1305 – William Wallace, who led the Scottish resistance against England, was captured, tried, and executed by the English near Glasgow.
1583 – Sir Humphrey Gilbert established the first English colony in the New World, in (now) Newfoundland’s St. John’s harbor.
August 5, 1924 – Little Orphan Annie, Comic Strip debuted
If you were born on August 5th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 12th (prior year)
August 5th is…
Chile Pepper Day Oyster Day Underwear Day Work Like a Dog Day
August 5 Birthday Quotes
” It’s the person who has done nothing who is sure nothing can be done.” – Patrick Ewing
” One should be willing to throw away a dozen ideas to come up with a good one, just as one should throw away a dozen words to come up with the right one.” – James Gunn
” Look up the definition of rejection in the dictionary, get really comfortable with it, and then maybe you can go into acting.” – Loni Anderson
“People complain that pro athletes make a lot of money, but what they don’t understand is that we need a lot of money because we spend a lot of money.” – Patrick Ewing
Neil Armstrong Birthday Quotes
“This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” -Neil Armstrong
“Good Luck, Mr. Gorsky.” -Neal Armstrong, based on a promise Mrs. Gorsky make to Mr. Gorsky about a man landing on the moon Neal heard as a child (*possibly).
August 5th Birthdays
1880 – Gertrude Rush, American lawyer and jurist (died in 1962) 1887 – Reginald Owen, English-American actor, and singer (died in 1972) 1889 – Conrad Aiken, American novelist, short story writer, critic, and poet (died in 1973) 1929 – Don Matheson, American actor (died in 2014) 1930 – Neil Armstrong, American astronaut (died in 2012) 1935 – John Saxon, American character actor (died in 2020) 1941 – Bob Clark, American director, producer, and screenwriter (died in 2007) 1945 – Loni Anderson, American actress 1947 – Rick Derringer, American singer-songwriter 1962 – Patrick Ewing, Jamaican-American basketball player 1970 – James Gunn, American director, producer, and screenwriter 1989 – Jessica Nigri, American model and cosplayer
August 5th History
1305 – William Wallace, who led the Scottish resistance against England, was captured, tried, and executed near Glasgow. Mel Gibson starred in a dramatization of the story in Braveheart.
1620 – The Mayflower departed from Southampton, England, headed towards North America.
1861 – In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levied the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% over $800)
1882 – The Standard Oil of New Jersey was established. Standard+Oil=SO=Esso, now Exxon.
1884 – The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was laid on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in New York Harbor.
1888 – Germany’s Bertha Benz drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long-distance automobile trip
1914 – Cleveland, Ohio, installed the first electric traffic light.
1921 – KDKA of Pittsburgh broadcasts first baseball game over radio, the Pittsburgh Pirates beating the Philadelphia Phillies (8-5).
August 5, 1924 – 1st appearance Little Orphan Annie, Comic Strip
1926 – Harry Houdini performed one of his greatest stunts, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.
1933 – The comic strip, Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray, debuted
1957 – American Bandstand debuted on the ABC television network, with host Dick Clark. The show began locally on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV Channel 6 (now WPVI-TV) in 1952.
1978 – #1 Hit August 5, 1978 – August 11, 1978: The Rolling Stones – Miss You
1981 – US President Ronald Reagan fired 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order for them to return to work.
1989 – #1 Hit August 5, 1989 – August 11, 1989: Prince – Batdance
2001 – Cable network Odyssey was renamed to Hallmark Channel.
2011 – Standard & Poor’s lowered the United States’ AAA credit rating by one notch, to AA-plus.
August 5, 2011 – Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension aired on The Disney Channel
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine.
“The nerve of those Whos. Inviting me down there – and on such short notice.” – The Grinch #moviequotes
In the movie “Chef”, Carl Casper (Jon Favreau, Director of Iron Man 1 & 2) and his kid were watching Iron Man in the movie theater.
“And a one, and a two…” #TVCatchphrase
Notice the big letter on the face of the dollar bill? Each letter represents which Federal Reserve Bank printed it! “G” is for Chicago
Useless Pronunciation: E as in eye.
“The road to success is always under construction.” – Lily Tomlin
Kwyjibo – the Simpsons – Bart Simpson’s Scrabble word
Malcolm X – Real Name: Malcolm Little
Procrastination is a dish best served eventually.
The hottest chile in the world is the habanero.
“I see dead people.” – Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) #moviequotes
1693 – This date is traditionally ascribed to Dom Perignon’s invention of champagne.
1821 – The Saturday Evening Post is published for the first time as a weekly newspaper. It is now published periodically throughout the year.
1892 – Andrew Jackson Bordon, along with his wife Abby, were found by Lizzie Bordon, who was arrested and acquitted of their grisly ax murder.
1977 – The United States Department of Energy was formed.
If you were born on August 4th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 11th (prior year)
Traditional August 4th Information
Mosquitoes are attracted to people who just ate bananas.
August 4th is…
Chocolate Chip Cookie Day US Coast Guard Day Single Working Women’s Day
August 4th Birthday Quotes
“I don’t think a tough question is disrespectful.” – Helen Thomas
“I think anything is possible if you have the mindset and the will and desire to do it and put the time in.” – Roger Clemens
“Either you focus, or you hit something really hard.” – Jeff Gordon
” When my cats aren’t happy, I’m not happy. Not because I care about their mood but because I know they’re just sitting there thinking up ways to get even.” – Percy Bysshe Shelley
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’” – Percy Bysshe Shelley
” Getting the nomination is like gravy. Winning would be like whatever is better than gravy.” – Billy Bob Thornton
“We are reminded that, in the fleeting time we have on this Earth, what matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but rather how well we have loved and what small part we have played in making the lives of other people better.” – Barack Obama
August 4th Birthdays
1521 – Pope Urban VII (died in 1590) 1792 – Percy Bysshe Shelley, English poet, and playwright (died in 1822) 1821 – Louis Vuitton, French fashion designer, founded Louis Vuitton (died in 1892) 1900 – Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother of the United Kingdom (died in 2002) 1904 – Helen Kane, American singer, and actress (died in 1966) 1910 – Anita Page, American actress (died in 2008) 1920 – Helen Thomas, American journalist and author (died in 2013) 1944 – Richard Belzer, American actor 1955 – Billy Bob Thornton, American actor 1961 – Barack Obama, American politician, 44th President of the United States, Nobel Prize laureate 1962 – Roger Clemens, American baseball player 1970 – Bret Baier, American journalist 1971 – Jeff Gordon, American race car driver 1975 – Andy Hallett, American actor (died in 2009) 1978 – Kurt Busch, American race car driver 1981 – Meghan Markle, American actress 1988 – Carly Foulkes, Canadian model, and actress 1992 – Dylan Sprouse, American actor 1992 – Cole Sprouse, American actor
August 4th History
70 – The Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
1693 – Celebratory date for Dom Perignon’s invention of Champagne.
1790 – A tariff act created the need for the Revenue Cutter Service, later renamed The United States Coast Guard.
1892 – The father and stepmother of Lizzie Borden were found murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home. Lizzie was acquitted of the crime.
1921 – Cropdusting was invented. John B. Macready flew a Curtiss JN-4 over catalpa trees near Troy, Ohio, killing 99% of the leaf caterpillars, saving the 5000 trees with 175 pounds of lead arsenate pesticide.
1936 – Jesse Owens, black Olympic track star, won the Gold Medal in Germany’s Olympics, embarrassing Adolph Hitler.
1942 – Holiday Inn was released in theaters. The Holiday Inn hotel chain was named after this film. Introduced the Academy Award for Best Original Song, White Christmas, by Irving Berlin and performed by Bing Crosby.
1956 – #1 Hit August 4, 1956 – August 17, 1956: The Platters – My Prayer
1958 – The Billboard Hot 100 was published for the first time. The first number-one song of the Hot 100 was “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson.
1958 – #1 Hit August 4, 1958 – August 17, 1958: Ricky Nelson – Poor Little Fool
1973 – #1 Hit August 4, 1973 – August 17, 1973: Maureen McGovern – The Morning After
1977 – US President Jimmy Carter signed legislation creating the United States Department of Energy.
1987 – The Federal Communications Commission rescinded the Fairness Doctrine, which had required radio and television stations to present controversial issues “fairly.”
1990 – #1 Hit August 4, 1990 – August 31, 1990: Mariah Carey – Vision Of Love
August 4, 1997 (fiction) Skynet was activated, The Terminator, Film
2001 – #1 Hit August 4, 2001 – August 17, 2001: Destiny’s Child – Bootylicious
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The Epic of Gilgamesh was indeed the first Bromance narrative.
If people really slept like a baby, then they would wake up every 2 hours crying. #babysleep
If every apple picked in Washington in a single year was placed side-by-side, they would circle the earth 29 times.
Randolph Scott – Real Name: Randolph Crane
A group of planted Flowers is called a Bed.
Would a lightsaber continuously hum if you held it out the window of a sports car at top speed?
99% of all hazelnuts in the U.S. are grown in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
If I was transported back in time, I don’t think I’d remember enough critical information to make me wealthy or successful.
A 41-gun salute is a traditional salute to a royal birth in Great Britain.
It is impossible to look cool while your shoes are squeaking on the floor.
A group of Fish is called a Draft or Nest or Shoal or School. A group of caught Fish is called a Catch or Drought or Haul.
“What an excellent day for an exorcism.” – Pazuzu in The Exorcist #moviequotes
Tom Jones (1965’s Best New Artist Grammy Winner)
Tom was the first guy ladies threw hotel keys and underwear to while he was singing on stage.
Frank Sinatra (1965 Grammy for Album of the Year)
Frank Sinatra’s September of My Years Album was reflective of Frank’s age (he was now 50) and included It Was A Very Good Year, How Old Am I?, Last Night When We Were Young and September Song.
A Taste of Honey – Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (Grammy for Record of the Year)
Herb Alpert is the “A” of A&M Records. He is also the only person to hit #1 on the Billboard Charts as an instrumentalist (Rise, 1979) and a vocalist (This Guy’s In Love With You, 1968)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Neil Diamond, The Monkees, Percy Sledge, Mamas and the Papas, Jimmy Ruffin, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, The Grass Roots, Sergio Mendez, and Red Sovine
1. Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles 2. Interstellar Overdrive – Pink Floyd 3. Other Side of The Sky – Gong 4. 8 Miles High – The Byrds 5. I Can See For Moles – The Who 6. White Room – Cream 7. White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane 8. Feels Like We Only Go Backwards – Tame Impala 9. Incense and Peppermint – Strawberry Alarm Clock 10. (I Had) Too Much To Dream Last Night – The Electric Prunes 11. Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream 12. I Can See For Miles – The Who 13. The End – The Doors 14. Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix 15. Fire – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown 16. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds – The Beatles 17. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida – Iron Butterfly 18. To Here Knows When – My Bloody Valentine 19. Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd 20. Dark Star – Grateful Dead 21. She’s a Rainbow – The Rolling Stones 22. See Emily Play – Pink Floyd 23. Strange Days – The Doors 24. The Red Telephone – Love 25. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas 26. Journey To The Center Of The Mind – Amboy Dukes 27. Crimson and Clover – Tommy James and The Shondells 28. Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf 29. Itchycoo Park – The Small Faces 30. Pictures of Matchstick Men – Status Quo 31. I Am The Walrus – The Beatles 32. The Salmon Dance – The Chemical Brothers 33. Strange Brew – Cream 34. Sunshine Superman – Donovan 35. Time of the Season – The Zombies 36. Fresh Air – Quicksilver Messenger Service 37. Are You Experienced? – Jimi Hendrix 38. Venus in Furs – The Velvet Underground 39. Time To Pretend – MGMT 40. Paper Sun – Traffic 41. Hole In My Shoe – Traffic 42. Nights In White Satin – Moody Blues 43. Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane 44. Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) – Kenny Rogers and the First Edition 45. Any Colour You Like – Pink Floyd 46. St. Stephen – Grateful Dead 47. Let’s Live for Today – The Grass Roots 48. Maggot Brain – Funkadelic 49. Happy Together – The Turtles 50. A Whiter Shade of Pale – Procol Harum 52. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago – The Yardbirds 53. Within You Without You – The Beatles 54. A Question Of Temperature – The Balloon Farm 55. Mellow Yellow – Donovan 56. You Keep Me Hangin On – Vanilla Fudge 57. Help, I’m a Rock – Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention 58. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Jimi Hendrix 59. My White Bicycle – Tomorrow 60. 2000 Light Years from Home – The Rolling Stones 61. Dear Mr. Fantasy – Traffic 62. Roundabout – Yes 63. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) – Scott McKenzie 64. My Green Tambourine – The Lemon Pipers 65. Roller Coaster – 13th Floor Elevators 66. Grace – Country Joe and The Fish 67. American Metaphysical Circus – The United States of America 68. Hot Smoke and Sassafrass – Bubble Puppy 69. Psychotic Reaction – The Count Five 51. Hallucinations – Tim Buckley 70. Hypnotized – Fleetwood Mac 71. Ode To Street Hassle – Spacemen 3 72. House of the Rising Sun – The Animals 73. Beacon from Mars – Kaleidoscope 74. At the Mountains of Madness – H.P Lovecraft 75. Golden Surf II – Pere Ubu 76. For Your Love – The Yardbirds 77. White Bird – It’s a Beautiful Day 78. A Question of Temperature – The Balloon Farm 79. Higher and Higher – Moody Blues 80. Broken Arrow – Buffalo Springfield 81. I Talk To The Wind – King Crimson 82. Time Has Come Today – The Chambers Brothers 83. All Along The Watchtower – Juni Hendrix 84. Hurdy Gurdy Man – Donovan 85. Tapioca Tundra – The Monkees 86. Viola Lee Blues – Grateful Dead 87. Hole In My Shie – Traffic 88. Open My Eyes – Nazz 89. It’s A Beautiful Day Today – Moby Grape 90. Grace – Country Joe and the Fish 91. Soul Sacrifice – Santana 92. Montana – Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention 93. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys 94. Cloud Song – The United States of America 95. SWLABR – Cream 96. Sky Pilot – The Animals 97. Wildwood Blues – The Nazz 98. Get Together – The Youngbloods 99. Mechanical World – Spirit 100. Electric Feel – MGMT
1492 – Christopher Columbus sailed from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, with the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.
1852 – In the first American intercollegiate athletic event, Harvard University won the first Boat Race between Yale University and Harvard.
1946 – Santa Claus Land, the world’s first themed amusement park, opened in Santa Claus, Indiana.
August 3, 2032 (fiction) Crime lord Simon Phoenix escaped from cryo-prison and had a crime spree in San Angeles, in Demolition Man, Film
If you were born on August 3rd, You were likely conceived the week of… November 10th (prior year)
Traditional August 3rd Information
August 3rd is…
Champagne Day Georgia Day Grab Some Nuts Day Watermelon Day
August 3rd Birthday Quotes
” Once you realize that you have identified a passion, invest in yourself. Figure out what you need to know, what kind of experience and expertise you need to develop to do the things that you feel in your heart you will enjoy and that will sustain you both mentally and economically.” – Martha Stewart
” Say what you will, nothing can make a complete soldier except battle experience.” – Ernie Pyle
“I don’t think writers choose the genre, the genre chooses us. I wrote out of the wish to create order out of disorder, the liking of a pattern.” – P. D. James
We are not asked to do great things. We are asked to do all things with great care.” – Martin Sheen
” You don’t protect any of your individual liberties by lying down and going to sleep.” – John T. Scopes
“Abe Lincoln is my favorite president of all time – and he pulls off that top hat pretty well.” – Ryan Lochte
August 3rd Birthdays
1900 – Ernie Pyle, American soldier, and journalist (died in 1945) 1900 – John T. Scopes, American educator (died in 1970) 1904 – Dolores del Río, Mexican actress (died in 1983) 1920 – P. D. James, English author (died in 2014) 1920 – Charlie Shavers, American trumpet player (died in 1971) 1921 – Marilyn Maxwell, American actress, and singer (died in 1972) 1926 – Gordon Scott, American actor (died in 2007) 1939 – Jimmie Nicol, English drummer 1940 – Martin Sheen, American actor 1941 – Martha Stewart, American businesswoman, founded Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia 1946 – Syreeta Wright, American singer-songwriter (died in 2004) 1950 – John Landis, American director, producer and screenwriter 1959 – John C. McGinley, American actor 1979 – Evangeline Lilly, Canadian model, and actress 1984 – Ryan Lochte, American swimmer
August 3rd History
1492 – Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain towards, he expected, Asia.
1769 – The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California were discovered.
1852 – Harvard University won the first Boat Race against Yale University. The race was the first American intercollegiate athletic event
1926 – The first traffic lights in Great Britain were installed at Piccadilly Circus.
1936 – Jesse Owens won the 100-meter dash, beating ‘the world’s fastest man’ Ralph Metcalfe at the Berlin Olympics.
1946 – Santa Claus Land, the first modern themed amusement park, opened in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States.
1958 – The nuclear submarine USS Nautilus traveled under the Arctic ice cap.
1963 – #1 Hit August 3, 1963 – August 9, 1963: The Tymes – So Much in Love
1968 – #1 Hit August 3, 1968 – August 16, 1968: The Doors – Hello, I Love You
1977 – Tandy Corporation announced the TRS-80, one of the world’s first mass-produced personal computers. The basic model originally shipped with 4 KB of RAM.
1985 – #1 Hit August 3, 1985 – August 23, 1985: Tears for Fears – Shout
1996 – #1 Hit August 3, 1996 – November 8, 1996: Los Del Rio – Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)
1997 – The tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, Sky Tower in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, opened.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The only letter not appearing on the Periodic Table is the letter “J”.
When we say something is “just a cry for help”, it’s usually to explain why we won’t be offering any.
There have only been two voice actors to voice Donald Duck. Clarence Nash (1934 – 1985) and Tony Anselmo (1985 – present).
Flux Capacitor – The device used by Doctor Emmett Brown, requiring 1.21 gigawatts of power, to travel through time.
A group of Ferrets is called a Business or Cast.
Pixar’s “UP” was the first-ever animated film or 3D film to open the Cannes Film Festival.
I would like to open a restaurant called ‘Sanswiches’. We would serve everything but sandwiches.
Q: What is a cheetah’s favorite food? A: Fast food!
“You’re my best friend” by Queen is probably about a car. And now, you are singing it in your head. #queenrocks
“Kiss My Grits!” #TVCatchphrase
“What, did someone just step on a duck?” #moviequotes
The lifespan of a taste bud is about ten days. #snapplefacts
Selfie Trivia: A lot of trivia books and quizzes say that the first selfie, in a movie, was ‘Thelma & Louise’ (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) in 1991. NOT TRUE- We have to Credit Madonna, as Susan, In Desperately Seeking Susan. Her opening scene is taking a picture of herself with a polaroid, that was in 1985 #madonnaselfie
Quotes: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over” wasn’t a phrase until Yogi Berra coined it in 1973.
Litterbug – the earliest we could find was “Please do not be a ‘litterbug”, printed in the Victoria (BC) Daily Times on March 29, 1939. In 1953, Keep America Beautiful looked at other campaigns to find a catchy phrase. One of these early campaigns in Pennsylvania (PENNDOT), some attribute to having coined the term ‘litterbug’, and so did the New York Transit Authority (N.Y.T.A.). In addition, Paul B. Gioni, a copywriter in New York City, used it for The American Ad Council in 1947.
Conversation Starter: Teflon is the only known solid material to which geckos cannot stick on.
Theft The BIC company makes the 2 most stolen and lost items, lighters and ink pens The most shoplifted food item in the U.S. is candy. In Europe, it’s cheese. In Latin America, it’s meat. Worldwide, it’s cheese.
Food, Drinks and Snacks
As of 2020, 47 of the 50 world’s best competitive eaters are US citizens.
Where Do Baby Carrots Come From? Ugly carrots. When a California farmer realized he was throwing out literally tons of carrots a day because they were misshapen-, he shaved them down to baby carrot – perfect for snacks. Today, baby carrots are a $1 billion business…
The top 10% of drinkers account for more than half of all alcohol consumed in the US, which equates to them consuming an average 73.85 drinks per week.
The oldest bar in the world is in Ireland. Archeological records have found that the walls of Sean’s Bar have been around, and serving, since 900 AD. Further, there are records of every owner of the pub back to its 10th-century founding. It opened over 1100 years ago.
Tic Tacs are actually 95% sugar but they state that they are 0% sugar because their serving size is less than 0.5g according to FDA labeling rules.
Hershey’s Kisses chocolates were individually hand-wrapped until 1921.
King Frederick II of Prussia used reverse psychology on his peasants who refused to eat potatoes in the late 1700s because people just didn’t like them. To stop the food famine he sent his guards to guard fields of potatoes and the peasants started stealing them and growing their own.
German chocolate cake isn’t German. It’s named for Sam German, an American baker who invented it in 1852. June 11 is National German Chocolate Cake Day, just in America.
Oreos are the Top Selling cookie in the world, over 2 Billion in annual sales, but they are a knock-off of Hydrox cookies, which came out four years earlier (in 1908). Hydrox cookies were discontinued in 1999. Two things about Hydrox – they were less sweet, and the cookie is harder, so didn’t soften up as much in milk and a company called Greenleaf bought the brand – they use real sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, and no GMOs. They’re also Kosher, so if you can find them, give Hydrox a try.
Music Trivia
Every Breath You Take was written by Sting at the same desk at which Ian Fleming wrote his James Bond novels. Sting was staying at Fleming’s property GoldenEye in Jamaica following the breakdown of his first marriage. In 2019 BMI declared the song the most played in radio history.
Peaking at #3 on the US Billboard Chart in 1970, Norman Greenbaum wrote Spirit in The Sky in only 15 minutes and has been living solely on the royalties since then.
When Foolish Beat by Debbie Gibson went #1 in 1988 she became the youngest artist (at 17) ever to have written, produced, and performed a Billboard number-one single, as entered in the 1988 Guinness Book of World Records. The youngest person ever to top the US charts is Stevie Wonder, who was 13 when he hit Number One with Fingertips Pt 2 in 1963.
Science
Marie Curie changed the world not once but twice. She founded the new science of radioactivity – even the word was invented by her – and her discoveries launched effective cures for cancer. She is the 1st woman to win a Nobel Prize, and 1st person to win a second Nobel prize.
Pluto is not the only dwarf planet in our solar system. Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris are officially recognized as dwarf planets, bringing the current total to 5.
Vampires in today’s world would see themselves in modern mirrors, as they are backed with aluminum. Older mirrors were backed with silver, a “pure” metal, which is why they couldn’t see their reflections.
The Hum is a name often given to widespread reports of a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise not audible to all people. Hums have been widely reported by national media in the UK and the United States, and sometimes named according to the locality where the problem has been particularly publicized, such as the “Taos (New Mexico) Hum” and the “Windsor (Ontario)Hum.” It could be a form of tinnitus or another biological auditory effect.
TV & Movie Trivia
August 5, 1957 – American Bandstand debuted on the ABC television network, with host Dick Clark. The show began locally on channel 6 in Philly and went national in 1957. Almost every major singer and group appeared in the 50s through 70s appeared on the show.
Another thing that became popular in the 1950s were Blue Jeans… James Dean wore them in Rebel Without a Cause. They made them extra blue for the movie. BTW The little orange thread on Levi Strauss jeans is trademarked. It helps make the brand recognizable and also matches the copper rivets.
Movies feature skylines, and different cities have landscapes of artistic buildings… but we don’t see them in overhead views of Los Angeles… For a long time, All skyscrapers, or any building over 13 stories tall in Los Angeles. The only exception was Los Angeles City Hall, which was built in 1928. In 1974, a law was passed so that “Each building shall have a rooftop emergency helicopter landing facility in a location approved by the Fire Chief.” They changed that law in 2014, partly for the additional office and apartment space, but also the reality that they only used it once for a fire.
