October 18th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 18th History Highlights
- 1867 – The United States took possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million. Some called it #sewardsfolly
- 1896 – The first newspaper comic strip, The Yellow Kid, by Richard Outcault, appeared in The New York Journal.
- 1972 – The US Congress passed The Water Pollution Act
- October 18, 1985, Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System released, their Video Game Console
- 2019 – NASA Astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch took part in the first all-women spacewalk outside of the International Space Station.
- If you were born on October 18th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 25th (same year)
Traditional October 18th Information
The first regular, ongoing newspaper comic strip, The Yellow Kid, by Richard Outcault, appeared in The New York Journal on October 1896. Prior to that, he appeared in Hogan’s Alley, created in 1895 by Richard Outcault and depicting the Yellow Child. The Yellow Kid’s actual name was Mickey Dugan.
Hogan’s Alley gradually became so popular that the Yellow Kid appeared several times a week and he soon became known as the “Yellow Dugan Kid,” who wore an omnipresent yellow nightgown. Most historians agree that this is the first full-color comic to be printed, and one of the earliest in the history of the comic. Outcault also created Buster Brown, who debuted in 1902. Buster became one of the first “mascots” in advertising, for the Brown Show Company in 1904.
October 18th is…
Meatloaf Appreciation Day
Necktie Day
Persons Day (in Canada)
St. Luke Feast Day
October 18th Birthday Quotes
“I grew up thinking art was pictures until I got into music and found I was an artist and didn’t paint.”
Chuck Berry
“Once you start believing in yourself, anything is possible. Once you start believing in yourself, your dreams take shape. The more you believe, the more you achieve.”
– Martina Navratilova
“Training is useful but there is no substitute for experience.”
– Lotte Lenya
“When you fall, get right back up. Just keep going, keep pushing it.”
– Lindsey Vonn
“It costs a lot of money to be rich.”
– Peter Boyle
I believe that the obsessive worship of movie, TV, and sports figures is less likely to produce spiritual gain than praying to Thor.”
– Chuck Lorre
“I believe in destiny. I believe destiny opens doors for you, but it’s up to you to walk through them.”
– Zac Efron
October 18th Birthdays
1898 – Lotte Lenya, Austrian singer, and actress (died in 1981)
1921 – Jesse Helms, American politician (died in 2008)
1926 – Chuck Berry, American singer-songwriter (died in 2017)
1926 – Klaus Kinski, German-American actor, director, and screenwriter (died in 1991)
1927 – George C. Scott, American actor, and director (died in 1999)
1935 – Peter Boyle, American actor (died in 2006)
1938 – Dawn Wells, American model, and actress, Miss Nevada 1959
1939 – Mike Ditka, American football player, coach, and sportscaster
1939 – Lee Harvey Oswald, American assassin of John F. Kennedy (died in 1963)
1952 – Chuck Lorre, American director, producer, and screenwriter
1956 – Martina Navratilova, Czech-American tennis player
1960 – Erin Moran, American actress (died in 2017)
1960 – Jean-Claude Van Damme, Belgian martial artist
1979 – Ne-Yo, American singer
1984 – Lindsey Vonn, American skier
1987 – Zac Efron, American actor
October 18th History
1620 – The Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts.
1851 – Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick was first published as ‘The Whale.’
1867 – “Seward’s Folly” United States took possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million.
1898 – The United States took possession of Puerto Rico from Spain.
1922 – The British Broadcasting Company (Corporation) BBC was founded.
1952 – #1 Hit October 18, 1952 – November 21, 1952: Patti Page – I Went To Your Wedding
1954 – Texas Instruments introduced the first Transistor radio.
1964 – Jackie Mason appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and may have given Ed “the finger” on the air. He never appeared on the show again.
October 18, 1967 Birthday (fictional) Ross Geller, Friends, TV
1968 – The US Olympic Committee suspended Tommie Smith and John Carlos for giving a “Black Power” salute during a victory ceremony at the Mexico City games.
1969 – #1 Hit October 18, 1969 – October 31, 1969: The Temptations – I Can’t Get Next To You
October 18, 1985, Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System released their Video Game Console
1988 – Roseanne premiered on ABC
1997 – East End Show – Chicago (Musical) October 18, 1997
2001 – Broadway Show – Mamma Mia! (Musical) October 18, 2001
2008 – #1 Hit October 18, 2008 – October 24, 2008: T.I. featuring Rihanna – Live Your Life
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“Resistance is futile” – Picard as Borg (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
Cosmic Latte is the ‘average’ overall color of the universe, an eggshell; color code: #FFF8E7.
A man holds the record for most times getting struck by lightning at 7. Is he the unluckiest man ever or the luckiest man?
Jimmy Carter said if he became president, he would release all government UFO information to the public. Once elected, he decided not to due to “national security concerns.”
The official name for Greece is the ‘Hellenic Republic’.
Over 500,000 birds are killed annually by wind farms. Cats kill over 3 billion.
The Capital of Italy is Rome
September isn’t the seventh month, and October isn’t the eighth.
TV Quotes… “Do you believe in miracles?” Al Michaels, 1980 Winter Olympics
Gene Simmons – Real Name: Chaim Witz
Why can’t Hollywood come up with original ideas like they used to, in the days of The Godfather, The Wizard of Oz, James Bond, Gone With The Wind, Psycho, and Ben Hur?
A group of Hippopotamuses (Hippopotami) is called a Bloat.
More Pop Culture History Resources
1985 Top Ten Music Charts
1985’s Biggest Artists and Songs
Lionel Richie (Grammy for Album of the Year)
What’s Love To Do With It – Tina Turner (Grammy for Record of the Year)
Los Lobos, Alphaville, Klymaxx, Jermaine Stewart, Amy Grant, Sade, Julian Lennon, Depeche Mode, Freddie Jackson, Sting (solo) and Simple Minds
1985’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1985’s ‘One Hit Wonders’
Ninja Turtles film)
1985’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
More of 1985’s Dance Hits
1985’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1985’s Alternative Pop Top 10 Hit List
More of 1985’s Alternative Biggest Pop Hits
1985’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
More of 1985’s Album Rock Hits
1985’s Bubblegum Pop Music Top Ten
PCM’s 1985 Top 10 Hit List
October 17 in Pop Culture History
October 17th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 17th History Highlights
- October 17, 1959 Birthday (fictional) Adrian Monk, TV
- 1989 A 7.1 earthquake shook the San Francisco area, killing 67 people.
- 2006 – The 300 Millionth living American citizen was born.
- If you were born on October 17th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 24th (same year)
October 17th is…
Black Poetry Day
Day for the Eradication of Poverty
National Mulligan Day
Pay Back a Friend Day
Pasta Day
Sweetest Day
Wear Something Gaudy Day
World Trauma Day
October 17th Birthday Quotes
“No one wants the truth if it is inconvenient.”
– Arthur Miller
“I never really thought of myself as a sex goddess; I felt I was more a comedian who could dance.”
– Rita Hayworth
“I don’t want to be labeled as either a pansy or a heterosexual. Labeling is so self-limiting. We are what we do – not what we say we are.”
– Montgomery Clift
“I don’t care if you’re black, white, straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich, or poor. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you. Simple as that.”
– Eminem
“That’s the horrible thing starting out, you get distracted a lot because anything is easier than writing. It’s just the same enemy – blank paper.”
– Jimmy Breslin
“The truth is you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.”
– Eminem
October 17th Birthdays
1902 – Irene Ryan, American actress (died in 1973)
1909 – Cozy Cole, American drummer (died in 1981)
1914 – Jerry Siegel, American comic book author, and illustrator, co-creator of Superman (died in 1996)
1915 – Arthur Miller, American playwright, and screenwriter (died in 2005)
1918 – Rita Hayworth, American actress (died in 1987)
1920 – Montgomery Clift, American actor (died in 1966)
1930 – Robert Atkins, American physician, and cardiologist, created the Atkins diet (died in 2003)
1930 – Jimmy Breslin, American journalist and author (died in 2017)
1938 – Evel Knievel, American stuntman (died in 2005)
1942 – Gary Puckett, American pop singer-songwriter
1947 – Michael McKean, American singer-songwriter, comedic actor
1948 – Margot Kidder, Canadian-American actress (died in 2018)
1948 – George Wendt, American actor
1958 – Alan Jackson, American singer-songwriter
1959 – Norm Macdonald, Canadian actor, and comedian (died in 2021)
1962 – Mike Judge, American animator
1968 – Ziggy Marley, Jamaican singer-songwriter
1969 – Wyclef Jean, Haitian-American rapper,
1972 – Eminem, American rapper
October 17th History
1091 – The London Tornado of 1091 destroyed many buildings, and killed two people.
1814 – The London Beer Flood killed 8 people.
1860 – First Open (Golf) Championship (referred to in the US as the British Open).
1919 – Radio Corporation of America (RCA) incorporated.
1931 – Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion.
October 17, 1943 Birthday (fictional) Professor Filius Flitwick, Harry Potter
1956 – The first commercial nuclear power station is officially opened in Sellafield, Cumbria, England.
1956 – Donald Byrne and Bobby Fischer played a game of chess labeled The Game of the Century. Fischer beat Byrne.
1958 – An Evening With Fred Astaire premiered, it was one the first “special” programs on television and won nine Emmy Awards.
October 17, 1959 Birthday (fictional) Adrain Monk, Monk, TV
1960 – #1 Hit October 17, 1960 – October 23, 1960: The Drifters – Save the Last Dance for Me
1964 – #1 Hit October 17, 1964 – October 30, 1964: Manfred Mann – Do Wah Diddy Diddy
1965 – The 1964/65 New York World’s Fair closed. Over 51 million people had attended the event.
1966 – All of NBC’s news programming began airing in full-color.
1966 – The Hollywood Squares premiered on ABC
1970 – #1 Hit October 17, 1970 – November 20, 1970: The Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There
1973 – OPEC imposed an oil embargo against several Western countries.
1979 – The Department of Education Organization Act was signed into law, creating the US Department of Education and US Department of Health and Human Services.
1979 – Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize.
1981 – #1 Hit October 17, 1981 – November 6, 1981: Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)
1987 – #1 Hit October 17, 1987 – October 23, 1987: Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam – Lost in Emotion
1989 (Earthquake) The Lome Prieta earthquake interrupted Game 3 of the World Series
October 17, 1998 – Halloweentown aired on the Disney Channel
1998 – #1 Hit October 17, 1998 – November 13, 1998: Barenaked Ladies – One Week
The song One Week by the Barenaked Ladies spent exactly one week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
2005 – The Colbert Report premiered on Comedy Central
2007 – Storm Chasers debuted on The Discovery Channel
2008 – Ghost Adventures premiered on The Travel Channel
#1 Hit October 17, 2020 – October 23, 2020: Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) – Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo and BTS
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The Capital of Japan is Tokyo
What did the pretentious owl say? “Whom, whom”
President Benjamin Harrison had 2 pet opossums while in the White House: Mr. Protection & Mr. Reciprocity
A Listerine mouthwash ad from the 1920s coined the phrase, “Often a bridesmaid but never a bride” to describe women with bad breath.
The Scary Statistic: Fire or Smoke odds: 1-in-1,116
What to do: Avoid being near paper, wood, and flammable things.
“Chicks dig me because I rarely wear underwear, and if I do, it’s usually something unusual.” – Bill Murray, in Stripes #moviequotes
The Wright Brothers only flew together once, after gaining their father’s permission. They had always promised they wouldn’t fly together to avoid a double tragedy if there was an accident.
The USARPS is the official governing body of the sport Rock Paper Scissors
Disney’s movie “Mars Needs Moms” resulted in an estimated loss of $130,503,621 and is Disney’s worst received movie ever.
The Capital of Jamaica is Kingston
More Pop Culture History Resources
October 16 in Pop Culture History
October 16th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 16th History Highlights
- 1793 – Queen Marie Antoinette was executed for ‘high treason’ during the French Revolution.
- 1859 – John Brown’s abolitionist raid took place at Harper’s Ferry, WV.
- October 16, 1997 (fiction) The Robinson family departed from Earth aboard the Jupiter II spacecraft and becomes Lost In Space, TV
- If you were born on October 16th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 23rd (same year)
Boss’s Day
October 16th is…
Dictionary Day
Feral Cat Day
Oatmeal Day
World Bread Day
World Food Day
World Spine Day
October 16th Birthday Quotes
“A pure democracy is generally a very bad government, It is often the most tyrannical government on earth; for a multitude is often rash, and will not hear reason.”
– Noah Webster
“Everyone may not be good, but there’s always something good in everyone. Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”
– Oscar Wilde
“Notice what no one else notices and you’ll know what no one else knows.”
– Tim Robbins
“Better to be busy than to be busy worrying.”
– Angela Lansbury
“I have a habit of leaving places at the wrong time, just when something big may have happened for me.”
– Nico
October 16th Birthdays
1854 – Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright, novelist, and poet (died in 1900)
1903 – Big Joe Williams, American Delta blues singer-songwriter and guitarist (died in 1982)
1923 – Linda Darnell, American actress (died in 1965)
1923 – Bert Kaempfert, German conductor and composer (died in 1980)
1925 – Angela Lansbury, English-American actress
1938 – Nico, German singer-songwriter, model, and actress (died in 1988)
1940 – Barry Corbin, American actor
1941 – Tim McCarver, American baseball player, and sportscaster
1946 – Suzanne Somers, American actress
1958 – Tim Robbins, American actor, and director
1975 – Kellie Martin, American actress
October 16th History
1701 – Yale University was founded.
1793 – Marie Antoinette, the widow of Louis XVI, was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. The phrase “Let them eat cake” is often attributed to Marie but there is no evidence she ever said it.
1814 – The Great Beer Flood. More than 323,000 gallons of beer burst out of the Meux and Company Brewery and poured into the streets of St. Giles, London, England.
