Fun On this date in history...

Fell behind again...

ON JANUARY 29th:

In 1820, Britain's King George III died at Windsor Castle.

In 1843, the 25th president of the United States, William McKinley, was born in Niles, OH.

In 1845, Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" was first published in the New York Evening Mirror.

In 1861, Kansas became the 34th state of the Union.

In 1923, author/screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky was born in the Bronx.

In 1936, the first inductees of baseball's Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, New York.

In 1958, Challenge Records released the single "Tequila" by The Champs.

In 1959, the Disney animated feature “Sleeping Beauty” premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1964, Stanley Kubrick's nuclear war satire "Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" premiered in New York, Toronto and London.

In 1966, on “Doctor Who”, the episode “The Destruction of Time” was broadcast on BBC 1. It was the final part of the 12-part serial “The Daleks’ Masterplan”, the longest single serial in the program’s history.

In 1974, “The Uncle Floyd Show” premiered via UA-Columbia Cable TV, deep in the heart of Jersey. (It would run on several different stations until 1998.)

In 1975, a bomb exploded inside the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., causing considerable damage, but injuring no one; the radical group Weather Underground claimed responsibility.

In 1977, actor/comedian Freddie Prinze died in Los Angeles at age 22 from injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In 1979, a female shooter killed two men and wounded nine children with a rifle as they entered the Grover Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego. She’d later plead guilty to two counts of murder and assault with a deadly weapon, and be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

In 1982, principle photography was completed on the movie, ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”.

In 1990, former Exxon Valdez skipper Joseph Hazelwood went on trial in Anchorage, AK, on charges stemming from the 1989 oil spill. (Hazelwood was acquitted of the major charges, and convicted of a misdemeanor.)

In 1998, a bomb exploded at an abortion clinic in Birmingham, AL, killing security guard Robert Sanderson and critically injuring nurse Emily Lyons. (The bomber was captured in May 2003 and is serving a life sentence.)

In 2002, in his State of the Union address, President George W, Bush described "regimes that sponsor terror” as an “Axis of Evil”, in which he included Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

In 2009, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was removed from office following his conviction of several corruption charges, including the alleged solicitation of personal benefit in exchange for an appointment to the U.S. Senate as a replacement for then- U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama.

In 2015, Malaysia officially declared the March 8, 2014 disappearance of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident and its passengers and crew presumed dead.

In 2017, opened fire at mosque in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, killing six people and wounding 19 others. (The gunman eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and attempted murder charges, and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.)

In 2020, The Trump Administration established the White House Coronavirus Task Force under Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

 

If I (belatedly) may...

ON JANUARY 30th:

In 1615, Thomas Rolfe, the only child of John Rolfe and his wife, Rebecca (the former Pocahontas), was born in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony.

In 1649, England's King Charles I was executed for treason.

In 1661, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England was ritually executed more than two years after his death, on the 12th anniversary of the execution of Charles I, the monarch he himself deposed.

In 1781, Maryland became the 13th and final state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, almost three years after the official deadline given by Congress of March 10, 1778. (The Articles would be replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1789.)

In 1806, the original Lower Trenton Bridge (also called the “Trenton Makes the World Takes” Bridge), which spans the Delaware River between Morrisville, PA and Trenton, NJ, was opened.

In 1815, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in agreeing to purchase the personal book collection of former President Thomas Jefferson to replace volumes lost when the British burned the U.S. Capitol and its congressional library during the War of 1812.

In 1835, in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol, President Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the U.S., survived the first attempt against the life of a U.S. president, when Richard Lawrence attempted to shoot him. His pistols misfired and he was overcome by bystanders, as well as Jackson, himself.

In 1882, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States, was born in Hyde Park, NY.

In 1920, Carwood Lipton, decorated soldier and World War II veteran, was born in Huntington, WV. He’s best-known for his service with Easy Co., 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division.

In 1930, actor Gene Hackman was born in San Bernardino, CA.

In 1931, the Charlie Chaplin silent comedy/drama “City Lights” premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1933, Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany.

Also in 1933, the first episode of the radio Western "The Lone Ranger" was broadcast on station WXYZ in Detroit.

In 1941, Dick Cheney, 46th Vice-President of the U.S., was born in Lincoln, NE.

In 1945, during World War II, more than 500 Allied captives held at the Japanese prison camp in Cabanatuan in the Philippines were liberated by U.S. Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts and Filipino guerrilla fighters.

In 1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi, age 78, was shot and killed in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist. (Godse and a co-conspirator were later executed.)

In 1951, singer/songwriter/musician Phil Collins was born in Chiswick, Middlesex, England.

In 1956, African-American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s home was bombed in retaliation for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

In 1962, two members of "The Flying Wallendas" high-wire act were killed when their seven-person pyramid collapsed during a performance at the State Fair Coliseum in Detroit.

In 1963, actress Daphne Ashbrook was born in Long Beach, CA. Years later, she’d play a cardiologist treating a patient with a very unusual hearts (plural) condition.

In 1965, some one million people attended former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral, the biggest in the United Kingdom up to that point.

In 1968, the Tet Offensive began during the Vietnam War as Communist forces launched surprise attacks against South Vietnamese provincial capitals.

In 1969, The Beatles staged an impromptu concert atop Apple headquarters in London; it was the group's last public performance.

In 1971, Carole King’s “Tapestry” album was released to become the longest charting album by a female solo artist and sell 24 million copies worldwide.

In 1972, 13 Roman Catholic civil rights marchers were shot to death by British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what became known as "Bloody Sunday."

In 1981, an estimated 2 million New Yorkers turned out for a ticker-tape parade honoring the freed American hostages from Iran.

In 1986, Steve Jobs of Apple Computers bought the computer graphics division of Industrial Light and Magic for $10 million. He would later incorporate the company as Pixar.

In 1993, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the second part of the short subject “Hired!”, followed by the movie “Manos, the Hands of Fate” was broadcast on Comedy Central. The episode included the first appearance of Michael J. Nelson as Torgo, and was the only time that the characters of Dr. Forrester and TV’s Frank ever apologized for showing a particular movie. And they certainly should’ve.

In 2001, the Prequel-era novel Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves was published by Del Rey. It’s unclear if it has retained its canonicity.

In 2005, Iraqis voted in their country's first free election in a half-century.

In 2017, actor Peter Capaldi announced that he would be leaving the role of the Doctor on “Doctor Who” at the close of the series’ 10th season, later in the year.

 

If I may...

ON JANUARY 31st:

In 1606, Guy Fawkes, convicted of treason for his part in the "Gunpowder Plot" against the English Parliament and King James I, was executed.

In 1797, composer Franz Schubert was born in Vienna.

In 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery, sending it to states for ratification. (The amendment was adopted in Dec. 1865.)

Also in 1865, Gen. Robert E. Lee was named general-in-chief of the Confederate States Army by President Jefferson Davis.

In 1892, comedian/entertainer Eddie Cantor was born in New York City.

In 1915, during World War I, Germany was the first to make large-scale use of poison gas in warfare in the Battle of Bolimow against Russia.

In 1917, during World War I, Germany announces that its U-boats would resume unrestricted submarine warfare after a two-year hiatus.

In 1919, baseball player Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, GA.

In 1921, actor John Agar was born in Chicago, IL. The supremely smug characters in sci-fi movies would come later.

In 1936, the radio adventure series “The Green Hornet” premiered over station WXYZ, Detroit. (It would begin broadcasting nationally over the Mutual Broadcasting System in April, 1938.)

In 1941, the comedy “Buck Privates”, the first movie starring Abbott & Costello, was released in the U.S.