During the filming of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the crew held an easter egg hunt on set. Some of the eggs that weren’t found can actually be seen in the film. This is probably the origin of the term in a pop-culture sense.
The Deer Hunter in 1978 was the first film to use Oscars as a marketing tool. Being too depressing for the box office, it did screenings for film critics and Academy members. It gained nine nominations and won Best Picture, and then that was used to make it a commercial success.
Medicine
On October 28, 1956, Elvis Presley got a polio vaccine on TV.
Internet Trivia
The @ symbol was chosen for the first electronic mail because the developer, Ray Tomlinson, “was mostly looking for a symbol that wasn’t used much.”
Strange people have been collecting strange things forever – The First thing sold eBay was a Laser Pointer, that was broken. Pierre Omidyar, one of the owners of eBay set it up for auction to test out the system. He told the guy who bought it, because it was broken, that he’d take it back. The buyer wanted to keep it. He told Pierre that he collected broken laser pointers. That was in 1995.
Literature
Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstiltskin are about 4,000 years old; the oldest fairy tale, The Smith and the Devil, is estimated to be 6,000 years old
Cartoons
Yogi Bear was one of several Hanna-Barbera characters to have a collar. This allowed animators to keep his body static, redrawing only his head in each frame when he spoke—a method that reduced the number of drawings needed for a seven-minute cartoon from around 14,000 to around 2,000.
American Trivia
The official language of the United States isn’t English. It has no official language because the Founding Fathers deemed it unnecessary to designate one.
1936 had one of the coldest winters and one of the hottest summers in the United States. North Dakota saw extremes of -60 F and 121 F that year.
Atomic tests were a tourist draw in 1950s Las Vegas. They advertised detonation times and best viewing spots to see the massive flash and mushroom cloud from the bomb test site, about 65 miles away. Casinos flaunted their north-facing vistas, offering special atomic cocktail” drinks and “Dawn Bomb Parties.” They went in until 1963 when the Limited Test Ban Treaty ended above-ground nuclear trials.
The dumpster was patented in 1935 by the Dempster Brothers. The first front-loading garbage truck that made use of dumpsters was called the Dempster Dumpmaster.
The first public High Five was between Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 2, 1977.
Advertising
The “tradition” of spending several months’ salary on an engagement ring was a marketing campaign created by De Beers in 1938. Philadelphia ad agency N.W. Ayer set out to “create a situation where almost every person pledging marriage feels compelled to acquire a diamond engagement ring.” Before WWII, only 10% of engagement rings contained diamonds. By the end of the 20th Century, 80% did.
They tell you that you get an “unlimited minutes per month” phone plan, but you only get up to 44,640 minutes per month
World Trivia
Spiral Staircases- are typically designed to go counter-clockwise so that soldiers and knights had a right-handed advantage when protecting their castles.
Only five babies were born in the London subway. One of them is talk show host, Jerry Springer.
Germany has the only tree in the world with its own mailing address. It’s known as the Bridegroom Oak, and it receives about 1000 letters per year from singles looking for love. Anyone can take letters from the tree and respond. They estimate that it’s responsible for over 100 marriages.
Pencils are yellow because, in the 19th century, the best graphite came from China. Because yellow was a royal color in China, pencil companies began to color their pencils yellow to show both high quality and an association with China.
“Fart” is one of the oldest words in the English language, and can be traced back to its Proto-Indo-European roots through its cognates in other European languages and Sanskrit (3-4000 years ago). The word is considered merely a common profanity with an often humorous connotation.
The painting of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is actually 15 feet by 29 feet in size.
Sports
In 1980, with less than 5 seconds on the clock and a tied score, college basketball player Les Henson made a full-court field goal, setting a record of 89 feet, 3 inches. Virginia Tech beat Florida State 79-77.
1. Created by Alex Raymond, what space adventure comic strip debuted on January 7, 1934?
2. How many people lived in the United States in 1934?
3. On December 27, 1934, Persia changed its name to what?
4. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1934?
5. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1934?
6. Who was the President of the United States in 1934?
7. They made 190 short films together, and the first was called Woman Haters. Who were “they?”
8. What was the average household income in 1934?
9. Disney’s Silly Symphonies animated short, The Wise Little Hen, introduced Peter Pig and another famous Disney Character. Who was that character?
10. Who was the Disney Legend who voiced Donald Duck from the beginning and for over 50 years?
11. What was the highest-grossing film of 1934?
12. In Fort Worth, Texas, a business named “Wash-a-Teria” was the first of its kind. What was the business?
13. Adapted from an Edgar Allen Poe story, what horror film starred horror film icons Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi
14. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1934?
15. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1934?
16. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1934?
17. At what Major League Baseball event did Carl Hubbel strike out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin, all in succession?
18. What music hall in Harlem, Manhattan, opened on January 16, 1934?
19. In late 1934, a film called Bright Eyes was released starring one of the biggest stars of the 1930s. Who was the young star of the film?
20. In 1934, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
21. Tarzan and His Mate was released on April 16, 1934. What actress played Jane in the film?
22. Who was arrested and later convicted for the 1932 Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping?
23. A 1934 American romantic comedy starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Cable won 5 Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Name that film…
24. Who won the 1934 World Series?
25. What was the film industry code of standards that became enforced in 1934?
26. Now a National Historic Landmark, what was an island prison between 1934 and 1963?
27. A period of severe dust storms and droughts damaged the American and Canadian plains. What do historians call that period of history?
28. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1934?
29. London gynecologist Robert Kenneth Wilson took a famous picture that was probably a hoax. What was the subject of the photograph?
30. What bank-robbing gangster was shot and killed by police on July 22, 1934?
31. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1934?
32. What company used the slogan: When you care enough to send the very best”?
33. How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1934?
34. What was the big story out of Bienville Parish, Louisiana, on May 23, 1934?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. What kind of (stolen) car were Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow driving when they were ambushed and killed?
2. Who was the Mayor of New York from 1934 through 1945?
3. Who were the 1934 NFL Champions?
4. Who was the American Vice-President in 1934?
5. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1934?
6. The famous gilded bronze human-figured sculpture, created by Paul Manship, was dedicated at Rockefeller Center in New York City. What is it called?
7. Another well-known gangster was killed in The Battle of Barrington outside of Chicago a few months later. Name that gangster.
8. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1934?
9. What business group used the slogan: “If You Want to Get Ahead, Get a …”?
10. Who was the Pope in 1934?
The Answers:
34 Trivia Answers for 1934 History
1. Created by Alex Raymond, what space adventure comic strip debuted on January 7, 1934? Flash Gordon
2. How many people lived in the United States in 1934? The population was an estimated 126,373,773 people.
3. On December 27, 1934, Persia changed its name to what? Iran
4. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1934? In 1934, The Chicago Black Hawks won over the Detroit Red Wings (3 games to 1)
5. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1934? (tie) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Paul Whiteman OR June in January by Bing Crosby
6. Who was the President of the United States in 1934? Franklin D. Roosevelt (March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945)
7. They made 190 short films together, and the first was called Woman Haters. Who were “they?” The Three Stooges
8. What was the average household income in 1934? $3,125.42
9. Disney’s Silly Symphonies animated short, The Wise Little Hen, introduced Peter Pig and another famous Disney Character. Who was that character? Donald Duck
10. Who was the Disney Legend who voiced Donald Duck from the beginning and for over 50 years?Clarence (Charles) Nash
11. What was the highest-grossing film of 1934? The Merry Widow
12. In Fort Worth, Texas, a business named “Wash-a-Teria” was the first of its kind. What was the business? Laundromat (Self-service laundry)
13. Adapted from an Edgar Allen Poe story, what horror film starred horror film icons Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi? The Black Cat
14. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1934? Anthony Adverse by Hervey Allen
15. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1934? 8 cents
16. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1934? 44 cents
17. At what Major League Baseball event did Carl Hubbel strike out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin, all in succession? The 1934 All-Star Game in New York City
18. What music hall in Harlem, Manhattan, opened on January 16, 1934? The Apollo Theater
19. In late 1934, a film called Bright Eyes was released starring one of the biggest stars of the 1930s. Who was the young star of the film? Shirley Temple
20. In 1934, what was the average life expectancy in the United States? Men – 59.3 years, Women – 63.3 years.
21. Tarzan and His Mate was released on April 16, 1934. What actress played Jane in the film? Maureen O’Sullivan
22. Who was arrested and later convicted for the 1932 Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping? Bruno Richard Hauptmann
23. A 1934 American romantic comedy starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Cable won 5 Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Name that film. It Happened One Night
24. Who won the 1934 World Series? In 1934, The St. Louis Cardinals won, beating the Detroit Tigers (4 games to 3)
25. What was the film industry code of standards that became enforced in 1934? Motion Picture Production Code (aka The Hays Code)
26. Now a National Historic Landmark, what was an island prison between 1934 and 1963? Alcatraz (Federal Penitentiary), off the coast of San Francisco, California.
27. A period of severe dust storms and droughts damaged the American and Canadian plains. What do historians call that period of history? The Dust Bowl
28. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1934? $0.19 per gallon
29. London gynecologist Robert Kenneth Wilson took a famous picture that was probably a hoax. What was the subject of the photograph? The Loch Ness Monster
30. What bank-robbing gangster was shot and killed by police on July 22, 1934? John Dillinger
31. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1934? Franklin D. Roosevelt
32. What company used the slogan: When you care enough to send the very best”? Hallmark
33. How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1934? 33 cents
34. What was the big story out of Bienville Parish, Louisiana on May 23, 1934? Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow (Bonnie & Clyde) were ambushed and killed by police.
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. What kind of (stolen) car were Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow driving when they were ambushed and killed? 1934 Ford V-8
2. Who was the Mayor of New York from 1934 through 1945? Fiorello La Guardia
3. Who were the 1934 NFL Champions? New York Giants
4. Who was the American Vice-President in 1934? John Garner (March 4, 1933 – January 20, 1941)
5. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1934? Cavalcade
6. The famous gilded bronze human-figured sculpture, created by Paul Manship, was dedicated at Rockefeller Center in New York City. What is it called? Prometheus
7. Another well-known gangster was killed in The Battle of Barrington outside of Chicago a few months later. Name that gangster. Baby Face Nelson (Lester Joseph Gillis)
8. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1934? Italy
9. What business group used the slogan: “If You Want to Get Ahead, Get a …”? Hat Council
10. Who was the Pope in 1934? Pope Pius XI, February 6, 1922 – February 10, 1939
August 2, 1776 – The official signing of The Declaration of Independence took place in Philadelphia.
1943 – A Japanese destroyer sank the US torpedo boat PT 109, Future president John F. Kennedy and 10 other crewmen survived.
1990 – Iraq invaded Kuwait, instigating the Gulf War.
If you were born on August 2nd, You were likely conceived the week of… November 9th (prior year)
August 2nd is…
Coloring Book Day Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 2nd Birthday Quotes
Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.” – Peter O’Toole
“Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming.” – Myrna Loy
” Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.” – Dennis Prager
“There may be honor among thieves, but there’s none in politicians.” – Peter O’Toole
“In the face of such hopelessness as our eventual, unavoidable death, there is little sense in not at least trying to accomplish all of your wildest dreams in life.” – Kevin Smith
August 2nd Birthdays
1835 – Elisha Gray, American businessman, co-founded Western Electric (died in 1901) 1905 – Myrna Loy, American actress (died in 1993) 1922 – Betsy Bloomingdale, American philanthropist, and socialite (died in 2016) 1924 – Carroll O’Connor, American actor (died in 2001) 1932 – Peter O’Toole, British-Irish actor (died in 2013) 1944 – Jim Capaldi, English drummer and singer-songwriter (died in 2005) 1945 – Joanna Cassidy, American actress 1948 – Dennis Prager, American radio host, and author 1951 – Andrew Gold, American singer-songwriter(died in 2011) 1953 – Butch Patrick, American actor 1959 – Victoria Jackson, American comedic actress 1959 – Johnny Kemp, Bahamian singer-songwriter (died in 2015) 1959 – Apollonia Kotero, American singer and actress 1964 – Mary-Louise Parker, American actress 1970 – Kevin Smith, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter 1976 – Michael Weiss, American figure skater 1976 – Sam Worthington, English-Australian actor
August 2nd History
1610 – Henry Hudson sailed into what is now known as Hudson Bay (he thought he had made it through the Northwest Passage, and reached the Pacific Ocean).
1776 – The signing of the Declaration of Independence didn’t occur on July 4. After the Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, the final language of the document was approved on July 4, and it was printed and distributed on July 4 – 5. The actual signing was on August 2, 1776, Matthew Thornton from New Hampshire signed it on November 4, 1776.
1790 – The first United States Census was conducted. There were 3,929,214 people counted that year.
1869 – Japan’s samurai, farmer, artisan, merchant class system (Shinokosho) was abolished as part of the Meiji Restoration reforms.
1870 – Tower Subway, the first underground tube railway, opened in London, England.
1873 – The Clay Street Hill Railroad began operating the first cable car in San Francisco’s famous cable car system.
1876 – In Jack McCall shot Wild Bill Hickok in the back as he played poker at a saloon in Deadwood, in the Dakota Territory. Wild Bill held black aces and eights, which became known as the “dead man’s hand.”
1937 – The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed in America, making marijuana and all its by-products illegal.
1973 – The Summerland Disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure center in Douglas on the Isle of Man. Fifty people were killed and eighty seriously injured in the fire, started by some boys smoking in a closet.
1975 – #1 Hit August 2, 1975 – August 8, 1975: Eagles – One of These Nights
1980 – #1 Hit August 2, 1980 – August 29, 1980: Olivia Newton-John – Magic
1986 – #1 Hit August 2, 1986 – August 15, 1986: Peter Cetera – Glory of Love
1990 – Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War.
August 3, 2032 (fiction) Crimelord Simon Phoenix escaped from cryo-prison and had a crime spree in San Angeles. Demolition Man, Film
What’s the difference between a nook and a cranny? A nook is a corner and cranny is a crack.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” – Mame Dennis (Rosalind Russell) in Auntie Mame, 1958
The whip is probably the first human invention to break the sound barrier.
The library posters in “The Breakfast Club” can also be seen in the school halls of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Both John Hughes’s films were shot back-to-back to save time and money.
Columbus thought manatees were mermaids, describing them as “not half as beautiful as they are painted.”
The first airline stewardesses were all registered nurses, but this requirement disappeared when many nurses left to enlist during WWII.
The Capital of the Marshall Islands is Majuro
Childhood is when you idolize the Jedi. Adulthood is when you realize Emperor Palpatine was right.
Walking around the earth (if it were all land) at average walking speed would take 3.4 years.
Marc Bolan – Real Name: Marc Feld
World-wide lightning strikes peak in activity at 7:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time.
In 1976, the first eight Jelly Belly® flavors were sold: Orange, Green Apple, Root Beer, Very Cherry, Lemon, Cream Soda, Grape, and Licorice.
The Vlassic pickle mascot is a stork because pregnant women often crave pickles.
A ship sinks. Survivors scramble for lifeboats. One small boat is already overloaded and beginning to sink. Unless someone gets out—or is thrown out—everyone aboard will drown.
What do you do?
This is the Lifeboat Dilemma, a classic ethical scenario used to explore morality under pressure. Unlike abstract philosophy puzzles, this one feels real. It’s visceral, urgent, and deeply uncomfortable. The lifeboat forces us to confront what we truly value—life, fairness, survival, sacrifice—and how far we will go to protect them.
What Is the Lifeboat Dilemma?
At its core, the Lifeboat Dilemma presents a simple but harrowing choice: the number of people on the lifeboat exceeds its capacity. If nothing is done, everyone dies. But the rest can survive if some people are removed—by force or persuasion.
Who should be sacrificed? Should anyone be sacrificed at all?
Factors often introduced include:
Age
Health
Skills or usefulness
Random selection (e.g., drawing straws)
Moral obligations (e.g., should parents volunteer first?)
This thought experiment doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it asks us to examine how we make impossible choices—and whether we can live with the consequences.
Historical and Philosophical Roots
The modern lifeboat dilemma echoes older philosophical ideas. It shares DNA with:
The Trolley Problem: choosing whether to sacrifice one person to save five.
Utilitarian ethics: making decisions that maximize the number of lives saved.
Deontological ethics: refusing to sacrifice anyone, even to save others.
But perhaps the closest real-world parallel is the work of Garrett Hardin, an ecologist who introduced the concept of “Lifeboat Ethics” in a 1974 essay of the same name.
Hardin argued that the Earth’s resources are finite—like a lifeboat. Wealthy nations, he said, are like full lifeboats surrounded by swimmers. Should they help, knowing that taking on more people could sink everyone? His argument was controversial and often criticized as a justification for withholding aid.
But it raised a profound point: ethics change when resources are limited.
Who Gets to Stay?
In a real or imagined lifeboat, the criteria used to decide who survives matter. Let’s explore some common frameworks:
Utilitarian Approach
This perspective says: save the most people, even if that means sacrificing a few. You might prioritize those who can row, navigate, or care for others. You might remove those least likely to survive or contribute.
Utilitarianism is focused on outcomes—the greatest good for the greatest number.
But it raises difficult questions:
What if you’re sacrificing the elderly to save the young?
What if the strongest survive at the expense of the vulnerable?
Deontological Ethics
This approach says: some actions are always wrong, no matter the result. You must not kill or harm an innocent person, even to save many others. For deontologists, means matter more than ends.
In the lifeboat, this might mean:
Refusing to throw anyone overboard
Accepting collective death over intentional sacrifice
Upholding moral rules even in chaos
This view honors human dignity—but may lead to worse outcomes overall.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics asks: What would a good person do? It’s about character, not calculation. In the lifeboat, a virtuous person might:
Sacrifice themselves for others
Show courage, compassion, and wisdom
Try to find a creative solution before resorting to harm
This perspective values the development of moral character over rigid formulas.
Randomness and Fairness
Sometimes, the fairest option seems to be drawing straws or flipping a coin. This introduces luck as a moral equalizer. But randomness can also feel like surrender—an abdication of responsibility rather than a moral choice.
Real-World Parallels
While most of us won’t face literal lifeboat decisions, the ethical issues they raise are everywhere:
Triage in hospitals: When resources like ventilators or ICU beds are limited, doctors must decide who gets care and who doesn’t. These decisions were painfully real during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Refugee policies: Countries often struggle to admit enough people without overwhelming systems. This is a lifeboat dilemma on a global scale.
Climate change: Rising seas, food scarcity, and displacement will force hard decisions about who gets aid—and how much.
Emergency evacuations: In war zones, natural disasters, or fires, rescuers may have to choose who to save first.
In all of these, we see the core question: how do we balance compassion with survival?
Stories from History
The lifeboat dilemma isn’t just a thought experiment—it has happened.
The Case of the Mignonette (1884)
A real British court case involved four shipwreck survivors adrift at sea. After weeks without food, two of the men killed and ate the cabin boy to survive. They were later rescued, arrested, and convicted of murder—even though their actions arguably saved lives.
The court ruled that necessity is not a defense for murder.
This case remains a key precedent in legal and ethical debates.
Titanic (1912)
The Titanic disaster provides another lens. Some lifeboats were launched half-full, while others were overcrowded. Class, gender, and status affected survival rates—raising questions about social privilege in life-or-death moments.
Moral Distress and Psychological Weight
What often goes unspoken in lifeboat discussions is the emotional aftermath.
Even if you make a choice that’s logically or ethically sound, can you live with it? Survivors of real-life moral crises often experience:
Survivor’s guilt
Moral injury (the psychological damage of violating your own values)
Post-traumatic stress
These outcomes remind us that ethics isn’t just about logic—it’s about people. Our choices have psychological consequences that persist long after the emergency ends.
Classroom and Policy Debates
The Lifeboat Dilemma is often used in classrooms and ethics training to explore:
Refugee resettlement
Disaster response planning
Artificial intelligence decisions (e.g., in autonomous vehicles)
Medical ethics boards
It’s also a popular framing device in literature and film. Stories like The Life of Pi, Lord of the Flies, and Titanic all touch on lifeboat ethics—some literally, some metaphorically.
Philosophical Takeaways
Scarcity changes morality. What feels wrong in peacetime may feel necessary in crisis.
Rules vs. results. Should ethics be about what we do—or what happens as a result?
No perfect answer. Most lifeboat scenarios offer only bad and worse options—not clear moral victories.
That’s what makes the dilemma so enduring. It doesn’t solve problems—it exposes how we wrestle with them.
Glossary of Terms
Utilitarianism: Ethical theory focused on maximizing well-being or minimizing harm.
Deontology: Ethics based on duties, rules, and rights rather than outcomes.
Virtue Ethics: A moral philosophy centered on character and moral virtues.
Moral Injury: Emotional harm resulting from actions that violate one’s ethical beliefs.
Triage: The process of prioritizing care when resources are limited.
Discussion Questions
Is it ever ethical to sacrifice one person to save others?
How do we decide who gets priority in emergencies?
Should morality change in survival situations—or stay the same?
References and Further Reading
Hardin, Garrett. “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against Helping the Poor,” Psychology Today, 1974
August was named to honor Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar (63 BC – 14 AD)
August Flowers: Gladiolus and the Poppy
Birthstone: Peridot
Leo (July 23–August 22)
Virgo (August 23–September 22)
Marvel’s Thor (Journey into Mystery #83 & Amazing Spider-Man (Amazing Fantasy #15) debuted
August Quotes
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” – William Shakespeare
“If the first week in August is unusually warm, the coming Winter will be snowy and long.” – unknown
“August, the summer’s last messenger of misery, is a hollow actor.” – Henry Rollins
“In August, the large masses of berries, which, when in flower, had attracted many wild bees, gradually assumed their bright velvety crimson hue, and by their weight again bent down and broke their tender limbs.” – Henry David Thoreau
“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” – Jane Austen
“If a cold August follows a hot July, It foretells a Winter hard and dry.” – unknown
“Sunset Boulevard opened in August 1950, and it was pronounced the best movie ever made about Hollywood.” – Gloria Swanson
“I celebrate myself, and what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease … observing a spear of summer grass.” – Walt Whitman
“Whilst August yet wears her golden crown, Ripening fields lush- bright with promise; Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn.” – Michelle L. Thieme
“For every fog in August, there will be snowfall.” – unknown
“Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat.” – Ann Landers
“The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a summer day: The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, And took them quite away!” – Lewis Carroll
“For every fog in August, There will be a snowfall in Winter.” – unknown
There’s a time each year that we always hold dear, Good old summertime; With the birds and the trees’es and sweet-scented breezes, Good old summertime, When your day’s work is over, then you are in clover, And life is one beautiful rhyme, No trouble annoying, each one is enjoying, The good old summertime. – In the Good Old Summertime, Lyrics by Ron Shields
August is…
Admit You Are Happy Month American Adventures Month Audio Appreciation Month Black Business Month Cataract Awareness Month Catfish Month Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month Children’s Vision and Learning Month National Eye Exam Month Family Fun Month Get Ready for Kindergarten Month Goat Cheese Month Happiness Happens Month Immunization Awareness Month National Back to School Month Neurosurgery Outreach Month Panini Month Peach Month National Picnic Month Psoriasis Awareness Month Romance Awareness Month Sandwich Month Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month Water Quality Month What Will Be Your Legacy Month Win with Civility Month
Virgo is the sixth astrological sign in the Zodiac, represented by the Virgin. It is associated with the element of earth, and is considered a mutable sign. Those born under this sign are said to be analytical, practical, and hardworking. The planet Mercury rules Virgo, and its corresponding astrological period is typically considered to be from August 23 to September 22. Virgo is known for being analytical, practical, and hardworking. They are also known for their attention to detail and their desire for perfection. They can be critical and have a hard time relaxing. They are also known for their helpful and reliable nature.
August History
History on August 1
1774 – British scientist Joseph Priestley re-discovered oxygen (the gas), verifying the discovery of it by German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.
1834 – Slavery was abolished in the British Empire with the Slavery Abolition Act.