1869 – The Cardiff Giant was “discovered” in Cardiff, New York.
1875 – Brigham Young University was founded in Provo, Utah.
1916 – In Brooklyn, New York, Margaret Sanger opened the first family planning clinic in the United States.
1921 – Frank Coughlin, the head coach of the Rock Island Independents, was fired in the middle of a game against the Chicago Cardinals. The Independents were leading the game 14-7 at the time. Coughlin is the only coach in NFL history to be fired in the middle of a game.
1944 – Wally Walrus debuted in The Beach Nut, a Walter Lantz cartoon.
1968 – Tommie Smith and John Carlos were both kicked off the US team for participating in the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute.
1976 – #1 Hit October 16, 1976 – October 22, 1976: Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots – Disco Duck (part 1)
1978 – Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pontiff since 1523.
October 16, 1980 Birthday (fictional) Tara Maclay, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, TV
1984 – Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1995 – The Million Man March took place in Washington, DC. Between 400,000 and 850,000 people marched.
October 16, 1997 (fiction) The Robinson family departed from Earth aboard the Jupiter II spacecraft and becomes Lost In Space, TV
#1 Hit October 16, 2021 – October 22, 2021: Stay – The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Besides being President of the United States and a prolific actor, Ronald Reagan is also credited with saving 77 lives from drowning during his time as a lifeguard.
The Capital of Jordan is Amman
A group of Peacocks is called a Muster or Ostentation or Pride.
In Back to the Future, Chuck Berry completely rips off Johnny B. Goode, note-for-note from Marty McFly, and uses it to become a famous musician.
The director of ‘Cannibal Holocaust’ had to prove in court that the actors were still alive and didn’t get killed during the movie.
“Shane. Shane. Come back!” – Joey Starrett (Brandon De Wilde) in Shane, 1953
Thailand has more 7-Elevens than the United States.
Delaware is the least dependent of all states on the federal government (in terms of contracts and assistance).
MySpace Tom is probably the most unfriended person ever. #lonelyguytom
Sir Mix-A-Lot wrote Baby Got Back as a reaction to the 80s’ Spuds MacKenzie girls, the Spudettes
A group of Barracudas is called a Battery.
More Pop Culture History Resources
October 15 in Pop Culture History
October 15th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 15th History Highlights
- 1582 – Pope Gregory XIII implemented the Gregorian calendar.
- 1753 – Jean Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent were the first to ascend in a hot air balloon, the first witnessed manned flight demonstration.
- 1793 – Queen Marie Antoinette of France was tried and convicted, and condemned to death the following day.
- If you were born on October 15th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 22nd (same year)
White Cane Safety Day
October 15th is…
Blind Americans Equality Day
Global Handwashing Day
Grouch Day
I Love Lucy Day
Mushroom Day
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
Roast Pheasant Day
October 15th Birthday Quotes
“Come what may, all bad fortune is to be conquered by endurance.”
– Virgil
“I feel like I put it together better than anybody else. I don’t feel like I’m the best dancer. I don’t feel like I’m the best singer. I don’t feel like I’m the best looking. I feel like I’m the best at putting it all together.”
– Ginuwine
“I have a strange combination of fearlessness and massive insecurity.”
– Penny Marshall
“Whenever I meet people for the first time, I assume that they have a great story to tell and that it’s my job to find it.”
– Sarah Ferguson
“In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.”
– Lee Iacocca
“What is past is past. never go back. Not for excuses. Not for justification, not for happiness. You are what you are, the world is what it is.”
– Mario Puzo
October 15th Birthdays
1844 – Friedrich Nietzche, German philosopher (died in 1900)
1858 – John L. Sullivan, American boxer (died in 1918)
1917 – Arthur Schlesinger, American historian (died in 2007)
1920 – Mario Puzo, American author, and screenwriter (died in 1999)
1924 – Lee Iacocca, American businessman (died in 2019)
1935 – Barry McGuire, American singer-songwriter
1937 – Linda Lavin, American actress
1943 – Penny Marshall, American actress, director, and producer (died in 2018)
1944 – Haim Saban, Israeli-American businessman, co-founded Saban Entertainment
1959 – Sarah, Duchess of York
1970 – Ginuwine, American singer-songwriter
1981 – Keyshia Cole, American singer-songwriter
October 15th History
1878 – The Edison Electric Light Company began operations.
1888 – The “From Hell” letter sent by Jack the Ripper was received by the London authorities (Whitechapel Vigilance Committee).
1917 – German Spy Mata Hari was executed.
1951 – I Love Lucy premiered on CBS. It was filmed on three cameras, a TV first.
1953 – Broadway Show – The Teahouse of the August Moon (Play) October 15, 1953
1955 – #1 Hit October 15, 1955 – October 28, 1955: The Four Aces – Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
1956 – FORTRAN, the first modern computer language, was first shared with the coding community.
1966 – #1 Hit October 15, 1966 – October 28, 1966: Four Tops – Reach Out, I’ll Be There
1966 – The Black Panther Party was created by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
October 15, 1973 – Dr. Seuss on the Loose aired live on CBS.
1977 – #1 Hit October 15, 1977 – December 23, 1977: Debby Boone – You Light Up My Life
1987 – Bob Barker, host of The Price Is Right, stopped dying his hair. The audience gave him a standing ovation when he came onstage, white-haired.
1988 – #1 Hit October 15, 1988 – October 21, 1988: UB40 – Red Red Wine
2000 – Curb Your Enthusiasm premiered on HBO
2001 – Smallville premiered on The WB
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.” – George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life #moviequotes
There is an area in the mid-Pacific ocean called White Shark Cafe where sharks travel to and loiter for no identified reason despite there being little food there and it being a sharks’ equivalent of a desert.
The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes or stirrup bone located in the middle ear.
TV Quotes… “Elizabeth, I’m coming!” (Fred Sanford) on Sanford and Son.
100 years from now, our great-grandchildren will be watching period dramas set in our era.”Oh no! My cellphone fell into the well!”
The biggest film of 2005: Star Wars Ep. III: Revenge of the Sith (Sci-Fi) earned ~ $380,000,000
In Animaniacs, Dot’s full name is Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca, the Third.
US President #21 Chester Arthur (1881-1885) Arthur took the oath of office twice. Once right after Garfield died in New York, the second time was upon his arrival to Washington D.C.
11 million 911 calls are made in New York City each year or approximately 20 per minute.
Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in the world, representing 92% of China’s population and 19% of the entire human population. (~1.3 Billion people)
More Pop Culture History Resources
October 14 in Pop Culture History
October 14th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 14th History Highlights
- 1066 – The Battle of Hastings – Normany forces defeated the Anglo-Saxons.
- 1888 – Louis Le Prince filmed the first motion picture, Roundhay Garden Scene.
- 1947 – Flying a Bell X-1, pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in the first supersonic flight.
- 1964 – Dr. Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- 2012 – Felix Baumgartner jumped from a helium balloon 24 miles up, falling for 9 minutes, and reaching a speed of 844 miles per hour, breaking the sound barrier before he landed safely with his parachute.
- If you were born on October 14th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 21st (same year)
Chuck Yeager’s Supersonic Flight
The Bell X-1 was the first piloted aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound (700MPH). Under the flight of USAF Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager, it shot to supersonic speeds of 2,500 km / h (1,000 miles per hour) in a matter of minutes. In 1941 he joined the Army Air Corps and gained a good reputation as a fighter pilot during the Second World War. After graduating from Flight Performance School, the young pilot was selected to test the first Bell X-1 fighter jet, a plane called Glamorous Glennis.
Yeager’s X-1, codenamed named Glamorous Glennis, after his wife, is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Yeager broke the sound barrier again on January 6, 1950, flying an F-15D Eagle at a distance of 1,500 miles at an average speed of 5,000 miles per hour. He did this in the same year when he flew a Bell X-1 with a B-29 bomber as a pilot for the first time in his career. On January 7, 1951, he also set a speed record by flying the fastest flight in a single-engine plane (46 – 062) at 3,800 feet in less than two hours.
October 14th is…
Be Bald and Be Free Day
Dessert Day
Chocolate Covered Insects Day
October 14th Birthday Quotes
“Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”
– William Penn
“The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.”
– e.e. cummings
“Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Success is all about having the confidence to shoot for something even if it seems impossible.”
– Usher
“Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.”
– C. Everett Koop
“For me, style is about quality, integrity, and timelessness. It is free of trends but always feels fresh and new.”
– Ralph Lauren
October 14th Birthdays
1890 – Dwight D. Eisenhower, American general and politician, 34th President of the United States (died in 1969)
1893 – Lillian Gish, American actress (died in 1993)
1894 – E.E. Cummings, American poet, and playwright (died in 1962)
1916 – C. Everett Koop, American admiral and surgeon, 13th United States Surgeon General (died in 2013)
1927 – Roger Moore, English actor, James Bond #4 (died in 2017)
1939 – Ralph Lauren, American fashion designer, founded the Ralph Lauren Corporation
1940 – Cliff Richard, Indian-English singer-songwriter
1947 – Nikolai Volkoff, Croatian-American wrestler (died in 2018
1952 – Harry Anderson, American actor (died in 2018)
1958 – Thomas Dolby, English singer-songwriter
1963 – Lori Petty, American actress
1974 – Natalie Maines, American singer-songwriter, Dixie Chicks
1978 – Usher, American singer-songwriter
1979 – Stacy Keibler, American wrestler, and actress
October 14th History
1881 – Eyemouth Windstorm Disaster, Scotland
1908 – The Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers, 2-0, winning the World Series.
1912 – Former President of the US, Theodore Roosevelt, was shot and mildly wounded by John Schrank. With the fresh wound and bullet in his chest, Roosevelt still gave his scheduled speech.
1926 – The children’s book Winnie-the-Pooh, by A.A. Milne, was first published.
1947 – Captain Chuck Yeager flew a Bell X-1 rocket-powered (and experimental) aircraft, the Glamorous Glennis, faster than the speed of sound over the high desert of Southern California.
Broadway Show – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Musical) October 14, 1961
1962 – The Cuban Missile Crisis began when an American reconnaissance aircraft takes photographs of Soviet ballistic missiles being installed in Cuba.
1964 – Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize for striving to end racial inequality through non-violence.
October 14, 1970 Birthday (fictional) Liz Lemon, 30 Rock, TV
1972 – #1 Hit October 14, 1972 – October 20, 1972: Michael Jackson – Ben
1972 – Kung Fu premiered on ABC
1982 – President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the War on Drugs.
1994 – Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, The Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, and the Foreign Minister of Israel, Shimon Peres, receive the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in the establishment of the Oslo Accords.
October 14, 1999 – Mark Harmon said the phrase “sh*t happens” on NBC’s Chicago Hope.
2000 – #1 Hit October 14, 2000 – November 10, 2000: Christina Aguilera – Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)
2003 – The ‘Steve Bartman Incident’ occurred during a Major League Baseball (MLB) in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series game played between the Chicago Cubs and the Florida Marlins. Chicago lost.
October 14, 2005 – Twitches aired on The Disney Channel
2007 – Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered on E!
October 14, 2011 – Apple iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S were released
October 14, 2489 Birthday (fictional) Inara Serra, Firefly, TV
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The next time “Sweet Caroline” starts playing, I’m gonna pretend I’ve never heard it before. And watch people lose their minds.
“This is not Nam. This is bowling. There are rules.” #moviequotes
“Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters ‘mt’.
“Ask not what your country can do for you …” – John F. Kennedy
The most common title for a document/file is Untitled.
The letter b in “subtle” is a super subtle letter.
Marilyn Monroe – Real Name: Norma Jeane Mortenson
Scorpios are far too shrewd and skeptical to trust in something so flaky like astrology.
“Although.. I .have developed a greater appreciation for the female version of the human anatomy… ARROOOO!” – Howard the Duck #moviequotes
When you yawn and stretch at the time, you are “pandiculating.”
In 1934, future president Gerald Ford threatened to quit his college football team unless his black teammate was allowed to play in a game against Georgia Tech.
More Pop Culture History Resources
Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1954?
Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1954?
54 Trivia Questions for 1954 History
(answers)
1. What was the highest-grossing film of 1954?
2. Name the first nuclear-powered submarine, launched in Groton, Connecticut.
3. In 1954, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
4. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1953/1954 season
5. Who ran the first-mile run in under four minutes in Oxford, England?
6. What was Diane Leather’s athletic record set in Birmingham, UK, that same year?
7. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1954
8. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1954?
9. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1954?
10. How much did a Pound of Butter cost in 1954?
11. How much did a pound of bacon cost in 1954?
12. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1954?
13. How many people lived in the United States in 1954?
14. How many people lived in the World in 1954?
15. First published in 1954, what was the first of three volumes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings?
16. This cereal had three colors: “Orangey Orange” (formerly Orange Orange), “Lemony Yellow” (formerly Lemon Yellow), and “Raspberry Red.” Name that Cereal!
17. William Golding’s first novel has become one of the most-read young-adult books ever. Name that book.
18. Who was the President of the United States in 1954?
19. What was the average household income in 1954?
20. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1954?
21. Founded in 1954, this franchise is recognized as the longest-running franchise in the film industry. Name the film (and character) that started this movie dynasty.
22. More than 12 million people immigrated through this port-of-entry in New York Harbor between 1892 and 1954…
23. This fast-food burger franchise opened in 1954, in Miami, Florida.
24. True or False: In 1954, the Roman Catholic Church said that watching Mass on television fulfilled obligations.
25. What did General Mills introduce in 1954 as a sugar-coated version of its popular Kix cereal?
26. What did The Supreme Court rule on Brown v. Board of Education establish?
27. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1954?
28. What notable surgery did Dr. Joseph Murray accomplish on December 23, 1954?
29. What other widely-used life-saving medical skill was first demonstrated in 1954, usually referred to as a three-letter word?