In 1943, during World War II, German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered to the Soviets at Stalingrad, followed 2 days later by the remainder of his Sixth Army, ending one of the war's fiercest battles.

In 1944, actress/screenwriter/psychotherapist Connie Booth was born in Indianapolis, IN. Years later, she’d play the sanest staff member of a certain hotel in Torquay.

In 1945, during World War II, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, age 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France.

In 1949, “These Are My Children”, the first television daytime soap opera was broadcast live from Chicago over NBC-TV.

In 1950, U.S. President Harry S. Truman publicly announced his decision to support the development of the hydrogen bomb

In 1958, the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite into orbit, Explorer I. The satellite detected the Van Allen Belt of radiation around the Earth.

In 1961, NASA launched Ham the Chimp aboard a Mercury-Redstone rocket from Cape Canaveral; Ham was recovered safely from the Atlantic Ocean following his 16 1/2-minute suborbital flight.

In 1968, during the Vietnam War, Viet Cong attacked the United States embassy in Saigon, as well as other attacks, in the early morning hours, later grouped together as part of the Tet Offensive.

In 1970, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “Doctor Who and the Silurians” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance of Bessie, the Doctor’s car, and began the only serial in the program’s history to include “Doctor Who” in the title.

In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the Fra Mauro Highlands on the Moon.

In 1973, the private eye movie “Shamus”, starring Burt Reynolds and Dyan Cannon, premiered in New York City.

In 1981, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “The Keeper of Traken” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance of Sarah Sutton as Nyssa, as well as the first series appearance of actor Anthony Ainley.

In 1990, McDonald's Corp. opened its first fast-food restaurant in Moscow.

In 2000, an Alaska Airlines MD-83 jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Port Hueneme, California, killing all 88 people aboard.

In 2004, the Sci-Fi Channel broadcast “Mystery Science Theater 3000” for the last time. It was a repeat of the episode featuring the horror movie “The Screaming Skull”.

In 2007, Boston authorities responded to calls of bomb scares for blinking electronic signs on bridge overpasses and near transit stations. The signs ended up being promotional items for Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."

In 2020, The United Kingdom’s membership within the European Union ceased in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty of European Union, after 47 years of being a member state.

 

Getting caught up again...

ON FEBRUARY 1st:

In 1790, the U.S. Supreme Court convened for the first time in New York. (However, since only three of the six justices were present, the court recessed until the next day.)

In 1861, Texas voted to leave the Union at a Secession Convention in Austin.

In 1865, during the Civil War, Union forces led by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman began the Carolinas Campaign as they invaded South Carolina.

Also in 1865, Abolitionist John S. Rock became the first black lawyer admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1893, Thomas A. Edison finished construction of the first motion picture studio, the Black Maria, in West Orange, NJ.

In 1894, producer/director John Ford was born in Cape Elizabeth, ME.

In 1896, the opera “La Boheme” premiered in Turin at the Teatro Regio (Turin), conducted by a young Arturo Toscanini.

In 1901, actor Clark Gable was born in Cadiz, OH.

In 1908, producer/animator George Pal was born in Cegled, Hungary. The lunar flight, time machine and invading Martians would come along later.

In 1909, singer/songwriter George Beverly Shea was born in Winchester, Ontario, Canada.

In 1921, actor Peter Sallis, best-known as Clegg in “Last of the Summer Wine” and as the voice of Wallace, was born in Twickenham, Middlesex, England.

In 1937, actor/singer/Not Ready For Prime Time Player Garret Morris was born in New Orleans.

In 1940, actress Bibi Besch was born in Vienna, Austria. Years later, she’d play one of Jim Kirk’s past girlfriends, but with a significant difference.

In 1942, U.S. Navy conducted the Marshalls-Gilberts raids, the first offensive action by the United States against Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater.

Also in 1942, actor/writer/director/historian/Python Terry Jones was born in Colwyn Bay, Wales.

In addition in 1942, Voice of America, the official external radio and television service of the U.S. government, began broadcasting with programs aimed at areas controlled by the Axis powers.

In 1943, one of America's most highly decorated military units, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost exclusively of Japanese-Americans, was authorized.

In 1946, actress Elisabeth Sladen was born in Liverpool, England.

Also In 1946, Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie was chosen to be the first secretary-general of the United Nations.

In 1950, RCA introduced the 45 RPM record player.

In 1954, actor Bill Mumy was born in San Gabriel, CA. “Twilight Zone”, “Lost in Space”, “Babylon 5” and “Fish Heads” were some years away.

In 1960, four black college students began a sit-in protest at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, where they'd been refused service.

In 1961, the drama “The Misfits” was released in the U.S. Directed by John Huston and written by Arthur Miller, it starred Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe (in, respectively, their last completed film), along with Montgomery Clift and Eli Wallach.

In 1964, the governor of Indiana declared the song "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen to be pornographic, even though the average listener wasn't able to decipher the lyrics. The governor asked a state broadcasters' association to ban the record.

Also in 1964, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” became the Beatles’ first number one hit in the United States.

In 1965, James Brown recorded "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" in Charlotte, NC.

Also in 1965, actor/martial artist Brandon Lee was born in Oakland, CA.

In 1968, during the Vietnam War, South Vietnam's police chief (Nguyen Ngoc Loan) executed a Viet Cong officer with a pistol shot to the head. The act would be memorably filmed and photographed.

Also in 1968, Richard M. Nixon announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini received a tumultuous welcome in Tehran as he ended nearly 15 years of exile.

Also in 1979, the Sherlock Holmes thriller “Murder by Decree” was released in Canada. Directed by Bob Clark, it starred Christopher Plummer as Holmes, and James Mason as Dr. Watson.

In 1982, "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1983, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “Mawdryn Undead” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance of Mark Strickson as Turlough, and a return appearance by Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

In 1988, actress Heather O'Rourke, who'd co-starred in the 1982 movie "Poltergeist," died in San Diego at age 12.

In 1993, on “Batman: The Animated Series”, the episode “The Man Who Killed Batman” was broadcast on the Fox Network. It features one of the funniest funerals in fiction.

In 1997, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the movie “Revenge of the Creature” was broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel. It was the first regular episode of the series shown on the Sci-Fi Channel, and it featured Bill Corbett’s first appearance as Crow T. Robot, and Kevin Murphy’s first appearance as Professor Bobo.

In 2002, Daniel Pearl, American journalist and South Asia Bureau Chief of the “Wall Street Journal”, who was kidnapped in Pakistan on January 23, 2002, was beheaded and mutilated by his captors.

In 2003, the space shuttle Columbia broke up during re-entry, killing all seven of its crew members.

In 2014, the animated film “The LEGO Movie” premiered in Westwood, CA.

In 2017, the animated film “The LEGO Batman Movie” premiered in Paris.

 

If I may continue to get caught up...

ON FEBRUARY 2nd:

In 1653, New Amsterdam - now New York City - was incorporated.

In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, was signed.

In 1876, the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, later more commonly known as the National League (NL), was formed.

In 1887, Punxsutawney, PA, held its first Groundhog Day festival. Bill Murray’s involvement would come later.

In 1895, athlete/coach/team owner George Halas was born in Chicago. He’d later be the founder, owner and head coach of the Chicago Bears, and one of the first inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 1901, the funeral for Queen Victoria was held at Windsor Castle.

In 1913, Grand Central Terminal was opened in New York City.

In 1914, Charles Chaplin made his movie debut as the comedy short "Making a Living" was released by Keystone Film Co.