1980 – Cinemax launched
1981 – MTV network debuted on cable television, actually playing music videos 24 hours a day. The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first video shown, followed by Pat Benatar’s “You Better Run”.
1957 – The United States and Canada formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Due to the wrong number on a Sears ad misprint, a child called to check on where Santa was that evening (December 24), and NORAD has been tracking Santa every Christmas Eve, since its inception.
1966 – China’s Cultural Revolution began, with purging (killing) the remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, and to re-impose Maoist thought as the dominant ideology within the Party. About 1.5 million people were ‘purged’.
1980 – Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected President of Iceland, the world’s first democratically elected female head of state.
1984 – Lindow Man was found in a bog, at Lindow Moss, Cheshire, in northwest England.
History on August 2
1610 – Henry Hudson sailed into what is now known as Hudson Bay (he thought he had made it through the Northwest Passage, and reached the Pacific Ocean).
1776 – The official signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place. Matthew Thornton from New Hampshire signed it on November 4, 1776.
1790 – The first United States Census was conducted. There were 3,929,214 people counted that year.
1869 – Japan’s samurai, farmer, artisan, merchant class system (Shinokosho) was abolished as part of the Meiji Restoration reforms.
1870 – Tower Subway, the first underground tube railway, opened in London, England.
1873 – The Clay Street Hill Railroad began operating the first cable car in San Francisco’s famous cable car system.
1937 – The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed in America, making marijuana and all its by-products illegal.
1941 – Frank Bass was electrocuted in Alabama on August 2nd, 1941 for burglary, and was among the last to have been executed for this crime in the United States.
1973 – The Summerland Disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure center in Douglas on the Isle of Man. Fifty people were killed and eighty seriously injured in the fire, started by some boys smoking in a closet.
1990 – Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the Gulf War.
History on August 3
1492 – Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain.
1852 – Harvard University won the first Boat Race against Yale University. The race was the first American intercollegiate athletic event
1900 – The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was founded.
1936 – Jesse Owens won the 100-meter dash, beating ‘the world’s fastest man’ Ralph Metcalfe at the Berlin Olympics.
1946 – Santa Claus Land, the first modern themed amusement park, opened in Santa Claus, Indiana, United States.
1958 – The nuclear submarine USS Nautilus traveled under the Arctic ice cap.
1977 – Tandy Corporation announced the TRS-80, one of the world’s first mass-produced personal computers. The basic model originally shipped with 4 KB of RAM.
History on August 4
70 – The Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans.
1693 – Celebratory date for Dom Perignon’s invention of Champagne.
1790 – A tariff act created the need for the Revenue Cutter Service, later renamed The United States Coast Guard.
1892 – The father and stepmother of Lizzie Borden were found murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home. Lizzie was acquitted of the crime.
1858 – The Billboard Hot 100 is published for the first time. The first number-one song of the Hot 100 was “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson.
1944 – Anne Frank was arrested in Amsterdam by German Security Police following a tip-off from an informer who was never identified
1977 – US President Jimmy Carter signed legislation creating the United States Department of Energy.
1987 – The Federal Communications Commission rescinded the Fairness Doctrine, which had required radio and television stations to present controversial issues “fairly”.
History on August 5
1305 – William Wallace, who led the Scottish resistance against England, was captured by the English near Glasgow. Mel Gibson starred in a dramatization of the story in Braveheart.
1620 – The Mayflower departed from Southampton, England, headed towards North America.
1861 – In order to help pay for the war effort, the United States government levies the first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 (3% over $800)
1882 – The Standard Oil of New Jersey was established. Standard+Oil=SO=Esso, now Exxon.
1888 – Germany’s Bertha Benz drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long-distance automobile trip
1914 – Cleveland, Ohio, installed the first electric traffic light.
1926 – Harry Houdini performed one of his greatest stunts, spending 91 minutes underwater in a sealed tank before escaping.
1957 – American Bandstand debuted on the ABC television network, with host Dick Clark. The show began locally on Philadelphia television station WFIL-TV Channel 6 (now WPVI-TV) in 1952.
1981 – US President Ronald Reagan fired 11,359 striking air-traffic controllers who ignored his order for them to return to work.
2001 – Cable network Odyssey was renamed to Hallmark Channel
History on August 6
1787 – 60 copies of the Constitution of the United States were delivered to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1890 – At Auburn Prison in New York, William Kemmler was the first person to be executed by electric chair.
1926 – Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
1926 – In New York, New York, the Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone sound system premiered with the movie Don Juan starring John Barrymore, with music and sound effects.
1945 – Hiroshima, Japan was largely destroyed when the atomic bomb “Little Boy” was dropped by the B-29 Enola Gay.
1956 – The DuMont Television Network made its final broadcast, A Boxing Match from the St. Nicholas Arena series.
1964 – Prometheus, a bristlecone pine and the world’s oldest tree, at least 4862 years old, was cut down in Nevada.
1966 – In a post-fight interview, Howard Cosell honors Muhammad Ali’s wishes to no longer be referred to as Cassius Clay, making his new name more acceptable by everyone.
1986 – Rain fell a record 13 inches of rain in a single day in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
1988 – Yo! MTV Raps premiered on MTV
1996 – NASA announced that the ALH 84001 meteorite, thought to originate from Mars and found in Antarctica, contained evidence of primitive life-forms.
2012 – NASA’s Curiosity rover landed on the surface of Mars.
History on August 7
1782 – George Washington ordered the creation of the Badge of Military Merit to honor soldiers wounded in battle. It is later renamed to the more poetic Purple Heart.
1909 – Alice Huyler Ramsey and three other women became the first women to complete a transcontinental automobile trip, taking 59 days to travel from New York, New York to San Francisco, California. Alice drove the whole trip.
1930 – Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith, two accused African-American criminals were taken from jail by a mob and lynched. Lawrence Beitler took a picture of the mob and bodies, inspiring Abel Meeropol to write a poem, “Bitter Fruit.” It was later rephrased as “Strange Fruit” and recorded by Billie Holiday.
1944 – IBM announced the first program-controlled calculator, the Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, known best as the Harvard Mark I. It used 765,000 components and hundreds of miles of wire and weighed about 5 tons.
1955 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (became Sony in 1958) sold its first transistor radios in Japan.
1959 – The Lincoln Memorial design on the U.S. penny went into circulation. It replaced the “wheat” design and was minted until 2008.
1975 (Typhoon) Nina, China
1978 – The US Government made funds available to offer federal assistance for the Love Canal Disaster
1992 – Growing Pains actress Tracy Gold was hospitalized for anorexia and is written out of most of the final episodes for the series
2007 – High School Musical 2 aired on The Disney Channel
History on August 8
1786 – Mont Blanc on the French/Italian border was climbed for the first time by Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard.
1876 – Thomas Edison received a patent (#180,857) for his mimeograph (Autographic Printing).
1908 – Wilbur Wright made his first flight at a racecourse at Le Mans, France; the Wright Brothers’ first public flight.
1963 – In England, a gang of 15 train robbers stole £2.6 million in banknotes in the Great Train Robbery. They were later caught.
1969 – At a ‘zebra crossing’ in London, photographer Iain Macmillan took one of the most famous photographs of all time, the cover of the Beatles album, Abbey Road.
1974 – President Richard Nixon, in a nationwide television address, announced his resignation from the office of the President of the United States, effective noon the next day.
1989 – STS-28 Mission: Space Shuttle Columbia took off on a secret five-day military mission. It landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 13. That’s all we know.
1991 – The Warsaw Radio Mast was the world’s tallest structure until its collapse today. It was 2,120 feet tall and was built 1970-1974.
History on August 9
1483 – Opening of the restored Sistine Chapel in Rome. Renaissance painters Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Roselli contributed. Michelangelo added his work on the ceiling in 1508-1512.
1854 – Henry David Thoreau published Walden or Life in the Woods.
1892 – Thomas Edison received a patent (#480,567) for a two-way telegraph.
1930 – Betty Boop made her cartoon debut in Dizzy Dishes.
1942 – Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in Bombay by British forces, launching the Quit India Movement.
1944 – Nagasaki, Japan was decimated when an atomic bomb, Fat Man, was dropped by the United States B-29 Bockscar.
1969 – Followers of Charles Manson murdered pregnant actress Sharon Tate (wife of Roman Polanski), Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Jay Sebring and Steven Parent. Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were killed by the same crew the following day.
2104 – Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American male in Ferguson, Missouri, was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer, sparking protests and unrest in the city.
History on August 10
1519 – Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Seville, Spain to circumnavigate the globe.
1675 – The foundation stone of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London, England was laid.
1846 – The Smithsonian Institution was chartered by the United States Congress.
1873 – Louvre Museum opened in France.
1932 – An 11-pound chondrite-type meteorite broke into several pieces and landed near the town of Archie in Cass County, Missouri.
1948 – Candid Camera made its television debut, after being on radio for a year as Candid Microphone.
1949 – The US Department of War was replaced with the United States Department of Defense.
1971 – The Society for American Baseball Research is founded in Cooperstown, New York.
1977 – In Yonkers, New York, 24-year-old postal employee David Berkowitz (the “Son of Sam”) was arrested for a series of killings in New York City.
1984 – Red Dawn, starring Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen, became the first-ever PG-13 movie to be released in theaters.
1995 In the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were indicted for the bombing. Michael Fortier pled guilty in a plea bargain for his testimony.
History on August 11
3114 BC – The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, used by several pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, began. This was the calendar that caused the Friday, December 21, 2012 fears.
1858 – The Eiger in the Bernese Alps was ascended for the first time by Charles Barrington, along with Christian Almer and Peter Bohren.
1929 – Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.
1942 – Actress Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil received a patent (#2,292,387) for a Frequency-hopping communication system which later became the basis for modern technologies like wireless telephones and Wi-Fi.
1965 – The Watts Riots begin in the Watts area of Los Angeles, California.
1984 – “We begin bombing in five minutes” – US President Ronald Reagan joked while preparing to make his weekly Saturday address on National Public Radio.
1991 – Nickelodeon aired the first episodes of “Doug”, “Rugrats” and “Ren & Stimpy”
History on August 12
30 BC – Cleopatra VII Philopator, the last ruler of the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty, committed suicide, by means of an asp bite.
1851 – Isaac Singer is granted a patent (#8,294) for his sewing machine.
1960 – Echo 1A, NASA’s first successful communications satellite, was launched.
1977 – The first free flight of the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
1981 – The IBM Personal Computer was released.
1990 – Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton found to date, was discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota.
1994 – Major League Baseball players went on strike, forcing the cancellation of the 1994 World Series.
History on August 13
1521 – Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés captured Aztec leader Tlatoani Cuauhtémoc and conquered the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.
1868 (Earthquake & Tsunami) Arica, Chile
1918 – Opha Mae Johnson was the first woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
1942 – Walt Disney’s fifth full-length animated film, Bambi, was released in theaters.
1961 – East Germany closed the border between the eastern and western sectors of Berlin with the Berlin Wall.
1969 – The Apollo 11 astronauts were released from a three-week quarantine to enjoy a ticker-tape parade in New York, New York.
1997 – South Park aired for the first time on Comedy Central
History on August 14
1888 – An audio recording of English composer Arthur Sullivan’s “The Lost Chord”, one of the first recordings of music ever made, was played during a press conference introducing Thomas Edison’s phonograph in London, England.
1893 – France became the first country to introduce motor vehicle registration.
1935 – Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act.
1936 – Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky in the last public execution in the United States.
1945 – Japan accepted the Allied terms of surrender in World War II
1959 – Founding and first official meeting of the American Football League.
1975 – The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running release in film history, opened at the USA Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles, California.
1980 – Lech Walesa led the first strike at the Gdansk, Poland shipyards.
1994 – Inside The Actors Studio made its debut on Bravo
2000 – Dora the Explorer premiered on Nick Jr
2010 – The first-ever Youth Olympic Games were held in Singapore.
2013 – Egypt declared a state of emergency as security forces killed hundreds of demonstrators supporting former president Mohamed Morsi.
History on August 15
1483 – Pope Sixtus IV consecrated the Sistine Chapel and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary.
1519 – Panama City, Panama, was founded.
1549 – Jesuit priest Francis Xavier came ashore at Kagoshima, Japan.
1843 – Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest still intact amusement parks in the world, opened in Copenhagen, Denmark. It may be best known for its wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen, or Bjergbanen (the Mountain Coaster), built in 1914
1868 (Earthquake) Ecuador
1914 – The Panama Canal opened with the transit of the cargo ship SS Ancon.
1935 – Entertainer Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post were killed after their aircraft developed engine problems during takeoff in Barrow, Alaska.
1939 – The Wizard of Oz premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California.
1947 – India gained Independence from the British Indian Empire.
1965 – The Beatles played at Shea Stadium in New York. It is considered the first major rock concert. There were only a few hundred watts of sound for the band, who did not have monitors to hear each other and could not be heard over the screaming of 60,000 fans.
1969 – The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opened in upstate New York. Tickets for the three-day event were $18 in advance and $24 at the gate, and there was sufficient sound for the 500,00 attendees. BTW – There were no reported incidents of violence at the original Woodstock.
1973 – The United States’ bombing of Cambodia ended.
1977 – The Big Ear, a radio telescope operated by Ohio State University as part of the SETI project, received a radio signal from deep space – “6EQUJ5.” The event was named the “Wow! signal” from the notation made by Jerry Ehman on the project. The signal appears to have come to the northwest of the globular cluster of M55 in the constellation Sagittarius, near the Chi Sagittarii star group.
1992 – Nickelodeon began airing their Saturday night programming known as SNICK
History on August 16
1858 – President James Buchanan inaugurated the new transatlantic telegraph cable by exchanging greetings with Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom.
1896 – Skookum Jim Mason, George Carmack, and Dawson Charlie discovered gold in a tributary of the Klondike River in Canada, starting the Klondike Gold Rush.
1920 – Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians is hit on the head by a fastball thrown by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees, and died early the next day.
1927 – The Dole Air Race from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii. Six participating planes crashed or disappeared, only two made it to Hawaii.
1930 – The first color sound cartoon, called Fiddlesticks, was made by ex-Disney cartoonist Ub Iwerks. It appeared in the music video for Eminem’s song “The Real Slim Shady.” Ub went back to work for Disney in 1940.
1954 – The first issue of Sports Illustrated was published.
1989 – A solar flare from the Sun created a geomagnetic storm that affected micro chips, leading to a halt of all trading on Toronto’s stock market.
History on August 17
1807 – Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat left New York, New York, to Albany, New York, on the Hudson River, inaugurating the first commercial steamboat service in the world.
1896 – Bridget Driscoll was run over by a Benz car in the grounds of The Crystal Palace, London. She was the UK’s first pedestrian motoring fatality.
1907 – Pike Place Market, in Seattle’s historic district, opened.
1908 – Fantasmagorie, the first animated cartoon, created by Emile Cohl, was shown in Paris, France.
1953 – The first meeting of Narcotics Anonymous took place in Southern California.
1958 – Pioneer 0, America’s first attempt at lunar orbit, is launched using the first Thor-Able rocket and failed.
1959 – Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, the best-selling jazz recording of all time, was released.
1969 – Hurricane Camille (Category 5) hit the U.S. Gulf Coast, killing 256 people.
1977 – The Soviet icebreaker Arktika became the first surface ship to reach the North Pole.
1978 – Double Eagle II became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean when it landed in Miserey, France near Paris, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.
1990 (Earthquake) Izmit, Turkey
2005 – Weeds premiered on Showtime
2008 – American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first person to win eight gold medals in one Olympic Games.
History on August 18
1587 – Virginia Dare, granddaughter of Governor John White of the Colony of Roanoke, becomes the first English child born in the Americas to Ananias and Eleanor Dare. She and the rest of the colonists at Roanoke disappeared at some point before August 18, 1590. The only clue was the word “Croatoan” carved into a post.
1868 – French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered helium.
1903 – German engineer Karl Jatho allegedly flew his self-made, motored gliding airplane four months before the first flight of the Wright brothers.
1958 – Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel Lolita was published in the United States.
1977 – Steve Biko was arrested at a police roadblock under the ‘Terrorism Act No 83 of 1967’ in King William’s Town, South Africa. He died from injuries that occurred during his arrest. Peter Gabriel released a tribute to him, “Biko”, which became a hit in 1980.
2005 – A massive power blackout hits the Indonesian island of Java, affecting almost 100 million people, the one of the largest and most widespread power outages in history, and lasted just over six hours.
History on August 19
295 BC – The first temple to Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, was dedicated by Quintus Fabius Maximus Gurges
1612 – The “Samlesbury witches”, three women from the Lancashire village of Samlesbury, England, were put on trial, accused of practicing witchcraft, with all three of the Samlesbury women acquitted.
1692 – In Salem, Province of Massachusetts Bay, five people, one woman and four men, including a clergyman, are executed after being convicted of witchcraft at the Salem Witch Trials.
1812 – American frigate USS Constitution defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, earning the nickname “Old Ironsides”.
1848 – The New York Herald published the news to the East Coast of the US about the Gold Rush in California.
1909 – The first automobile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
1934 – The first All-American Soap Box Derby was held in Dayton, Ohio.
1960 – With Korabl-Sputnik 2, the Soviet Union launched the satellite with the dogs Belka and Strelka, 40 mice, two rats, and a variety of plants. All of the creatures survived
1964 – Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, was launched.
1991 – Black groups target Hasidic Jews on the streets of Crown Heights in New York, New York for three days after two black children were hit by a car driven by a Hasidic man.
History on August 20
1000 – The foundation of the Hungarian state by Saint Stephen.
1858 – Charles Darwin first published his theory of evolution through natural selection in The Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London
1882 – Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture debuted in Moscow, Russia.
1920 – The first commercial radio station, 8MK “Detroit News Radiophone” (now WWJ), began operations in Detroit, Michigan.
1938 – Lou Gehrig hits his 23rd career grand slam, a record that stood until 2013 years when it was broken by Alex Rodriguez.
1975 – NASA launched the Viking 1 planetary probe toward Mars.
1977 – NASA launched the Voyager 2 spacecraft towards the outer solar system..
History on August 21
1883 – An F5 tornado strikes Rochester, Minnesota, leading to the creation of the Mayo Clinic.
1888 – The first practical adding machine in the United States was patented (#’s 388,116-388,119) by William Seward Burroughs.
1911 – The Mona Lisa was stolen by a Louvre employee, Vincenzo Peruggia. It was returned in 1913.
1957 – The Soviet Union successfully conducted a long-range test flight of the R-7 Semyorka, the first intercontinental ballistic missile.
1961 – Motown released what would be its first #1 hit, “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes.
1979 – Soviet dancer Alexander Godunov defected to the United States.
1992 – Ruby Ridge was the site of a deadly confrontation and siege in northern Idaho in 1992 between Randy Weaver, his family and his friend Kevin Harris, and agents of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It resulted in the death of Weaver’s son Sammy, his wife Vicki, and Deputy U.S. Marshal William Francis Degan.
1994- HBO aired a concert special featuring Barbara Streisand and it was her first public concert in 27 years
History on August 22
565 – Columba, an Irish missionary, reported seeing a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland.
1791 – Haitian Slave Revolution in Saint-Domingue began. It ended with the founding of the Republic of Haiti in 1804.
1831 – Nat Turner’s slave rebellion began just after midnight in Southampton County, Virginia, leading to the deaths of more than 50 whites and several hundred African Americans who were killed in retaliation for the uprising.
1851 – First America’s Cup was won by the yacht ‘America.’
1902 – Cadillac Motor Company was founded.
1952 – The French penal colony on Devil’s Island is permanently closed.
1963 – American Joe Walker reached an altitude of 66 miles in an X-15 test plane.
1989 – Nolan Ryan struck out Rickey Henderson to become the first Major League Baseball pitcher to record 5,000 strikeouts.
2003 – Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore was suspended after refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove a rock inscribed with the Ten Commandments from the lobby of the Alabama Supreme Court building.
2004 The Edvard Munch Museum’s versions of ‘Madonna’ and ‘The Scream’ were stolen by masked men wielding firearms. The thieves forced the museum guards to lie down on the floor while they snapped the cable securing the paintings to the wall and escaped in a black Audi A6 station wagon, which police later found abandoned. Both paintings were recovered by the Oslo Police on 31 August 2006.
2007 – The Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 30-3, the most runs scored by a team in modern MLB history.
History on August 23
79 – Mount Vesuvius began stirring, on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
1305 – Sir William Wallace was executed for high treason at Smithfield in London.
1775 – King George III delivered his ‘Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St. James’s’ stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open and avowed rebellion.
1948 – World Council of Churches was formed.
1966 – Lunar Orbiter 1 took the first photograph of Earth from orbit around the Moon.
1973 – A bank robbery went wrong in Stockholm, Sweden, turned into a hostage crisis; over the next five days the hostages begin to sympathize with their captors, leading to the term “Stockholm syndrome”.
1991 – Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web opened the WWW to new users.
1996- The Price Is Right celebrated its 25th anniversary special on CBS
1998 – That 70’s show premiered on FOX
2007 – The skeletal remains of Russia’s last royal family members Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, and his sister Grand Duchess Anastasia were discovered near Yekaterinburg, Russia.
2011 (Earthquake) Virginia/East Coast, USA
History on August 24
79 (Volcano Eruption) Mount Vesuvius erupted. The cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae were buried in volcanic ash, although some scholars believe it was October 24th.
1215 – Pope Innocent III declared Magna Carta invalid.
1456 – The printing of the Gutenberg Bible was completed.
1635 – Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635, Colonial USA
1662 – The Act of Uniformity requires England to accept the Book of Common Prayer.
1682 – William Penn received the area that is now the state of Delaware, and added it to his colony of Pennsylvania.
1690 – Job Charnock of the East India Company establishes a factory in Calcutta, essentially founding the city.
1891 – Thomas Edison applied for his patent (#589,168) the motion picture projector (kinetograph). It was approved on August 31.
1932 – Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the United States non-stop, from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey.
1979 – The Facts of Life premiered on NBC.
1998 – First radio-frequency identification (RFID) human implantation was tested in the United Kingdom.
History on August 25
1609 – Galileo Galilei demonstrated his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.
1835 – The New York Sun perpetrated the Great Moon Hoax a six-part article falsely attributed to Sir John Herschel, one of the best-known astronomers of his time.
1916 – The United States National Park Service was created.
1944 – Paris was liberated by the Allies.
1950 – President Harry Truman ordered the US Army to seize control of the country’s railroads to avert a strike.
1994 – My So-Called Life premiered on ABC
2012 – Voyager 1 spacecraft entered interstellar space beyond our solar system becoming the first man-made object to do so.
2013 – At the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, Miley Cyrus created a controversy by ‘Twerking’ during a performance with Robin Thicke.
History on August 26
1498 – Michelangelo began his work to carve the Pieta, depicting the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion.
1789 – The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was approved by the National Constituent Assembly of France.
1791 – John Fitch was granted a United States patent (# X28) for the steamboat.
1883 (Volcano Eruption & Tsunami) Krakatoa began. It was one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history, with at over 36,000 deaths being attributed to the eruption itself and the tsunamis it created. Small eruptions, mostly of mud, continued into October 1883.
1976 – While camping in Allagash, Maine Jim Weiner, Jack Weiner, Charles Foltz, and Charles Rak claimed to have been abducted by ‘four-fingered beings’ that performed experiments on them including alien probing.
History on August 27
410 – The sacking of Rome by the Visigoths ended after three days.
1813 – French Emperor Napoleon I defeated a larger force of Austrians, Russians, and Prussians at the Battle of Dresden.
1859 – Petroleum was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania leading to the world’s first commercially successful oil well.
1893 – Sea Islands Hurricane, Georgia, South Carolina.
1939 – First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world’s first jet aircraft, in Germany.
1962 – The Mariner 2 unmanned space mission was launched to Venus by NASA.
2003 – The first 6-party talks, involving South and North Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, convened to find a resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean nuclear weapons program.
2003 – Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing just 34,646,418 miles away.