30. Although invented in 1954, this food-storage container was not available to the public until the late 1980s. Name that product.
31. Name one of the two car companies that merged to form American Motors Corporation.
32. Who was the 1954 Time Magazine Man of the Year?
33. This group was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America as an alternative to government regulation. It was defunct by early 2011. Name that self-censoring association.
34. Name the first soft drink company to sell soda in a can.
35. After the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference in 1954, what sports term has been used to describe eight specific private universities in the Northeastern United States?
36. Richard Matheson’s novel had three film adaptations, starring Vincent Price (1964), Charlton Heston (1971), and Will Smith (2007). One of the films used the same title as the book. Name that book.
37. Based on a George Orwell book, name the first British-made, wide-release animated film.
38. What day honoring US Servicemen and women was replaced by Veteran’s Day in 1954?
39. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1954?
40. This James Bond title was the second book in the book series and the eighth in the film franchise…
41. This long-running NBC late-night show was originally hosted by Steve Allen.
42. Which sports star was NOT born in 1954: Ozzie Smith, Björn Borg, Chris Evert, or Willie Hernandez
43. What clothing company used the slogan: “Lifts and Separates”?
44. On June 14, 1954, what two words were added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance?
45. What phrase did President Dwight D. Eisenhower use to describe the spread of Communism?
46. Who won the 1954 World Series?
47. The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in what Pennsylvania city?
48. Name the film based on a 1954 book of the same name that featured Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock.
49. Gerry Thomas, a Swanson food employee, was the primary creator of what product?
50. A picture of Milwaukee Braves’ Eddie Mathews and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum was featured on the cover of what magazine’s first edition?
51. Released July 19, 1954, what was the name of Elvis Presley’s first single?
52. This jet, flown between 1953 and 1983, is often credited with beginning the Jet Age
53. Name the product that used the tagline: “(product) that’s how you spell relief.”
54. What company used the slogan: “The Milk Chocolate Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand”?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. M&Ms also offered something else new in 1954. Name that new and popular product.
Peanut M&Ms
2. Who was the Pope in 1954?
Pope Pius XII, March 2, 1939 – October 9, 1958
3. This influential 1954 Japanese epic samurai drama film was co-written, edited, and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Name that classic film.
Seven Samurai
4. What company introduced the first 16-ounce beer can?
Schlitz
5. True Knowledge, an answer engine developed by William Tunstall-Pedoe, has designated this day the most boring day in the 20th century.
April 11, 1954
6. Who were the 1954 NBA Champions?
For the 1953-54 Season, Champion Minneapolis Lakers won 4 games to 3 over the Syracuse Nationals
7. Who were the 1954 NFL CHampions?
Cleveland Browns
8. Who was the American Vice-President in 1954?
Richard Nixon (January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961)
9. What was notable about the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at an all-time high of 382.74 on November 23, 1954?
It was the highest it had reached since the great depression (381.17 on September 3, 1929)
10. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954?
West Germany
54 Trivia Answers for 1954 History
1. What was the highest-grossing film of 1954?
White Christmas
2. Name the first nuclear-powered submarine that was launched in Groton, Connecticut.
The USS Nautilus
3. In 1954, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
Men – 66.7 years, Women – 72.8 years.
4. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1953/1954 season?
I Love Lucy (CBS)
5. Who ran the first-mile run in under four minutes in Oxford, England?
Roger Bannister (3 minutes, 59.4 seconds)
6. What was Diane Leather’s athletic record set in Birmingham, UK, that same year?
Fastest female; running the first-mile run in under five minutes (4 minutes and 59.6 seconds)
7. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1954?
Little Things Mean a Lot by Kitty Kallen (followed closely by Sh-Boom by The Crew-Cuts)
8. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1954?
17 cents
9. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1954?
92 cents
10. How much did a Pound of Butter cost in 1954?
72 cents
11. How much did a pound of bacon cost in 1954?
82 cents
12. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1954?
In 1954, The Detroit Red Wings won over the Montreal Canadiens (4 games to 3)
13. How many people lived in the United States in 1954?
The population was an estimated 163,025,854 people.
14. How many people lived in the World in 1954?
The estimated world population in 1954 was 2,713,172,027 people.
15. First published in 1954, what was the first of three volumes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings?
The Fellowship of the Ring
16. This cereal included three colors: “Orangey Orange” (formerly named Orange Orange), “Lemony Yellow” (formerly named Lemon Yellow), and “Raspberry Red”. Name that Cereal!
Trix
17. William Golding’s first novel has become one of the most-read young-adult books ever. Name that book.
Lord of the Flies
18. Who was the President of the United States in 1954?
Dwight D. Eisenhower (January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961)
19. What was the average household income in 1954?
$4,200
20. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1954?
Not as a Stranger by Morton Thompson
21. Founded in 1954, this franchise is recognized as the longest-running franchise in the film industry. Name the film (and character) that started this movie dynasty.
Godzilla
22. More than 12 million people immigrated through this port-of-entry in New York Harbor between 1892 and 1954…
Ellis Island
23. This fast-food burger franchise opened in 1954, in Miami, Florida.
Burger King
24. True or False: In 1954, the Roman Catholic Church said that watching Mass on television fulfilled obligations.
False. Catholics still had to go to church, health permitting.
25. What did General Mills introduce in 1954 as a sugar-coated version of its popular Kix cereal?
Trix cereal
26. What did The Supreme Court rule on Brown v. Board of Education establish?
That separating children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional.
27. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1954?
$0.29 per gallon
28. What notable surgery did Dr. Joseph Murray accomplish on December 23, 1954?
The first human organ (kidney) to be transplanted successfully was between identical twins Richard and Ronald Herrick.
29. What other widely-used life-saving medical skill was first demonstrated in 1954, usually referred to as a three-letter word?
CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
30. Although invented in 1954, this food-storage container was not available to the public until the late 1980s. Name that product.
Zipper storage bags (Ziploc bags)
31. Name one of the two car companies that merged to form American Motors Corporation.
Hudson Motor Car Company or Nash-Kelvinator Corporation
32. Who was the 1954 Time Magazine Man of the Year?
John Foster Dulles
33. This group was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America as an alternative to government regulation. It was defunct by early 2011. Name that self-censoring association.
Comics Code Authority
34. Name the first soft drink company to sell soda in a can.
Royal Crown (RC)
35. After the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference in 1954, what sports term has been used to describe 8 specific private universities in the Northeastern United States?
The Ivy League (Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University)
36. Richard Matheson’s novel had three film adaptations, starring Vincent Price (1964), Charlton Heston (1971), and Will Smith (2007). One of the films used the same title as the book. Name that book.
I Am Legend
37. Based on a George Orwell book, name the first British-made, wide-release animated film.
Animal Farm
38. What day honoring US Servicemen and women was replaced by Veteran’s Day in 1954?
Armistice Day (Remembrance Day in other countries)
39. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1954?
50 cents
40. This James Bond title was the second book in the book series and the eighth in the film franchise…
Live and Let Die
41. This long-running NBC late-night show was originally hosted by Steve Allen.
The Tonight Show
42. Which sports star was NOT born in 1954: Ozzie Smith, Björn Borg, Chris Evert, or Willie Hernandez
Björn Borg (born June 6, 1956)
43. What clothing company used the slogan: “Lifts and Separates”?
Playtex
44. What two words were added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance as of June 14, 1954?
“under God”
45. What phrase did President Dwight D. Eisenhower use to describe the spread of Communism?
The “Domino Effect”
46. Who won the 1954 World Series?
In 1954, The New York Giants won, beating the Cleveland Indians (4 games to 0)
47. The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in what Pennsylvania city?
Pittsburgh
48. Name the film based on a 1954 book of the same name that featured Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock.
The Blackboard Jungle
49. Gerry Thomas, a Swanson food employee, was the primary creator of what product?
The TV Dinner
50. A picture of Milwaukee Braves’ Eddie Mathews and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum was featured on the cover of what magazine’s first edition?
Sports Illustrated
51. Released July 19, 1954, what was the name of Elvis Presley’s first single?
That’s All Right (Blue Moon of Kentucky was the B-side)
52. This jet, flown between 1953 and 1983, is often credited with beginning the Jet Age
Boeing 707
53. Name the product that used the tagline: “(product) that’s how you spell relief.”
“Rolaids; that’s how you spell relief”
54. What company used the slogan: “The Milk Chocolate Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand”?
M&Ms
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. M&Ms also offered something else new in 1954. Name that new and popular product.
Peanut M&Ms
2. Who was the Pope in 1954?
Pope Pius XII, March 2, 1939 – October 9, 1958
3. This influential 1954 Japanese epic samurai drama film was co-written, edited, and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Name that classic film.
Seven Samurai
4. What company introduced the first 16-ounce beer can?
Schlitz
5. True Knowledge, an answer engine developed by William Tunstall-Pedoe, has designated this day the most boring day in the 20th century.
April 11, 1954
6. Who were the 1954 NBA Champions?
For the 1953-54 Season, Champion Minneapolis Lakers won 4 games to 3 over the Syracuse Nationals
7. Who were the 1954 NFL CHampions?
Cleveland Browns
8. Who was the American Vice-President in 1954?
Richard Nixon (January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961)
9. What was notable about the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at an all-time high of 382.74 on November 23, 1954?
It was the highest it had reached since the great depression (381.17 on September 3, 1929)
10. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954?
West Germany
2009 Top 10 Music Charts
2009’s Biggest Artists and Songs
2009’s Retro Top 10 Hits
2009’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
2009’s Bubblegum 10 Hit List
2009’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
2009’s Alternative Top 10 Hit List
2009’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
PCM’s 2009 Top 10 Hit List
100 Pop Songs About Death and Dying
Death Songs in Pop Music
October 13 in Pop Culture History
October 13th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 13th History Highlights
- 1269 – The present church building at Westminster Abbey was consecrated.
- 1775 – The United States Navy (Continental Navy) was authorized by the Second Continental Congress.
- 1792 – The cornerstone for the White House was laid.
- October 13, 1961 Birthday (fictional) Fox Mulder, The X-Files
- If you were born on October 13th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 20th (same year)
US Navy Birthday
The original fleet consisted largely of the Continental Army, which frankly did not manage to do much in the American Revolution itself. The Navy was disbanded in 1794, although it played an important role during the Revolutionary War. This fleet was called the “Continental Army” and was responsible for disrupting supplies from Britain to our country.
Two years after the American Revolution, it was dissolved, but deemed necessary in 1794, when the US government recognized the need to protect American interests against piracy and rival powers in the Western Hemisphere. In 1972, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Secretary of the Navy Elmo D. Brown authorized the official recognition of October 13 as the birthday of the US Navy.
October 13th is…
Failure Day
Silly Sayings Day
Skeptics Day
Train Your Brain Day
US Navy Birthday
Yorkshire Pudding Day
October 13th Birthday Quotes
“I do not regret one moment of my life.”
– Lillie Langtry
“If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now.”
– Marie Osmond
“The American Constitution was not written to protect criminals; it was written to protect the government from becoming criminals.”
– Lenny Bruce
“Answers make you wise, but questions make you human.”
– Yves Montand
“I was eating in a Chinese restaurant downtown. There was a dish called Mother and Child Reunion. It’s chicken and eggs. And I said I gotta use that one.”
– Paul Simon
“It’s so important to never limit yourself, to find yourself in a box.”
– Ashanti
October 13th Birthdays
1909 – Art Tatum, American jazz pianist (died in 1956)
1921 – Yves Montand, Italian-French actor (died in 1991)
1925 – Lenny Bruce, American comedian (died in 1966)
1926 – Killer Kowalski, American wrestler (died in 2008)
1935 – Bruce ‘Cousin Brucie’ Morrow, American radio host, and actor
1941 – Paul Simon, American singer-songwriter
1942 – Jerry Jones, American businessman, longtime owner of The Dallas Cowboys
1956 – Chris Carter, American director, producer, and screenwriter, The X-Files
1959 – Marie Osmond, American singer, actress, and television spokesperson
1962 – Kelly Preston, American actress
1962 – Jerry Rice, American football player
1969 – Nancy Kerrigan, American figure skater
1971 – Sacha Baron Cohen, English comedian, and actor
1980 – Ashanti, American singer-songwriter
2001 – Caleb McLaughlin, American actor
October 13th History
1775 – The United States Continental Congress ordered the establishment of the Continental Navy (later renamed the United States Navy).
1843 – B’nai B’rith was founded in New York City.
1917 – The 10 minute “Miracle of the Sun” was witnessed by an estimated 70,000 people in the Cova da Iria in Fátima, Portugal.
1958 – Paddington Bear made his debut in A Bear Called Paddington.
October 13, 1961 Birthday (fictional) Fox Mulder, The X-Files, TV
1963 (Volcano Eruption) Kuril Islands
1979 – #1 Hit October 13, 1979 – October 19, 1979: Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough
1984 – #1 Hit October 13, 1984 – November 2, 1984: Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You
1990 – #1 Hit October 13, 1990 – October 19, 1990: George Michael – Praying For Time
1991- Jennifer Lopez joined the cast of In Living Color as a Fly Girl. Jamie Foxx, Steve Park, and Shawn Wayans were also added to the cast.
2010 – The 2010 Copiapo mining accident in Copiapo, Chile ended as all 33 miners came to the surface after surviving a record 69 days underground.
October 13, 2324 Birthday (fictional) Beverly Crusher, Star Trek: The Next Generation, TV
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Rome held the record for ‘largest city ever’ (1.2M people) for over 1600 years, before being surpassed by Beijing in the early 19th century.
The word ‘graffiti’ is actually the plural of ‘graffito’
I’m cutting the sleeves off my Snuggie because it makes me look more badass.
The word “quintessential” is actually Latin for ‘the fifth element”.