In 1925, the legendary Alaska Serum Run ended as the last of a series of dog mushers brought a life-saving treatment to Nome, the scene of a diphtheria epidemic, six days after the drug left Nenana.

Also in 1925, the silent film "The Lost World," based on the Arthur Conan Doyle novel about explorers who encounter living prehistoric animals in South America, had its world premiere.

In 1927, musician Stan Getz was born in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1937, comedian/actor/musician Tom Smothers was born in New York City. His later battles with CBS-TV censors would become both celebrated and infamous, depending on your viewpoint.

In 1943, during World War II, The Battle of Stalingrad came to an end when Soviet troops accepted the surrender of the last German troops in the city.

In 1949, actor Brent Spiner was born in Houston, TX. He’d later become well-known for starring in some syndicated sci-fi show, I understand it’s popular.

In 1950, the game show “What’s My Line?” premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1958, the Western series “Frontier Gentleman” premiered over CBS Radio. It starred John Dehner in the title role as J.B. Kendall.

In 1964, the Hasbro toy company launched the G.I. Joe line of action figures. The Kung-Fu grip would be added later.

In 1969, actor Boris Karloff died in Midhurst, Sussex, England at age 81.

In 1972, the British embassy in Dublin was destroyed in protest for the “Bloody Sunday” incident.

In 1973, the musical variety series “The Midnight Special” premiered on NBC-TV.

In 1979, the caper movie “The Great Train Robbery”, starring Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland, was released in the U.S.

In 1980, NBC News reported the FBI had conducted a sting operation targeting members of Congress using phony Arab businessmen in what became known as "Abscam," a codename protested by Arab-Americans.

In 1985, on “Doctor Who”, part one of “Mark of the Rani” was broadcast on BBC 1. It featured the first appearance of Kate O’Mara as the Rani.

In 1990, in a dramatic concession to South Africa's black majority, President F.W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.

In 1991, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the kaiju movie “Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster” was featured. Due to copyright issues with Toho, it is highly unlikely the episode will be officially released on home video.

In 2009, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Morris County, NJ, with an epicenter near Morristown. No damage or injuries were reported.

In 2012, the ferry MV Rabaul Queen sank off the coast of Papua New Guinea near the Finschhafen District, with an estimated 146-165 dead.

In 2016, actor/comedian/writer Bob Elliott died in Cundy Harbor, ME at age 92.

In 2020, in Super Bowl LIV, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. The win came fifty years after the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory in 1970.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 3rd:

In 1783, Spain formally recognized American independence.

In 1787, militia led by General Benjamin Lincoln crushed the remnants of Shays’ Rebellion in Petersham, MA.

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens held a shipboard peace conference off the Virginia coast; the talks deadlocked over the issue of Southern autonomy.

In 1870, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, guaranteeing voting rights to citizens regardless of race.

In 1876, Albert Spalding and his brother started a sporting goods store. They manufactured the first official baseball, tennis ball, basketball, golf ball and football.

In 1894, author/artist Norman Rockwell was born in New York City.

In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, providing for a federal income tax, was ratified.

In 1924, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the U.S., died in Washington, D.C., at age 67.

In 1930, the chief justice of the United States, former U.S. President William Howard Taft, resigned for health reasons. (He died just over a month later.)

In 1938, the radio adventure series “Challenge of the Yukon” (later re-titled “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon”) premiered. Heard over Detroit station WXYZ, it featured many of the same creative team as the station’s two previous hit series, “The Lone Ranger” and “The Green Hornet”.

In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. transport ship Dorchester, which was carrying troops to Greenland, sank after being hit by a German torpedo; of the more than 900 men aboard, only some 230 survived.

In 1945, the U.S. and the Philippine Commonwealth began a month-long battle to retake Manila from Japan.

In 1950, Klaus Fuchs, a German-born British scientist who helped developed the atomic bomb, was arrested in Great Britain for passing top-secret information about the bomb to the Soviet Union.

In 1959, rock-and-roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson died in a small plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Also in 1959, an American Airlines Lockheed Electra crashed into New York's East River, killing 65 of the 73 people on board.

In 1961, the USAF began Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30 years, a "Doomsday Plane" was always in the air, with the capability of taking direct control of the United States' bombers and missiles in the event of the destruction of the SAC's command post.

In 1966, the Soviet probe Luna 9 became the first manmade object to make a soft landing on the moon.

In 1967, photography started on the “Star Trek” episode “City on the Edge of Forever”.

In 1969, "Candid Camera" creator Allen Funt and his family were aboard an Eastern Airlines flight that was hijacked to Cuba. (Fellow passengers who recognized Funt thought the whole thing was a stunt for his TV show; in an article written for The Associated Press, Funt said the whole episode "looked like a bad movie.")

In 1970, actor Warwick Davis was born in Epsom, Surrey, England. Helping turn the tide of battle on the Moon of Endor would come later.

In 1972, the XI Olympic Winter Games opened in Sapporo, Japan.

In 1989, Alfredo Stroessner, president of Paraguay for more than three decades, was overthrown in a military coup.

In 1994, the space shuttle Discovery lifted off, carrying Sergei Krikalev, the first Russian cosmonaut to fly aboard a U.S. spacecraft.

In 1995, Astronaut Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as Shuttle Discovery launched on mission STS-63.

In 2014, two people were shot and killed and 29 students were taken hostage at a high school in Moscow, Russia.

In 2019, Pope Francis arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, becoming the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 4th:

In 1783, Britain’s King George III proclaimed a formal cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.

In 1789, electors chose George Washington to be the first President of the United States. He remains the only President to be unanimously elected by the Electoral College.

In 1861, delegates from six southern states that had recently seceded from the Union met in Montgomery, AL, to form the Confederate States of America.

In 1895, actor Nigel Bruce, best-known for playing Dr. Watson opposite Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes, was born in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

In 1902, aviator/inventor/author Charles Lindbergh was born in Detroit, MI.

In 1915, actor William Talman, best-known for playing District Attorney Hamilton Burger on the TV series “Perry Mason” was born in Detroit, MI.

In 1918, actress/writer/director Ida Lupino was born in Camberwell, London, England.

In 1919, Congress established the U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy Cross.

In 1920, actress/voice artist Janet Waldo was born in Yakima, WA. She’s probably best-known for playing Judy on “The Jetsons”.

In 1932, New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, NY, the first Winter Games held in the U.S.

In 1936, comedian/actor/author David Brenner was born in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1940, writer/director George A. Romero was born in the Bronx. The “Living Dead” movies would come along later.

In 1941, the United Service Organizations (USO) came into existence.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin began a wartime conference at Yalta.

In 1948, Ceylon (later renamed Sri Lanka) became independent within the British Commonwealth.

Also in 1948, actor/singer/songwriter Alice Cooper was born in Detroit, MI.

In 1962, a rare conjunction of the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn occurred.

In 1966, the Disney cartoon short “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” was released in the U.S.

In 1970, the movie “Patton”, starring George C. Scott in the title role, premiered in New York City.

In 1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, age 19, was kidnapped in Berkeley, CA, by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.

Also in 1974, the Provisional IRA exploded a bomb on a bus carrying off-duty British Armed Forces personnel in Yorkshire, England. Nine soldiers and three civilians were killed.

In 1976, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Guatemala, causing widespread damage, with an initial death toll of approximately 23,000, with an estimated 76,000 injured.

In 1977, a Chicago Transit Authority elevated trail rear-ended another train and derailed, killing 11 and injuring 180 in the worst accident in the agency's history.

In 1987, pianist Liberace died at his Palm Springs, CA, home at age 67.