2011 (Hurricane) Irene strikes the United States east coast, killing 47 people.
History on August 28
1609 – Henry Hudson discovered the Delaware Bay.
1789 – William Herschel discovered another Saturn moon, Enceladus.
1830 – The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s (B&O) new ‘Tom Thumb’ steam locomotive races a horse-drawn car, presaging steam’s role in US railroads.
1833 – The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 received Royal Assent, abolishing slavery through most the British Empire.
1845 – The first issue of Scientific American magazine was published.
1898 – Caleb Bradham invented the carbonated soft drink that would later be called “Pepsi-Cola”.
1955 – Black 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered in Mississippi, for ‘flirting’ with a white woman, galvanizing the nascent American Civil Rights Movement.
1963 – At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech
1996 – Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales got divorced.
History on August 29
1758 – The first American Indian reservation was established, at Indian Mills, New Jersey.
1831 – Michael Faraday discovers electromagnetic induction, opening the door to electric generators.
1885 – Gottlieb Daimler patented the world’s first internal combustion motorcycle, the Reitwagen.
1898 – The Goodyear tire company was founded.
1922 – The first radio advertisement (for an apartment complex) was broadcast on WEAF-AM in New York City.
1949 – The Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb, known as First Lightning or Joe 1, at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan.
1958 – United States Air Force Academy opened in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1966 – The Beatles performed their last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
1967 – ABC’s The Fugitive finale (part 1) was one of the most-watched episodes of the decade.
1982 – The synthetic chemical element Meitnerium, atomic number 109, was first synthesized at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany.
1991 – Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union ended all activities of the Soviet Communist Party.
2005 (Hurricane) Katrina devastated the US Gulf Coast, from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, killing an estimated 1,836 people.
History on August 30
1835 – Melbourne, Australia was founded.
1836 – The city of Houston, named after former General Sam Houston, was founded by Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen.
1945 – Hong Kong was liberated from Japan by the British Armed Forces.
1963 – The Moscow to Washington hotline between the leaders of the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union went into operation.
1967 – Thurgood Marshall was confirmed as the first African American Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
1984 – The Space Shuttle Discovery took off on its maiden voyage.
1993- David Letterman premiered his late-night talk show on CBS.
1999- Countess Vaughn left the series Moesha for her own spinoff series The Parkers with Monique. She was the first African-American comedienne to receive a spin-off TV show.
2003 – While being towed across the Barents Sea, the decommissioned Russian submarine K-159 sank, taking nine of her crew and 800 kg of spent nuclear fuel with her.
History on August 31
1803 – Lewis and Clark started their expedition to the west by leaving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1888 – Mary Ann Nichols was murdered, the first of Jack the Ripper’s confirmed victims.
1897 – Thomas Edison received his patent (# 589168) for his Kinetoscope, the first movie projector.
1962 – Trinidad and Tobago became independent from Britain.
1965 – The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy aircraft made its inaugural flight.
1997 – Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed (with driver Henri Paul) died in a car crash in Paris.
2006 – Edvard Munch’s famous painting The Scream, stolen on August 22, 2004, was recovered in a raid by Norwegian police.
1969 – The Zodiac Killer’s letters arrived at several San Fransisco newspapers. The killer was never caught.
1990 – Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau created the prototype HTML language and the World-Wide Web.
August 1, 19** Birthday (fictional) The Joker, DC Comics
If you were born on August 1st, You were likely conceived the week of… November 8th (prior year)
Emancipation of 500
On August 1, 1791, Robert Carter III, in Virginia freed his slaves. He said, “I have for some time past been convinced that to retain them in Slavery is contrary to the true Principles of Religion and Justice and that therefore it was my Duty to manumit (release) them.”
August 1st is…
Mahjong Day Raspberry Cream Pie Day Girlfriends’ Day Minority Donor Awareness Day Raspberry Cream Pie Day Respect for Parents Day Rounds Resounding Day World Lung Cancer Day
August 1st Birthday Quotes
“I mean, just because you’re a musician doesn’t mean all your ideas are about music. So every once in a while I get an idea about plumbing, I get an idea about city government, and they come the way they come.” -Jerry Garcia
“I looked over and Jim Morrison was dancing the jitterbug with my grandmother on the coffee table.” – Taylor Negron
” Some people we know in our lives come up to a crossroads, and they could go left or right, and then end up in a totally different place.” – Jason Momoa
” Let me tell you, you can paint pictures and get people indicted for just about anything.” – Al D’Amato
” Reflect each day on all you have to be grateful for and you will receive more to be grateful for.” – Chuck D
“The most beautiful make-up of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.” – Yves Saint Laurent
” I’m one of those freaky people that actually reads books.” – Jason Momoa
August 1st Birthdays
10 BC – Claudius, Roman emperor (died in 54) 1555 – Edward Kelley, English spirit medium (died in 1597) 1770 – William Clark, American explorer, of Lewis & Clark (died in 1838) 1779 – Francis Scott Key, American author, and poet (died in 1843) 1819 – Herman Melville, American novelist, short story writer, and poet (died in 1891) 1893 – Alexander of Greece (died in 1920) #27club 1924 – Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (died in 2015) 1933 – Dom DeLuise, American actor (died in 2009) 1936 – Yves Saint Laurent, Algerian-French fashion designer, co-founded Yves Saint Laurent (died in 2008) 1937 – Al D’Amato, American New York politician 1939 – Terry Kiser, American character actor 1942 – Jerry Garcia, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died in 1995) 1948 – Avi Arad, Israeli-American producer, founded Marvel Studios 1957 – Taylor Negron, American actor (died in 2015) 1960 – Chuck D, American rapper 1963 – Coolio, American rapper 1979 – Jason Momoa, American actor
August 1st History
1774 British scientist Joseph Priestley re-discovered oxygen (the gas), verifying the discovery of it by German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.
1789 The US Customs Service began.
1790 The first U.S. Census took place; 3,929,326 people were living here.
1794 The Whiskey Rebellion Western. Pennsylvania farmers revolted, protesting the excise duty (tax) on stills and spirits distilled in the U.S.
1834 Slavery was abolished in the British Empire with the Slavery Abolition Act.
1876 Colorado became the 38th state.
1916 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Established on August 1, 1916, in Hawaii, this park covers 520 square miles. Known for its two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and its dramatic volcanic landscapes.
1943 The Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Atomic Plant was started.
1944 Anne Frank made the last entry in her diary.
1946 In Athens, Tennessee, battle-hardened WWII veterans won a shootout with highly corrupt police deputies who were manipulating ballots and illegally holding ex-GIs in the county jail.
1952 The extinction of the San Benedicto Rock Wren, a previously unendangered species, can be traced almost to the minute on the morning of August 1st when a volcanic eruption covered their entire island.
1957 The United States and Canada formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Due to a wrong phone number Sears ad misprint, a child called to check on where Santa was that evening (December 24), and NORAD has been tracking Santa every Christmas Eve, since its inception.
1961 Six Flags Over Texas, the first park in the Six Flags chain, opened in Arlington, Texas.
1964 #1 Hit August 1, 1964 – August 14, 1964: The Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night
1966 China’s Cultural Revolution began, with purging (killing) the remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, and to re-impose Maoist thought as the dominant ideology within the Party. About 1.5 million people were ‘purged.’
1980 Cinemax launched
Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected President of Iceland, the world’s first democratically elected female head of state.
1981 #1 Hit August 1, 1981 – August 14, 1981: Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
MTV began as a music video channel. All the trivia people will tell you that the first video has Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles. You Better Run by Pat Benatar was next; then She Won’t Dance With Me by Rod Steward. You Better You Bet by The Who was fourth. You can really impress your friends by telling your friends that Little Suzi’s on the Up by Ph. D. was the 5th video played on the network.
1984 Lindow Man was found in a bog, at Lindow Moss, Cheshire, in northwest England.
1987 #1 Hit August 1, 1987 – August 7, 1987: Bob Seger – Shakedown
August 1, 19** Birthday (fictional) The Joker, DC Comics
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Heard in the PCM Office: Khusbu: I’m going to kill you, Alexa. Alexa: I’m faster than you, you’ll never catch me. Khusbu: (grabbing some M&Ms) I’ll kill you in your sleep
I just threw away a Snapple cap without reading the fact and I have to live the rest of my life knowing I am 1 fact more stupid than I could’ve been.
“Women need a reason for having sex, men just need a place.” – Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) #moviequotes
Tinder, Match.com, PlentyOfFish, and OK Cupid are all owned by the same company.
The political terms “Left-Wing” and “Right-Wing” are traced back to the French Revolution. It referred to the side of the assembly politicians sat. The Right was supportive of the King and upper class while the Left was supportive of the Revolution and the Lower Class.
“I don’t like the country, the crickets make me nervous.” #moviequotes
If I went back in time 150 years, the most technologically advanced thing I would actually know how to invent would be a skateboard.
The Capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott
Doune Castle, which was used in the filming of Game of Thrones, was also used in the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
The biggest film of 1947: Forever Amber earned ~ $16,000,000
The price of a bottle of Coca-Cola stayed at a nickel for over 70 years. As a result, vending machines only took nickels, and before raising prices to a dime the president of the company asked President Eisenhower to mint 7.5 cent coins to keep the increase reasonable.
Some people will be born, live their whole lives, and die without ever running as fast as they possibly can…
1619 – In Jamestown, Virginia, the first Colonial European representative assembly in the Americas, the House of Burgesses, convened.
1975 – Teamsters Union leader Jimmy Hoffa disappeared. He was declared dead in 1982.
July 30, 1980 Birthday (fictional) Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter #theheroofhogwarts
If you were born on July 30th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 6th (prior year)
National Cheesecake Day
It’s rumored that the Greeks invented cheesecake. In fact, there are historic accounts of Greek athletes being rewarded with a decadent dessert known as cheesecake in ancient Greece! A recipe for this tasty treat appears to have been written by physician Aegimus and is dated back over 2000 years ago making it one of the oldest recipes we know about.
Most people assume that this dessert was invented in the 1960s, but it actually traces back to James Kraft. In 1912, he developed a form of pasteurized cream cheese which is what provides today’s cheesecake with its creamy texture and tangy flavor. Today more than any other brand on the market are made using Philadelphia Cream Cheese!
The Philadelphia Brand “Cream Cheese” has nothing to do with the city of Philadelphia. The name was merely an attempt to take advantage of the high-quality dairy foods in the Philadelphia area.
July 30 is…
Father-in-Law Day International Day of Friendship National Cheesecake Day National Intern Day Paperback Book Day Share a Hug Day
July 30 Birthday Quotes
“Whether you believe you can or not, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
” Sometimes it’s easier to understand things than it is to figure them out.” – Casey Stengel
“I believe in criticism.” – Paul Anka
“Its all about finding the right note at the right place and knowing when to leave well enough alone. And that’s a lifelong quest.” – David Sanborn
“The object of education is not to fill a man’s mind with facts; it is to teach him how to use his mind in thinking.” – Henry Ford
“The ethical decision is always the fearsome decision. When something matters enough that we are afraid of the consequences – afraid that even the honorable choice could result in harm or loss or sorrow – that’s when ethics are involved.” – Henry W. Bloch
“You can have results or excuses. Not both.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
“It’s not important to me that people understand me.” – Kate Bush
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
“We let the weirdness in.” – Kate Bush
July 30 Birthdays
1863 – Henry Ford, American engineer and businessman, founded the Ford Motor Company (died in 1947) 1890 – Casey Stengel, American baseball player and manager (died in 1975) 1922 – Henry W. Bloch, American banker and businessman, co-founded H&R Block (died in 2019) 1929 – Sid Krofft, Canadian-American puppeteer and producer 1936 – Buddy Guy, American singer-songwriter and guitarist 1939 – Peter Bogdanovich, American actor and director 1941 – Paul Anka, Canadian singer-songwriter 1945 – David Sanborn, American saxophonist and composer 1947 – Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician, 38th Governor of California 1950 – Frank Stallone, American singer-songwriter and actor 1954 – Ken Olin, American actor 1956 – Delta Burke, American actress 1956 – Anita Hill, American lawyer and academic 1958 – Kate Bush, English singer-songwriter 1963 – Lisa Kudrow, American actress 1964 – Vivica A. Fox, American actress 1968 – Terry Crews, American football player and actor 1970 – Christopher Nolan, English-American director, producer, and screenwriter 1971 – Elvis Crespo, American-Puerto Rican singer 1971 – Tom Green, Canadian comedian and actor 1974 – Hilary Swank, American actress 1977 – Jaime Pressly, American actress 1982 – Yvonne Strahovski, Australian actress
July 30 History
762 – Baghdad was founded by Caliph Al-Mansur.
1619 – In Jamestown, Virginia, the first representative assembly in the Americas, the House of Burgesses, convenes for the first time.
1729 – Founding of Baltimore, Maryland.
1733 – The first Masonic Grand Lodge in the future United States was constituted in Massachusetts.
1866 – New Orleans, Louisiana’s Democratic government ordered police to raid an integrated Republican Party meeting, killing 40 people and injuring 150.
1871 – The Staten Island Ferry Westfield’s boiler exploded, killing over 85 people.
1930 – In Montevideo, Uruguay won the first FIFA World Cup.
1932 – Premiere of Walt Disney’s Flowers and Trees, the first cartoon short to use Technicolor and the first Academy Award-winning cartoon short.
1935 – The first softcover paperback books were introduced, in Germany.
1956 – A joint resolution of the US Congress was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, authorizing In God we Trust as the US national motto.
1962 – The Trans-Canada Highway, the largest national highway in the world, officially opened.
1965 – US President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Act of 1965 into law, establishing Medicare and Medicaid.
1966 – #1 Hit July 30, 1966 – August 12, 1966: The Troggs – Wild Thing
1975 – Jimmy Hoffa disappeared from the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He was declared dead on July 30, 1982.
1977 – #1 Hit July 30, 1977 – August 19, 1977: Andy Gibb – I Just Want to Be Your Everything
July 30, 1980 Birthday (fictional) Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter
1988 – #1 Hit July 30, 1988 – August 26, 1988: Steve Winwood – Roll with It
1990 – George Steinbrenner was forced by MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent to resign as principal partner of New York Yankees for hiring Howie Spira to “get dirt” on Dave Winfield.
2003 – In Mexico, the last Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line.
2006 – The world’s longest-running music show Top of the Pops was broadcast for the last time. It had run since January 1, 1964.
#1 Hit July 30, 2022 – August 12, 2022: About Damn Time – Lizzo
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
I always imagined living in the Star Wars universe to be much more awesome, yet I probably still would only be sitting behind a desk of an intergalactic insurance company imagining how awesome life would be in a fictional universe.
What if aliens never invaded earth because they have seen Hollywood movies and think past attempts from other races continually fail.
Plurals can be used to properly refer to a titleless party in question. – “They then broke the window of the car and took off with my phone. I didn’t see their face.”
If there were people who could read minds, they would hear an awful lot of songs, sung with incorrect words, and likely very out of tune or rhythm.
I do not know for sure that every single night I am not abducted by extraterrestrials for experimentation followed by a complete wipe of my memory and then gently placed back in my bed.
If every toy suddenly turned into the real version of itself life would be much more dangerous with the major increase in weapons, dinosaurs, and marbles.
Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl got really lucky when they named their son Dash as they had no way of knowing he’d have super speed as a superpower.
Whoever figured out that a few stalks of wheat, a glass of milk, a tomato, and a ground-up pig could be turned into pepperoni pizza is probably the greatest genius to have ever lived.
The only constant in the first 4 Batman movies is the actor who plays Alfred. His surroundings as well as the characters who inhabit them become more absurd with each movie. What if it is all just part of his growing dementia?
If you like to take photos for the sake of memorization, take photos of things you see every day once in a while. #SmellTheRoses The very best place to do a shady transaction or deal is in neon animal costumes outside a mental institution because no one would believe the witnesses.
If there are an infinite amount of alternate universes, then there must be an alternate universe in which somebody figured out how to destroy all other alternate universes and already did so. And, there must be another guy from another universe who stopped him.
If you had windshield wipers on your glasses you would think you’re the coolest person ever, but everyone else would think you look like an idiot. #neveragain
1792 – The cornerstone of the first US Federal Building was laid, the Philadelphia Mint
1948 – Idlewild Field in New York, New York International Airport (later renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport) was dedicated.
July 31, 1980 Birthday (fictional) Harry Potter, Harry Potter
July 31, 1989 – Game Boy released, video game
1991 – The United States and Soviet Union both sign the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
2006 Cuba’s leader Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother, Raúl.
If you were born on July 31st, You were likely conceived the week of… November 7th (prior year)
National Jump for Jelly Beans Day
In the Middle East, a delicacy called lokum has been around since biblical times. It’s known as Turkish Delight in English-speaking countries and it is made of sugar syrup boiled with gelatin or pectin which spreads into thin sheets when cool enough to handle. This jelly candy was an inspiration for Jelly beans but they were actually based on Jordan almonds that are coated in powdered sugar by shaking them about inside a container until their outside becomes hard like our favorite chewy sweets.
The earliest known reference of a Jelly Bean was an 1861 advertisement for William Schrafft of Boston that promoted the sending of jelly beans to soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. Jelly Beans were also mentioned in the Chicago Daily News in 1905.
Jelly beans became associated with the Easter holiday in the 1930s, due to their egg-shaped appearance. They grew in popularity from the 1960s through the 1980s, thanks to famous devotees like John Lennon and President Ronald Reagan. But it was really Harry Potter that made them a staple of our lives today; the Jelly Belly company created flavors inspired by the Potter books and films. With over 100 flavors today, Jelly Belly® Jelly Beans were introduced that year only eight flavors: Root Beer, Green Apple, Licorice, Cream Soda, Lemon, Tangerine, Very Cherry, and Grape.
July 31 is…
National Avocado Day National Cotton Candy Day National Jump for Jelly Beans Day
July 31 Birthday Quotes
“Always wake up with a smile knowing that today you are going to have fun accomplishing what others are too afraid to do.” – Mark Cuban
“If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.” – Milton Friedman
“I never took myself too seriously.” – Curt Gowdy
“There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes.” – William Bennett
“Every man is our brother, and every man’s burden is our own. Where poverty exists, all are poorer. Where hate flourishes, all are corrupted. Where injustice reins, all are unequal.” – Whitney M. Young
“It’s not in the dreaming, it’s in the doing.” – Mark Cuban
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” – J.K. Rowling
“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.” – Milton Friedman
“The songwriters whom we think of being the greatest songwriters usually write one hit and six or seven flops.” – Ahmet Ertegun
July 31 Birthdays
1858 – Marion Talbot, influential American educator (d. 1948) 1886 – Fred Quimby, American animation producer (d. 1965) 1912 – Milton Friedman, American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 2006) 1919 – Curt Gowdy, American sportscaster and actor (d. 2006) 1921 – Whitney Young, American activist (d. 1971) 1923 – Ahmet Ertegun, Turkish-American songwriter and producer, founded Atlantic Records (d. 2006) 1932 – Ted Cassidy, American actor (d. 1979) 1943 – Lobo (Roland Kent LaVoie), American singer-songwriter 1943 – William Bennett, American journalist and politician 1958 – Mark Cuban, American businessman 1965 – J. K. Rowling, English author and film producer 1966 – Dean Cain, American actor 1978 – Zac Brown, American country singer-songwriter 1979 – B.J. Novak, American actor, director, producer and screenwriter 1981 – M. Shadows, American musician, lead singer of Avenged Sevenfold
July 31 History
781 The oldest recorded eruption of Mount Fuji in Japan.
1492 Jews were expelled from Spain when the Alhambra Decree took effect.
1790 The first US patent (X000001) was issued to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.
1897 Mount Saint Elias – 18,008 ft (5,489 m) – Alaska, USA/Yukon, Canada – First ascent: July 31, 1897, by Duke of the Abruzzi, Filippo de Filippi, and Vittorio Sell
1930 The radio mystery program The Shadow aired for the first time.
1931 New York television station W2XAB (now known as WCBS) began broadcasting.
1948 Idlewild Field in New York, New York International Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) was dedicated.
1954 K2 – 28,251 ft (8,611 m) – Pakistan/China – First ascent: July 31, 1954, by Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli
1961 At Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, the first All-Star Game tie in Major League Baseball history happened after the game was stopped in the ninth inning because of rain.
1971 #1 Hit July 31, 1971 – August 6, 1971: James Taylor – You’ve Got a Friend
1980 July 31, 1980 Birthday (fictional) Harry Potter, Harry Potter
1989 July 31, 1989 – Game Boy released; video game
1995 The Walt Disney Company announced its plans to purchase both ABC and ESPN
1999 #1 Hit July 31, 1999 – September 3, 1999: Christina Aguilera – Genie In A Bottle
2003 Broadway Show – Avenue Q (Musical) July 31, 2003
2006 Cuba’s Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother, Raul Castro.
2010 #1 Hit July 31, 2010 – September 17, 2010: Eminem featuring Rihanna – Love the Way You Lie
2015 Millions of people went outside and looked up, and when they came back in, they said, “They lied to us. That moon’s not blue.”
2015 Descendants aired on The Disney Channel
2012 #1 Hit July 31, 2021 – August 13, 2021: Butter – BTS
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“So, when you divide the world into music lovers, music fans and then those people who are just very casual about their music, it’s wallpaper to them, it’s elevator music, it’s just the thing that’s playing in the background that helps them through their day.” – Michael Stipe
The Capital of Mexico is Mexico City
You can’t have a depressing scene in a movie without extreme close-ups and rain.
The biggest film of 1949: Samson and Delilah (Drama) earned ~ $29,000,000
Clark Kent (Superman) is the male movie counterpart to the girl who takes off her glasses, and everyone realizes she’s pretty. #movies
Alan Napier, the actor who played Alfred in the 1960s version of Batman, was the show’s only cast member who had never heard of Batman and had no idea who the character was before the show began filming.
The Capital of Mauritius is Port Louis
I think Freud would have something to say about all of the people who upload pictures of their attractive mothers onto Facebook.
“I suggest you not underestimate the staggering drawing power of the Garden State, and show up two hours in advance.” – Ticket Lady #moviequotes
There are 18 different animal shapes in the animal cracker zoo.
TV Quotes… “Up your nose with a rubber hose” (Vinnie Barbarino) on “Welcome Back, Kotter”
Helen Keller was once a pupil of Alexander Graham Bell at his school for the deaf.
Mothers only get a day but sharks get a whole week!
There are over 370 species of sharks in the world.
Sharks have upper and lower eyelids but do not blink.
Shark Week is one of television’s biggest annual events, on The Discovery Channel each August.
Female sharks can become pregnant without any contact from a male!
Why so many “bites”? – Sharks like to ‘taste’ what they are eating, and aren’t in a rush to eat something they don’t care for. They prefer sea turtles to humans. About 90% of people bitten by sharks aren’t eaten, they actually survive… as long as prompt medical care is given for the bite, most people survive.
Florida averages the greatest number of shark attacks annually.
A shark may grow and use over 20,000 teeth in its lifetime.
Since keeping track, from 1588, there have been about 1000 shark-related incidents in the United States. Australia comes in second place with about 1/2 that number.
Sharks can travel up to 40 miles per hour.
Baby sharks are called pups.
Some sharks swim a figure eight when frightened.
On average, about one person per year is killed by sharks. Over 3,300 Americans die from drowning over that same 365 day period.
Sharks have been around for about 400 million years.
Eating Shark flesh is forbidden in both the Solomon and Fiji Islands.
In 2003 Bethany Hamilton was on her surfboard, with her left hand dangling in the water, when a shark bit her arm, off at her shoulder. The 13-year old recovered and still competes as a pro surfer. Her story was made into a film, Soul Surfer.
Unlike most animals’ jaws, both the sharks’ upper and lower jaws move.
Sharks can have from 1 to 100 babies at a time, depending on the type of shark.
Sharks can detect one part of blood per ten billion parts of water – that means they could detect one drop of blood in an area the size of an Olympic swimming pool!