“An old man dies. A young woman lives. Fairtrade.” – Sin City #moviequotes
Red M&Ms were eliminated in 1976 over concern about the dye amaranth that could be carcinogenic despite M&Ms not containing it.
A group of Tasks is an Agenda.
I was gonna post a joke about apathy, but then I figured, why bother?
“I’m as pure as the driven slush.” – Tallulah Bankhead
“Star Wars” was originally prefixed by the definite article ‘The’.
More Pop Culture History Resources
The Morality of Hoarding Toilet Paper in a Pandemic
The Morality of Hoarding Toilet Paper in a Pandemic
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one item stood out as the symbol of global anxiety: toilet paper. As shelves emptied and carts overflowed, a strange ethical dilemma unspooled—literally. Why were people hoarding? Was it justified? And what does this behavior reveal about human nature when fear takes the wheel?
While it may seem trivial, the toilet paper panic offers a surprisingly deep insight into moral decision-making, scarcity psychology, and the ethical tension between self-preservation and social responsibility.
The Core Dilemma
Imagine this scenario:
You’re at the store during a public health emergency. There’s a limited supply of toilet paper left. You could take a few rolls—just what you need. Or you could fill your cart, ensuring your own comfort for months… and leaving none for others.
There’s no rule against buying extra. But should you?
This is the moral tension of panic hoarding: the individual versus the collective. Fear and rational self-interest clash with empathy and fairness. And when it comes to essentials, the stakes (and the rolls) feel much higher.
Why Toilet Paper?
Toilet paper became the face of pandemic panic, even though COVID-19 didn’t affect the digestive system.
According to behavioral experts, it’s because:
It’s large and visible—empty shelves feel more urgent.
It’s associated with cleanliness and control.
It’s nonperishable—easy to stockpile.
It was less about need, more about uncertainty. When people saw others hoarding, they followed suit, fearing scarcity more than they feared actual lack.
Ethical Frameworks in Play
To better understand the ethics of hoarding, let’s look at a few moral theories in action.
1. Utilitarianism
This view holds that the morally right action is the one that maximizes well-being for the greatest number.
Hoarding fails this test. Taking more than you need causes shortages for others, especially the vulnerable—elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals who can’t shop as often or stock up in bulk.
From this angle, hoarding is ethically unjustifiable. Your comfort comes at someone else’s expense.
2. Deontology
Deontological ethics focuses on duties and rules, not outcomes.
Even if your hoarding didn’t lead to harm (say, the store restocked the next day), the act itself might still be considered wrong. Why? Because you’re violating a moral duty to be fair and considerate. You’re taking advantage of a situation where others can’t respond equally.
Think of it this way: Would it be okay if everyone did what you’re doing? If the answer is no, then it probably fails the deontological sniff test.
3. Virtue Ethics
This framework asks: What would a good person do?
Virtue ethics emphasizes character and intentions—generosity, compassion, temperance. A virtuous shopper buys what they need, leaves some for others, and maybe even checks in on a neighbor.
Panic hoarding, in contrast, stems from fear, selfishness, and mistrust. It reveals more about who we are than what we need.
Real-World Examples of Panic Hoarding
Toilet paper wasn’t the only target of mass stockpiling. Let’s look at a few more:
Hand sanitizer: Resellers bought in bulk and marked up prices on Amazon and eBay—some were later banned or shamed in the press.
Masks and gloves are hoarded by civilians, some hospitals, and suppliers, creating distribution problems.
Baby formula (2022): Supply chain issues combined with panic buying led to dangerous infant shortages.
Fuel in the UK (2021): A rumor about a fuel shortage led to actual shortages as people filled multiple containers unnecessarily.
In each case, self-interest snowballed into systemic harm—not because supplies were short initially, but because behavior made them so.
The Psychology Behind the Panic
Understanding why people hoard doesn’t excuse it, but it helps us make better systems.
Some key drivers:
Loss aversion: The fear of losing access to something is more powerful than the pleasure of gaining it.
Social proof: Seeing others buy triggers the belief that you should too.
Control illusion: Stocking up gives people a sense of control during uncertain times.
Media amplification: Photos of empty shelves spread faster than supply updates.
This results in feedback loops: fear leads to hoarding, which causes real shortages and more fear.
Was It Ever Justified?
Not all stocking up is hoarding. There’s a moral line between prudence and panic.
Buying enough for your family for a few weeks during a lockdown? Reasonable.
Clearing out the shelf so others can’t get any? Not so much.
Context matters too. A rural family with limited store access might stock more than someone living near a supermarket. A parent of three may need more than someone living alone.
Ethics depends on intent, necessity, and impact.
Systemic Factors
It’s worth noting that not all responsibility lies with individuals.
Supply chains weren’t always prepared.
Retailers didn’t ration early enough.
Governments gave mixed messages.
A moral society also depends on ethical institutions. Public trust erodes when officials or corporations act in their own interest while asking individuals to behave.
This doesn’t excuse hoarding—but it reminds us that ethics is both individual and collective.
Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Toilet paper memes exploded online. From “TP Fortresses” to cats guarding rolls like treasure, humor helped people cope with the absurdity.
While some found the jokes insensitive, others saw them as a relief valve—a way to stay connected, call out excesses, and humanize the stress.
Humor doesn’t solve moral problems, but it can soften our judgments and open conversations.
The Long-Term Questions
What the toilet paper panic really flushed out was this:
How do we behave under pressure?
Do we look out only for ourselves?
Or can we rise to protect each other?
These questions apply beyond pandemics—to climate change, resource scarcity, and any situation where fear tempts us to retreat into “me first” mode.
The answer isn’t found in a shopping cart—but in how we share the aisle.
Glossary of Terms
Utilitarianism – An ethical theory that seeks the greatest good for the greatest number.
Deontology – Ethics based on rules and duties, regardless of outcomes.
Virtue Ethics – Ethics based on character and moral virtues.
Panic Hoarding – Buying excessive quantities of goods out of fear, often during emergencies.
Loss Aversion – The psychological tendency to prefer avoiding losses over acquiring gains.
Discussion Questions
What’s the ethical difference between preparing and hoarding?
Should stores and governments have a role in preventing panic buying?
How would you respond differently in the next public emergency?
References and Further Reading
ABC News – “Why People Are Hoarding Toilet Paper”
Harvard Business Review – “The Psychology Behind Panic Buying”
Washington Post – “What We’re Learning About Human Behavior in Crisis”
October 12 in Pop Culture History
October 12th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 12th History Highlights
- 1279 – The Nichiren Shoshu branch of Buddhism was founded in Japan.
- 1492 – Christopher Columbus ‘discovered’ The Bahamas.
- 1773 – Eastern State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia, the first in America, opened..
- 1999 – As of this day, 6 billion people were alive on Earth. #thedayofthesixbillion
- If you were born on October 12th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 19th (same year)
National Farmers Day
October 12th is…
Freethought Day
Gumbo Day
Old Farmers Day
Savings Day
World Arthritis Day
October 12th Birthday Quotes
“People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference.”
– Luciano Pavarotti
“It is necessary that we stop, once for all, this ignorant meddling with other people’s business. Each individual must be left free to follow his own path.”
– Aleister Crowley
“And when night comes, and you look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone, and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed: just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and leave it with Him.”
– Edith Stein
“In life, you don’t regret the things you do, you regret the things you don’t do.”
– Hugh Jackman
“I didn’t allow (Gumby) merchandising for seven years after it was on the air because I was very idealistic, and I didn’t want parents to think we were trying to exploit their children.”
– Aer Clokey
October 12th Birthdays
1891 – Edith Stein, German/Polish nun and martyr; later canonized (died in 1942)
1893 – Velvalee Dickinson, American spy (died in 1980)
1904 – Lester Dent, American journalist and author (died in 1959)
1916 – Alice Childress, American actress, and playwright (died in 1994)
1921 – Art Clokey (Arthur C. Farrington), American animator and voice actor, created Gumby (died in 2010)
1935 – Sam Moore, American soul singer-songwriter, of Sam & Dave
1935 – Luciano Pavarotti, Italian tenor (died in 2007)
1949 – Carlos the Jackal (Illich Ramirez Sanchez), Venezuelan terrorist and murderer
1950 – Susan Anton, American actress, and model
1962 – Mads Eriksen, Norwegian guitarist
1968 – Hugh Jackman, Australian actor, and singer
1970 – Kirk Cameron, American actor
1986 – Tyler Blackburn, American actor
October 12th History
1792 – The first celebration of Columbus Day in the US was held in New York City.
1810 – Oktoberfest begins: In Germany, the Bavarian royal family invited the citizens of Munich to join the celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
1823 – Charles Macintosh of Scotland began selling his ‘raincoat.’
1918 – Cloquet Fire, Minnesota killed over 400 people.
1950 – The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show debuted on CBS.
1953 – The Bob Hope Show (television) premiered.
1960 – Nikita Khrushchev famously pounded his shoe on a desk at United Nations General Assembly.
1963 – #1 Hit October 12, 1963 – November 15, 1963: Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs – Sugar Shack
1964 – The USSR launched Voskhod 1 into Earth orbit as the first spacecraft with a multi-person crew; it was the first flight without spacesuits.
1979 – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the first of five books in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy comedy science fiction series by Douglas Adams was published. The Answer? 42.
1985 – #1 Hit October 12, 1985 – October 18, 1985: Ready for the World – Oh Sheila
1989 – East End Show – Buddy -The Buddy Holly Story (Musical) October 12, 1989
1991 – #1 Hit October 12, 1991 – November 1, 1991: Mariah Carey – Emotions
1994 – NASA lost radio contact with the Magellan spacecraft as it descended into the thick, acidic atmosphere of Venus.
2000 – The USS Cole was badly damaged in Aden, Yemen, by two suicide bombers, killing 17 crew members and wounding at least 39.
October 12, 2001 – Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge aired on The Disney Channel
October 12, 2005 – The Apple iPod (5th generation) was released.
October 12, 2007 – Twitches Too aired on The Disney Channel
October 12, 2012 – Girl vs. Monster aired on The Disney Channel
2013 – #1 Hit October 12, 2013 – December 20, 2013: Lorde – Royals
October 12, 802,701 (fiction) George Wells arrived from the past, The Time Machine, Book/Film
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The first movie to be filmed in Technicolor was Becky Sharp, in 1934
The show was called Full House because Danny Tanner had to deal with 3 of a kind and a pair.
A group of Bison is called a Herd.
Ray Milland – Real Name: Reginald Truscott Jones
Why are so many ghosts from the Victorian age?
“I’m into leather.” – Alvy’s Classmate, Annie Hall #moviequotes
The Edge (U2) – Real Name: Dave Evans
The CEO of McDonald’s is “someone who works at McDonald’s.” #McDonalds #CEOproblems
If someone offers you something, take it. You’re doing them a favor by allowing them to do a good deed.
Scented deodorant is both an odorant and a deodorant.
On their deathbed, nobody said, “If I had a chance to do it all over again, I’d spend more time working.”
“Here’s Johnny!” – Ed McMahon (The Tonight Show) #TVQuotes
More Pop Culture History Resources
Break Up Songs
Top 150 Break-Up Songs
October 11 in Pop Culture History
October 11th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 11th History Highlights
- 1887 – The first adding machine (the Comptometer) was patented, by Dorr Eugene Felt.
- 1962 – Vatican Council II, the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church was convened by Pope John XXIII, in four sessions that concluded on December 8, 1965.
- 1975 – Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC.
- If you were born on October 11th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 18th (same year)
General Pulaski Memorial Day
General Pulaski Memorial Day is the birthday of General Kazimierz PuAaskaPuAaskingi (Kasimir Pulaski). It is a holiday held by a presidential proclamation to commemorate the wounds suffered during the siege of Savannah on October 9, 1779, and to honor the legacy of the Polish-Americans. General Pulaski Day was recognized as a law by the state of Kentucky in 1942 and as General Pulaskingi Memorial Day by the United States in 1948.
General Pulaski is embodied in the history of our nation and has dedicated his life to the service of the United States of America and its people. When Poland gained its own independence, the United States and America-Poland continued to have a related devotion to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
October 11th is…
General Pulaski Memorial Day
It’s My Party Day
Sausage Pizza Day
Southern Food Heritage Day
October 11th Birthday Quotes
“If you take a bunch of superstars and put them in a room where they don’t have their assistants and entourage, it’s funny to see what happens.”
– Daryl Hall
“To do a common thing uncommonly well brings success.”
– Henry John Heinz
“Why doesn’t Apple stop for a year and make medical devices? When people talk about technology, that’s where I start to get a little hot under the collar because I know that it’s the key to solving some of the world’s biggest problems. Having a faster, thinner telephone is not one of the world’s biggest problems.”
– Luke Perry
“So go on and play, and if you make a mistake, make it loud so you won’t make it next time.”
– Art Blakey
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt
October 11th Birthdays
1872 – Harlan Fisk, United States Supreme Court Justice (died in 1946)
1884 – Eleanor Roosevelt, American humanitarian and politician, 39th First Lady of the United States (died in 1962)
1905 – Fred Trump, American real estate entrepreneur (died in 1999)
1911 – Jerome Robbins, American choreographer, and dancer (died in 1998)
1913 – Joe Simon, American comic book author, and illustrator (died in 2011)
1919 – Art Blakey, American drummer, and bandleader (died in 1990)
1926 – Earle Hyman, American actor (died in 2017)
1932 – Dottie West, American singer-songwriter (died in 1991)
1946 – Daryl Hall, American singer-songwriter
1960 – Nicola Bryant, English actress
1964 – Michael J. Nelson, American actor, and writer
1965 – Sean Patrick Flanery, American actor
1966 – Luke Perry, American actor, and producer (died in 2019)
1968 – Jane Krakowski, American actress, and singer
1970 – MC Lyte, American rapper
1977 – Matt Bomer, American actor
1985 – Michelle Trachtenberg, American actress
1992 – Cardi B, American rapper
October 11th History
(Earthquake) Aleppo, Syria
1811
The Juliana began operation as the first steam-powered ferry service between New York City, New York, and Hoboken, New Jersey.