In 1997, a civil jury in Santa Monica, CA, found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

In 1999, unarmed West African immigrant Amadou Diallo was shot dead by four plainclothes New York City police officers on an unrelated stake-out, inflaming race relations in the city.

In 2003, The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was officially renamed the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro and adopted a new constitution.

In 2004, the social networking website Facebook had its beginnings as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched “Thefacebook.”

In 2016, aviator/engineer/astronaut Edgar Mitchell, LM Pilot for Apollo 14, died in West Palm Beach, FL at age 85.

In 2018, the teaser trailer for the “Star Wars” movie “Solo” premiered on NBC-TV, during their coverage of Super Bowl LII.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused all casinos in Macau to be closed down for 15 days.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 5th:

In 1597, a group of early Japanese Christians were killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society.

In 1723, minister/educator/Founding Father John Witherspoon was born in Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland. He’d later serve on the NJ delegation to the Second Continental Congress, and was one of the signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.

In 1778, South Carolina became the second state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.

In 1783, Sweden recognized the independence of the United States.

In 1837, evangelist Dwight L. Moody, founder of the Moody Church and Moody Bible Institute, was born in Northfield, MA.

In 1900, politician/diplomat Adlai Stevenson was born in Los Angeles. He’s perhaps best-known for his confrontation with Soviet U.N. representative Valerian Zorin during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

In 1906, actor John Carradine was born in New York City. He’d frequently be a much better actor than some of his movies deserved.

In 1917, Mexican President Venustiano Carranza proclaimed the modern Mexican constitution, which promised the restoration of lands to native peoples, the separation of church and state, and dramatic economic and educational reforms.

Also in 1917, with more than a two-thirds majority, Congress overrode President Woodrow Wilson’s veto and passed the Immigration Act, requiring a literacy test for immigrants and barring laborers from East Asian countries, except for those from countries with special treaties or agreements with the U.S., such as the Philippines.

In 1919, movie studio United Artists was incorporated by Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Charles Chaplin.

In 1921, production designer Ken Adam was born in Berlin, Germany. He’s best-known for his work on many of the James Bond movies, including the oft-parodied hollowed-out volcano base from “You Only Live Twice”.

In 1922, the first edition of Reader's Digest was published.

In 1930, radio host John A. Gambling was born. Listeners in the NY/NJ/CT Tri-State area remember him as the second of three generations of Gamblings on the airwaves.

In 1934, baseball player Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron Jr., best-known for breaking Babe Ruth's legendary record of 714 home-runs, was born in Mobile, AL.

In 1936, the Charlie Chaplin silent comedy “Modern Times” premiered in New York City.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed increasing the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices; the proposal, which failed in Congress, drew accusations that Roosevelt was attempting to "pack" the nation's highest court.

In 1939, Generalísimo Francisco Franco became the 68th "Caudillo de España", or Leader of Spain. And, as of today, he’s still dead.

In 1940, Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded "Tuxedo Junction" for RCA Victor's Bluebird label.

Also in 1940, surrealist artist H.R. Giger was born in Chur, Graubunden, Switzerland. Years later, he’d help create the creature that would cause so much trouble for the crew of the Nostromo.

In 1943, the Western “The Outlaw” premiered in San Francisco. Directed by Howard Hughes, it’s more famous today for star Jane Russell’s…attributes.

In 1953, Walt Disney's animated feature "Peter Pan" was first released in the U.S.

In 1956, the science fiction/horror film “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” was released in the U.S.

In 1957, Bill Haley and His Comets arrived in London for a tour and were mobbed by fans.

In 1967, the comedy-variety series "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1971, Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell left the Lunar Module Antares and stepped onto the surface of the Moon in the first of two Lunar excursions.

In 1973, services were held at Arlington National Cemetery for U.S. Army Col. William B. Nolde, the last official American combat casualty before the Vietnam cease-fire took effect.

In 1985, Ugo Vetere, the mayor of modern Rome, and Chedli Klibi, the mayor of modern Carthage, signed a treaty ending the Punic Wars after more than 20 centuries.

1989, the Soviet Union announced that all but a small rear-guard contingent of its troops had left Afghanistan.

In 1994, white separatist Byron De La Beckwith was convicted in Jackson, MS, of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963, and was immediately sentenced to life in prison. (Beckwith died Jan. 21, 2001 at age 80.)

In 2013, make-up designer/artist Stuart Freeborn, best-known for his work on the original “Star Wars” trilogy, died in London at age 98.

In 2015, after 94 years of existence, electronics retailer Radio Shack filed for bankruptcy.

In 2018, the second teaser trailer for the “Star Wars” movie “Solo” was released on-line, following a premiere showing on “Good Morning, America” on ABC-TV.

In 2020, actor/producer/writer/director Kirk Douglas died in Beverly Hills at age 103.

In 2021, actor Christopher Plummer, CC died in Weston, CT at age 91.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 6th:

In 1788, Massachusetts became the 6th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1815, the state of New Jersey issued the first American railroad charter to John Stevens, who proposed a rail link between Trenton and New Brunswick. (The line, however, was never built.)

In 1820, the first 86 African-American immigrants sponsored by the American Colonization Society departed New York to start a settlement in present-day Liberia.

In 1862, forces under the command of Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew H. Foote give the Union its first victory of the war, capturing Fort Henry, TN.

In 1895, baseball player George Herman “Babe” Ruth was born in Baltimore, MD. He’d build his house in New York years later.

In 1899, a peace treaty between the United States and Spain was ratified by the U.S. Senate.

In 1908, screenwriter Michael Maltese, best-known for his work with the Warner Bros. animation department, was born in New York City.

In 1911, Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, was born in Tampico, Ill.

In 1914, voice actor/singer Thurl Ravenscroft was born in Norfolk, NE. Years later, he’d sing about just how mean Mr. Grinch was.

In 1918, British women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications, got the right to vote when the Representation of the People Act 1918 was passed by Parliament.

In 1922, actor Patrick Macnee was born in Paddington, London, England. Years later, one of his characters would remind Mrs. Peel that they were needed.

In 1931, actress Mamie Van Doren was born in Rowena, SD.

In 1933, The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the so-called "lame duck" amendment, was proclaimed in effect by Secretary of State Henry Stimson.

In 1950, the drama series “Nightbeat”, starring Frank Lovejoy, debuted over NBC Radio.

In 1951, The Broker, a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train derailed near Woodbridge Township, NJ. The accident killed 85 people and injured over 500 more. The wreck is one of the worst rail disasters in American history.

In 1952, Britain's King George VI died at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he was succeeded as monarch by his elder daughter, who became Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1958, a British European Airlines flight crashed just after takeoff from Munich Airport. Twenty-three people were killed, including eight players from the Manchester United soccer team, which had just qualified for the semifinals of the European Cup.

In 1959, Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments filed the first patent for an integrated circuit.

Also in 1959, the first successful test firing of a Titan ICBM was accomplished at Cape Canaveral, FL.

In 1971, during the second of two Lunar EVAs for the Apollo 14 mission, Mission Commander Alan Shepard hit the first golf shot on the Moon.

In 1974, the movie “Zardoz”, written & directed by John Boorman and starring Sean Connery, was released. And it has confused audiences ever since.

In 1976, composer/musician Vince Guaraldi died in Menlo Park, CA at age 47.

In 1978, The Blizzard of 1978, one of the worst Nor’easters in New England history, hit the region, with sustained winds of 65 mph and snowfall of four inches an hour.