About 75 shark species are in danger of becoming extinct.
Sharks are covered in sharp, tooth-like scales called denticles.
The dwarf lantern shark (Etmopterus perryi) is the smallest shark and grows to only about 15cm.
The biggest shark is the whale shark (Rhincodon or Rhincodon typus), which can be up to 50 feet (15 m) long.
You are 1,000 times more likely to drown in the sea than you are to be bitten by a shark.
A shark can hear a fish in the water from more than a mile away.
On some islands, villagers believed that sharks were spirits of their ancestors.
Some sharks are scared away by bubbles produced by scuba divers.
Shark oil is used in costly skin creams that are meant to prevent wrinkles and signs of aging.
Sharks kept in captivity have been known to grow 10 times their usual rate in the wild.
Apart from people, a shark’s greatest enemy is another shark. Most sharks will happily eat any of their relatives, including members of their own species.
Nurse sharks in captivity have been trained to push buttons with their snouts.
Up to 100 million sharks are killed by people every year.
In 17th century France, the shark brain was eaten to ease the pain of childbirth. Today, the capacity of the dried shark brain to relieve pain is widely recognized.
A shark’s skeleton is made of rubbery cartilage, like the tip of our noses.
Sharks do not chew their food, they swallow it whole. If it’s too big, they tear it into chunks.
Baby sharks are born with sharp teeth and the ability to hunt right from the start.
Sharks can see almost as well behind them as they can in front.
No one has ever seen a Great White Shark give birth in the wild.
Unlike many other creatures, a shark does not have a layer of fat below its skin.
Shark mothers do not feed their babies. They must survive on their own.
Most other fish have flaps over their gills. Sharks do not.
Most other fish have just one-gill slit- an organ for breathing-on each side of the body. A shark has five, six, or even seven-gill slits on each side.
Most other fish have skeletons made of bone. A shark’s skeleton is made of cartilage, a type of strong but flexible tissue.
Sharks do not sleep the same way as humans do. They might seem as if they are sleeping but they are really just resting.
Sharks have the most powerful jaws on the planet. Unlike most animals’ jaws, both the sharks’ upper and lower jaws move.
Each type of shark has a different shaped tooth depending on their diet.
The ChumBuddy is a sleeping bag and stuff shark toy made to teach people about sharks. It is 7 feet tall and contains about 30 lbs of poly-fill.
1. Rocker Jimi Hendrix only had one Top 40 Hit. Name it.
2. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1968?
3. In 1968, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
4. The 1968 biographical musical comedy-drama film Funny Girl was about what actress?
5. Nominated for 8 Academy Awards; how many did Funny Girl win?
6. On April 3, 1968, where did Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech?
7.1968 Catchphrase: Who said, “Book ’em, Danno!”?
8. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1968?
9. How many people lived in the United States in 1968?
10. How many people lived in the World in 1968?
11. This sports event was held for the first time at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, with about 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.
12. Who was the President of the United States in 1968?
13. Sponsored by The Singer Company, this pop and movie idol was featured in a television event, the most-watched show of the season. Name him.
14. This 1968 low-budget but influential horror film was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the National Film Registry.
15. On November 17, 1968, NBC cut off the final minute of an Oakland Raiders/New York Jets football game to broadcast the pre-scheduled children’s film. Name that film.
16. Can you name the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly?
17. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1968?
18. What was the highest-grossing film of 1968?
19. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1968?
20. How much was a 5-pound bag of flour in 1968?
21. How much was a gallon of milk in 1968?
22. Who won the 1968 World Series?
23. “Plato’s Stepchildren,” the 12th episode of Star Trek, featured the first-ever WHAT on American national television?
24. Who won the SuperBowl in 1968?
25. Who was Super Bowl 2’s Most Valuable Player?
26. Who was the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs: Wally Schirra, John Glenn, Donn Eisele, or Walter Cunningham?
27. Name the English Landmark sold, shipped, and eventually rebuilt in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in 1971.
28. This Broadway musical featured songs like Aquarius and Good Morning Starshine. Name that show.
29. This 1968 film, starring Steve McQueen, included what many have called “the most famous car chase in cinematic history” in San Francisco. Name the film.
30. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1968?
31. The first production line of this still popular toy is known as “The Original Sweet 16”.
32. In The Archie Show (also known as The Archies), name the town where the characters lived.
33. Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie had a band called The Archies, and they had a real-life number-one hit song. Name that song.
34. Name the Hanna Barbera cartoon series that included characters like Dick Dastardly, Penelope Pitstop, Bella Gruesome, and Clyde.
35. These NFL fans were disappointed with a losing season and threw snowballs at Santa Claus at halftime. What team were the local fans disappointed with?
36. In the United States, the first phone call of this kind was made in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968. What kind of phone call was it?
37. In 1969, the United Kingdom also had an emergency call number. What is the emergency number in England?
38. What was the price of a First Class US Postal Stamp as of January 7, 1968?
39. Can you name the ninth studio album and only double album by The Beatles?
40. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the 1968 science fiction film, based on a novel by the same name, was written by who?
41. On July 31, 1968, Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz added an African-American character to his popular Peanuts comic strip. Name him.
42. This R&B singer died in a plane crash in late 1967, but his biggest-selling song became number one in January 1968. Name the singer and the song.
43. What 1960s television show used words like “POW!”, “BAM!” and “ZONK!” during fight scenes?
44. Richard Nixon won the US Presidential election with 301 out of how many Electoral College votes?
45. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1968?
46. This crime drama starring Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton, and Clarence Williams III ran on ABC until 1973. Name that show.
47. This actress later won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress but appeared as a series regular on a 1960s/1970s variety-comedy show dancing in a bikini, sometimes with body paint.
48. Who was the Time Magazine Men of the Year in 1968?
49. Lucille Ball premiered her third television situation comedy in a row on CBS, and it ran until 1974. What was it called?
50. The film The Lion in Winter was written by James Goldman about what English King?
51. This American rapper and actor was born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968. What name is he better known as?
52. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1968: Cuba Gooding Jr., Guy Fieri, Josh Brolin, or Pamela Anderson?
53. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the HAL 9000 computer sang what 1892 song?
54. This classic rock band was formally called “The New Yardbirds”. Name the band.
55. 1968 Catchphrase: What show featured the catchphrase “Sock it to me!”?
56. Name the cigarette brand targeted at women with the slogan “You’ve come a long way, baby.”
57. This theater, located at 511 10th Street, NW, in Washington, DC., reopened after over 100 years. The last play performed there before it closed was Our American Cousin. Name that playhouse.
58. Although this sitcom audio effect was used on television shows in the evening, it was later featured on Saturday mornings on shows like The Archies and The Banana Splits. Name that additional television sound.
59. What did Tommie Smith and John Carlos do After winning the gold and bronze medals in the Olympic Men’s 200-meter event?
60. Which celebrity did not appear to Batman and Robin through a window while they were climbing a wall: Art Linkletter, Ted Cassidy (as Lurch), Dick Clark, or Liberace?
61. How many direct sequels did the 1968 film Planet of the Apes have?
62. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1967/1968 season?
63. Before NBC’s Law and Order, what was the longest-running crime show in television history?
64. In Speed Racer, who was the secret identity of Racer X (The Masked Racer)?
65. Fred Rogers was the star of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood and a minister. What religious denomination?
66. Who was the Pope in 1968?
67. Who was the trenchcoat-wearing detective who debuted on February 20, 1968, on (NBC)?
68. The 1968 film Oliver! was based on what 1838 novel?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, how many did Oliver! win?
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey was based on what 1948 story by Arthur C. Clarke?
3. Super Bonus Question: You get one point for each of the members of television’s The Banana Splits that you can name.
4. What was Granny’s full name on The Beverly Hillbillies?
5. Who was the American Vice-President in 1968?
6. What company used the slogan: “All Because The Lady Loves Milk Tray”?
7. Who were the 1968 NBA Champions?
8. The 1968 Winter Olympics were held in Grenoble, France. How many medals did the US win?
9. Held in Mexico City, Mexico, how many medals did the US win in the 1968 Summer Olympics?
10. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1968?
The Answers:
68 Trivia Answers for 1968 History
1. Rocker Jimi Hendrix only had one Top 40 Hit. Name it. All Along The Watchtower (peaked at #20 in 1968)
2. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1968? Hey Jude – The Beatles
3. In 1968, what was the average life expectancy in the United States? Men – 66.6 years, Women – 74.0 years.
4. The 1968 biographical musical comedy-drama film Funny Girl was about what actress? Fanny Brice
5. Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, how many did Funny Girl win? One (Barbra Streisand for Best Actress)
6. On April 3, 1968, where did Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech? Memphis, Tennessee.
7.1968 Catchphrase: Who said, “Book ’em, Danno!”? Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O
8. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1968? In 1968, The Montreal Canadiens won over the St. Louis Blues (4 games to 0)
9. How many people lived in the United States in 1968? The population was an estimated 200,706,052 people.
10. How many people lived in the World in 1968? The estimated world population in 1968 was 3,541,674,891 people.
11. This sports event was held for the first time at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, with about 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics
12. Who was the President of the United States in 1968? Lyndon B. Johnson (November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969)
13. Sponsored by The Singer Company, this pop and movie idol was featured in a television event, the most-watched show of the season. Name him. Elvis Presley (Singer Presents…Elvis aka the ’68 Comeback Special)
14. This 1968 low-budget but influential horror film was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the National Film Registry. Night of the Living Dead
15. On November 17, 1968, NBC cut off the final minute of an Oakland Raiders/New York Jets football game to broadcast the pre-scheduled children’s film. Name that film. Heidi (The scandal was called “The Heidi Game”; Oakland scored two touchdowns to win the game in that time, 43 to 32))
16. Can you name the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly? Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
17. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1968? Airport by Arthur Hailey
18. What was the highest-grossing film of 1968? Funny Girl (2nd place: 2001: A Space Odyssey)
19. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1968? 22 cents
20. How much was a 5-pound bag of flour in 1968? 59 cents
21. How much was a gallon of milk in 1968? $1.21
22. Who won the 1968 World Series? In 1968, The Detroit Tigers won, beating the St. Louis Cardinals (4 games to 3)
23. “Plato’s Stepchildren”, the 12th episode of Star Trek, featured the first-ever WHAT on American national television? The first-ever interracial kiss between Lieutenant Uhura and Captain James T. Kirk.
24. Who won the SuperBowl in 1968? Super Bowl II | On January 14, 1968 (1967 season), The Green Bay Packers beat the Oakland Raiders (33–14) at Miami Orange Bowl.
25. Who was Super Bowl 2’s Most Valuable Player? 1968 MPV Super Bowl II Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers
26. Who was the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs: Wally Schirra, John Glenn, Donn Eisele, or Walter Cunningham? Wally Schirra (March 12, 1923 – May 3, 2007)
27. Name the English Landmark sold, shipped, and eventually rebuilt in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, in 1971. The London Bridge (originally built in 1831)
28. This Broadway musical featured songs like Aquarius and Good Morning Starshine. Name that show. Hair
29. This 1968 film, starring Steve McQueen, included what many have called “the most famous car chase in cinematic history” in San Francisco. Name the film. Bullitt (The chase scene lasts 10 minutes and 53 seconds)
30. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1968? $0.34 per gallon
31. The first production line of this still popular toy is known as “The Original Sweet 16”. Hot Wheels Cars
32. In The Archie Show (also known as The Archies), name the town where the characters lived. Riverdale
33. Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie had a band called The Archies, and they had a real-life number-one hit song. Name that song. Sugar, Sugar
34. Name the Hanna Barbera cartoon series that included characters like Dick Dastardly, Penelope Pitstop, Bella Gruesome, and Clyde. Wacky Races
35. These NFL fans were disappointed with a losing season and threw snowballs at Santa Claus at halftime. What team were the local fans disappointed with? The Philadelphia Eagles
36. In the United States, the first phone call of this kind was made in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968. What kind of phone call was it? 911 (emergency call)
37. In 1969, the United Kingdom also had an emergency call number. What is the emergency number in England? 9-9-9
38. What was the price of a First Class US Postal Stamp as of January 7, 1968? 6 cents
39. Can you name the ninth studio album and only double album by The Beatles? The Beatles (aka The White Album)
40. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the 1968 science fiction film, based on a novel by the same name, was written by who? Arthur C. Clarke
41. On July 31, 1968, Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz added an African-American character to his popular Peanuts comic strip. Name him. Franklin, a schoolmate of Peppermint Patty and Marcie.
42. This R&B singer died in a plane crash in late 1967, but his biggest-selling song became number one in January 1968. Name the singer and the song. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
43. What 1960s television show used words like “POW!”, “BAM!” and “ZONK!” during fight scenes? Batman
44. Richard Nixon won the US Presidential election with 301 out of how many Electoral College votes? 538 Electoral Votes
45. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1968? $1.25
46. This crime drama starring Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton, and Clarence Williams III ran on ABC until 1973. Name that show. The Mod Squad
47. This actress later won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress but appeared as a series regular on a 1960s/1970s variety-comedy show dancing in a bikini, sometimes with body paint. Goldie Hawn, on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In
48. Who was the Time Magazine Men of the Year in 1968? The Apollo 8 Astronauts
49. Lucille Ball premiered her third television situation comedy in a row on CBS, and it ran until 1974. What was it called? Here’s Lucy
50. The film The Lion in Winter was written by James Goldman about what English King? Henry II (March 5, 1133 – July 6, 1189), plated by Peter O’Toole
51. This American rapper and actor was born James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968. What name is he better known as? LL Cool J
52. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1968: Cuba Gooding Jr., Guy Fieri, Josh Brolin, or Pamela Anderson? Pam Anderson (born July 1, 1967)
53. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the HAL 9000 computer sang what 1892 song? Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two) by Harry Dacre
54. This classic rock band was formally called “The New Yardbirds”. Name the band. Led Zeppelin
55. 1968 Catchphrase: What show featured the catchphrase “Sock it to me!”? Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In
56. Name the cigarette brand targeted at women that uses the slogan “You’ve come a long way, baby.” Virginia Slims
57. This theater, located at 511 10th Street, NW, in Washington, DC., reopened after over 100 years. The last play performed there before it closed was Our American Cousin. Name that playhouse. Ford’s Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed)
58. Although this sitcom audio effect was used on television shows in the evening, it was later featured on Saturday mornings on shows like The Archies and The Banana Splits. Name that additional television sound. The Laugh Track
59. After winning the gold and bronze medals in the Olympic Men’s 200-meter event, what did Tommie Smith and John Carlos do? Raise their fists in a black power salute while on the platform.
60. Which celebrity did not appear to Batman and Robin through a window while they were climbing a wall: Art Linkletter, Ted Cassidy (as Lurch), Dick Clark, or Liberace? Liberace (May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987)
61. How many direct sequels did the 1968 film Planet of the Apes have? Four – Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, and Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
62. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1967/1968 season? The Andy Griffith Show (CBS)
63. Before NBC’s Law and Order, what was the longest-running crime show in television history? Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980)
64. In Speed Racer, who was the secret identity of Racer X (The Masked Racer)? He was Speed’s older brother, Rex Racer.
65. Fred Rogers was the star of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood and a minister. What religious denomination? He became a Presbyterian minister in 1963.
66. Who was the Pope in 1968? Pope Paul VI, from June 21, 1963 – August 6, 1978
67. Who was the trenchcoat-wearing detective who debuted on February 20, 1968, on (NBC)? Columbo (Lt. Frank Columbo, according to his badge)
68. The 1968 film Oliver! was based on what 1838 novel? Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, how many did Oliver! win? 6 – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Score of a Musical Picture, Best Sound and Honorary Award (choreography)
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey was based on what 1948 story by Arthur C. Clarke? The Sentinel
3. Super Bonus Question: You get one point for each of the members of television’s The Banana Splits that you can name. Fleegle (guitar, vocals), Bingo (drums, vocals), Drooper (bass, vocals), and Snorky (keyboards, effects)
4. What was Granny’s full name on The Beverly Hillbillies? Daisy ‘May’ Moses (played by Irene Ryan)
5. Who was the American Vice-President in 1968? Hubert Humphrey (January 20, 1965 – January 20, 1969)
6. What company used the slogan: “All Because The Lady Loves Milk Tray”? Cadbury UK
7. Who were the 1968 NBA Champions? For the 1967-68 Season, Champion Boston Celtics won 4 games to 2 over the Los Angeles Lakers
8. The 1968 Winter Olympics were held in Grenoble, France. How many medals did the US win? 7 1 Gold, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze.
9. Held in Mexico City, Mexico, how many medals did the US win in the 1968 Summer Olympics? 107 45 Gold, 28 Silver, 34 Bronze.
10. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1968? Forward Pass
1945 – The USS Indiana was torpedoed and sank. Only 318 of 1,196 crewmen survived.
1954 – The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien was published.
1958 – NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was established.
If you were born on July 29th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 5th (prior year)
National Chicken Wing Day
The Buffalo Chicken Wing is a staple of American cuisine. They were invented over 50 years ago by Teressa Bellissimo at the Anchor Bar and Grill in Buffalo, NY. Legend has it that she served them to her son Dominic and his friends as late-night snacks but they quickly became wildly popular thereafter their invention was revealed to others who then spread the word about this delicious dish all across America – leading people everywhere craving for these wings today!
Buffalo is an unassuming city on Lake Erie with big appetites: It also claims two kinds of chicken wing sauces; milder orange-onion-based “rooster” and spicier cayenne pepper sauce.
The peppers used to make the hot sauce contains the chemical Capsaicin. The more Capsaicin, the hotter the pepper and the hotter the sauce. Your chicken wing leftovers can stay in the fridge for three to four days, according to the FDA. You shouldn’t leave your chicken wings at room temperature (40 degrees Fahrenheit or above) for more than two hours.
Common Varieties of Hot Peppers and their Scoville Rating for Hot Peppers:
International Tiger Day National Chicken Wing Day National Lipstick Day Rain Day
July 29 Birthday Quotes
“You can be too rich and too thin, but you can never be too well read or too curious about the world.” – Tim Gunn
“They yell at me to be dignified. But what are the dignified people like? The people who are held up as examples of me? They are snobs. Frightful snobs, I’m a curiosity in Hollywood. I’m a big freak because I’m myself!” – Clara Bow
“‘Why do I wear tennis shoes?’ That’s two questions. Do I wear tennis shoes? The answer to that question is, ‘Yes.’ ‘Why?’” That’s a question philosophers have been pondering for centuries.” – Irwin Corey
“Have you noticed that the people who actually make the laws, the people in power, never make laws for themselves?” – William Powell
“Often imitated, but never duplicated!” – Lou Albano
“Be honest. Be kind. Be honorable. Work hard. And always be awesome.” – Wil Wheaton
“I prefer to think of myself as a musician who is still learning and trying to do something every time out.” – Geddy Lee
“I have the face of a vampire, but the heart of a feminist.” – Theda Bara
“To be good is to be forgotten. I’m going to be so bad I’ll always be remembered.” – Theda Bara
July 29 Birthdays
1883 – Benito Mussolini, Italian fascist politician, 27th Prime Minister of Italy (died in 1945) 1885 – Theda Bara, American actress (died in 1955) 1892 – William Powell, American actor (died in 1984) 1905 – Clara Bow, American actress (died in 1965) 1906 – Thelma Todd, American actress (died in 1935) 1914 – ‘Professor’ Irwin Corey, American comedian and actor (died in 2017) 1933 – Lou Albano, Italian-American wrestler, manager, and actor (died in 2009) 1953 – Geddy Lee, Canadian musician 1953 – Tim Gunn, American television host and actor 1954 – Patti Scialfa, American musician 1955 – Dave Stevens, American illustrator (died in 2008) 1966 – Martina McBride, American singer-songwriter 1972 – Wil Wheaton, American actor 1982 – Allison Mack, American actress
July 29 History
1148 – The Siege of Damascus ended with a crusader defeat and lead end of the Second Crusade.
1836 – Inauguration of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (Arch of Triumph of the Star) in Paris, France.
1914 – The 7 mile long Cape Cod Canal opened in Massachusetts.
1921 – Adolf Hitler became the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party.
1948 – After a hiatus of 12 years caused by World War II, the first Summer Olympics to be held since the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, open in London.
1958 – US President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, which created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
1969 – #1 Hit July 29, 1967 – August 18, 1967: The Doors – Light My Fire
1972 – #1 Hit July 29, 1972 – August 25, 1972: Gilbert O’Sullivan – Alone Again (Naturally)
1976 – David Berkowitz (the “Son of Sam”) killed one person and seriously wounded another in the first of a series of attacks in New York City.
1981 – A worldwide TV audience of over 700 million people watched the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
1982 – Professional wrestler Jerry Lawler slapped actor Andy Kaufman in the face on the program Late Night with David Letterman, a staged event that prompted a several-month ‘war’ between the two of them.
1987 – British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President of France François Mitterrand sign the agreement to build a tunnel under the English Channel (Chunnel).
2000 – #1 Hit July 29, 2000 – August 11, 2000: ‘N Sync – It’s Gonna Be Me
2005 – Astronomers announce their discovery of the dwarf planet, Eris.
July 29, 2015- Windows 10 was released.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
40% of bottles that say ‘Italian olive oil’ are not actually Italian olive oil.
“Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” – Margo Channing (Bette Davis) in All About Eve, 1950
“It’s alive! It’s alive!” – Victor Frankenstein (Colin Clive) #moviequotes
The Democratic party got its donkey symbol because Andrew Jackson’s opponents called him a jackass. Which amused him to the point of making the donkey his party’s symbol.
When a crow dies, the other crows investigate if there’s a threat where the death occurred, so they can avoid it in the future.
US President #2 John Adams (1797-1801) died July 4, 1826, one of two original signers of the Declaration of Independence who were also President, 50 years to the day of it being written.
Snow White is the youngest Disney Princess, at only 14 years old.
Bananas are radioactive enough that a truckload of them can cause false alarms when checking for nuclear materials at US ports, but they are perfectly healthy for the human body.
The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter of the alphabet.
If s’mores were named after the fact that when you have one you want “some more”, that means the very first s’more ever eaten didn’t have a name.
1540 – Thomas Cromwell was executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of treason.
1868 – The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified.
1973 – At the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen, nearly 600,000 people attend a rock festival at the Watkins Glen International Raceway.
1996 – The remains of a prehistoric man were discovered near Kennewick, Washington. (The Kennewick Man)
If you were born on July 28th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 4th (prior year)
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution
Section 1 All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2 Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3 No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4 The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5 The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
July 28 is…
Buffalo Soldiers Day Observed annually on July 28th National Hamburger Day National Milk Chocolate Day National Waterpark Day World Hepatitis Day World Nature Conservation Day
July 28 Birthday Quotes
“It is easy to believe we are each waves and forget we are also the ocean.” – Jon J Muth
“There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” – Beatrix Potter
“To me, the capacity to earn money has never been a measurement of success. It is my belief that people must develop a philosophy early in life which permits them to have as much pleasure, enjoyment and satisfaction now as is possible without injuring themselves or others. Money can help to do this, but it is not and must not become the sole aim of a person’s existence. We all know what happened to King Midas.” – Rudy Vallee
“I have been through a lot and have suffered a great deal. But I have had lots of happy moments, as well. Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either.” – Jackie Kennedy
“No one goes unscathed, we all go through things. We just can’t let people’s nasty words become our beliefs about ourselves, you know?” – Elizabeth Berkley
“A conductor should guide rather than command.” – Riccardo Muti
“With opportunity, the world is very interesting.” – Beatrix Potter
July 28 Birthdays
1866 – Beatrix Potter, English children’s book writer and illustrator (died in 1943) 1901 – Rudy Vallée, American actor and singer(died in 1986) 1915 – Dick Sprang, American comic book illustrator (died in 2000) 1915 – Frankie Yankovic, American polka musician (died in 1998) 1929 – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, American socialite, 37th First Lady of the United States (died in 1994) 1941 – Riccardo Muti, Italian conductor 1954 – Hugo Chávez, Venezuelan colonel and politician, President of Venezuela (died in 2013) 1960 – Jon J. Muth, American author and illustrator 1962 – Rachel Sweet, American singer 1964 – Lori Loughlin, American actress 1969 – Alexis Arquette, American actress (died in 2016) 1974 – Elizabeth Berkley, American actress 1990 – Soulja Boy, American rapper
July 28 History
1854 – The USS Constellation, the last ‘all sail’ warship built by the United States Navy, was commissioned.