1852
The University of Sydney, Australia’s oldest university, opened.
1885
The first adding machine (the Comptometer, #366945) was patented, by Dorr Eugene Felt.
1890
The Daughters of the American Revolution were founded in Washington, DC.
1958
NASA launched the lunar probe Pioneer 1.
1962
Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, changing several rules, including saying The mass in the local languages and having the celebrant (priest) face the congregation.
1968
Apollo 7 (October 11-22, 1968) Crew: Wally Schirra, Donn F. Eisele, and Walter Cunningham
1973
Aliens in Mississippi abducted Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, as they told authorities.
1975
#1 Hit October 11, 1975 – October 31, 1975: Neil Sedaka – Bad Blood
1984
Astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan became the first American woman to perform a spacewalk on the Space Shuttle Challenger.
1985
October 11, 1985 (fiction) A Comedian died in New York, Watchmen, DC Comics
1986
#1 Hit October 11, 1986 – October 24, 1986: Janet Jackson – When I Think of You
October 11, 19** Birthday (fictional) Hallie Parker and Annie James, The Parent Trap, Film
1997
#1 Hit October 11, 1997 – January 16, 1998: Elton John – Candle in the Wind ’97
2006
30 Rock premiered on NBC
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The North Star is the 49th brightest star in the sky.
The Wright Brother’s flight was in Kill Devil Hills, not Kitty Hawk. Kitty Hawk was where the brothers sent their message of success to their father.
The crack from a whip is produced by a small sonic boom.
“Toga! Toga!” – John “Bluto” Blutarsky (John Belushi) in National Lampoon’s Animal House, 1978
I trust the top comment a lot more than the title of an article.
The Bayeaux Tapestry is technically an embroidery.
“It hurts when you lose a friend to death, it hurts even more when you lose a friend still living.” – C.J. Tulli
Leo the Lion is the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Mascot.
Someday an old man will say “back in my day we only had iPhones and VR, not this futuristic useless stuff.”
Useless Pronunciation: O as in oh
“Here’s Johnny!”- Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) #moviequotes
A group of Oxen is called a Team or Yoke or Drove.
Yen Sid, the sorcerer in “Fantasia”, is just “Disney” spelled backward.
More Pop Culture History Resources
Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1948?
Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1948?
48 Trivia Questions for 1948 History
(answers)
1. Who was the President of the United States in 1948?
2. What was the name of the American initiative passed in 1948 for foreign aid to Western Europe?
3. What was the highest-grossing film of 1948?
4. What was the highest-grossing musical film of 1948?
5. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1948?
6. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1948?
7. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1948?
8. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1948?
9. What is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force called?
10. This song, about an unusual plant, was written in 1927 but became a Number One Hit for Art Mooney in 1948. Name that song
11. The Soviet Union controlled Eastern Berlin, Germany, and interfered with travel between both parts of the city. What was this restriction called?
12. What was the response from the United States and the Allies to the Berlin Blockade?
13. This television variety was best known as The Ed Sullivan Show, but it had another title for the first seven years. Name that old TV show.
14. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1948?
15. In 1948, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
16. By the end of the 1948 Major League Baseball season, only one stadium did not have lights installed for night games, although they did get them 40 years later. Name that baseball stadium.
17. How many people lived in the United States in 1948?
18. This stadium was renamed Mile High Stadium in 1968, but what was it called when it was built in 1948?
19. what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1948 to the nearest dime?
20. This show moved from radio to television in 1958, and gave Milton Berle the nickname of “Mister Television”
21. Who was the Republican nominee for President in 1948?
22. After the 1948 election, what newspaper erroneously declared “Dewey Defeats Truman”?
23. On November 14, 1948, Buckingham Palace released a statement: “Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth Duchess of Edinburgh was safely delivered of a Prince at 9:14 o’clock this evening. Her Royal Highness and the infant Prince are both well.” Who was the prince they were talking about?
24. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1948: Dan Aykroyd, Samuel L. Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, Jackson Browne, or Christa McAuliffe?
25. What company used the slogan: “A Diamond is Forever”?
26. This household product, invented by Ed Lowe, for indoor pets, is a $2 Billion a year industry.
27. First produced in 1948, now they are the longest-running pickup brand in the world. What are “they”?
28. How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1948?
29. This show has been on and off the air since 1948, capturing ordinary people being confronted with unusual situations.
HINT: Smile!
30. This Oscar-winning film had the same title as a Top Ten song by Bertie Higgins in 1981…
31. This musical, written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, is based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Name that Broadway show.
32. Who won the 1948 World Series?
33. What American city banned pinball machines and other “gaming devices” until 1976?
34. This Chicago television station, a superstation on cable decades late, first went on the air on April 5, 1948.
35. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1948?
36. What restaurant had the first drive-thru window?
37. To look sleeker and futuristic, Cadillac added what to its 1948 cars?
38. This company originally produced utilitarian four-wheel drive, off-road vehicles but now focuses on luxury SUVs. Name this English company.
39. What two newspapers merged to form the Chicago Sun-Times?
40. The 1948 Summer Olympics were held in London, United Kingdom. How many medals did the US win?
41. The 1948 Winter Olympics were held in St. Moritz, Switzerland. How many medals did the US win?
42. This Western film gave us the line – “Badges? We ain’t got no badges! We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinking badges!”
43. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1948?
44. Rudolf and Adolf Dassler both opened shoe companies in Bavaria, Germany. What are the names of the two companies the brothers founded?
45. What is the common name for the (new in 1948) microgroove product?
46. Founded in 1948, this United Nations organization is responsible for international public health. Name that organization.
47. Who won the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1948?
48. This racing company began in 1948 and is headquartered in Daytona, Florida. Name that company.
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. What do the letters in NASCAR mean?
2. What did the United Kingdom name its new comprehensive health care system in 1948?
3. The first Tony Award for Best Play was presented. Name the winning play.
4. Who was the Pope in 1948?
5. Air National Guard pilot Thomas F. Mantell died in the crash of his F-51 Mustang fighter plane while doing what?
6. Who were the 1948 NFL Champions?
7. Margaret Chase Smith was elected as a United States Senator, representing Maine. She holds a first-time distinction for serving in Congress; what is that honor?
8. Who were the 1948 NBA Champions?
9. In 1948, the Soviet Union began to jam what radio broadcasts?
10. Who was the American Vice-President in 1948?
48 Trivia Answers for 1948 History
Harry S. Truman (April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953)
2. What was the name of the American initiative passed in 1948 for foreign aid to Western Europe?
The Marshall Plan
3. What was the highest-grossing film of 1948?
Red River (The Paleface was a very close #2)
4. What was the highest-grossing musical film of 1948?
Easter Parade
5. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1948?
14 cents
6. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1948?
87 cents
7. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1948?
The Big Fisherman by Lloyd C. Douglas
8. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1948?
Buttons and Bows by Dinah Shore
9. What is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force called?
Civil Air Patrol
10. This song, about an unusual plant, was written in 1927 but became a Number One Hit for Art Mooney in 1948. Name that song.
I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover
11. The Soviet Union controlled Eastern Berlin, Germany, and interfered with travel between both parts of the city. What was this restriction called?
The Berlin Blockade
12. What was the response from the United States and the Allies to the Berlin Blockade?
The Berlin Airlift
13. This television variety was best known as The Ed Sullivan Show, but it had another title for the first seven years. Name that old TV show.
Toast of the Town
14. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1948?
In 1948, The Toronto Maple Leafs won over the Detroit Red Wings (4 games to 0)
15. In 1948, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
Men – 64.6 years, Women – 69.9 years.
16. By the end of the 1948 Major League Baseball season, only one stadium did not have lights installed for night games, although they did get them 40 years later. Name that baseball stadium.
Wrigley Field.
17. How many people lived in the United States in 1948?
The population was an estimated 146,631,302 people.
18. This stadium was renamed Mile High Stadium in 1968, but what was it called when it was built in 1948?
Bears Stadium (For the Denver Bears minor league baseball team)
19. what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1948 to the nearest dime?
40 cents
20. This show moved from radio to television in 1958, and gave Milton Berle the nickname of “Mister Television”
Texaco Star Theater
21. Who was the Republican nominee for President in 1948?
Thomas E. Dewey
22. After the 1948 election, what newspaper erroneously declared “Dewey Defeats Truman”?
The Chicago Tribune
23. On November 14, 1948, Buckingham Palace released a statement: “Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth Duchess of Edinburgh was safely delivered of a Prince at 9:14 o’clock this evening. Her Royal Highness and the infant Prince are both well.” Who was the prince they were talking about?
Prince Charles
24. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1948: Dan Aykroyd, Samuel L. Jackson, Ozzy Osbourne, Jackson Browne, or Christa McAuliffe?
Dan Aykroyd (born July 1, 1952)
25. What company used the slogan: “A Diamond is Forever”?
DeBeers
26. This household product, invented by Ed Lowe, for indoor pets, is a $2 Billion a year industry.
The Litter Box
27. First produced in 1948, now they are the longest-running pickup brand in the world. What are “they”?
Ford F-Series Pickup Trucks
28. How much did a dozen eggs cost in 1948?
72 cents
29. This show has been on and off the air since 1948, capturing ordinary people being confronted with unusual situations.
HINT: Smile!
Candid Camera
30. This Oscar-winning film had the same title as a Top Ten song by Bertie Higgins in 1981…
Key Largo
31. This musical, written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, is based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Name that Broadway show.
Kiss Me, Kate
32. Who won the 1948 World Series?
In 1948, The Cleveland Indians won, beating the Boston Braves (4 games to 2)
33. What American city banned pinball machines and other “gaming devices” until 1976?
New York City
34. This Chicago television station, a superstation on cable decades late, first went on the air on April 5, 1948.
WGN (tagline “Chicago’s very own”)
35. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1948?
Harry S. Truman
36. What restaurant had the first drive-thru window?
In-n-Out Burger in Baldwin Park, California.
37. To look sleeker and futuristic, Cadillac added what to its 1948 cars?
Tailfins
38. This company originally produced utilitarian four-wheel drive, off-road vehicles but now focuses on luxury SUVs. Name this English company.
Land Rover
39. What two newspapers merged to form the Chicago Sun-Times?
The Chicago Sun and Chicago Daily Times
40. Held in London, United Kingdom, how many medals did the US win in the 1948 Summer Olympics?
84.
38 Gold, 27 Silver, 19 Bronze.
41. Held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, how many medals did the US win in the 1948 Winter Olympics?
9.
3 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze.
42. This Western film gave us the line – “Badges? We ain’t got no badges! We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinking badges!”
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
43. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1948?
$0.26 per gallon
44. Rudolf and Adolf Dassler both opened shoe companies in Bavaria, Germany. What are the names of the two companies the brothers founded?
Puma and Adidas (They divided the company they had started in 1924)
45. What is the common name for the (new in 1948) microgroove product?
Long Playing Record album
46. Founded in 1948, this United Nations organization is responsible for international public health. Name that organization.
World Health Organization (WHO)
47. Who won the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1948?
Citation
48. This racing company began in 1948 and is headquartered in Daytona, Florida. Name that company.
NASCAR
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. What do the letters in NASCAR mean?
National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
2. What did the United Kingdom name its new comprehensive health care system in 1948?
The National Health Service
3. The first Tony Award for Best Play was presented. Name the winning play.
Mister Roberts
4. Who was the Pope in 1948?
Pope Pius XII, March 2, 1939 – October 9, 1958
5. Air National Guard pilot Thomas F. Mantell died in the crash of his F-51 Mustang fighter plane while doing what?
He was sent by Godman Army Airfield at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to pursue an unidentified flying object (UFO).
6. Who were the 1948 NFL Champions?
Philadelphia Eagles
7. Margaret Chase Smith was elected as a United States Senator, representing Maine. She holds a first-time distinction for serving in Congress; what is that honor?
She was the first woman to serve in the US House Of Representatives and the United States Senate.
8. Who were the 1948 NBA Champions?
For the 1947-48 Season, Champion Baltimore Bullets (1st) won 4 games to 2 over the Philadelphia Warriors
9. In 1948, the Soviet Union began to jam what radio broadcasts?
Voice of America broadcasts
10. Who was the American Vice-President in 1948?
The office of vice president was vacant from April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1949
October 10 in Pop Culture History
October 10th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 10th History Highlights
- 1780 – The Great Hurricane of 1780 killed 20,000 to 30,000 people in the Caribbean.
- 1845 – The Naval School (later the United States Naval Academy) opened with 50 students in Annapolis, Maryland.
- 1886 – Griswold Lorollaerd created the first Tuxedo.
- 1973 – 1973 – Vice President of the US Spiro Agnew resigned, after being charged with evasion of federal income tax.
- If you were born on October 10th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 17th (same year)
World Mental Health Day
October 10th is…
Cake Decorating Day
Handbag Day
Motorsport Memorial Day
US Naval Academy Day
World Homeless Day
World Mental Health Day
October 10th Birthday Quotes
“From your parents, you learn to love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other. But when books are opened you discover that you have wings.”
– Helen Hayes
“This story’s gonna grab people. It’s about this guy, he’s crazy about this girl, but he likes to wear dresses. Should he tell her? Should he not tell her? He’s torn, Georgie. This is drama.”
– Ed Wood
“I guess if you keep making the same mistake long enough, it becomes your style.”
– John Prine
“I just got an apartment here in Nashville, and I invested in a Queen-sized bed because I’m like, “I haven’t had a big bed since I was a kid.” I woke up this morning on one side, like, in ‘coffin position’.”
– Lzzy Hale
“At the end of the day, give up your worries and give thanks for the journey.”
