word to the Colonists about the battles. The ride started from Watertown, MA and reportedly lasted four ¼ days, though accounts differ on whether he reached Connecticut or Philadelphia, PA.

In 1865, a funeral was held at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln, assassinated five days earlier; his coffin was then taken to the U.S. Capitol for a private memorial service in the Rotunda.

In 1897, the first annual Boston Marathon was held. It was the first of its type in the U.S.

In 1912, a special subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee opened hearings in New York into the Titanic disaster.

In 1930, actor Dick Sargent, best-known as Darrin 2.0, was born in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA.

In 1935, the Universal Pictures horror film "Bride of Frankenstein," starring Boris Karloff with Elsa Lanchester in the title role, had its world premiere in San Francisco.

Also in 1935, actor/comedian/musician/composer Dudley Moore was born in Hammersmith, London.

In 1943, during World War II, tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately futile battle against Nazi forces.

In 1945, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theater.

In 1951, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, relieved of his Far East command by President Harry S. Truman, bade farewell in an address to Congress in which he quoted a line from a ballad: "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

In 1956, actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco.

In 1958, The San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers played the first major league baseball game on the West Coast. This was the Dodgers’ first official game in the Los Angeles Coliseum.

In 1960, South Korean students began an uprising that toppled the government of President Syngman Rhee a week later.

In 1965, New York City radio station WINS-AM launched its all-news format, which continues to this day, making it America's oldest all-news broadcaster.

In 1968, George Harrison, John Lennon and their wives left the religious retreat run by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi before their studies were completed. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had left earlier. Later, all four renounced their association with the Maharishi.

In 1971, the Soviet Union launched Salyut 1, the first space station.

In 1973, the dark western “High Plains Drifter”, starring & directed by Clint Eastwood, premiered in New York City.

In 1975, India launched its first satellite atop a Soviet rocket.

In 1981, actor/producer Hayden Christensen was born in Vancouver, British Colombia. Years later, one of his characters would have some rather extreme views on how to deal with political differences among colleagues.

In 1987, “The Simpsons” premiered as a short cartoon on “The Tracey Ullman Show” on the Fox Network.

In 1989, 47 sailors were killed when a gun turret exploded aboard the USS Iowa in the Caribbean. (The Navy initially suspected that a dead crew member had deliberately sparked the blast, but later said there was no proof of that.)

In 1993, the 51-day FBI siege of the Branch Davidian complex outside Waco, TX ended when a fire broke out during an attempted assault by FBI agents. Seventy-six people, including group leader David Koresh, died.

In 1995, a truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. (Bomber Timothy McVeigh was later convicted of federal murder charges and executed.)

In 1996, “Mystery Science Theater 3000” went into general release from Grammercy Pictures in the U.S. Unfortunately for many MSTies, Grammercy booked it into a very limited number of theaters, preferring to back “Barb Wire”, instead.

In 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected pope in the first conclave of the new millennium; he took the name Benedict XVI.

Also in 2005, a Spanish court convicted a former Argentine naval officer, Adolfo Scilingo, of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 640 years in prison for throwing 30 prisoners from planes during his country's "dirty war."

In 2011, actress Elisabeth Sladen died in Southall, London at age 65.

 

April 20, 1930, Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh set a transcontinental speed record in their Lockheed Sirius from LA to NY in 14 hours 45 minutes at 14,000 feet and up to 180 mph. Anne, who was seven months pregnant, said, "Flying was a very tangible freedom. In those days it was beauty, adventure, discovery - the epitome of breaking into new worlds."

 

Lest we forget...

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 20th:

In 1775, the Siege of Boston began, following the battles at Lexington and Concord.

In 1792, France declared war on Austria, marking the start of the French Revolutionary Wars.

In 1861, Col. Robert E. Lee resigned his commission in the United States Army. (Lee went on to command the Army of Northern Virginia, and eventually became general-in-chief of the Confederate forces.)

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation admitting West Virginia to the Union, effective in 60 days (on June 20, 1863).

In 1893, actor/comedian/filmmaker Harold Lloyd was born in Burchard, NE.

In 1912, Boston's Fenway Park hosted its first professional baseball game while Navin Field (Tiger Stadium) opened in Detroit. (The Red Sox defeated the New York Highlanders 7-6 in 11 innings; the Tigers beat the Cleveland Naps 6-5 in 11 innings.)

In 1914, the Ludlow Massacre took place when the Colorado National Guard opened fire on a tent colony of striking miners; about 20 (accounts vary) strikers, women and children died.