1868 – The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified, establishing African American citizenship and guaranteeing due process of law.
1896 – The city of Miami, Florida was incorporated.
1933 – The first Singing Telegram was delivered, to Rudy Vallee for his 32nd birthday.
1945 – A US Army B-25 bomber crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building, killing 14 and injuring 26.
1951 – #1 Hit July 28, 1951 – September 7, 1951: Rosemary Clooney – Come On-a My House
1956 – #1 Hit July 28, 1956 – August 3, 1956: Elvis Presley – I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
1973 – Nearly 600,000 people attended the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen rock festival at the Watkins Glen International Raceway.
1976 (Earthquake) Tangshan, China
1988 – East End Show – Blood Brothers (Musical) July 28, 1988
1996 – The remains of the prehistoric Kennewick Man were discovered near Kennewick, Washington.
2000 – Kathie Lee Gifford left Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.
2002 Nine coal miners trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, were rescued after 77 hours underground.
2007 – #1 Hit July 28, 2007 – August 10, 2007: Plain White T’s – Hey There Delilah
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Rob Roy – Real Name: Robert McGregor
The is a 90-degree difference between crawling and climbing. #RealLifeMath
Kirk Douglas – Real Name: Issur Danielovitch Demsky
“I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.” – Lloyd Dobler #moviequotes
Useless Pronunciation: C as in cue
A group of Hamsters is called a Horde.
Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon agree that if they’re ever confused for one another, they will just go along with it.
Success and failure, we think of them as opposites, but they’re really not. They’re companions- the hero and sidekick.
Asparagus comes in Bundles.
The Seven Virtues #1- Faith is belief in the right things.
“I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.” #songlyrics
A group of Hawks (in flight) is called a Kettle.
Marie Curie’s notebooks are still radioactive. Researchers hoping to view them must sign a disclaimer.
The average wait in the waiting room of a doctor’s office: 20 minutes.
Hootie and the Blowfish (1995 Best New Artist Grammy Winner, presented
on 1996)Alanis Morissette (Grammy for Album of the Year)Kiss From
A Rose – Seal (Grammy for Record of the Year)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Donna Lewis, Ginuwine, Los Del Rio, Everclear, Busta Rhymes, 112, Dru Hill, Sublime, No Doubt, Jay-Z, K-Ci and JoJo, The Verve Pipe, Rage Against the machine, Republica, Faith Hill, and Ricky Martin.
1996’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. Macarena – Los Del Rio
2. Don’t Speak – No Doubt
3. Missing – Everything But The Girl
4. I Believe I Can Fly – R Kelly
5. Wonderwall – Oasis
6. I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis
7. Who Will Save Your Soul – Jewel
8. Ready To Go – Republica
9. Grease Megamix – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
10. Champagne Supernova – Oasis
1996’s ‘One Hit Wonders’
1. Breakfast At Tiffany’s – Big Blue Something
2. Closer To Free – BoDeans
3. Counting Blue Cars – Dishwalla
4. One of Us – Joan Osborne
5. Flood – Jars of Clay
6. Whoever You Are – Geggy Tah
7. Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit – Gina G
8. Pepper – Butthole Surfers
9. Insensitive – Jann Arden
10. Mouth – Merril Bainbridge
1996’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Macarena – Los Del Rio
2. Be My Lover – La Bouche
3. Set U Free – Planet Soul
4. Maria – Ricky Martin
5. Tonight is the Night – Le Click
6. C’Mon ‘N’ Ride It (The Train) – Quad City DJ’s
7. Stayin’ Alive – N-Trance
8. Sweet Dreams – La Bouche
9. That Girl – Maxi Priest Featuring Shaggy
10. You’re The One – SWV
1996’s Hip Hop Music Top Ten
1. California Love – 2Pac with Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
2. Killing Me Softly – Fugees
3. How Do U Want It – 2Pac featuring KC and Jojo
4. Loungin – LL Cool J
5. Tha Crossroads – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
6. 1,2,3,4 (Sumpin’ New) – Coolio
7. Doin’ It – LL Cool J with LeShaun Williams
8. I Like – Montell Jordan and Slick Rick
9. Who Hah! Got You All In Check/Everything Remains Raw – Busta Rhymes
10. Pony – Ginuwine
More 1996 Hip Hop
11. Cold Rock A Party – MC Lyte
12. No Diggity – BLACKStreet
1996’s Bubblegum Pop Music Top Ten
1. Macarena – Los Del Rio
2. I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis
3. No Diggity – Blackstreet
4. C’Mon N’ Ride It (The Train) – Quad City DJ’s
5. I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly
6. Just A Girl – No Doubt
7. Sittin’ Up In My Room – Brandy
8. Maria – Ricky Martin
9. Pony- Ginuwine
10. Counting Blue Cars – Dishwalla
1996’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Don’t Speak – No Doubt
2. Head Over Feet – Alanis Morissette
3. Name – Goo Goo Dolls
4. Breakfast At Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something
5. Just A Girl – No Doubt
6. Follow You Down – Gin Blossoms
7. Who Will Save Your Soul – Jewel
8. Til I Hear It From You – Gin Blossoms
9. Everything Falls Apart – Dog’s Eye View
10. I Go Blind – Hootie And The Blowfish
1996’s Alternative Top 10 Hit List
1. Wonderwall – Oasis
2. Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand
– Primitive Radio Gods
3. 1979 – Smashing Pumpkins
4. Counting Blue Cars – Dishwalla
5. Closer To Free – BoDeans
6. The Distance – Cake
7. Natural One – Folk Implosion
8. Hook – Blues Traveler
9. Pepper – Butthole Surfers
10. Peaches – Presidents Of The United States Of America
July 27, **** Birthday (fictional) Bugs Bunny, Cartoon
If you were born on July 27th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 3rd (prior year)
Bagpipe Appreciation Day
The first bagpipe records appeared around 1000 BC via a Hittite carving. However, the general consensus among scholars is that it was actually introduced to Scotland by the Romans at some point during or after their conquest of England in AD 43-410.
The International Bagpipe Organization and the Bagpipe Society co-founded a celebration of International Bagpipe Day in 2012. They have helped to bring the bagpipes to new players since 1986, but it is important that they do not lose their history or playing tradition. Creating this day was with hopes of bringing awareness about over 130 types of bagpipes worldwide.
The PCM informal poll gives the Bagpipes the #2 ranking for most annoying instruments, with The Vuvuzela taking the number one position. A distant #3 was the kazoo, with the mouth harp and the triangle taking the number 4 and 5 spots, respectively.
July 27 is…
Bagpipe Appreciation Day National Chicken Finger Day National Crème Brûlée Day National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day Walk on Stilts Day
July 27 Birthday Quotes
“I’m not into working out. My philosophy: No pain, no pain.” – Carol Leifer
“Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too infrequently. And if you don’t collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don’t really mean anything.” – Norman Lear
“I’ve always known I was good, but if other people don’t think so, it can hurt your confidence.” – Jerry Van Dyke
“My background was art school, documentary director and surfer with a keen interest in thrilling acts of life-threatening stupidity.” – Yahoo Serious
“I’m always learning when I’m surrounded by great people. In every experience, I feel like I’m learning. I’m not like, ‘Oh good. I’m done! I don’t have to learn anymore.’” – Maya Rudolph
“Nobodys perfect. And if you think they are, you’re sadly mistaken.” – Jonathan Rhys Meyers
“We just may be the most well-informed, yet least self-aware, people in history.” – Norman Lear
“The ultimate goal should be doing your best and enjoying it.” – Peggy Fleming
“My failures has helped me as much as my successes.” – Jonathan Rhys Meyers
July 27 Birthdays
1916 – Keenan Wynn, American actor (died in 1986) 1922 – Norman Lear, American screenwriter and producer 1931 – Jerry Van Dyke, American actor (died in 2018) 1944 – Bobbie Gentry, American singer-songwriter 1947 – Betty Thomas, American actress 1948 – Peggy Fleming, American figure skater and sportscaster 1949 – Maury Chaykin, American-Canadian character actor (died in 2010) 1949 – Maureen McGovern, American singer 1952 – Roxanne Hart, American actress 1953 – Yahoo Serious, Australian comedic actor 1956 – Carol Leifer, American actress and comedian 1967 – Juliana Hatfield, American singer-songwriter 1969 – Triple H, American wrestler 1972 – Maya Rudolph, American comedic actress 1974 – Pete Yorn, American singer-songwriter 1977 – Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Irish actor 1984 – Taylor Schilling, American actress 1990 – Nick Hogan, American race car driver and actor
July 27 History
1694 – A Royal charter was granted to the Bank of England.
1789 – The first US federal government agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs, was established (later renamed the Department of State).
1866 – The first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable was successfully completed, stretching from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart’s Content, Newfoundland.
1890 – Vincent van Gogh (probably) shot himself, and died from the chest wound on July 29.
1929 – The Geneva Convention was signed in Geneva, Switzerland. The full official name is the Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Geneva July 27, 1929.
1940 – The animated short A Wild Hare was released, introducing the character of Bugs Bunny. “What’s up, Doc?” was the first line the still-unnamed rabbit said to Elmer Fudd.
July 27, 19** Birthday (fictional) Bugs Bunny, Cartoon
1974 The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee votes 27 to 11 to recommend the first article of impeachment (for obstruction of justice) against President Richard Nixon. #watergate
1974 – #1 Hit July 27, 1974 – August 9, 1974: John Denver – Annie’s Song
1981 – Adam Walsh, the 6-year-old son of John & Reve Walsh, was kidnapped in Hollywood, Florida and was found murdered two weeks later.
1985 – #1 Hit July 27, 1985 – August 2, 1985: Paul Young – Everytime You Go Away
1987 – RMS Titanic Inc. began the first expedited salvage of wreckage of the RMS Titanic.
1991 – #1 Hit July 27, 1991 – September 13, 1991: Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You 1996 – In Atlanta, United States, a pipe bomb explodes at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Security guard Richard Jewell saved many people, although there were many injuries. Jewell was also falsely accused on setting the bomb. He was exonerated and Eric Robert Rudolph was later found to have been the bomber.
1999 – #1 Hit July 27, 1996 – August 2, 1996: Toni Braxton – You’re Makin’ Me High / Let It Flow
1999 – Tony Hawk landed the first ‘900’ on a skateboard (two-and-a-half complete revolutions) at the fifth annual X Games in San Francisco, California.
2007 – News helicopters from Phoenix, Arizona television stations KNXV and KTVK collide over Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix while covering a police chase. Four people were killed.
1. Who was the President of the United States in 1933?
2. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1933?
3. Monopoly is one of the most popular board games ever, but it was loosely based on an earlier game. What was the earlier game?
4. This masked radio hero worked in the American Wild West, and his theme was based on the William Tell Overture. Who was that masked man?
5. President Roosevelt gave the American public the first of 28 live radio broadcasts. What were they collectively called?
6. What was the highest-grossing film of 1933
7. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1933?
8. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1933?
9. What was the average household income in 1933?
10. How many people lived in the United States in 1933?
11. What Major League Baseball annual event began in Chicago on July 6, 1933?
12. The Century of Progress, the unofficial name for the 1933 World’s Fair, was held in what American city?
13. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1933?
14. In 1933, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
15. Disney’s Three Little Pigs won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. It also gave us a famous phrase and song. What is the name of the song?
16. What New York model boarded a train to Hollywood after an agent signed her to appear as part of the chorus (uncredited) for the Eddie Cantor film Roman Scandals?
17. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1933?
18. On March 15, 1933, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 15.34%. What is significant about that number?
19. President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 2039, declaring what between March 6 and March 13, 1933?
20. What form of cinematic entertainment first opened in Pennsauken Township, near Camden, New Jersey?
21. Found on Skull Island, what creature was called the “Eighth Wonder of the World?”
22. What Marx Brothers’ film was released in 1933, featuring Margaret Dumont as “Mrs. Gloria Teasdale?
23. Who said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself?”
24. Who won the 1933 World Series?
25. Perry Mason was an American fictional criminal defense lawyer and the title character in Erle Stanley Gardner’s books about him. Who was Perry’s secretary?
26. How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1933?
27. What weekly news magazine began publication in 1933?
28. What was the purpose of Franklin D. Roosevelt signing Executive Order 6102?
29. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1933?
30. What did telegram company Western Union offer as a new service in 1933?
31. How much did a base Ford two-door sedan cost in 1933?
32. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1933?
33. What did Mr. and Mrs. John Mackay, George Spicer, his wife, and Hugh Gray all claim to see in 1933?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. What was the first to be chemically synthesized?
2. Fay Wray played the female lead in King Kong. What was her character’s name?
3. Who was the Pope in 1933?
4. Which token was NOT available when Monopoly was released? – Shoe, Iron, Wheelbarrow, Battleship, Thimble or Rocking Horse?
5. This comic strip, created by Chic Young, featured the wedding of Blondie Boopadoop and Dagwood Bumstead. What was the name of the comic strip?
6. Who were the 1933 NFL Champions?
7. Who was the American Vice-President in 1933?
8. What did the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution do?
9. What did Mr. Wiley Post complete on July 22, 1933? HINT: It took him seven days, 18 hours 45 minutes.
10. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1933?
The Answers:
33 Trivia Answers for 1933 History
1. Who was the President of the United States in 1933? Herbert Hoover (March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945)
2. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1933? (tie) Stormy Weather by Leo Reisman OR The Last Round-Up by George Olson
3. Monopoly is one of the most popular board games ever, but it was loosely based on an earlier game. What was the earlier game? The Landlord’s Game
4. This masked radio hero worked in the American Wild West, and his theme was based on the William Tell Overture. Who was that masked man? The Lone Ranger
5. President Roosevelt gave the American public the first of 28 live radio broadcasts. What were they collectively called? “Fireside chats”
6. What was the highest-grossing film of 1933? Cavalcade
7. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1933? 7 cents
8. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1933? 42 cents
9. What was the average household income in 1933? $2,956.48
10. How many people lived in the United States in 1933? The population was an estimated 125,578,763 people.
11. What Major League Baseball annual event began in Chicago on July 6, 1933? The All-Star Game
12. The Century of Progress, the unofficial name for the 1933 World’s Fair, was held in what American city? Chicago
13. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1933? In 1933, The New York Rangers won over the Toronto Maple Leafs (3 games to 1)
14. In 1933, what was the average life expectancy in the United States? Men – 61.7 years, Women – 65.1 years.
15. Disney’s Three Little Pigs won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. It also gave us a famous phrase and song. What is the name of the song? Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf
16. What New York model boarded a train to Hollywood after an agent signed her to appear as part of the chorus (uncredited) for the Eddie Cantor film Roman Scandals? Lucille Ball
17. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1933? Anthony Adverse by Harvey Allen
18. On March 15, 1933, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 15.34%. What is significant about that number? It was the biggest (percentage) one-day gain ever for the market.
19. President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 2039, declaring what between March 6 and March 13, 1933? A nationwide “bank holiday.”
20. What form of cinematic entertainment first opened in Pennsauken Township, near Camden, New Jersey? Drive-In movie theater
21. Found on Skull Island, what creature was called the “Eighth Wonder of the World?” King King
22. What Marx Brothers’ film was released in 1933, featuring Margaret Dumont as “Mrs. Gloria Teasdale?” Duck Soup
23. Who said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself?” Franklin D. Roosevelt
24. Who won the 1933 World Series? In 1933, The New York Giants won, beating the Washington Senators (4 games to 1)
25. Perry Mason was an American fictional criminal defense lawyer and the title character in Erle Stanley Gardner’s books about him. Who was Perry’s secretary? Della Street. On television, she was played by Barbara Hale.
26. How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1933? 29 cents
27. What weekly news magazine began publication in 1933? Newsweek (initially called News-Week)
28. What was the purpose of Franklin D. Roosevelt signing Executive Order 6102? It limited the amount of gold Americans could own.
29. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1933? Hugh S. Johnson
30. What did telegram company Western Union offer as a new service in 1933? The Singing Telegram.
31. How much did a base Ford two-door sedan cost in 1933? $450
32. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1933? $0.18 per gallon
33. What did Mr. and Mrs. John Mackay, George Spicer, his wife, and Hugh Gray all claim to see in 1933? The Loch Ness Monster
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. What was the first to be chemically synthesized? Vitamin C
2. Fay Wray played the female lead in King Kong. What was her character’s name? Ann Darrow
3. Who was the Pope in 1933? Pope Pius XI, February 6, 1922 – February 10, 1939
4. Which token was NOT available when Monopoly was released? – Shoe, Iron, Wheelbarrow, Battleship, Thimble or Rocking Horse? The Wheelbarrow entered the game board in 1946.
5. This comic strip, created by Chic Young, featured the wedding of Blondie Boopadoop and Dagwood Bumstead. What was the name of the comic strip? Blondie
6. Who were the 1933 NFL Champions? The Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants 23 to 21.
7. Who was the American Vice-President in 1933? Charles Curtis (March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933) and John Garner (March 4, 1933 – January 20, 1941)
8. What did the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution do? It moved the beginning and ending of the terms of the president and vice president from March 4 to January 20 and of members of Congress from March 4 to January 3. (It also has provisions determining what to do when no president-elect is absent.)
9. What did Mr. Wiley Post complete on July 22, 1933? HINT: It took him seven days, 18 hours 45 minutes. He was the first person to fly solo around the world.
10. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1933? Brokers Tip
July 26, 19** Birthday (fictional) Bert, Sesame Street
1775 – The office that would later become the United States Post Office Department was established.
July 26, 1910 – Krazy Kat 1st appearance in The Dingbat Family, Comic Strip debuted
1942 – The US Army ordered ( Executive Order 9981) desegregation in its training camp facilities.
1947 – The US Department of Defense was founded.
2005 – STS-114: Launch of Discovery, NASA’s first scheduled flight mission since the Columbia Disaster in 2003.
If you were born on July 26th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 2nd (prior year)
Holistic Therapy Day
Hippocrates, one of the most famous physicians in history was known for his holistic approach to medicine. He felt it wasn’t enough just to focus on ailments like headaches and stomach aches but instead he would treat the whole person by not only focusing on their physical symptoms but also mental health as well. The idea that you need a healthier lifestyle is what lead to Hippocrates’ medical revolution which began around 400 years before Christ’s birth.
Modern Holistic Therapy is a medical practice where the doctor takes into account all of your symptoms and tries to find out what it might be causing them. This contrasts with traditional medicine, which would just focus on treating whatever symptom you have at that point in time without looking for other causes
The crux of Modern Holistic Therapies (MHT) philosophy is rooted in the idea that modern-day Traditional Medicine’s approach comes with certain concerns – namely focusing on treatments/treating one particular symptom while ignoring or not fully considering another related factor(s). Prior to the 1970s, this wasn’t present as such; instead, MHT tried taking an entire environment perspective when determining treatment options by trying their best to address root cause issues within patients.
Holistic therapies include:
Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, and Essential Oils, Ayurvedic medicine, Bowen technique, Homeopathy, Hypnotherapy, Massage, Meditation, Mindfulness, Reflexology, Reiki, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Western herbal medicine, Yoga
The Hippocratic Oath
I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this contract:
To hold him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to be a partner in life with him, and to fulfill his needs when required; to look upon his offspring as equals to my own siblings, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or contract; and that by the set rules, lectures, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to students bound by this contract and having sworn this Oath to the law of medicine, but to no others.
I will use those dietary regimens which will benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgment, and I will do no harm or injustice to them.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
In purity and according to divine law will I carry out my life and my art.
I will not use the knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but I will leave this to those who are trained in this craft.
Into whatever homes I go, I will enter them for the benefit of the sick, avoiding any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption, including the seduction of women or men, whether they are free men or slaves.
Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients, whether in connection with my professional practice or not, which ought not to be spoken of outside, I will keep secret, as considering all such things to be private.
So long as I maintain this Oath faithfully and without corruption, may it be granted to me to partake of life fully and the practice of my art, gaining the respect of all men for all time. However, should I transgress this Oath and violate it, may the opposite be my fate.
July 26 is…
Aunt and Uncles Day Holistic Therapy Day National All Or Nothing Day National Bagelfest Day National Coffee Milkshake Day One Voice Day World Tofu Day
The Lumberjack World Championships traditionally take place in Hayward, WI, during the last weekend in July.
July 26 Birthday Quotes
“The world will ask you who you are, and if you don’t know, the world will tell you.” – Carl Jung
“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” – George Bernard Shaw
“I don’t want to be a star – most of the ones I know are too unhappy.” – Vivian Vance
“Computers have their uses They’re great for work or play But it’s not a good idea just to stare at them all day!” – Jan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears’ Computer Trouble
“Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.” – George Bernard Shaw
“The victim of mind manipulation does not know that he is a victim. To him, the walls of his prison are invisible, and he believes himself to be free.” – Aldous Huxley
“Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge.” – Carl Jung
” The longer I live, the more convinced am I that this planet is used by other planets as a lunatic asylum.” – George Bernard Shaw
July 26 Birthdays
1796 – George Catlin, American painter, author, and traveler (died in 1872) 1819 – Justin Holland, American guitarist and educator (died in 1887) 1856 – George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and critic, Nobel Prize laureate (died in 1950) 1875 – Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist (died in 1961) 1894 – Aldous Huxley, English novelist and philosopher (died in 1963) 1909 – Vivian Vance, American actress and singer (died in 1979) 1914 – Erskine Hawkins, American trumpet player and bandleader (died in 1993) 1922 – Blake Edwards, American director, producer, and screenwriter (died in 2010) 1922 – Jason Robards, American actor (died in 2000) 1923 – Jan Berenstain, American author and illustrator (died in 2012) 1928 – Joe Jackson, American talent manager, father of Michael Jackson (died in 2018) 1928 – Stanley Kubrick, American director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer (died in 1999) 1940 – Dobie Gray, American singer-songwriter (died in 2011) 1941 – Darlene Love, American singer and actress 1943 – Mick Jagger, English singer-songwriter, Rolling Stone 1945 – Helen Mirren, English actress 1949 – Roger Taylor, English singer-songwriter and drummer 1950 – Susan George, English actress 1956 – Dorothy Hamill, American figure skater 1959 – Kevin Spacey, American actor 1964 – Sandra Bullock, American actress 1967 – Jason Statham, English actor 1973 – Kate Beckinsale, English actress
July 26 History
1745 “The greatest cricket match that was played in this part of England was on Friday, the 26th of last month, on Gosden Common, near Guildford, between eleven maids of Bramley and eleven maids of Hambledon, all dressed in white. The Bramley maids had blue ribbons and the Hambledon maids red ribbons on their heads. The Bramley girls got 119 notches and the Hambledon girls 127. There was of bothe sexes the greatest number that ever was seen on such an occasion. The girls bowled, batted, ran and catches as well as most men could do in that game.” – news report on the first recorded women’s Cricket Match.
1775 The Second Continental Congress established an allowance for The United States Post Office Department. It was called the Post Office Department 1792 – 1971. United States Postal Service was effective on July 1, 1971.
1847 Liberia disbanded from the support of the American Colonization Society and formalized their settlement as the Republic of Liberia.
1887 Dr. Esperanto’s International Language, usually called Unua Libro (English: First Book) was published.
1908 United States Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte issued an order to staff the Bureau of Investigation (BOI – later renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI).
2010 July 26, 1910 – Krazy Kat’s 1st appearance in The Dingbat Family, Comic Strip
1941 US President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the seizure of all Japanese assets in the United States.