– Ben Vereen
“Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.”
– David Lee Roth
October 10th Birthdays
1917 – Thelonious Monk, American jazz pianist, and composer (died in 1982)
1924 – Ed Wood, American actor, director, producer screenwriter (died in 1978)
1927 – Jon Locke, American character actor (died in 2013)
1933 – Jay Sebring, American hair stylist, and businessman (died in 1969)
1941 – Peter Coyote, American actor
1946 – John Prine, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died in 2020)
1946 – Ben Vereen, American actor, singer, and dancer
1953 – Midge Ure, Scottish singer-songwriter
1954 – David Lee Roth, American singer-songwriter
1958 – Tanya Tucker, American singer-songwriter
1959 – Julia Sweeney, American comedic actress
1965 – Chris Penn, American character actor (died in 2006)
1966 – Bai L ng, Chinese-American model and actress
1969 – Wendi McLendon-Covey, American actress
1973 – Mario Lopez, American actor, and television personality
1984 – Lzzy Hale, American singer-songwriter
1988 – Rose McIver, New Zealand actress
1989 – Aimee Teegarden, American actress
October 10th History
1780 – The Great Hurricane of 1780 killed 20,000 to 30,000 people in the Caribbean region.
1845 – The Naval School (now the United States Naval Academy) opened in Annapolis, Maryland.
1871 – The Great Chicago Fire finally dissipated.
1871 – Tau Epsilon Phi was founded at Columbia University (other organizations did not allow Jewish members)
1918 – The Cloquet Fire, northern Minnesota, USA
1953 – #1 Hit October 10, 1953 – November 20, 1953: Stan Freberg – St. George And The Dragonet
1957 – The finance minister of Ghana, Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, was refused service in a Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Dover, Delaware. It was a bit of an international incident. He later was invited to dine with US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1960 – #1 Hit October 10, 1960 – October 16, 1960: Larry Verne – Mr. Custer
1964 – NBC aired the 1964 Summer Olympics opening ceremony at Tokyo, Japan, with the first time of live Olympic telecast program, by geostationary communication satellite, Syncom 3.
1970 – #1 Hit October 10, 1970 – October 16, 1970: Neil Diamond – Cracklin’ Rosie
1971 – The television program Upstairs, Downstairs premiered.
1973 – Vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned from office, the second person to do so.
1983 – Adam, a TV movie about the mysterious disappearance of Adam Walsh, premiered on NBC.
1987 – #1 Hit October 10, 1987 – October 16, 1987: Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
2010 – Cable channel The Hub (Now Discovery Family) made its debut in the United States.
2012 – Nashville premiered on ABC
#1 Hit October 10, 2020 – October 16, 2020: Franchise – Travis Scott featuring Young Thug and M.I.A.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
An alpaca’s gestation period lasts almost one year (~350 days).
During the filming of “Conan The Barbarian”, Arnold Schwarzenegger had to cut down his workout routine because his arm and chest muscles were so big that he couldn’t wield a sword properly.
The Capital of Kiribati is Tarawa Atoll
Sugar Ray Robinson – Real Name: Walker Smith
Batman spends most of his money on expensive electronics, has little to no social life, and when he’s not dressing up and pretending to be a superhero he spends most of his time sitting in front of a computer in his parents’ basement. #soundfamiliar
“Whenever I’m caught between two evils, I take the one I never tried.” – The Frisco Doll (Mae West) #moviequotes
Roulette Odds: Two number combination: Payoff: 17:1 True Odds: 5.26%
The old movies were right: there are blinking lights everywhere in the future. #science
Goldfish can live beyond 20 years if you take good care of them. The oldest goldfish on record was 43 years.
The pizza was first mentioned over 1000 years ago in a Latin text written in southern Italy in 997 AD.
“Barbra Streisand OoooOOOooOOOO OOOOoooOOOO OOOOoooOOOO ooo, oooOOOOooooOOOOO OOOOoooOOOO OOOOoooOOOO ooo” #songlyrics
The Capital of Kenya is Nairobi
More Pop Culture History Resources
October 9 in Pop Culture History
October 9th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 9th History Highlights
- 1868 – ZCMI, America’s first department store, opened in Salt Lake City, UT.
- 1916 – The First PGA championship was won by British golfer Jim Barnes.
- If you were born on October 9th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 16th (same year)
Fire Prevention Day
October 9th is…
Curious Events Day
Dessert Day
Fire Prevention Day
Leif Erikson Day
Submarine/ Hoagie/ Hero/ Dagwood /Grinder Day
October 9th Birthday Quotes
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
– John Lennon
“Forget what life used to be, you are what you choose to be. It’s whatever it is you see that life will become.”
– Jackson Browne
“I like to be honest, and after all these years I can’t be bothered being politically correct.”
– Sharon Osbourne
“Being at the genesis of the creative process is definitely something I want to keep doing. It’s just such a great buzz.”
– Chris O’Dowd
“When you’re out there talking about your faith and what you believe in, you’ll face some backlash. But mostly, I’ve received support.”
– Scotty McCreery
“When we leap, we must leap as though the net will appear. A leap in life, however big or small, is an act of commitment with the expectation of success.”
– John O’Hurley
October 9th Birthdays
1900 – Alastair Sim, Scottish-English actor and academic (died in 1976)
1911 – Joe Rosenthal, American photographer (died in 2006)
1914 – Edward Andrews, American character actor (died in 1985)
1940 – John Lennon, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, The Beatles (died in 1980)
1941 – Brian Lamb, American broadcaster, founded C-SPAN
1943 – Mike Peters, American cartoonist, Mother Goose, and Grimm
1948 – Jackson Browne, American singer-songwriter
1952 – Sharon Osbourne, English television host
1953 – Tony Shalhoub, American actor
1954 – Scott Bakula, American actor
1954 – John O’Hurley, American actor and game show host
1964 – Guillermo del Toro, Mexican-American director
1975 – Sean Lennon, American singer-songwriter, John of John
1979 – Chris O’Dowd, Irish actor, and screenwriter
1979 – Brandon Routh, American actor
1992 – Tyler James Williams, American actor
1993 – Scotty McCreery, American singer-songwriter
1996 – Bella Hadid, American model
October 9th History
1767 – Surveying for the Mason-Dixon line separating Maryland from Pennsylvania was completed.
1824 – Slavery was abolished in Costa Rica.
1873 – The US Naval Institute was established.
1888 – The Washington Monument officially opened to the public.
1919 – The Cincinnati Reds won the World Series, and eight White Sox players were later accused of intentionally losing games in exchange for money from gamblers.
1961 – #1 Hit October 9, 1961 – October 22, 1961: Ray Charles – Hit the Road Jack
1965 – #1 Hit October 9, 1965 – November 5, 1965: The Beatles – Yesterday
1967 – Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara was executed in Bolivia.
1976 – #1 Hit October 9, 1976 – October 15, 1976: Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band – A Fifth of Beethoven
October 9 Birthday (fictional) Count von Count, Sesame Street, TV
1980 – Pope John Paul II met and shook hands with the Dalai Lama in Vatican City.
1986 – East End Show – The Phantom of the Opera (Musical) October 9, 1986
1999 – #1 Hit October 9, 1999 – October 22, 1999: Mariah Carey featuring Jay-Z – Heartbreaker
2006 – North Korea may have tested its first nuclear device.
2012 – Pakistani Taliban made a failed attempt to assassinate 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai on her way home from school.
October 9, 2015 – Invisible Sister aired on The Disney Channel
#1 Hit October 9, 2021 – October 15, 2021: My Universe – Coldplay and BTS
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
George Orwell – Real Name: Eric Arthur Blair
Somewhere out there is the Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, or Joe Montana of custodians, and he gets nowhere near the amount of praise he deserves for his talents.
Because of Monty Python when someone starts with “Nobody expects…” I expect the Spanish Inquisition.
In The US, Outdoor cats are believed to be responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, killing between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds and 6.9 billion to 20.7 billion mammals a year.
The Capital of Korea, North is Pyongyang
Adam and Eve did not have belly buttons. #science #religion
Nail-biting has been associated with a better functioning immune system because of the exposure to germs on a small scale that your body can build antibodies to.
Everyone is forgetting to count their sellable organs when calculating their net worth.
“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” – John Keating (Robin Williams) in Dead Poets Society, 1989
I wonder what happened to Inigo Montoya’s mother.
Biggest film of 2003: Finding Nemo (Action/Adventure) earned ~ $380,000,000
More Pop Culture History Resources
October 8 in Pop Culture HIstory
October 8th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 8th History Highlights
- 1871 – Four fires in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan killed over 4000 people.
- 1944 – Ozzie and Harriet debuted on the radio (and on television in 1952)
- 1956 – The New York Yankees’ Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series.
- If you were born on October 8th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 15th (same year)
Traditional October 8th Information
October 8th is…
Pierogi Day
Salmon Day
World Octopus Day
October 8th Birthday Quotes
“The secret to my success is that I bit off more than I could chew and I chewed as fast as I could.”
– Paul Hogan
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
– Frank Herbert
“If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against the odds.”
– Jesse Jackson
“Most fears are basic: fear of the dark, fear of going down in the basement, fear of weird sounds, fear that somebody is waiting for you in your closet. Those kinds of things stay with you no matter what age.”
– R. L. Stine
“I think what’s important for kids to know is that your decisions here on Earth matter, your behavior matters, and how you treat other people matters.”
– Matt Damon
October 8th Birthdays
1910 – Kirk Alyn, American actor (died in 1999)
1920 – Frank Herbert, American author, Dune (died in 1986)
1936 – Rona Barrett, American journalist
1939 – Harvey Pekar, American comic book creator (died in 2010)
1940 – Paul Hogan, Australian actor, and screenwriter
1941 – Jesse Jackson, American minister and activist
1943 – Chevy Chase, American comedic actor
1943 – R.L. Stine, American author
1948 – Johnny Ramone, American guitarist, and songwriter (died in 2004)
1949 – Sigourney Weaver, American actress
1950 – Robert “Kool” Bell, American singer-songwriter
1955 – Darrell Hammond, American comedic actor
1964 – CeCe Winans, American singer-songwriter
1970 – Matt Damon, American actor
1980 – Nick Cannon, American actor
1985 – Bruno Mars, American singer-songwriter
1993 – Barbara Palvin, Hungarian model
1993 – Molly Quinn, American actress
1997 – Bella Thorne, American actress
October 8th History
1881 – Haighong Typhoon, Vietnam
1871 – Peshtigo Fire, Wisconsin (2000 estimated dead)
1871 – Great Michigan Fire (500? killed)
1871 – Peshtigo, Wisconsin Fire (over 1200 killed)
1871 – Great Chicago Fire (300 estimated dead)
1967 – Che Guevara and his men were captured in Bolivia.
1979 – Broadway Show – Sugar Babies (Review) October 8, 1979
1982 – Cats, based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot, opened on Broadway and ran for nearly 18 years before closing on September 10, 2000.
1984 – The Burning Bed starring Farrah Fawcett, aired on NBC
October 8, 1984 Birthday (fictional) Rory Gilmore, The Gilmore Girls, TV
1985 – East End Show – Les Miserables (Musical) October 8, 1985
1986 – The Fox Broadcasting Company became the US’ fourth commercial broadcast television network, with The Late Show, hosted by Joan Rivers.
1988 – #1 Hit October 8, 1988 – October 14, 1988: Def Leppard – Love Bites
2001 – US President George W. Bush announced the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security.
October 8, 2004 – Halloweentown High aired on The Disney Channel
2005 (Earthquake) Kashmir, Pakistan
2011 – On September 26th, 2011 Mikey Welsh posted on Twitter, “Dreamt I died in Chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). Need to write my will today” followed by, “Correction – the weekend after next”. He died October 8th, 2011 from a heart attack in his sleep in a hotel room. In Chicago.
#1 Hit October 8, 2022 – October 28, 2022 – Bad Habit – Steve Lacey
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“Baby, you shovel better than any man I’ve ever known, but that does not make you a superhero. You’re a good husband and a good father. Nothing more.” – Lucille (Mrs. Shoveler)
Judi Dench won a supporting actress Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love for an 8-minute appearance.
The word “silly” changed meaning over time from “happy” to “blessed”, “pious,” “innocent”, “harmless,” “pitiable”, and then “weak” before reaching the current meaning.
The Capital of Korea, South is Seoul
“Oi! Ten thousand years will give you such a crick in the neck.” – Genie #moviequotes
Then there is Erika Eiffel, Formerly Erika Berlin Wall, who has been married to the Eiffel tower for almost 17 years.
There are around 2000 different plant types that humans use to cultivate food.
TV Quotes… “We’ve got a really big show!” (Ed Sullivan) on The Ed Sullivan Show.
How do we know clocks go ‘tic toc’? They could be going ‘toc tic’ for all we know.
If there were water on the moon, humans could run on it because of the reduced gravity.
There’s no way ancient Peruvians could have known that Lake Titicaca would be a hilarious name in the future.
More Pop Culture History Resources
1986 Top Ten Music Charts
1986’s Biggest Artists and Songs
Phil Collins (Grammy for Album of the Year)
Ozzie Osbourne (solo), Jennifer rush, Art of Noise, Miami Sound
Machine, Anita Baker, Simply Red, Bangles, The Cure
1986’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1986’s ‘One Hit Wonders’
1986’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
More of 1986’s Dance Top Hits
More of 1986’s Pop Dance Top Hits
1986’s Alternative Rock Top 10 Hit List
More of 1986’s Alternative Rock Hits
1986’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
More of 1986’s top Album Rock Songs
1986’s Bubblegum Pop Music Top Ten
PCM’s 1986 Top 10 Hit List
October 7 in Pop Culture History
October 7th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 7th History Highlights
- 1691 – The charter for the Province of Massachusetts Bay was issued.