In 1990, on “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, the episode featuring the movie “Untamed Youth” premiered on the Comedy Channel. Coincidentally, it was also the birthday of the movie’s star, Mamie Van Doren.

In 1995, the space shuttle Discovery flew to within 37 feet of the Russian space station Mir in the first rendezvous of its kind in two decades.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill changing the name of Washington National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

In 2014, Jay Leno said goodbye to NBC's "The Tonight Show" for the second time, making way for Jimmy Fallon to take over as host.

In 2017, actor/comedian/activist “Professor” Irwin Corey, “The World’s Foremost Authority”, died in New York City at age 102.

In 2022, the “MST3K Time Bubble Tour” finished up with a live performance at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ. Emily & the ‘bots riffed on Roland Emmerich’s 1985 Spielberg rip-off “Making Contact”. And your humble correspondent was in the audience.

In 2023, two violent earthquakes of magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5, respectively, struck southern and central Turkey and western Syria. The quakes and resulting aftershocks caused widespread damage and a total of nearly 8,000 fatalities.

 

If I (belatedly) may...

ON FEBRUARY 7th:

In 1795, the 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, dealing with each state’s sovereign immunity, was ratified.

In 1804, businessman John Deere was born in Rutland, VT. Years later, five generations of the family of your humble correspondent would drive a John Deere Model M tractor.

In 1812, author Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England.

In 1904, a fire began in Baltimore that raged for about 30 hours and destroyed more than 15-hundred buildings.

In 1906, Pu Yi, the last emperor of China, was born in Beijing.

In 1908, athlete/actor Larry “Buster” Crabbe, the original Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, respectively, was born in Oakland, CA.

In 1932, astronaut Alfred M. Worden, CSM pilot for Apollo 15, was born in Jackson, MI.

In 1935, the classic board game Monopoly was first sold by Parker Brothers. It’s unclear if the shoe and thimble were included in that edition.

In 1936, President Roosevelt authorized a flag for the office of the vice president.

In 1940, the second full-length animated Walt Disney film, “Pinocchio”, premiered in New York City.

In 1944, during World War II, the Germans launched a counteroffensive at Anzio, Italy.

Also in 1944, Bing Crosby and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded "Swinging on a Star" in Los Angeles for Decca Records.

In 1947, voice actor/sound effects editor Wayne Allwine was born in Glendale, CA. He’s best-known for voicing Mickey Mouse from 1977-2009.

In 1962, the United States banned all Cuban imports and exports.

In 1964, The Beatles began their first American tour as they arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

In 1974, the island nation of Grenada won independence from Britain.

Also in 1974, the Mel Brooks comedy “Blazing Saddles” was released in the U.S.

In 1979, the PLANET Pluto moved inside the planet Neptune’s orbit for the first time since either was discovered.

In 1984, space shuttle Challenger astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart went on the first untethered space walk.

In 1986, the Philippines held a presidential election marred by charges of fraud against the incumbent, Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Also in 1986, Haitian President-for-Life Jean-Claude Duvalier fled his country, ending 28 years of his family’s rule.

In 1990, the Central Committee of the Soviet Union's Communist Party agreed to endorse President Mikhail Gorbachev's recommendation that the party give up its 70-year long monopoly of political power.

In 1991, Haiti’s first democratically-elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was sworn in.

Also in 1991, the Provisional IRA launched a mortar attack on 10 Downing Street in London, the headquarters of the British government. Prime Minister John Major and his War Cabinet were unharmed, while four other people received minor unjuries.

In 1995, Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was arrested in Islamabad, Pakistan.

In 1999, Jordan’s King Hussein died of cancer in Amman at age 63; he was succeeded by his eldest son, Abdullah.

In 2009, Bushfires in Victoria left 173 dead in what was then the worst natural disaster in Australia's history.

In 2013, Mississippi officially certified the Thirteenth Amendment, becoming the last state to approve the abolition of slavery.

In 2014, the opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympics was held in the Russian city of Sochi.

In 2017, actor Richard Hatch, best-known for his work on both the original and reimagined versions of “Battlestar Galactica”, died in Los Angeles at age 71.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 8th:

In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.

In 1693, the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA was granted a charter by King William III and Queen Mary II.

In 1777, during the Revolutionary War, New Jersey militia encountered and attacked a British foraging party in Quibbletown, which today is part of the New Market area of Piscataway Township. And your humble correspondent knows that area very well.

In 1820, Gen. William Tecumsah Sherman was born in Lancaster, OH. Reportedly, the South has still not forgiven him his March to the Sea.

In 1828, author Jules Verne was born in Nantes, France.

In 1837, Richard Johnson became the first Vice-President of the U.S. chosen by the U.S. Senate.

In 1862, the Civil War Battle of Roanoke Island, NC, ended in victory for Union forces led by Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside.

In 1865, Delaware voters rejected the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and voted to continue the practice of slavery. (Delaware finally ratified the amendment on February 12, 1901.)

In 1904, the Russo-Japanese War, a conflict over control of Manchuria and Korea, began as Japanese forces attacked Port Arthur.

In 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated.

In 1914, screenwriter/comics writer Bill Finger, the long-uncredited and now-acknowledged co-creator of Batman, was born in Denver, CO.

In 1915, D.W. Griffith's groundbreaking, as well as controversial, silent movie epic about the Civil War, "The Birth of a Nation," premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1922, actress Audrey Meadows was born in New York City. Years later, one of her characters received entirely-empty threats regarding a trip to the Moon.

In 1928, actor/producer/screenwriter Jack Larson was born in Los Angeles, CA. He’s best-known for playing a cub reporter at a great metropolitan newspaper.

In 1931, actor James Dean was born in Marion, IN.

In 1932, composer/conductor John Williams was born in Floral Park, NY.

In 1937, composer/musician Joe Raposo was born in Fall River, MA.

In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces began invading Singapore, which fell a week later.

Also in 1942, actor/comedian/singer Robert Klein was born in the Bronx.

In 1943, Japanese troops evacuated Guadalcanal, leaving the island in Allied possession after a prolonged campaign.

In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed her accession to the British throne following the death of her father, King George VI.

In 1955, singer Frank Sinatra began recording the album “In the Wee Small Hours” at KHJ Studios in Hollywood. (The album would be released on April 25th.)


In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom issued an Order-in-Council, stating that she and her family would be known as the House of Windsor, and that her descendants will take the name Mountbatten-Windsor.

In 1965, Eastern Air Lines Flight 663, a DC-7, crashed shortly after takeoff from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport; all 84 people on board were killed.

In 1968, three college students were killed in a confrontation with highway patrolmen in Orangeburg, South Carolina, during a civil rights protest against a whites-only bowling alley.

Also in 1968, the sci-fi movie “Planet of the Apes”, starring Charlton Heston, premiered in New York City.

In 1974, the last three-man crew of the Skylab space station (Gerald P. Carr, Edward G. Gibson and William R. Pogue) returned to Earth after spending 84 days in space.

Also in 1974, the BBC announced that Jon Pertwee would be leaving the role of the Doctor on “Doctor Who” at the end of the program’s 11th series.

In addition in 1974, the music venue the Stone Pony opened in Asbury Park, NJ. It would later host a variety of performers, but be best-known for appearances by Bruce Springsteen, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

In further addition in 1974, the African-American-themed sit-com “Good Times” premiered on CBS-TV. (Wow, a lot happened on this date in ’74.)

In 1976, the drama “Taxi Driver”, starring Robert DeNiro and directed by Martin Scorsese, was released in the U.S.

In 1985, the crime drama "Witness," starring Harrison Ford, was released in the U.S. by Paramount Pictures.