1946 Aloha Airlines began service from Honolulu International Airport. They closed on March 31, 2008.
1947 President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 into United States law creating the Central Intelligence Agency, United States Department of Defense, United States Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the United States National Security Council.
1958 #1 Hit July 26, 1958 – August 3, 1958: Elvis Presley – Hard-Headed Woman
1963 Syncom 2, the world’s first geosynchronous satellite, was launched from Cape Canaveral. It was used to telecast the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo to the United States.
1971 Apollo 15 (July 26 – August 7, 1971) Crew: David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden, and James B. Irwin, featuring the first use of a Lunar Roving Vehicle.
1975 #1 Hit July 26, 1975 – August 1, 1975: Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony – The Hustle
1986 #1 Hit July 26, 1986 – August 1, 1986: Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
1990 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was signed into law by President George Bush.
July 26, 19** Birthday (fictional) Bert, Sesame Street
2014 #1 Hit July 26, 2014 – September 5, 2014: Magic! – Rude
2016 Hillary Clinton became the first female nominee for President of the United States by a major political party at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. #VictoriaWoodhull
2052 July 26, 2052 (fiction) The United Nations was officially disbanded; Fallout, Video game
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“If I’m not back in five minutes… just wait longer.” – Ace Ventura #moviequotes
Whatchu talkin ’bout Wills? #TVCatchphrase
A velociraptor was about the size of a big chicken.
“You’re gonna love the way you look, I guarantee it” – Alcohol, telling me to dance
The Four Classical Elements (Earth, Water, Air, and Fire) Match the Four States of Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas, and Plasma). #Science
Lauren Bacall – Real Name: Betty Joan Perske
“I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way” – Jessica Rabbit #moviequotes
A group of Gorillas is called a Band or Troop.
After losing the first glove or sock of a pair the chances of losing the remaining one basically drops to zero.
“I hope the exit is joyful and hope never to return.” – Frida Kahlo #LastWords
You can be sitting down and sitting up at the same time, because of the English language!
“Once you start compromising your thoughts, you’re a candidate for mediocrity” – Arnold Epstein #moviequotes
1909 – Louis Bleriot became the first person to fly over the English Channel between France and England.
1956 – The Andrea Doria sank off Nantucket, MA. Although 1,660 passengers were rescued, 46 people were killed in the accident.
1965 – Bob Dylan used an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival, and fans did not like the new sound.
If you were born on July 25th, You were likely conceived the week of… November 1st (prior year)
National Carousel (Merry-Go-Round) Day
The merry-go-round is a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. The motor spins the ride around its central pole and between rows of animals, passengers can take their pick from many colorful wooden horses or other creatures that move up and down to simulate galloping!
An amusement park staple, the carousel is a circular platform that rotates around an axis. The rides are filled with people of all ages, riding animals as well! It’s powered by a motor in order to make it spin while maintaining its stability. There might be times when you see one animal grazing on grass, or another horse trotting up and down for everyone to admire before returning back into their poses once again, just like they were galloping.
July 25, 1871 – The first carousel patent was issued to William Schneider and he is considered the official inventor of the modern carousel by the US Patent Office.
Feast of Saint James Health and Happiness with Hypnosis Day National Carousel Day National Hire a Veteran Day National Hot Fudge Sundae Day National Wine and Cheese Day Red Shoe Day Thread the Needle Day
July 25 Birthday Quotes
“I believe that laughter is the best emotional Band-Aid in the world. It’s like nature’s Neosporin.” – Matt LeBlanc
“When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.” – Walter Payton
“There are countless artists whose shoes I am not worthy to polish – whose prints would not pay the printer. The question of judgment is a puzzling one.” – Maxfield Parrish
“Beauty, strength, youth, are flowers but fading seen; Duty, faith, love, are roots, and ever green.” – George Peele
“You can do anything you want to do.” – Estelle Getty
July 25 Birthdays
1556 – George Peele, English translator, poet, and dramatist (died in 1596) 1857 – Frank J. Sprague, American inventor (died in 1934) 1870 – Maxfield Parrish, American painter and illustrator (died in 1966) 1894 – Walter Brennan, American actor (died in 1974) 1901 – Lila Lee, American actress and singer (died in 1973) 1915 – Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., American lieutenant and pilot (died in 1944) 1923 – Estelle Getty, American actress (died in 2008) 1935 – Barbara Harris, American actress and singer (died in 2018) 1935 – Adnan Khashoggi, Saudi Arabian businessman (died in 2017) 1941 – Emmett Till, American lynching victim (died in 1955) 1954 – Walter Payton, American football player and race car driver (died in 1999) 1955 – Iman, Somalian-English model and actress 1965 – Illeana Douglas, American actress 1967 – Matt LeBlanc, American actor 1974 – Lauren Faust, American animator and producer 1978 – Louise Brown, first human to be born via IVF 1982 – Brad Renfro, American actor (died in 2008)
July 25 History
306 – Constantine I (Constantine The Great) was proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops.
315 – The Arch of Constantine was completed near the Colosseum in Rome
1593 – Henry IV of France converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism.
1668 (Earthquake) China
1788 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed his Symphony No. 40 in G minor.
1861 – The United States Congress passed the Crittenden-Johnson Resolution, stating that the war was being fought to preserve the Union and not to end slavery.
1868 – The Wyoming Territory was established.
1925 – Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) was established.
1946 – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis stage their first show as a comedy team at Club 500 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
1953 – #1 Hit July 25, 1953 – August 7, 1953: Eddie Fisher – I’m Walking Behind You
1956 – The Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria sank after colliding with the Swedish ship Stockholm in 200 feet of water 50 miles southeast of Nantucket Island, Mass.
1959 – The SR.N1 hovercraft crossed the English Channel from Calais, France to Dover, England in just over two hours.
1965 – Bob Dylan played an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival, surprising fans of folk and rock music.
1970 – #1 Hit July 25, 1970 – August 21, 1970: The Carpenters – (They Long to Be) Close to You
1975 – Broadway Show – A Chorus Line (Musical) July 25, 1975
1976 – Viking 1 took the now-famous Face on Mars photo.
July 25, 1976 Birthday (fictional) Steve Urkel, Family Matters, TV
1978 – Louise Brown, the world’s first “test-tube baby” (in vitro fertilization, or IVF)was born at Oldham General Hospital, Oldham, England.
1981 – #1 Hit July 25, 1981 – July 31, 1981: Air Supply – The One That You Love
1984 – Salyut 7 cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to perform a spacewalk.
2010 – WikiLeaks published classified documents about the War in Afghanistan, one of the largest leaks in US military history.
2015 – #1 Hit July 25, 2015 – August 21, 2015: OMI – Cheerleader
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The “Berenstain Bears Alternate Universe Theory” – in which people believe that they have switched over to a parallel universe because they explicitly remember “Berenstain” spelled as “Berenstein”
The Capital of Micronesia, Federated States of is Palikir
Purposely failing to complete a sentence is called ‘Aposiopesis’, so you…
1209 North Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware is home to over 285,000 businesses, including American Airlines, Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Ford, General Electric, Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Wal-Mart.
John Hughes had an unproduced 1979 screenplay titled “Jaws 3: People 0” which is a parody sequel to the popular “Jaws” series.
Kim Cattrall – Real Name: Clare Woodgate
Tim Burton had 40 squirrels trained to crack nuts for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.
We may never identify the exact person who was the first to light their own fart on fire, but I’d be willing to bet that person was male.
Apples float in water because 25% of their volume is made of air.
“Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” – Arthur “Cody” Jarrett (James Cagney) #moviequotes
One of the most popular comedy teams of all time was Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. They worked together for 10 years and 17 movies. The partnership (and friendship) ended in July 1956.
They met in 1945 and debuted at Atlantic City’s 500 Club on July 25, 1946; the team lasted ten years to the day. Before they teamed up, Martin was a nightclub singer, while Lewis performed a comedy act lip-synching to records. They met at Atlantic City’s 500 Club and pretty much ad-libbed their show, rough at first, bet the chemistry soon jelled. They appeared on the first episode of Ed Sullivan’s show, Toast of the Town, in June 1948, and became inseparable for nearly a decade.
Initially, they performed as “Martin and Lewis” but the rebranding to use both of their full names came in handy after the break-up, they were each well known. For reasons that have never really been explained, the pair stopped working together. They seldom spoke either.
On Sept 6, 1976 – Dean Martin appeared on Jerry Lewis’ 11th Muscular Dystrophy telethon. Frank Sinatra brought Dean up to Jerry’s stage. The reunion was a happy one, and they did keep in touch again, Lewis said “every day”. In 1989, at their last meeting, Jerry joked “Why we broke up, I’ll never know.”
What Really Caused The Jerry and Dean Breakup?
Mostly a little jealousy. Jerry and Dean both had their talents, but Jerry was getting more attention and Magazine covers. After the breakup, they both had beggir careers. The Telethon Reunion was one of the most iconic moments in Television History and could be called the last shining moment from The Golden Age of Television.
What Makes a Comedy Duo Work?
Typically this kind of comedy act had two people, 1. The Comic, usually the silly guy who got the laughs, and.. 2. THE STRAIGHT MAN, who set up the jokes.
The earliest well-known Comedy duos were Laurel and Hardy. They were both established actors who first appeared as a team together in 1927, they were tight friends, and Stan Laurel never performed again after his friend Oliver Hardy died in 1957.
George Burns and Gracie Allen Another famous duo from the early days was the Husband and Wife Team of George Burns and Gracie Allen. Their comedy act was one that was hard for anybody to duplicate. They were married in real life, and the routine started with George being the FUNNY guy and GRACIE the naive FOIL, but that turned around when GRACIEs naivety made her the funny one.
Abbott and Costello They were best known for their ‘WHO’s ON FIRST’ routine and made 40 movies together.
Bob Hope & Bing Crosby Hope and Crosby made 8 “Road” movies together: Road to Singapore (1940), Road to Zanzibar (1941), Road to Morocco (1942), Road to Utopia (1946), Road to Rio (1947), Road to Bali (1952) and The Road to Hong Kong (1962)
Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthau Appeared in 11 movies together, including Grumpy Old Men and The Odd Couple and their sequels.
Dan Aykroyd & John Belushi Appeared in The Blues Brothers (1980), Neighbors (1981), in 1941, they barely acknowledge each other, for comedic effect.
Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989), Another You (1991)
Cheech and Chong Appeared together in Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie, Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, Cheech & Chong’s The Corsican Brothers, Nice Dreams, Still Smokin, Things Are Tough All Over, and Up in Smoke. They have never really been close friends.
Chris Farley & David Spade Appeared together on Saturday Night Live and two films; Tommy Boy (1995) and Black Sheep (1996)
Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson Over 20 years, there were 12 films the did together: The Cable Guy (1996), Permanent Midnight (1998), Meet the Parents (2000), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Zoolander (2001), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Meet the Fockers (2004), Night at the Museum (2006), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Little Fockers (2010), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Zoolander 2 (2016)
Jay and his “hetero life partner” Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) Their real-life friendship fuzzies the line between real life and their “view askew” universe.
Seth Rogen and James Franco Their big-screen collaborations started in 2008 with Pineapple Express but met while they both worked on Television’s Freaks and Geeks.
Other people who make magic when appearing together include Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly, Simon Pegg & Nick Frost, and Tina Fey & Amy Poehler. Penn and Teller have been performing together since 1975.
In the 1970s and 80s, we had Cheech and Chong following the straight man/comic foil formula. Nickelodeon had Kenan and Kell playing off each other too. On the cartoon front, we have frenemies Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, usually BUGS pressing Daffy’s Buttons.
1866 – Tennessee became the first state to be readmitted to the Union after the American Civil War.
1969 – After the successful Moon landing, Apollo 11 splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean
July 24, 2004 (fiction) Judgment Day occurred in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Film.
If you were born on July 24th, You were likely conceived the week of… October 31st (prior year)
National Tell an Old Joke Day
National Tell an Old Joke Day is a day for keeping traditional humor alive. It’s about telling old, tried and true jokes that are clean of course. A joke can be defined as short humorous oral literature which if written down does not need to be told verbatim but instead orally transferred and passed along. Also known as “Dad Jokes”.
A Baker’s Dozen Classic Old Jokes
I’ve got a pen that can write underwater… It can write other words too!
My wife asked me if I thought the kids were spoiled I said “no, I think they’re supposed to smell like that.”
I bought a new time travel machine due to arrive tomorrow, but it keeps arriving tomorrow so I never get to use it.
Did you hear about the piece of toast at the Zoo? It was bread in captivity
When do jokes become dad jokes? When they become apparent.
I put my root beer in a square glass and now it’s just beer.
Why did Karl Marx write in all lowercase letters? Because he hated capitalism
What’s brown and sticky? A stick
Boss: I find it highly suspicious that you are only sick on weekdays. Me: It must be my weakened immune system.
Somebody threw a bottle of omega 3 pills at my head. It’s OK though, as my injuries are only super fish oil.
In a freak accident today, a photographer was killed when a huge lump of cheddar landed in him. To be fair though, the people who were being photographed did try to warn him
A man I know was in an accident that destroyed the entire left side of his body He’s all right now.
Amelia Earhart Day Cousins Day Mormon Pioneer Day National Drive-Thru Day National Tell an Old Joke Day National Tequila Day National Thermal Engineer Day
July 24 Birthday Quotes
“What good is success if you’re not willing to share it? – Karl Malone
“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.” – Alexandre Dumas
“Our struggle today is not to have a female Einstein get appointed as an assistant professor. It is for a woman schlemiel to get as quickly promoted as a male schlemiel.” – Bella Abzug
“If your knees bent the other way, what would a chair look like?” – Gallagher
“Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take off. But if you don’t have one, realize it is your responsibility to grab a shovel and build one for yourself and for those who will follow after you.” – Amelia Earhart
“Just because no one has been fortunate enough to realize how wonderful you are, doesn’t mean you shine any less.” – Summer Glau
“Experience teaches you how to do things you never want to do again.” – Zelda Fitzgerald
July 24 Birthdays
1242 – Christina von Stommeln, German Roman Catholic mystic and stigmatic (died in 1312) 1802 – Alexandre Dumas, French novelist and playwright (died in 1870) 1880 – Ernest Bloch, Swiss-American composer and educator (died in 1959) 1897 – Amelia Earhart, American pilot and author (disappeared in 1937) 1900 – Zelda Fitzgerald, American author and poet (died in 1948) 1914 – ‘Honest Ed’ Mirvish, American-Canadian businessman and philanthropist (died in 2007) 1920 – Bella Abzug, American lawyer and politician (died in 1998) 1936 – Ruth Buzzi, American comedic actress 1936 – Mark Goddard, American actor 1940 – Dan Hedaya, American actor 1946 – Gallagher, American comedian 1949 – Michael Richards, American comedic actor 1951 – Lynda Carter, American actress, 1972 Miss World USA 1953 – Claire McCaskill, American politician 1963 – Karl Malone, American basketball player and coach 1964 – Barry Bonds, American baseball player 1968 – Kristin Chenoweth, American actress and singer 1968 – Colleen Doran, American comic book author and illustrator 1971 – Patty Jenkins, American film director and screenwriter 1979 – Rose Byrne, Australian actress 1981 – Summer Glau, American actress 1982 – Elisabeth Moss, American actress 1982 – Anna Paquin, Canadian-New Zealand actress 1991 – Emily Bett Rickards, Canadian actress
July 24 History
1567 – Mary, Queen of Scots, was forced to abdicate and replaced by her 1-year-old son James VI, after the sudden death of one husband and the quick marriage to another.
1701 – Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Detroit.
1823 – Slavery was abolished in Chile.
1847 – Brigham Young brought 148 Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley, establishing Salt Lake City.
1901 – Writer O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) was released from prison in Columbus, Ohio after serving three years for embezzlement from a bank.
1915 – SS Eastland overturned on the Chicago River.
1935 – The Dust Bowl heatwave reached its peak, with temperatures of 109°F (43°C) in Chicago, Illinois, and 104°F (40°C) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1950 – Cape Canaveral Air Force Station opened with the launch of Bumper rocket 8. The first 7 Bumpers were launched from White Sands, New Mexico.
1971 – #1 Hit July 24, 1971 – July 30, 1971: Paul Revere & the Raiders – Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)
1974 – The United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that President Richard Nixon did not have the authority to withhold subpoenaed White House tapes and they ordered him to surrender the tapes to the Watergate special prosecutor, Archibald Cox.
1976 – #1 Hit July 24, 1976 – August 6, 1976: The Manhattans – Kiss and Say Goodbye
1982 – #1 Hit July 24, 1982 – September 3, 1982: Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
1993 – #1 Hit July 24, 1993 – September 10, 1993: UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love
1999 – #1 Hit July 24, 1999 – July 30, 1999: Will Smith featuring Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee – Wild Wild West
2002 – Democrat James Traficant was expelled from the United States House of Representatives on a vote of 420 to 1 (CA Representative Gary Condit didn’t vote against him).
July 24, 2004 (fiction) T-X arrived from the future to end the resistance in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Film
2004 – #1 Hit July 24, 2004 – August 6, 2004: Usher – Confessions Part II
#1 Hit July 24, 2021 – July 30, 2021: Permission to Dance – BTS
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The shortest performance to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor was Anthony Quinn’s eight-minute role as Gauguin in Lust for Life.
The Aztec city of Tenochtitlán took conservation so seriously a person could be sentenced to death for cutting down a living tree without proper authorization.
There is no evidence Marie Antoinette ever said “let them eat cake”.
The English language used to use double negatives, until Bishop Robert Lowth, proclaimed that “Two negatives in English destroy one another, or are equivalent to an affirmative.”
The Capital of Moldova is Chisinau
“There’s no place like home.” – Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) #moviequotes
In the movie, Babe, 48 real piglets were used since they grow very quickly and all the pigs were female because the male parts would’ve been too obvious on screen.
Ibuprofen is relatively a new drug, only gaining approval in the US in 1974 and for over-the-counter purchase in 1983.
TV Quotes… “Tell me what you don’t like about yourself” (Dr. McNamara and Dr. Troy) on Nip/Tuck.
If we were alone in this universe, that would be an awful waste of space.
Biggest film of 1951: Quo Vadis (Drama) earned ~ $30,000,000
“My other interviews have pinned you as a mass murderer, bloodsucker, pimp, profiteer and my personal favorite, yuppie Mephistopheles.” – Heather Holloway #moviequotes
The average American adult reads 5 books per year.
1827 – Francis Lieber, opened the first swimming school in the United States at the Boston Gymnasium.
1962 – Jackie Robinson became the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
1972 – The United States launched Landsat 1, the first Earth-resources satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
1995 – Comet Hale–Bopp was discovered, and visible from Earth the following year.
2015 – NASA announced the discovery of Kepler-452b, possibly an Earth-like planet.
If you were born on July 23rd, You were likely conceived the week of… October 30th (prior year)
Yada Yada Tada Day
Lenny Bruce is credited with the first use of “yadda yadda” on the closing track on his 1961 album entitled “Lenny Bruce – American.”. It was used by comedians and TV shows to convey that something unimportant or irrelevant has just been said, but it gained increased popularity when Jerry Seinfeld’s show featured a variation on this phrase as an inside joke between characters Elaine Benes (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander).
The Yada Yada is the 153rd episode of the American NBC sitcom Seinfeld. The 19th episode of the eighth season, and aired on April 24, 1997. That episode also introduced the term”anti-dentite”.
July 23 is…”
Gorgeous Grandma Day Hot Enough For Ya Day National Vanilla Ice Cream Day Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day Sprinkle Day Yada, Yada, Yada Day
July 23 Birthday Quotes
“If you’re not tough it’s hard to survive in this world, and if you’re not kind then you don’t deserve to survive.” – Raymond Chandler
“I regret the times I’ve been mean to people… It’s fine to pick on people who can defend themselves and deserve it. Some people don’t deserve to be picked on who I picked on, so I don’t do it anymore.” – Don Imus
“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” – Haile Selassie
“There are so many great songs yet to sing.” – Alison Krauss
“If I had my career to play over, one thing I’d do differently is swing more. Those 1,200 walks I got, nobody remembers them.” – Pee Wee Reese
“I think you should be serious about what you do because this is it. This is the only life you’ve got.” – Philip Seymour Hoffman
July 23 Birthdays
1888 – Raymond Chandler, American crime novelist and screenwriter (died in 1959) 1892 – Haile Selassie, Ethiopian emperor (died in 1975) 1894 – Arthur Treacher, English-American actor and television personality (died in 1975) 1918 – Pee Wee Reese, American baseball player and sportscaster (died in 1999) 1933 – Bert Convy, American actor and game show host (died in 1991) 1940 – Don Imus, American radio host (died in 2019) 1938 – Charles Harrelson, American murderer, father of Woody Harrelson (died in 2007) 1947 – David Essex, English singer-songwriter 1950 – Ian Thomas, Canadian singer-songwriter 1961 – Woody Harrelson, American actor 1962 – Eriq La Salle, American actor 1965 – Slash, English-American guitarist and songwriter 1967 – Philip Seymour Hoffman, American actor (died in 2014) 1968 – Stephanie Seymour, American model and actress 1970 – Charisma Carpenter, American actress 1971 – Alison Krauss, American singer-songwriter and fiddler 1980 – Sandeep Parikh, American actor 1980 – Michelle Williams, American singer-songwriter 1982 – Paul Wesley, American actor 1989 – Daniel Radcliffe, English actor 1996 – Alexandra Andresen, Norwegian heiress and equestrian
July 23 History
1829 – In the United States, William Austin Burt patented (#5581X) the typographer, an early typewriter.
1926 – Fox Film bought the patents of the Movietone sound system, for recording sound onto film.
1950 –The Gene Autry Show debuted on CBS.
1961 – The Sandinista National Liberation Front was founded in Nicaragua.
1962 – Telstar relayed the first publicly transmitted, live, trans-Atlantic television program, featuring CBS’s Walter Cronkite and NBC’s Chet Huntley in New York, and the BBC’s Richard Dimbleby in Brussels.
1972 – The United States launched Landsat 1, the first Earth-resources satellite. The spacecraft was turned off on January 6, 1978, due to overheating.
1977 – #1 Hit July 23, 1977 – July 29, 1977: Barry Manilow – Looks Like We Made It
1984 – Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign when she surrendered her crown after (earlier) nude photos of her appeared in Penthouse magazine.
1988 – #1 Hit July 23, 1988 – July 29, 1988: Richard Marx – Hold On to the Nights
1995 – Comet Hale – Bopp was discovered, and was visible to the naked eye on Earth in 1996.
1999 – Space Shuttle Columbia launched on STS-93, with Eileen Collins becoming the first female space shuttle commander
2012 – Earth had a near-miss with a solar flare. Had it occurred a week earlier, it could’ve wiped out communication networks, GPS, and electrical grids.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Clarke’s Law of Revolutionary Ideas: Every revolutionary idea – in Science, Politics, Art or Whatever – evokes three stages of reaction. They may be summed up by the three phrases: > 1. “It is completely impossible – don’t waste my time.” 2. “It is possible, but it is not worth doing.” 3. “I said it was a good idea all along.”
The Capital of Monaco is Monaco
“Some people play hard to get. I play hard to want.” – Ford Fairlane (Andrew Dice Clay) #moviequotes
Biggest film of 1953: Peter Pan (Action/Adventure) earned ~ $87,000,000
If a thief uses 1234 as a PIN number, they could access funds in almost 1 out of every 9 wallets they steal.
“You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.” – Marie “Slim” Browning (Lauren Bacall) in To Have and Have Not (1944).
“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.” – Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button #moviequotes
William Penn is one of eight people to have been granted “Honorary Citizenship” by the United States
A hundred-acre wood is a really big forest to let a kid wander around in with his stuffed animals.
One of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World: Lighthouse of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt, built ~280 BC, abandoned by 1323 AD
1342 – The St. Mary Magdalene’s flood in central Europe killed thousands of people.