- 1916 – Georgia Tech beat Cumberland 222-0 in the most lopsided college football game of all time.
- If you were born on October 7th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 14th (same year)
October 7th is…
Frappé Day
Inner Beauty Day
You Matter to Me Day
October 7th Birthday Quotes
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.”
Niels Bohr
“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”
– Desmond Tutu
“Work hard, be patient, and be a sponge while learning your business. Learn how to take criticism. Follow your gut instincts and don’t compromise.”
– Simon Cowell
“I always wanted to be a movie star. I thought it meant being famous and having breakfast in bed. I didn’t know you had to be up at 4:00 a.m.”
– June Allyson
“Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”
– Elijah Muhammad
October 7th Birthdays
1885 – Niels Bohr, Danish physicist, and philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate (died in 1962)
1897 – Elijah Muhammad, American religious leader (died in 1975)
1917 – June Allyson, American actress (died in 2006)
1927 – Al Martino, American singer (died in 2009)
1931 – Desmond Tutu, South African archbishop, and activist, Nobel Prize laureate
1942 – Joy Behar, American talk show host, and television personality
1943 – Oliver North, American colonel, journalist, and author
1951 – John ‘Cougar’ Mellencamp, American singer-songwriter
1955 – Yo-Yo Ma, French-American cellist
1957 – Michael W. Smith, American singer-songwriter
1959 – Simon Cowell, English businessman and music producer
1967 – Toni Braxton, American singer-songwriter
1969 – Bobbie Brown, American model
October 7th History
1737 (Cyclone) India
1868 – Cornell University opened.
1919 – KLM, the Netherlands’ official airline, was founded.
1933 – Air France began with the merger of 5 smaller French airlines.
1950 – Mother Teresa opened the Missionary of Charity
1952 – WFIL in Philadelphia introduced Bandstand (later called American Bandstand)
1958 – The US manned space-flight project was renamed Project Mercury. It was originally called Project Astronaut.
1982 – Broadway Show – Cats (Musical) October 7, 1982
1985 – Palestine Liberation Front hijacked the Achille Lauro. The hijackers killed wheel-chair bound Jewish-American passenger Leon Klinghoffer, throwing him overboard after shooting him.
1989 – #1 Hit October 7, 1989 – November 3, 1989: Janet Jackson – Miss You Much
1996 – The Fox News Channel began broadcasting.
October 7, 2016 – The Swap aired on The Disney Channel
#1 Hit October 7, 2017 – October 27, 2017: Cardi B – Bodak Yellow
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
Every day, half of all the lawyers in the world are proven wrong.
The giant red star Betelgeuse has a diameter larger than that of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
There is a box in my kitchen that is constantly beaming wireless information 24/7 to every device in my house and sometimes I get mad at it when it slows down for 5 minutes.
The Capital of Kosovo is Pristina
People born blind use the same facial expressions as sighted people when expressing emotions, meaning that our facial expressions are innate and not learned behavior.
Wonder Woman was created by psychologist and inventor of the lie detector test, William Marston.
Biggest film of 1925: The Big Parade (Drama) earned ~ $11,000,000
Charlton Heston narrated for highly classified military and Department of Energy instructional films, particularly relating to nuclear weapons. For six years, he held the nation’s highest security clearance.
You can’t beat any record in the Guinness World Record Books that starts with “First”.
Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues # 7 – Sincerity.
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
More Pop Culture History Resources
Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1962?
Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1962?
62 Trivia Questions for 1962 History
(answers)
1. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1962?
2. Where did the cartoon character Yogi Bear live?
3. This company used the advertising line “We Try Harder” – name the company.
4. Name the fictional town where the musical The Music Man occurs.
5. In 1962, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
5. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1962?
6. What was the highest-grossing film of 1962?
7. Which company did NOT open in 1962 – Walton, Walmart, Woolco, Target, Sears, or Kmart?
8. Can you tell us the name of Cocoa Puffs cereal mascot?
9. Who was the President of the United States in 1962?
10. 1962 Catchphrase: Who said, “Here’s Johnny”?
11. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1962?
12. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1961/1962 season?
13. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1962?
14. How many people lived in the United States in 1962?
15. How many people lived in the World in 1962?
16. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1962?
17. Created by Bob Kane as a spoof of his earlier creations, Batman and Robin, can you name this cartoon crime-fighting duo?
18. Who was the regular host of The Tonight Show before Johnny Carson took over on October 1, 1962?
19. What record label executives were quoted to have said that “guitar groups are on the way out” and “the Beatles have no future in show business”?
20. Who won the 1962 World Series?
21. Although she died at 36 on August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe was born with another name. What was Marilyn’s real name?
22. Founded in 1962 in Minnesota, this consumer chain is considered a discount-chic shopping experience. Name that retailer.
23. What was the name of the robot maid on The Jetsons?
24. What country claims to be the birthplace of the “Hawaiian pizza”?
25. Name the first actor to be paid $1,000,000 for a single film.
26. Who did Sonny Liston defeat to become the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1962?
27. This sandwich was first brought to the McDonald’s in 1962.
28. How much was a Gallon of Milk in 1962?
29. Where did The Beatles record almost all of their studio material?
30. This science fiction-themed trading card series, first released in 1962 by Topps, was the basis for a 1996 film starring Jack Nicholson and a host of Hollywood guest stars.
31. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1962?
32. First appearing in 1961, this flying kaiju (giant monster) made her debut, along with two fairies, who spoke and sang for her.
33. At a White House dinner, he said, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and human knowledge ever gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” Who said it?
34. This comic book character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1952, was inspired by a combination of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Name him.
35. He was later called “the most trusted man in America,” and on April 16, 1962, he became the anchor for The CBS Evening News. Who was he?
36. California native Glen Bell began the restaurant chain in Downey, California. It is still around today. Name that fast food restaurant.
37. 1962 Catchphrase: In what movie did James first say, “The name is Bond, James Bond”?
38. On March 2, 1962, who scored a record 100 points in an NBA game in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
39. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1962?
40. What was the topic of Andy Warhol’s earliest, but popular, silkscreen paintings?
41. This very popular show became the number-one sitcom within three weeks of its debut in 1962. Name that comedy.
42. Name the two Major League Baseball expansion teams that started playing in 1962.
43. Originally a serialization in The New Yorker, this book is often credited for the rise of the modern environmentalist movement.
44. The 606-foot-tall Space Needle building has become a symbol of Seattle. Why was it built?
45. Who was the Pope in 1962?
46. What was the name of Rob Petrie’s wife on the Dick Van Dyke Show, and who played her?
47. Who was the first African-American to be elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
48. What beverage company used the slogan: “Schh…You Know Who”?
49. United States Navy SEALs were founded in 1962; how did they come up with their name?
50. Catchphrase: Who said “Ruh-roh”? (Before Scooby-Doo!)
51. Where did the cartoon character Yogi Bear like to find his food?
52. Some people call him the fifth Beatle, but others know he was The Beatles’ drummer before Ringo Starr. Name that drummer.
53. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1962: Jim Carrey, Axl Rose, Garth Brooks, or George Clooney?
54. This meeting, between 1962 and 1965, addressed relations between the Catholic Church and the modern world.
55. This Broadway play by Edward Albee examines the complexities of a middle-aged couple’s marriage, Martha and George. It was first staged on October 13, 1962.
56. Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from WHERE on August 31, 1962?
57. On The Lucy Show, which ran from 1962 through 1968, what was Lucy’s surname?
58. This was the world’s first commercial communications satellite. It was also the title of a Billboard number-one instrumental song by The Tornados.
59. Founded in 1962, this hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children’s catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. Patients are not charged for their care. Name that famous hospital.
60. What unusual headgear did Beany wear in the cartoon Beany and Cecil?
61. Who is considered the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird?
62. Airing on ABC, McHale’s Navy occurred during what war?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. This instrumental recording was the first Britsh recording to reach the number one position on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Name that song.
2. Mutiny on the Bounty is a fictionalized 1962 movie of the real-life mutiny led by Fletcher Christian against William Bligh. What year did the actual event take place?
3. Who was the American Vice-President in 1962?
4. What book was the film Lawrence of Arabia based on?
5. Who were the 1962 NBA Champions?
6. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1962?
7. Yogi Bear’s personality was based on another, but live-action, character. Name the character or the actor who played him.
8. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1962?
9. What was the name of Rob Petrie’s son on the Dick Van Dyke Show?
10. Who were the 1962 NFL Champions?
62 Trivia Answers for 1962 History
1. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1962?
I Can’t Stop Lovin’ You by Ray Charles
2. Where did the cartoon character Yogi Bear live?
Jellystone Park
3. This company used the advertising line “We Try Harder” – name the company.
Hertz Rent-a-car. (They were #2 to Avis, the largest company)
4. Name the fictional town where the musical The Music Man occurs.
River City (Iowa)
5. In 1962, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
Men – 66.8 years, Women – 73.4 years.
5. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1962?
Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter
6. What was the highest-grossing film of 1962?
The Longest Day (2nd place: Lawrence of Arabia)
7. Which company did NOT open in 1962 – Walton opened Walmart, Woolco, Target, Sears, or Kmart?
Sears
8. Can you tell us the name of Cocoa Puffs cereal mascot?
Sonny the Cuckoo Bird
9. Who was the President of the United States in 1962?
John F. Kennedy (January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963)
10. 1962 Catchphrase: Who said, “Here’s Johnny”?
Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
11. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1962?
In 1962, The Toronto Maple Leafs won over the Chicago Black Hawks (4 games to 2)
12. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1961/1962 season?
Wagon Train (NBC)
13. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1962?
21 cents
14. How many people lived in the United States in 1962?
The population was an estimated 186,537,737 people.
15. How many people lived in the World in 1962?
The estimated world population in 1962 was 3,141,071,531 people.
16. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1962?
75 cents
17. Created by Bob Kane as a spoof of his earlier creations, Batman and Robin, can you name this cartoon crime-fighting duo?
Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse. They lived in the Cat Cave.
18. Who was the regular host of The Tonight Show before Johnny Carson took over on October 1, 1962?
Jack Parr
19. What record label executives were quoted to have said that “guitar groups are on the way out” and “the Beatles have no future in show business”?
Decca Records
20. Who won the 1962 World Series?
In 1962, The New York Yankees won, beating the San Francisco Giants (4 games to 3)
21. Although she died at 36 on August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe was born with another name. What was Marilyn’s real name?
Norma Jeane Mortenson
22. Founded in 1962 in Minnesota, this consumer chain is considered a discount-chic shopping experience. Name that retailer.
Target
23. What was the name of the robot maid on The Jetsons?
Rosie
24. What country claims to be the birthplace of the “Hawaiian pizza”?
Canada
25. Name the first actor to be paid $1,000,000 for a single film.
Marlon Brando was the first actor to command a $1 million salary for his starring role in 1962’s Mutiny on the Bounty.
26. Who did Sonny Liston defeat to become the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1962?
Floyd Patterson
27. This sandwich was first brought to the McDonald’s in 1962.
Filet-O-Fish
28. How much was a Gallon of Milk in 1962?
$1.04
29. Where did The Beatles record almost all of their studio material?
Abbey Road Studios in London
30. This science fiction-themed trading card series, first released in 1962 by Topps, was the basis for a 1996 film starring Jack Nicholson and a host of Hollywood guest stars.
Mars Attacks!
31. Who was the Time Magazine Man of the Year in 1962?
Pope John XXII
32. First appearing in 1961, this flying kaiju (giant monster) made her debut, along with two fairies, who spoke and sang for her.
Mothra
33. At a White House dinner, he said, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and human knowledge ever gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” Who said it?
President John F. Kennedy
34. This comic book character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1952, was inspired by a combination of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Name him.
(The Incredible) Hulk, civilian id: Dr. Bruce Banner.
35. He was later called “the most trusted man in America,” and on April 16, 1962, he became the anchor for The CBS Evening News. Who was he?
Walter Cronkite (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009)
36. California native Glen Bell began the restaurant chain in Downey, California. It is still around today. Name that fast food restaurant.
Taco Bell
37. 1962 Catchphrase: In what movie did James first say, “The name is Bond, James Bond”?
Dr. No
38. On March 2, 1962, who scored a record 100 points in an NBA game in Hershey, Pennsylvania?
Wilt Chamberlain, for the Philadelphia Warriors, against the New York Knickerbockers.
39. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1962?
$0.31 per gallon
40. What was the topic of Andy Warhol’s earliest but popular silkscreen paintings?
Campbell’s Soup Cans (aka 32 Campbell’s Soup Cans) were produced between November 1961 and March/April 1962.
41. This very popular show became the number-one sitcom within three weeks of its debut in 1962. Name that comedy.
The Beverly Hillbillies
42. Name the two Major League Baseball expansion teams that started playing in 1962.
Houston Colt .45s (Astros) and the New York Mets.
43. Originally a serialization in The New Yorker, this book is often credited for the rise of the modern environmentalist movement.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
44. The 606-foot-tall Space Needle building has become a symbol of Seattle. Why was it built?
Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World’s Fair)
45. Who was the Pope in 1962?
Pope John XXIII, from October 28, 1958 – June 3, 1963
46. What was the name of Rob Petrie’s wife on the Dick Van Dyke Show, and who played her?
Laura (Mary Tyler Moore)
47. Who was the first African-American to be elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Jackie Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972)
48. What beverage company used the slogan: “Schh…You Know Who”?
Schweppes
49. United States Navy SEALs were founded in 1962; how did they come up with their name?
The United States Navy’s Sea, Air, and Land teams
50. Catchphrase: Who said “Ruh-roh”? (Before Scooby-Doo!)
Astro on The Jetsons
51. Where did the cartoon character Yogi Bear like to find his food?
Picnic baskets (“pic-a-nic baskets”)
52. Some people call him the fifth Beatle, but others know he was The Beatles’ drummer before Ringo Starr. Name that drummer.