In 1916, the Chicago Cubs played their first game at Weeghman Park, later known as Wrigley Field.

In 1937, actor/author/activist George Takei was born in Los Angeles. He’s well-known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on the original series “Star Trek”, and for his ongoing dispute with his co-star William Shatner.

In 1945, during World War II, allied forces took control of the German cities of Nuremberg and Stuttgart.

In 1951, actress Louise Jameson was born. Years later, one of her characters would prefer to solve problems with a knife, a zap gun or a Janus thorn.

In 1955, the science fiction movie “Conquest of Space”, produced by George Pal, was released in the U.S.

In 1959, "Desilu Playhouse" on CBS-TV presented a two-part show titled "The Untouchables", based on the book by Eliot Ness, played onscreen by Robert Stack. It was the basis for a weekly TV series, again starring Robert Stack.

In 1960, Elvis Presley returned to Hollywood following his Army duty. He began work on the film "G.I. Blues."

In 1964, actor/director/author/voice artist Andy Serkis was born in Ruislip, Middlesex, England. He was recently seen as the Supreme Leader of the First Order, and we’ll have to wait at least one more movie until we find out who that really is.

In 1967, “OK Connery”, a James Bond spoof starring Neil Connery (Sean’s brother) was released in Italy, where it was made. Later retitled “Operation Double 007”, it would be memorably MSTed.

In 1968, on “Doctor Who” part six of “Fury from the Deep” was broadcast on BBC 1. A correction: it was this episode, rather than part four, that featured the last regular appearance of Deborah Watling as Victoria Waterfield.

In 1972, during the Apollo 16 mission, the LM Orion, crewed by John Young and Charles Duke, landed on the Moon at the Descartes Highlands.

In 1977, the Woody Allen comedy “Annie Hall” was released in the U.S. And there are “Star Wars” fans who still haven’t forgiven the MPAAS for giving Allen’s movie the Best Picture Oscar, rather than George Lucas’ movie.

In 1979, the horror movie “Dawn of the Dead” directed by George A. Romero, had its U.S. premiere in New York City.

In 1988, gunmen who'd hijacked a Kuwait Airways jumbo jet were allowed safe passage out of Algeria under an agreement that freed the remaining 31 hostages and ended a 15-day siege in which two passengers were slain.

In 1999, the Columbine High School massacre took place in Colorado as two students shot and killed 12 classmates and one teacher before taking their own lives.

In 2008, Danica Patrick won the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female driver in history to win an Indy car race.

In 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, leased by BP, killed 11 workers and caused a blow-out that began spewing an estimated 200 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. (The well was finally capped nearly three months later, on July 15.)

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 21st:

In 1509, Henry VIII ascended the throne of England on the death of his father, Henry VII.

In 1649, the Maryland Toleration Act, providing for freedom of worship for all Christians, was passed by the Maryland assembly.

In 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first Vice-President of the United States, a job he utterly hated.

In 1836, an army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexican troops under Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, assuring Texas independence.

In 1898, the United States Navy began a blockade of Cuban ports. When the U.S. Congress issued a declaration of war on April 25, it declared that a state of war had existed from this date.

In 1918, during World War I, Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the German ace known as the "Red Baron," was killed in action near Vaux-sur-Sommes, France.

In 1923, author/lawyer John Mortimer, creator of Rumpole of the Bailey, was born in Hampstead, London.

In 1926, H.M. Elizabeth II, current Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the British Commonwealth of Nations, was born in London.

In 1930, a fire broke out inside the overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, killing 332 inmates.

In 1930, the film “All Quiet on the Western Front”, starring Lew Ayres and directed by Lewis Milestone, premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1936, psychologist/author Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, was born in Shreveport, LA. Your humble correspondent, during his radio announcing days, put a whole bunch of his programs on the air.

In 1940, the quiz show that asked the "$64 question," ''Take It or Leave It," premiered on CBS Radio.

In 1955, the Jerome Lawrence-Robert Lee play "Inherit the Wind," inspired by the Scopes trial of 1925, opened at the National Theatre in New York.

In 1960, Brazil inaugurated its new capital, Brasilia, transferring the seat of national government from Rio de Janeiro.

In 1962, the Seattle World’s Fair (Century 21 Exposition) opened. It was the first World’s Fair in the United States since World War II.

In 1967, at EMI Studios in London, the Beatles completed the last recording session for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.

In 1971, actress Michelle Gomez, who currently plays Missy on “Doctor Who”, was born in Ayr, Scotland.