In 1989, 144 people were killed when an American-chartered Boeing 707 filled with Italian tourists slammed into a fog-covered mountain in the Azores.

In 1993, General Motors sued NBC, alleging that "Dateline NBC" had rigged two car-truck crashes to show that some GM pickups were prone to fires after certain types of crashes. (The suit was settled the following day by NBC.)

In 1996, The U.S. Congress passed the Communications Decency Act.

In 2006, composer/educator Akira Ifukube, best-known for his film scores for Toho, died in Tokyo at age 91.

In 2013, a blizzard disrupted transportation and left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity in the Northeastern United States and parts of Canada.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 9th:

In 1773, William Henry Harrison, briefly the 9th President of the U.S., was born in Charles City County, VA.

In 1775, the British Parliament declared the colony of Massachusetts in rebellion.

In 1825, the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams president after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes.

In 1861, Jefferson Davis was elected provisional president of the Confederate States of America at a congress held in Montgomery, Alabama.

In 1870, the U.S. Weather Bureau was established.

In 1889, US president Grover Cleveland signed a bill elevating the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to a Cabinet-level agency.

In 1895, the first intercollegiate basketball game was played as Minnesota State School of Agriculture defeated the Porkers of Hamline College, 9-3.

In 1901, actor Brian Donlevy, best-known for both his “film noir” roles and as the first cinematic incarnation of Prof. Quatermass, was born in Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

In 1928, artist Frank Frazetta was born in Brooklyn.

In 1936, actor Clive Swift was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. Years later, he’d play Richard Bucket (not Bouquet) on “Keeping Up Appearances”, one of my Mom’s favorite Brit-Coms.

In 1942, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff held its first formal meeting to coordinate military strategy during World War II.

Also in 1942, Daylight-saving "War Time" went into effect in the United States, with clocks turned one hour forward.

In 1943, the World War II battle of Guadalcanal in the southwest Pacific ended with an Allied victory over Japanese forces.

In 1945, HMS Venturer sank U-864 off the coast of Fedje, Norway, in a rare instance of submarine-to-submarine combat.

In 1950, in a speech in Wheeling, WV, Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-WI), charged the State Department was riddled with Communists.

In 1960, the official groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The first star to be dedicated on the historic walkway belonged to the actress Joanne Woodward.

In 1964, The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," broadcast from New York by CBS-TV. Others featured on the program included impressionist Frank Gorshin, the comedy team of Charlie Brill & Mitzi McCall, and the Broadway cast of “Oliver!”, including future Monkee Davy Jones.

In 1965, the first United States troops with a combat mission, a Marine Corps Hawk air defense missile battalion, were sent to South Vietnam.

In 1969, the first test flight of the Boeing 747 took place.

In 1971, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake in California's San Fernando Valley claimed 65 lives.

Also in 1971, the crew of Apollo 14 (Alan B. Shepard, Jr.; Stuart A. Roosa and Edgar D. Mitchell) returned to Earth after man's third landing on the Moon.

In addition in 1971, pitcher Leroy "Satchel" Paige becomes the first Negro League veteran to be nominated for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In 1984, Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov, age 69, died in Moscow, 15 months after succeeding Leonid Brezhnev; he was followed by Konstantin U. Chernenko.

In 2002, Britain's Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, died in London at age 71.

In 2006, actor Phil Brown, best-known for playing Uncle Owen in “Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope”, died in Woodland Hills, CA at age 89.

In 2009, Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees) admitted that he had taken banned substances from 2001 to 2003.

In 2021, the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump (at that point former President of the United States) began in the United States Senate. (He’d be acquitted on Feb. 13th.)

 

I’m from the colony in open rebellion and a Red Sox fan related generations back to John Quincy Adams, so I liked that day in history post.

 

If I (belatedly) may...

ON FEBRUARY 10th:

In 1763, Britain, Spain and France signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War in North America).

In 1840, Britain's Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

In 1841, Upper Canada and Lower Canada were proclaimed united under an Act of Union passed by the British Parliament.

In 1870, the YWCA was founded in New York City.

In 1893, actor/singer/comedian Jimmy Durante was born in Manhattan. It was years later that he’d tell us to look under the Big W.

In 1906, actor Lon Chaney, Jr. was born in Oklahoma City. The lycanthropic roles would come later.

In 1929, composer/conductor Jerry Goldsmith was born in Los Angeles.

In 1933, the first singing telegram was introduced by the Postal Telegram Co. in New York.

In 1939, actor/TV host Peter Purves was born in Preston, Lancashire, England. He’s known to British audiences for his tenure on the children’s series “Blue Peter”, and worldwide for playing Companion Steven Taylor on “Doctor Who”.

Also in 1939, the Western “Stagecoach” premiered in Miami. Directed by John Ford, it starred Claire Trevor and John Wayne.

In 1940, The Soviet Union began mass deportations of Polish citizens from occupied eastern Poland to Siberia.

Also in 1940, MGM released the animated short "Puss Gets the Boot," the debut of Tom and Jerry (although in this cartoon, the cat is called "Jasper" by its owner while the mouse was dubbed "Jinx" by creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera).

In 1942, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra received a gold record for their recording of "Chattanooga Choo Choo," which had sold more than one million copies. It was the first gold record ever presented to an artist.

In 1947, actor Michael Keating, best-known for playing Vila on “Blake’s 7”, was born in North London, England.

In 1949, Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" opened at Broadway's Morosco Theater with Lee J. Cobb as Willy Loman.

In 1956, Little Richard recorded “Long Tall Sally” at the J&M Studio in New Orleans.

In 1959, a major tornado tore through the St. Louis area, killing 21 people and causing heavy damage.

In 1962, the Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers for Rudolf Abel, a Soviet spy held by the United States.

In 1962, the Rat Pack movie “Sergeants 3” was released in the U.S.

In 1964, the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne collided with and sank the destroyer HMAS Voyager off the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, killing 82.

In 1967, the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, dealing with presidential disability and succession, was ratified as Minnesota and Nevada adopted it.

In 1968, U.S. figure skater Peggy Fleming won America's only gold medal of the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France.

In 1971, the album “Tapestry” by Carole King was released in the U.S.

In 1975, the fact-based drama “The Legend of Lizzie Borden”, starring Elizabeth Montgomery in the title role, premiered on ABC-TV.

In 1983, the action/adventure movie “Yor, Hunter from the Future” was released in Italy. Reaching the U.S. the following August, it starred Reb Brown and, yes, there are railing kills.

In 1989, Ron Brown was elected the first black chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

In 1989, the science fiction movie “Slipstream” premiered in London. It starred Mark Hamill, Bill Paxton and Bob Peck.

In 1995, the British suspense movie “Shallow Grave” was released in the U.S. Its cast included Christopher Eccleston before he received his Doctorate, and Ewan McGregor before he received his officer’s commission in the Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1996, in the first game of a six-game match, an IBM computer dubbed “Deep Blue” became the first machine to beat a reigning world chess champion, Garry Kasparov. (Kasparov went on to win the match 4-2.)

In 1999, recording for the soundtrack of “Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace”, conducted by composer John Williams and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, began at Abbey Road Studios.

In 2005, Playwright Arthur Miller died in Roxbury, Connecticut, at age 89 on the 56th anniversary of the Broadway opening of "Death of a Salesman."

In 2007, then-Illinois senator Barack Obama announced his candidacy for U.S. Presidency in the 2008 elections.

In 2012, the 3-D version of “Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace” was released in the U.S.

In 2014, actress/singer/dancer/businesswoman/diplomat Shirley Temple died in Woodside, CA at age 85.