1376 (?) The Pied Piper of Hamelin musically took the children from the town when they refused to pay a debt. It may have happened in 1284. It probably never happened.
1587 – The second group of English settlers arrives on Roanoke Island off North Carolina to re-establish the deserted colony. #croatoan
If you were born on July 22nd, You were likely conceived the week of… October 29th (prior year)
Pi Approximation Day
Officially Pi Day is 3/14.
Unofficially, Pi Approximation Day is 7/22.
The circumference of a circle with radius r is 2pr.
With 40 digits we can calculate the circumference of the visible universe to within the width of a hydrogen atom.
The first 40 digits of pi: 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419
July 22 is…
Hammock Day Lion’s Share Day Mango Day National Penuche Fudge Day National Ratcatcher’s Day (Pied Piper of Hamelin) Pi Approximation Day Spooners Day Summer Leisure Day
July 22 Birthday Quotes
“When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things in our lives.” – Amy Vanderbilt
“No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.” – Edward Hopper
“Wouldn’t this be a great world if insecurity and desperation made us more attractive? – Albert Brooks
“Birds sing after a storm. Why shouldn’t we?” – Rose Kennedy
“If you want to be a writer, I have two pieces of advice. One is to be a reader. I think that’s one of the most important parts of learning to write. The other piece of advice is ‘Just do it!’ Don’t think about it, don’t agonize… sit down and write.” – S.E. Hinton
“Be the designer of your own destiny.” – Oscar de la Renta
“Being yourself is all it takes. If you want to impress someone don’t be someone else just be yourself.” – Selena Gomez
“Have you ever met a successful person who wasn’t restless- who was satisfied with where he or she was in life? They want new challenges. They want to get up and go… and that’s one of the reasons they’re successful.” – Alex Trebek
“I like to make the mundane fabulous whenever I can.” – Rufus Wainwright
July 22 Birthdays
1882 – Edward Hopper, American painter and etcher (died in 1967) 1889 – James Whale, English director (died in 1957) 1890 – Rose Kennedy, American philanthropist (died in 1995) 1908 – Amy Vanderbilt, American author (died in 1974) 1923 – Bob Dole, American soldier and politician 1924 – Margaret Whiting, American singer (died in 2011) 1928 – Orson Bean, American actor (died in 2020) 1932 – Oscar de la Renta, Dominican-American fashion designer (died in 2014) 1932 – Tom Robbins, American novelist 1938 – Terence Stamp, English actor 1940 – Alex Trebek, Canadian-American game show host 1941 – George Clinton, American singer-songwriter and producer 1943 – Kay Bailey Hutchison, American politician 1943 – Bobby Sherman, American singer-songwriter 1946 – Danny Glover, American actor 1947 – Albert Brooks, American actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter 1949 – Alan Menken, American pianist and composer 1950 – S.E. Hinton, American author 1954 – Al Di Meola, American guitarist and songwriter 1955 – Willem Dafoe, American actor 1961 – Keith Sweat, American singer-songwriter 1964 – John Leguizamo, Colombian-American actor 1964 – David Spade, American actor 1972 – Colin Ferguson, Canadian actor 1973 – Rufus Wainwright, American-Canadian singer-songwriter 1992 – Selena Gomez, American singer and actress
July 22 History
1587 – The second group of English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island off North Carolina to re-establish the deserted colony.
1796 – Surveyors of the Connecticut Land Company named an area in Ohio “Cleveland” after Gen. Moses Cleaveland, the superintendent of the surveying party.
1893 – Katharine Lee Bates wrote America The Beautiful after admiring the view from the top of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1933 – Wiley Post became the first person to fly solo around the world, traveling 15,596 miles (25,099 km) in seven days, 18 hours, and 45 minutes.
1934 – In front of Chicago’s Biograph Theater, “Public Enemy No. 1” John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents.
June 22, 1943 (fiction) Steve Rogers was injected with the Super Soldier serum and becomes Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
1962 – Mariner 1 spacecraft flew off course several minutes after launch and had to be destroyed by remote control.
1989 – #1 Hit July 22, 1989 – August 4, 1989: Martika – Toy Soldiers
1991 – Jeffrey Dahmer was arrested in Milwaukee after police discovered human remains in his apartment.
1996- The Daily Show premiered on Comedy Central
2000 – #1 Hit July 22, 2000 – July 28, 2000: Matchbox Twenty – Bent
2011 – Norway was the location of twin terror attacks, the first being a bomb blast that targeted government buildings in central Oslo(killing 8 and injuring 209), the second being a massacre at a youth camp on the island of Utøya, killing 69 and injuring 110.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Officially Pi Day is 3/14. Unofficially, Pi Approximation Day is 7/22. The circumference of a circle with radius r is 2pr.
The official world record for the furthest thrown bullseye in darts is only 16 feet 7 inches.
“We’re both wearing sailor hats. Then we get into a jacuzzi filled with Pepto-Bismol, I clip your toenails, and you shave my buttocks.” – Harold Grisham #moviequotes
The Capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar
About 25% of the film Jaws was shot from water level so audiences could better relate to treading water.
Law of Fashion: Any given dress is: indecent 10 years before its time, daring 1 year before its time, chic in its time, dowdy 3 years after its time, hideous 20 years after its time, amusing 30 years after its time, romantic 100 years after its time, and beautiful 150 years after its time.
Officially, Greenland is part of North America.
TV Quotes… “Schwing!” (Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as Wayne and Garth) on Saturday Night Live.
pwned – common typo for “owned”, meaning someone or something beat the person “pwnd”
If the lawmakers make a compromise, the place where it will be felt most is the taxpayer’s pocket and the compromise will always be more expensive than either of the suggestions it is compromising.
In the Transformers canon, there is a Middle-Eastern country called the Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya. Its capital is Carbombya City.
Clarke’s Law of Revolutionary Ideas: Every revolutionary idea – in Science, Politics, Art or Whatever – evokes three stages of reaction.
Murphy’s Law: When Anything That Can Go Wrong… Does
Murphy’s Law is one of modern culture’s most quoted—but often misunderstood—phrases. “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” While it sounds like cynical humor, this saying has surprising roots in engineering and serious implications for ethics, risk management, and human psychology. From aerospace design to everyday decision-making, Murphy’s Law offers a lens into how we think about failure, responsibility, and resilience.
Let’s explore where this phrase came from, what it really means, and how it applies to everything from ethics to business strategy.
Where Did Murphy’s Law Come From?
Murphy’s Law is widely attributed to Edward A. Murphy Jr., an American aerospace engineer working on U.S. Air Force Project MX981 in the late 1940s. The goal was to study the effects of sudden deceleration on the human body, using high-speed sled tests. According to project manager George Nichols, Murphy made the famous remark after discovering a technician had wired a sensor setup incorrectly.
As Nichols later recalled: “Murphy said, ‘If there’s any way they can do it wrong, they will.’” That moment—equal parts frustration and realism—quickly evolved into a principle embraced by test engineers and designers: always assume things will go wrong, and plan accordingly.
Despite the negative tone, Murphy’s Law wasn’t originally about pessimism. It was a call for rigorous preparation. If failure is possible, responsible design anticipates it.
A Philosophy of Failure
At its core, Murphy’s Law is a shorthand for the complexity and fragility of systems. Many parts must work together perfectly in machines, code, or policies. A single weak link can lead to catastrophe.
This has ethical weight. If you’re building a plane, writing financial software, or designing a safety mechanism, assuming that “nothing will go wrong” isn’t just naive—it’s potentially negligent. Engineers and leaders who embrace Murphy’s Law are not defeatists. They are ethical realists.
Think of it as a challenge: if failure is inevitable, how will you prepare?
Examples from the Real World
Murphy’s Law plays out in countless ways—many of them costly, others just aggravating:
NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter (1999): A $125 million probe was lost because one team used metric units and another imperial. This was a classic “everything that could go wrong” moment—and entirely preventable.
The Challenger Disaster (1986): The failure of an O-ring due to cold temperatures—a problem known in advance but underestimated—led to tragic consequences.
The Suez Canal Blockage (2021): The Ever Given container ship ran aground, halting 12% of global trade. A gust of wind—and likely some poor navigation decisions—revealed how fragile interconnected systems are.
Murphy’s Law isn’t a prophecy—it’s a warning system.
Ethical Implications
Murphy’s Law raises ethical questions in fields like:
Engineering and Design
If you know things can go wrong, how much redundancy and testing is ethically required? How do you balance innovation with risk?
Business and Strategy
Leaders often avoid talking about worst-case scenarios. Is it unethical to launch a product, process, or campaign without a plan for failure?
Public Policy
If history shows that systems can fail (voting machines, water infrastructure, power grids), does the government have a moral obligation to over-prepare?
In each case, Murphy’s Law challenges us to ask: What happens if we don’t take failure seriously?
Risk, Responsibility, and Resilience
Philosophers often debate whether Murphy’s Law is fatalistic or empowering. That depends on how you interpret it.
A fatalist shrugs and says, “What’s the point?” But a responsible leader hears Murphy’s Law and builds better systems. They assume mistakes will happen, and then design safeguards that don’t rely on perfection.
In this way, Murphy’s Law overlaps with Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Murphy’s Law doesn’t say give up; it says prepare harder.
It also echoes Buddhist teachings about impermanence. Everything is subject to change, so grasping at control leads to suffering. Planning for disruption is not fear—it’s wisdom.
Murphy’s Law and Human Psychology
Why is Murphy’s Law so sticky? Because we tend to notice and remember failures more vividly than successes. Psychologists call this negativity bias—our brains are wired to notice threats, which kept our ancestors alive. But in modern life, this bias can create an illusion: everything always goes wrong.
The reality is more nuanced. Some things go wrong. Our job is to notice patterns, learn from them, and adapt.
Murphy’s Law in Business and Everyday Life
In business, Murphy’s Law often takes the form of checklists, fail-safes, and contingency planning. Think of:
Netflix’s “Chaos Monkey” software, which randomly disables servers to test system resilience
Airlines double-checking flight control software before each takeoff
Event planners building in rain contingencies, extra food, and buffer time
These are not signs of paranoia. They’re signs of mature systems thinking.
Even in daily life, this principle applies. Have you ever printed something important last-minute only to find the ink ran out? Murphy’s Law doesn’t mean you’re cursed. It means you probably didn’t prepare for the failure you could have foreseen.
In Pop Culture
Murphy’s Law has been quoted, referenced, and joked about in everything from Apollo 13 to Interstellar. It even became the basis of a Disney Channel show, Milo Murphy’s Law, featuring a protagonist whose life is a never-ending series of small disasters—but who remains relentlessly optimistic.
The phrase has taken on a life of its own—used to explain everything from missed buses to burnt toast—but its roots are deeply tied to responsibility, systems design, and ethics.
Murphy’s Law Continues
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
At the worst possible moment.
In front of the people who make it the most embarrassing.
It won’t just be your big presentation—it’ll be the moment the projector dies, your Wi-Fi cuts out, and you discover your desktop background is still a meme from 2012.
Murphy doesn’t knock. He kicks in the door, spills coffee on your white shirt, and ensures the client sees it all.
Do you need to print one document? The printer will jam, your ink will run out, and the paper tray will mysteriously vanish.
Trying to impress a date by cooking at home? The smoke alarm is about to enter—cue the fire extinguisher.
Murphy’s Law is funny because it’s painfully familiar. But that’s also what makes it powerful: if you’re ready for disaster, you’re already ahead of it. Keep the backup flash drive. Leave early for the airport. Pack the umbrella. And, above all, maintain your sense of humor.
Because if Murphy’s going to crash the party, you might as well serve snacks.
Why It Still Matters
In an increasingly complex world, the lesson of Murphy’s Law is more important than ever: anticipate failure not with fear, but with preparation. In ethics, in design, and in life, the question is not if something will go wrong—but how we will respond when it does.
Glossary of Terms
Murphy’s Law – A maxim stating that if something can go wrong, it will. Often used in engineering, risk management, and humor.
Negativity Bias – The psychological tendency to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones.
Redundancy – The practice of building backup systems to ensure continued function in the event of failure.
Fail-Safe – A system or plan designed to prevent catastrophic failure even when something goes wrong.
Chaos Engineering – A software testing approach that simulates failure in controlled environments to build system resilience.
Discussion Questions
Is it pessimistic or realistic to assume things will go wrong? Where’s the ethical line between caution and paranoia?
In what ways can acknowledging Murphy’s Law lead to better design and leadership?
When something fails, who should be held responsible—the person, the system, or both?
1861 – Confederate troops defeated the Union at the (1st) Battle of Bull Run.
1873 – Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang held the first successful train robbery in the American West.
1925 – Scopes Trial: John T. Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution in class and fined $100.
1949 – The United States Senate ratified the North Atlantic Treaty.
If you were born on July 21st, You were likely conceived the week of… October 28th (prior year)
Invite an Alien to Live with You Day
Invite an Alien to Live with You Day is a day for Mork and Mindy’s fans. Fans come together on the anniversary of Robin Williams, who played the character “Mork” from Ork in this TV show. The day is also an opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of Robin Willams.
Some of his biggest roles were in The World According to Garp, Moscow on the Hudson, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Hook, Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Flubber, The Birdcage, Good Will Hunting, the Night at the Museum trilogy, and Good Morning, Vietnam. He was nominated for Best Actor for Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, and Good Morning, Vietnam, and won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role in Good Will Hunting.
July 21 is…
Invite an Alien to Live with You Day Legal Drinking Age Day National Be Someone Day National Junk Food Day National Tug-Of-War Tournament Day No Pet Store Puppies Day Take a Monkey to Lunch Day
July 21 Birthday Quotes
“Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you quit, try.” – Ernest Hemingway
“When you work with words, words are your work.” – Don Knotts
“Where there’s smoke, there’s bound to be mirrors.” – Garry Trudeau
“We must look to the heavens… for the measure of the earth.” – Jean Picard
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure, and separates the victim from reality.” – John Gardner
“Rock and roll is a nuclear blast of reality in a mundane world where no one is allowed to be magnificent.” – Kim Fowley
Take your time, think a lot, Why think of everything you’ve got. For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not. From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen. Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away. I know I have to go. – Cat Stevens
“Nobody with a victim mentality will get anywhere. Ever. They will never succeed.” – Jon Lovitz
July 21 Birthdays
1620 – Jean Picard, French astronomer (died in 1682) 1816 – Paul Reuter, German-English journalist, founded Reuters (died in 1899) 1898 – Sara Carter, American singer-songwriter (died in 1979) 1899 – Ernest Hemingway, American novelist, short story writer, and journalist, Nobel Prize laureate (died in 1961) 1922 – Kay Starr, American singer (died in 2016) 1924 – Don Knotts, American actor and screenwriter (died in 2006) 1926 – Paul Burke, American actor (died in 2009) 1933 – John Gardner, American novelist, essayist, and critic (died in 1982) 1938 – Janet Reno, American lawyer and politician (died in 2016) 1939 – Kim Fowley, American songwriter, producer and manager (died in 2015) 1948 – Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), English singer-songwriter and guitarist 1948 – Garry Trudeau, American cartoonist 1951 – Robin Williams (died in 2014) 1957 – Jon Lovitz, American comedic actor 1969 – Godfrey, American comedian and actor 1978 – Josh Hartnett, American actor 1989 – Rory Culkin, American actor 1991 – Sara Sampaio, Portuguese model
July 21 History
356 BC The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was destroyed by arson.
1865 In Springfield, Missouri, Wild Bill Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in what is considered the first Western Showdown.
1902 Willis Carrier showed his air conditioner concept in Buffalo, New York. #popculturehero
1918 German submarine attacked Orleans, Massachusetts, hitting a tugboat and four barges and striking the beach with shells. This was the only time the continental United States was shelled during World War I.
1919 The dirigible Wingfoot Air Express crashed into Chicago’s Illinois Trust and Savings Building, killing 12 people.
1925 In Dayton, Tennessee, high school biology teacher John T. Scopes was found guilty of teaching evolution in class and fined $100.
1938 Mount Sanford – 16,237 ft (4,949 m) – Alaska, USA – First ascent: July 21, 1938, by Terris Moore and Bradford Washburn
1949 The United States Senate ratified the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO).
1952 (Earthquake) California/Arizona/Nevada
1961 Piloting Liberty Bell 7, Gus Grissom became the second American to go into space.
1973 #1 Hit July 21, 1973 – August 3, 1973: Jim Croce – Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
1979 Jay Silverheels became the first Native American to have a star commemorated on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1983 The world’s lowest temperature in an inhabited location was recorded at Vostok Station, Antarctica (-128.6 °F, -89.2 °C).
1990 #1 Hit July 21, 1990 – August 3, 1990: Glenn Medeiros featuring Bobby Brown – She Ain’t Worth It
2006 July 21, 2006, Read It and Weep aired on The Disney Channel
2011 NASA’s Space Shuttle program ended with the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135.
2012 Erden Eruccompletes the first solo human-powered circumnavigation of the world via several boats.
2018 #1 Hit July 21, 2018 – September 28, 2018: Drake – In My Feelings
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The Capital of Montenegro is Podgorica
Swedish wasn’t made the official language of Sweden until 2009.
“Acronym” is not an acronym, there is no homonym for “Homonym”, “Phonetically” is not pronounced phonetically, there is a silent letter “Onomatopoeia”, and there can’t even be a synonym for “Synonym”.
A group of Hawks (at rest) is called a Cast.
“You’re gonna need a beggir boat.” – Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) in Jaws, 1975
All champagne is produced in the Champagne region in France. Otherwise, it is called sparkling wine.
Call me old-fashioned, but if I had dated someone who turned out to be a reptilian lizard shape-shifter, my first question would be wondering if she was actually still a girl.
“Life is a series of commas, not periods.” – Matthew McConaughey
Five Card Poker Odds, nothing wild: Two Pair – Two different sets of matched numbered or “face” cards, 1 in 20
Bugs Bunny’s accent is an equal blend of the Bronx and Brooklyn dialects.
In 100 years, will the laptops of writers be in museums as what they wrote their masterpieces on, like Conan Doyle’s notebook is on display now?
1874 – A plague of locusts swarmed the American Midwest.
1944 – Adolf Hitler survived a bombing assassination attempt.
1968 – The Special Olympics was started.
1969 – American Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon.
1969, Micheal Collins, one of the Apollo 11 astronauts, became the loneliest human ever when he orbited the dark side of the moon and lost all radio contact with Earth and his fellow astronauts for 48 minutes. #moonlanding
2012 – A mass shooting occurred in an Aurora, CO movie theater, killing 12 and wounding 58 people.
If you were born on July 20th, You were likely conceived the week of… October 27th (prior year)
National Fortune Cookie Day
Although associated with Chinese-American food, Japanese-American Makoto Hagiwara (August 15, 1854 – September 12, 1925) is often credited with the invention of the fortune cookie in California in 1915. He was a Japanese-born American landscape designer responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the Japanese Tea Garden and Tea House at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California, from 1895 until his death in 1925. Chinese immigrant David Jung also claimed to create the cookie in 1918.
In the 19th century, a cookie very similar in appearance to the modern fortune cookie was made in Kyoto, Japan. The Japanese version of this treat differs from its Western counterpart by being larger and darker; containing sesame seeds instead of vanilla butter for flavor; and also because it is part of an ancient temple tradition that dates back nearly 1,500 years ago called omikuji.
Nap Day National Fortune Cookie Day National Lollipop Day National Moon Walk Day Space Exploration Day Ugly Truck Day World Jump Day
July 20 Birthday Quotes
“Happiness is not a destination or an experience. It’s a decision.” – Carlos Santana
“Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied.” – Alexander the Great
“I feel that nothing important ever happens that is not revealed to me beforehand.” – Anne Hutchinson
“I used to work in jobs I hated because I needed the money to buy a guitar. I know what it feels like to be depressed. On the other hand, I also know what it feels like to have money, to be successful, to be independent, but I can tell you that money and success never solve your problems.” – Chris Cornell
“The only way you find what your limits are is by pushing them.” – Terri Irwin
“Maybe at this stage in my career, it’s from that younger generation that I have most to learn.” – Diana Rigg
“There is divinity in your DNA. Live your light.” – Carlos Santana
July 20 Birthdays
356 BC – Alexander the Great, Macedonian king (died in 323 BC) 1591 – Anne Hutchinson, English Puritan preacher (died in 1643) 1822 – Gregor Mendel, Austro-German monk, geneticist and botanist (died in 1884) 1924 – Lola Albright, American actress and singer (died in 2017) 1930 – Sally Ann Howes, English-American singer and actress 1933 – Buddy Knox, American singer-songwriter (died in 1999) 1933 – Cormac McCarthy, American novelist 1938 – Diana Rigg, English actress 1938 – Natalie Wood, American actress (died in 1981) 1945 – Kim Carnes, American singer-songwriter 1947 – Carlos Santana, Mexican-American singer-songwriter and guitarist 1964 – Chris Cornell, American singer-songwriter (died in 2017) 1964 – Terri Irwin, American-Australian zoologist and author 1968 – Kool G Rap, American hip-hop artist 1971 – Sandra Oh, Canadian actress 1972 – Vitamin C, American singer-songwriter 1973 – Omar Epps, American actor 1975 – Judy Greer, American actress 1988 – Julianne Hough, American dancer 1991 – Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015
1938 – The United States Department of Justice filed suit in New York City against the motion picture industry charging violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act in regards to the studio system.
1940 – California opened its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
1950 – The Arthur Murray Party TV Show premiered. Originally on ABC, it eventually moved through DuMont, CBS, and NBC.
1960 – The Polaris missile was successfully launched from a submarine, the USS George Washington, for the first time.
1963 – #1 Hit July 20, 1963 – August 2, 1963: Jan and Dean – Surf City
1968 – #1 Hit July 20, 1968 – August 2, 1968: Hugh Masekela – Grazing in the Grass
1969 – In a live transmission from the Moon was viewed by 720 million people around the world, with the landing of Apollo 11, at 10:56 p.m. EDT, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the surface of the Moon, live on international television.
1976 – The American Viking 1 spacecraft successfully landed on Mars.
1977 – The Central Intelligence Agency released documents under the Freedom of Information Act revealing it had engaged in mind-control experiments.
1982 – The Provisional IRA detonated two bombs in Hyde Park and Regent’s Park in central London, killing eight soldiers, wounding forty-seven people, and killing seven horses.
1991 – #1 Hit July 20, 1991 – July 26, 1991: EMF – Unbelievable
1997 – The fully restored USS Constitution (a.k.a. Old Ironsides) celebrated its 200th birthday by setting sail again for the first time in 116 years.
2005 – Criss Angel Mindfreak debuted on A&E.
2005 – The Civil Marriage Act legalized same-sex marriage in Canada.
2012 – James Holmes opened fire at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 and injuring 70 others.
2015 – The United States and Cuba resumed full diplomatic relations after five decades.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Henry Cavill only has 43 lines in Batman v Superman.
All of Dear Abby’s advice can be consolidated into 4 points, talk to the other person, talk to a therapist, never talk to that person again, and mind your own business.
The average American eats approximately 1,500 PB & J sandwiches before graduating from high school.
Every time I see a piano I try to play it. I guess just to check if I’m one of those savants who wakes up and can play Beethoven from the heart. I’m not.
The Capital of Morocco is Rabat
Nearly half the gold ever mined has come from one place: Witwatersrand, South Africa.
“At least three times every day take a moment and ask yourself what is really important. Have the wisdom and the courage to build your life around your answer.” – Lee Jampolsky
“hhgregg” llookss mmisspelledd.
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” – Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in Godfather Part II, The Godfather Part II, 1974
Black boxes on aircraft are generally orange/red and not, in fact, black.
The ISS has a treadmill on it named Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (C.O.L.B.E.R.T.), after Stephen Colbert.
Thanks to the popularity of gifs, we are living in the second golden age of silent films.
Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas dropped out of high school but picked up his GED in 1993. His GED class voted him Most Likely to Succeed.