In 1975, with Communist forces closing in, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned after nearly ten years in office and fled the country.

In 1977, the musical play "Annie" opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theater with Andrea McArdle in the title role. The show ran for more than 2,300 performances.

In 1980,Rosie Ruiz won the Boston Marathon when she crossed the finish line in a record time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 56 seconds. After an investigation, she was stripped of the honor when evidence showed that she had not run the entire race.

In 1985, in a highly-publicized TV special, Geraldo Rivera opened up Al Capone’s vault, speculating about what sort of treasures it would contain. It was pretty much empty.

In 1992, Robert Alton Harris became the first person executed by the state of California in 25 years as he was put to death in the gas chamber for the 1978 murders of two teen-age boys, John Mayeski and Michael Baker.

In 1999, the novelization of “Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace”, written by Terry Brooks, was published by Del-Rey.

In 2005, “Star Wars Celebration III” began in Indianapolis, IN. Your humble correspondent was there to experience the huge crowd, the improved lines at the Celebration store, and the lousy weather.

Also in 2005, David Tennant filmed his first scenes as the Tenth Doctor, which would later be added to the episode “The Parting of the Ways”.

 

If I may...

ON APRIL 22:

In 1864, Congress authorized the use of the phrase "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins.

In 1876, eight baseball teams began the inaugural season of the National League. In the first game Boston beat Philadelphia 6-5.

In 1889, the Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims.

In 1906, the 1906 Summer Olympics, not currently recognized as part of the official Olympic Games, opened in Athens.

Also in 1906, actor/singer Eddie Albert was born in Rock Island, IL. He’d later find himself living in the weird state of reality that was Hooterville, U.S.A.

In 1915, the first full-scale use of deadly chemicals in warfare took place as German forces unleashed chlorine gas against Allied troops at the start of the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I; thousands of soldiers are believed to have died.

In 1930, the United States, Britain and Japan signed the London Naval Treaty, which regulated submarine warfare and limited shipbuilding.

In 1939, actor/playwright Jason Miller was born in Queens, NY. He’d later write the play “That Championship Season”, set in Scranton, PA, and later partially filmed in my Dad’s hometown of Taylor, PA.

In 1944, during World War II, U.S. forces began invading Japanese-held New Guinea with amphibious landings at Hollandia and Aitape.

In 1945, prisoners at the Jasenovac concentration camp revolted. Five hundred twenty are killed and 80 escape.

In 1950, singer/songwiter/musician/producer Peter Frampton was born in Bromley, South London.

In 1952, an atomic test in Nevada became the first nuclear explosion shown on live network television as a 31-kiloton bomb was dropped from a B-50 Superfortress.

In 1954, the publicly televised sessions of the Senate Army-McCarthy hearings began.

In 1957, “The Incredible Shrinking Man” premiered in New York City.

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson opened the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair at Flushing Meadows.

In 1970, millions of Americans concerned about the environment observed the first "Earth Day."

In 1974, the Amicus horror/mystery movie “The Beast Must Die”, starring Calvin Lockhart and Peter Cushing, was released in the UK.

In 1977, filming for “Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope” concluded at ILM with a shot of a Star Destroyer.

In 1978, the Blues Brothers -- John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd -- made their network debut on "Saturday Night Live." On the same show, host Steve Martin performed his novelty hit "King Tut."

In 1983, the West German news magazine Stern announced the discovery of 60 volumes of personal diaries purportedly written by Adolf Hitler; however, the diaries turned out to be a hoax.

In 1990, pro-Iranian kidnappers in Lebanon freed American hostage Robert Polhill after nearly 39 months of captivity.

In 1994, Richard M. Nixon, the 37th president of the U.S., died at a New York hospital four days after suffering a stroke at age 81.

In 2000, in a dramatic pre-dawn raid, armed immigration agents seized Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of a custody dispute, from his relatives' home in Miami; Elian was reunited with his father at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.

In 2005, Zacarias Moussaoui pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom outside Washington D.C. to conspiring with the September 11 hijackers to kill Americans. (Moussaoui is serving a life prison sentence.)

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform, operated by BP, sank into the Gulf of Mexico two days after a massive explosion that killed 11 workers.

 

Today is the 400th anniversary of the death of the Bard, and if educated guesses are anything to go by, the 452nd anniversary of Shakespeare's birth.

 

Alas, poor William. Did you know him, Valiowk?

 

Alas, not in person.

 

Word on the street is that he was a man of infinite jest.

I'm not sure what that means.