In 2015, NBC News suspended Brian Williams, then the anchorman and managing editor of the “NBC Nightly News”, for six months without pay for his misrepresenting of events concerning an Iraq War story. The story was found to be untrue.

 

If I (still belatedly) may...

ON FEBRUARY 11th:

In 1534, Henry VIII of England was recognized as supreme head of the Church of England.

In 1812, Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a redistricting law favoring his Democratic-Republican Party — giving rise to the term "gerrymandering."

In 1858, a French girl, Bernadette Soubirous, reported the first of 18 visions of a lady dressed in white in a grotto near Lourdes. (The Catholic Church later accepted that the visions were of the Virgin Mary.)

In 1862, the Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson began in Tennessee. (Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant captured the fort five days later.)

In 1926, actor Leslie Nielsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Years later, people would forget that he started out as a pretty good dramatic actor.

In 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed, with Italy recognizing the independence and sovereignty of Vatican City.

In 1934, actress/singer/author Tina Louise was born in New York City. She’s best-known for playing a passenger on a particular three-hour tour.

In 1936, actor/director Burt Reynolds was born in Waycross, GA. He’d later make it very cool to drive a black Trans Am.

In 1937, a six-week-old sit-down strike against General Motors ended, with the company agreeing to recognize the United Automobile Workers Union.

In 1938, BBC Television produced the world's first ever science fiction TV program, an adaptation of a section of the Karel Capek play “R.U.R.”, that coined the term "robot".

In 1943, during World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was selected to command the allied armies in Europe.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin signed the Yalta Agreement, in which Stalin agreed to declare war against Imperial Japan following Nazi Germany's capitulation. (In return, the Soviet Union would acquire territories lost to Japan in the Russo-Japanese War.)

In 1960, “Tonight Show” host Jack Paar walked off the show during that night’s program, protesting NBC’s censorship of a joke he told the previous night. (He returned to the show on March 7th.)

In 1963, author/poet Sylvia Plath committed suicide in London at age 30.

Also in 1963, The Beatles recorded all of the tracks for their first album to be released in the U.K., "Please Please Me." John Lennon had a bad cold and belted out "Twist and Shout" in one take.

In 1964, The Beatles performed their first U.S. concert, at the Coliseum in Washington.

In 1972, McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. and Life magazine canceled plans to publish what had turned out to be a fake autobiography of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes.

Also In 1972, David Bowie first performed as "Ziggy Stardust," at a show in Tollworth, England.

In 1975, Margaret Thatcher was elected leader of Britain's opposition Conservative Party.

In 1985, as part of the anthology series “American Playhouse”, the TV-movie “The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski” was broadcast on PBS. Written, hosted and narrated by Jean Shepherd, it was the third PBS movie based on his short stories.

In 1989, Rev. Barbara C. Harris became the first woman consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Church, in a ceremony held in Boston.

In 1990, South African black activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity.

In 1994, actor/producer/director William Conrad died in Los Angeles at age 73.

In 1996, author Brian Daley died in Maryland at age 48. He’s well-known to “Star Wars” fans for his trilogy of Han Solo novels, as well as writing the scripts for the radio adaptations of the original “Star Wars” Trilogy.

In 2011, during the “Arab Spring”, the first wave of the Egyptian revolution culminated in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak from the presidency, and the transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council after 18 days of protests.

In 2012, singer/songwriter/producer/actress Whitney Houston died in Beverly Hills at age 48.

In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation during a routine morning meeting of Vatican cardinals. (The 85-year-old pontiff was succeeded by Pope Francis.)

In 2015, journalist Bob Simon, correspondent for CBS news, died in a car accident in New York City at age 73.

Also in 2015, a university student was murdered as she resisted an attempted rape in Turkey, sparking nationwide protests and public outcry against harassment and violence against women.

In 2016, scientists announced the first detection of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

In 2017, North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile across the Sea of Japan.

In 2020, The World Health Organization officially named the coronavirus outbreak as COVID-19, with the virus being designated SARS-CoV-2.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 12th:

In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, who'd claimed the throne of England for nine days, and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were beheaded after being condemned for high treason.

In 1733, Englishman James Oglethorpe founded Georgia, the 13th of the original Thirteen Colonies, and its first city at Savannah (known then as Georgia Day).

In 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was born in present-day Larue County, Kentucky.

Also in 1809, naturalist/geologist Charles Darwin was born in The Mount, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

In 1818, Chile officially proclaimed its independence, more than seven years after initially renouncing Spanish rule.

In 1893, General of the Army Omar Bradley was born in Randolph County, MO.

In 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded.

Also in 1909, New Zealand's worst maritime disaster of the 20th century happened when the SS Penguin, an inter-island ferry, sank and exploded at the entrance to Wellington Harbor.

In 1914, the groundbreaking took place for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

In 1915, the cornerstone was laid for the Lincoln Memorial.

Also in 1915, actor Lorne Greene was born in Ottawa. Later on, he’d be known for playing the main focus of the “Cartwright Curse”.

In 1924, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" premiered in New York.

In 1931, the Universal Horror movie “Dracula”, starring Bela Lugosi, premiered in New York City.

In 1936, actor Joe Don Baker was born in Groesbeck, TX.

In 1940, actor Ralph Bates, best-known for his work with Hammer Films and on the BBC series “Poldark”, was born in Bristol, England.

In 1946, the comedy/crime movie “Live Wires” was released in the U.S. It was the first “Bowery Boys” movie, starring Leo Gorcey as “Slip” Mahoney and Huntz Hall as “Sach” Jones.

In 1961, Soviet Union launched Venera 1 towards Venus.

In 1940, the radio serial "The Adventures of Superman" debuted on WOR-AM in New York City, with Bud Collyer as the Man of Steel.

In 1945, actor Gareth Thomas, best-known for playing Blake on “Blake’s 7”, was born in Wales.

In 1950, actor/director/writer Michael Ironside was born in Toronto. Years later, his characters would, respectively, make people’s heads explode and fight alien insects.

In 1954, the Universal Horror movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon” was released in, respectively, Denver, CO; and Detroit and Lansing, MI.

In 1959, the redesigned Lincoln penny — with an image of the Lincoln Memorial replacing two ears of wheat on the reverse side — went into circulation.

In 1963, a Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 720 broke up during severe turbulence and crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing all 43 people aboard.

In 1964, the thriller “Seven Days in May”, starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, was released in the U.S.

In 1967, police raided the English country home of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards in a search for drugs. Singer Mick Jagger was there at the time. They were both charged three months later.

In 1973, Operation Homecoming began as the first release of American prisoners of war from the Vietnam conflict took place.

In 1980, actress Christina Ricci was born in Santa Monica, CA.

In 1993, the comedy “Groundhog Day”, starring Bill Murray, was released in the U.S.

In 1993, the comedy “Groundhog Day”, starring Bill Murray, was released in the U.S.

In 1993, the comedy “Groundhog Day”, starring Bill Murray, was released in the U.S. (Okay, that’s enough, pal.)

In 1999, the Senate voted to acquit President Bill Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice.

In 2000, cartoonist Charles M. Schulz died in Santa Rosa, CA at age 77.

In 2001, the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touched down in the "saddle" region of 433 Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.

In 2002, former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic went on trial at The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of genocide and war crimes in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo. (Before a verdict was reached, he was found in his cell dead of an apparent heart attack in 2006.)

In 2004, the city of San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to a directive from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

In 2014, actor/writer Sid Caesar, best-known for his work on “Your Show of Shows”, died in Beverly Hills at age 91.

In 2017, singer Al Jarreau died in Los Angeles at age 76.

In 2019, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia officially renamed itself as the Republic of North Macedonia.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 13:

In 1542, the fifth wife of England's King Henry VIII, Catherine Howard, was executed for adultery.

In 1633, Italian philosopher, astronomer and mathematician Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome to face charges of heresy for advocating Copernican theory, which holds that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

In 1689, following Britain's bloodless Glorious Revolution, Mary, the daughter of the deposed king, and William of Orange, her husband, were proclaimed joint sovereigns of Great Britain under Britain's new Bill of Rights.

In 1828, the city of Camden, NJ was incorporated.

In 1861, Abraham Lincoln was officially declared winner of the 1860 presidential election as electors cast their ballots.

In 1914, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, also known as ASCAP, was founded in New York.

In 1919, actor/singer Tennessee Ernie Ford was born in Bristol, TN.

In 1920, the League of Nations recognized the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland.

In 1923, Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier, was born in Myra, WV.

In 1932, actress/director/aviatrix Susan Oliver was born in New York City. She’s known to “Star Trek” fans as Vina in the series’ original pilot, “The Cage”.

Also in 1932, actress Barbara Shelley, best-known for her work in British horror & science fiction movies & TV shows, was born in Marylebone, London.

In 1933, actress Caroline Blakiston, known to “Star Wars” fans as Mon Mothma in “Return of the Jedi”, was born in Chelsea, London.

In 1935, a jury in Flemington, NJ, found Bruno Richard Hauptmann guilty of first-degree murder in the kidnap-slaying of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., the son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. (Hauptmann was later executed.)

In 1939, author/theologian/pastor R.C. Sproul was born in Pittsburgh, PA.

In 1942, singer/songwriter/musician/actor/Monkee Peter Tork was born in Washington, D.C.

In 1945, during World War II, Allied planes began bombing the German city of Dresden.

Also in 1945, the Soviets captured Budapest, Hungary, from the Germans.

In 1949, the radio series “Pat Novak, For Hire” had its national premiere over the ABC network, following an earlier West Coast-only run. It starred Jack Webb as the title character: a caustic, hostile, smart-mouthed, angry, not-very-bright unofficial troubleshooter.

In 1950, singer/songwriter/musician Peter Gabriel was born in Chobham, Surrey, England.

In 1958, actress Pernilla August was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Later on, she’d play the mother of that nice Skywalker kid from Mos Espa.

In 1960, France exploded its first atomic bomb in the Sahara Desert.

Also in 1960, Black college students stage the first of the Nashville sit-ins at three lunch counters in Nashville, TN.

In addition in 1960, singer Frank Sinatra launched Reprise Records. He founded the label to allow himself greater creative freedom in his music.

In 1965, during the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign against the North Vietnamese.

In 1975, a late-night arson fire set by a disgruntled custodian broke out on the 11th floor of the north tower of New York's World Trade Center; the blaze spread to six floors, but caused no direct casualties.

In 1980, the 13th Winter Olympics opened in Lake Placid, New York.

In 1984, Konstantin Chernenko succeeded the late Yuri Andropov as general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

In 1988, the 15th Winter Olympics opened in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

In 1991, two laser-guided “smart bombs” destroyed the Amiriyah shelter in Baghdad. Allied forces said the bunker was being used as a military communications outpost, but Iraqi officials reported over 400 Iraqi civilians inside were killed.

In 2000, the last original “Peanuts” comic strip appeared in newspapers one day after the death of Charles M. Schulz.

In 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a historic apology to the Indigenous Australians and the Stolen Generations.

In 2016, Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died near Marfa, TX at age 79.

In 2021, former U.S. President Donald Trump was acquitted by the U.S. Senate in his second impeachment trial.

Also in 2021, a major winter storm caused blackouts and killed at least 82 people in Texas and northern Mexico.

In 2022, screenwriter/producer/director Ivan Reitman, OC died in Montecito, CA at age 75.

 

If I may...

ON FEBRUARY 14th:

In 1556, having been declared a heretic and removed from his clerical status by Pope Paul IV the previous December, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer was publicly defrocked at Christ Church Cathedral. (He was burned at the stake the following March.)

In 1778, the American ship Ranger carried the recently adopted Stars and Stripes to a foreign port for the first time as it arrived in France.

In 1779, English explorer Captain James Cook was killed by natives of Hawaii during his third visit to the Pacific island group.

In 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.

In 1884, future President Theodore Roosevelt's wife Alice, and mother “Mittie” died, only hours apart.

Well!! In 1894, actor/comedian/musician Jack Benny was born in Chicago.

In 1895, Oscar Wilde's final play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," opened at the St. James's Theatre in London.

In 1903, the Department of Commerce and Labor was established. (It was divided into separate departments of Commerce and Labor in 1913.)

In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state of the Union as President William Howard Taft signed a proclamation.

In 1916, actor Ed Platt was born in Staten Island, NY. The troubles with the Cone of Silence would come along later.

In 1924, the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. of New York was formally renamed International Business Machines Corp., or IBM.

In 1927, actress Lois Maxwell was born Kitchener, Ontario. Her secretarial work for MI6 would come later.

In 1929, the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" took place in a Chicago garage as seven associates of mobster Bugs Moran, a rival of mobster Al Capone, were gunned down.

Also in 1929, actor/director Vic Morrow was born in the Bronx.

In 1943, German General Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps launched an offensive against an Allied defensive line in Tunisia, North Africa. The Kasserine Pass was the site of the U.S.’s first major battle defeat of the war.

In 1945, during World War II, British and Canadian forces reached the Rhine River in Germany.

In 1959, the fantasy movie “Ercole e la Regina di Lidia”, starring Steve Reeves as Hercules, was released in Italy. Re-titled “Hercules Unchained”, it would reach the U.S. in July, 1960.

In 1962, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy conducted a televised tour of the White House in a videotaped special that was broadcast on CBS and NBC (and several nights later on ABC).

In 1970, actor/writer/producer/director Simon Pegg was born in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, England. The zombies, Star Fleet and the disdain for the PT would come later.

In 1972, "Grease" opened off-Broadway at the Eden Theater. Original cast members included Barry Bostwick and Adrienne Barbeau. The show moved to Broadway later in the year.

Also in 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a week as co-hosts of “The Mike Douglas Show”.

In 1975, author/humorist P.G. Wodehouse, died in Southampton, NY at age 93.

In 1980, Walter Cronkite announced his retirement as anchorman on “The CBS Evening News”.

Also in 1980, the superhero movie “L’uomo Puma” was released in Italy, where it was made. Years later, under the title “The Pumaman”, it would be memorably MSTed.

In 1989, Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses," a novel condemned as blasphemous.

Also in 1989, Union Carbide agreed to pay $470 million to the Indian government for damages it caused in the 1984 Bhopal disaster.

In 2005, the creators of the video-sharing website YouTube activated its domain name. (The site uploaded its first video the following April.)

In 2008, a gunman opened fire in a lecture hall of Northern Illinois University, resulting in six fatalities (including the gunman) and 21 injuries.

In 2013, Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was charged with murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in South Africa; he was later convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to five years in jail.

In 2017, the first episode of the relaunched “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, featuring the movie “Reptilicus”, premiered at a screening in New York City for Kickstarter backers.

In 2018, a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, leaving 17 people dead and 15 wounded.

In 2024, one person was killed and 29 injured, including 19 gunshot victims, when shots were fired in Kansas City, MO, shortly after a victory parade for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.