Pete Best
53. Which celebrity was NOT born in 1962: Jim Carrey, Axl Rose, Garth Brooks, or George Clooney?
George Clooney (born May 6, 1961)
54. This meeting, between 1962 and 1965, addressed relations between the Catholic Church and the modern world.
Second Vatican Council (aka Vatican II)
55. This Broadway play by Edward Albee examines the complexities of a middle-aged couple’s marriage, Martha and George. It was first staged on October 13, 1962.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
56. Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from WHERE on August 31, 1962?
The United Kingdom
57. On The Lucy Show, which ran from 1962 through 1968, what was Lucy’s surname?
Lucy Carmichael
58. This was the world’s first commercial communications satellite. It was also the title of a Billboard number-one instrumental song by The Tornados.
Telstar
59. Founded in 1962, this hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children’s catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. Patients are not charged for their care. Name that famous hospital.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
60. What unusual headgear did Beany wear in the cartoon Beany and Cecil?
A propeller beanie cap that allowed him to fly (the “Beanycopter”)
61. Who is considered the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird?
The protagonist is Jean Louise “Scout” Finch
62. Airing on ABC, McHale’s Navy occurred during what war?
World War II
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. This instrumental recording was the first Britsh recording to reach the number one position on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Name that song.
Stranger on the Shore by Mr. Acker Bilk
2. Mutiny on the Bounty is a fictionalized 1962 movie of the real-life mutiny led by Fletcher Christian against William Bligh. What year did the actual event take place?
1789
3. Who was the American Vice-President in 1962?
Lyndon B. Johnson (January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963)
4. What book was the film Lawrence of Arabia based on?
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence
5. Who were the 1962 NBA Champions?
For the 1961-62 Season, Champion Boston Celtics won 4 games to 3 over the Los Angeles Lakers
6. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1962?
Brazil
7. Yogi Bear’s personality was based on another, but live-action, character. Name the character or the actor who played him.
Ed Norton, from The Honeymooners, played by Art Carney.
8. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1962?
Decidedly
9. What was the name of Rob Petrie’s son on the Dick Van Dyke Show?
Ritchie Petrie (played by Larry Mathews)
10. Who were the 1962 NFL Champions?
Green Bay Packers
October 6 in Pop Culture History
October 6th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 6th History Highlights
- 1927 – Opening of The Jazz Singer with its Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, in New York City.
- 1973 – Yom Kippur War between Egypt/Syria and Isreal (October 6-25)
- 1981 – Anwar Sadat was assassinated in Cairo, Egypt.
- If you were born on October 6th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 13th (same year)
October 6th is…
Mad Hatter Day
Noodle Day
World Cerebral Palsy Day
October 6th Birthday Quotes
“I can’t imagine a duller fate than being the best-dressed woman in reality. When I want to do something, I don’t pause to contemplate whether I’m exquisitely gowned. I want to live, not pose!”
Carole Lombard
“Every experience makes you grow.”
– Elisabeth Shue
“In fighting nature, man can win every battle except the last. If he should win that too, he will perish, like an embryo cutting its own umbilical cord.”
– Thor Heyerdahl
I understand why creative people like dark, but American audiences don’t like dark. They like the story. They do not respond to nervous breakdowns and unhappy episodes that lead nowhere. They like their characters to be a part of the action. They like strength, not weakness, a chance to work out any dilemma.”
– Leslie Moonves
October 6th Birthdays
1820 – Jenny Lind, Swedish opera singer, “The Swedish Nightingale”
1846 – George Westinghouse, American businessman (died in 1914)
1908 – Carole Lombard, American actress (died in 1942
1914 – Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian ethnographer, and explorer (died in 2002)
1935 – Bruno Sammartino, Italian-American wrestler, WWWWF Champion (died in 2018)
1942 – Britt Ekland, Swedish actress
1946 – Millie Small, Jamaican singer-songwriter (died in 2020)
1949 – Leslie Moonves, American businessman, CBS
1963 – Elisabeth Shue, American actress
October 6th History
1948 (Earthquake) Ashgabat, Soviet Union
1948 – The first television network soap opera, Faraway Hill, is broadcast by the DuMont Network.
1973 – #1 Hit October 6, 1973 – October 19, 1973: Cher – Half-Breed
1979 – #1 Hit October 6, 1979 – October 12, 1979: Robert John – Sad Eyes
October 6, 1981 Birthday (fictional) Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali, Big Bang Theory, TV
1981 – Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat was murdered by Khalid Islambouli.
1985 – Jem and the Holograms debuted, in syndication
1986 – Double Dare premiered on Nickelodeon
1990 – #1 Hit October 6, 1990 – October 12, 1990: Maxi Priest – Close To You
2000 – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS
2004 – Ghost Hunters premiered on Syfy
2007 – Jason Lewis completed the first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe (pedal power).
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
“Red Room, Busted” #misunderstoodlyrics
Alan Alda – Real Name: Alfonso D’Abruzzo
The most verified miles ever put on a car is 1,615,000 miles on a 1966 Volvo P-1800.
Cats don’t know they’re internet superstars.
That moment you wake up to find your pants hanging from a chandelier and think, “How did I end up in a place with a chandelier?”
“Get off my lawn!” – Walt Kowalski in Gran Torino #moviequotes
Sea mammals move their tails up and down. Fish move their tails side to side. So mermaids are mammals. #science
“Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.” – Lou Gehrig (Gary Cooper) #moviequotes
Natalie Portman – Real Name: Natalie Herschlag
You’ve never seen 100 percent of any movie because you’re always blinking every few seconds. #nowyouknow
If Chuck Norris were a germ he’d be in that .1% that nothing ever seems to kill.
More Pop Culture History Resources
The Survival Lottery
The Survival Lottery: A Radical Approach to Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine
Would you be willing to die so that two strangers could live?
That’s the uncomfortable premise behind philosopher John Harris’s 1975 thought experiment, The Survival Lottery. It’s one of the most provocative ethical hypotheticals in modern philosophy—raising questions about fairness, sacrifice, and how society should distribute life-saving resources.
This scenario isn’t about dystopian fiction or sci-fi morality plays. It’s about medicine, ethics, and whether a society could—or should—rationally sacrifice one healthy person to save two dying ones.
The Core Idea
Here’s how the Survival Lottery works:
Imagine a world where patients regularly die from organ failure. Two such patients—say, Y and Z—will soon die unless they receive new organs. Meanwhile, you’re perfectly healthy.
The proposal: implement a lottery system that randomly selects healthy individuals to be euthanized and have their organs harvested. If sacrificing one person could save two (or more), wouldn’t that maximize the overall number of lives saved?
Harris’s thought experiment forces us to ask whether it is more moral to let people die of natural causes or to kill one person to save more.
The concept was first introduced in Harris’s essay “The Survival Lottery,” published in the journal Philosophy in 1975. The piece sparked immediate controversy and continues to be studied in bioethics, philosophy, and medical law.
Utilitarian Logic
The ethical engine driving the lottery is utilitarianism—the idea that the best action is the one that maximizes happiness or well-being for the greatest number. By that logic, letting Y and Z die when one healthy donor could save them both seems inefficient—perhaps even cruel.
Why should two people die so that one may live? Isn’t it just mathematical morality?
Ignoring social discomfort and emotional reactions, the survival lottery looks like a highly efficient, morally impartial system. It would:
Save more lives than it costs
Treat all citizens equally under the law
Eliminate emotional or economic biases in organ allocation
So why does the idea feel so wrong?
Deontological Objections
For many people, the idea of sacrificing an innocent person is morally unacceptable, even if the outcome saves lives. This comes from deontological ethics—the school of thought associated with philosophers like Immanuel Kant, which prioritizes the morality of actions, not just the consequences.
According to this framework:
Killing an innocent person is wrong, regardless of the outcome
Human beings should never be treated merely as a means to an end
We have a duty to respect individual rights, including the right to life
Critics argue that The Survival Lottery treats people as disposable resources, not autonomous individuals with dignity and rights. Even if the math works, the ethics may not.
Social Trust and Fear
There’s also a practical concern: a society that enacts such a policy would likely descend into fear and mistrust. Citizens might live in constant anxiety, wondering if they’ll be the next selected. People may avoid hospitals or lie about their health to avoid entering the system.
And what happens when exceptions are made? Would the rich and powerful be excluded from the lottery? Would racial or social bias creep in?
Rather than fostering a sense of collective good, the survival lottery could create moral panic, erode public trust in medical institutions, and lead to dangerous unintended consequences.
Harris’s Response
John Harris anticipated many of these objections. In his original essay, he emphasized:
The need for impartiality: No one should be more or less likely to be selected.
The principle of fair risk: If all citizens face equal risk, then all benefit equally from the system.
The idea that doing nothing—letting Y and Z die—is also a choice, arguably worse.
He argues that we accept some collective risks for the greater good (like conscription, or certain taxation policies), and that our moral instincts about killing may be emotionally driven rather than logically defensible.
His goal wasn’t to propose actual policy. Rather, it was to challenge our intuitions and ask: Why do we view some deaths as unfortunate necessities and others as moral violations?
Real-World Echoes
While no country has implemented a literal survival lottery, the ethical dilemma it raises is surprisingly relevant in modern medicine and public policy.
Some real-world parallels include:
Triage protocols: During pandemics or mass casualty events, doctors must decide who gets treatment based on survivability, not first-come-first-served.
Organ donation systems: Debates continue about opt-in vs. opt-out systems, living donors, and incentivized donation.
Healthcare rationing: Limited access to certain treatments, especially in systems with constrained resources, leads to moral questions about who gets care.
One modern example came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when some hospitals developed crisis protocols for ventilator access. If only one machine was available, and two patients needed it, hard choices had to be made.
The Personal Identity Problem
Another dimension: how do we define “sacrifice” when medical technology blurs the lines between life and death?
Suppose someone is brain-dead but otherwise physically healthy. Should they be entered into the lottery?
Or suppose someone volunteers to donate both kidneys, knowing it will end their life but save two others—does this shift our moral calculus?
The Survival Lottery draws a sharp line—but modern bioethics lives in the gray area.
Ethical Questions That Linger
Is it more ethical to allow two people to die, or to kill one person to save them actively?
Can a system of random sacrifice ever truly be just?
Should we weigh lives saved over lives preserved?
Do our instincts against such policies come from reason—or discomfort?
Philosophers continue to wrestle with these questions because they touch on our deepest values about life, agency, fairness, and fear.
Pop Culture and Influence
This thought experiment has inspired a range of fictional and artistic interpretations, from dystopian films like The Island (2005), where clones are used for organ harvesting, to episodes of Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone, which explore utilitarian horror.
You’ll also see echoes of the survival lottery in policy debates around universal healthcare, euthanasia, and the ethics of gene editing, where questions of fairness and benefit collide with fears of abuse.
Glossary of Terms
Utilitarianism: Ethical theory prioritizing outcomes that maximize overall well-being.
Deontology: Ethics centered on duties and moral rules, regardless of consequences.
Triage: The process of prioritizing treatment based on urgency or likelihood of survival.
Moral Intuition: An instinctive judgment about right and wrong, often emotional rather than reasoned.
Sacrificial Dilemma: A scenario in which one person must be harmed (or killed) to benefit others.
Discussion Questions
Is it ever morally justifiable to sacrifice one person to save two?
How is that different from a structured survival lottery if we accept triage in emergencies?
Would knowing you’re part of a lottery for the greater good change how you view fairness or fear?
References and Further Reading
Harris, John. “The Survival Lottery.” Philosophy 50, no. 191 (1975): 81–87.
Singer, Peter. Practical Ethics (Cambridge University Press)
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Organ Donation and Retrieval
BBC Ethics Guide – Organ Transplants: Ethical Issues
October 5 in Pop Culture HIstory
October 5th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 5th History Highlights
- 1877 – Chiff Joseph surrendered to US Cavalry Forces. He famously stated: “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”
- 2001 – Barry Bonds hit Home Runs #71 & 72, beating Mark McGuire’s prior record. He went on the hit 73 for the season and is still the current record.
- If you were born on October 5th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 12th (same year)
World Teachers Day
October 5th is…
Chic Spy Day
Do Something Nice Day
Get Funky Day
World Teachers Day
October 5th Birthday Quotes
“Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.”
– Neil deGrasse Tyson
“If it were not for the reporters, I would tell you the truth.”
– Chester A. Arthur
“It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.”
– Robert H. Goddard
“Since I came here I have learned that Chester A. Arthur is one man and the President of the United States is another.”
– Chester A. Arthur
“It strikes me as being morally repulsive and intellectually absurd that people die of want in a world of surplus.”
– Bob Geldof
“All I ever wanted to do is darken the day and brighten the night.”
– Clive Barker
“Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
– Bil Keane
October 5th Birthdays
1864 – Louis Lumiere, movie pioneer, and inventor (died in 1948)
1882 – Robert H. Goddard, American physicist and engineer (died in 1945)
1902 – Larry Fine, American comedian, Founding Stooge (died in 1975)
1919 – Donald Pleasence, English actor (died in 1995)
1922 – Bil Keane, American cartoonist, Family Circus (died in 2011)
1923 – Glynis Johns, South African-born British actress
1943 – Steve Miller, American singer-songwriter
1950 – Jeff Conaway, American actor (died in 2011)
1951 – Karen Allen, American actress
1951 – Bob Geldof, British singer-songwriter
1952 – Clive Barker, English author, director, producer, and screenwriter
1952 – Harold Faltermeyer, German keyboard player
1958 – Neil deGrasse Tyson, American astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author
October 5th History
1947 – The first televised White House address was given by US President Harry S. Truman.
1950 – You Bet Your Life, featuring Groucho Marx, premiered on NBC.
1957 – #1 Hit October 5, 1957 – October 18, 1957: Jimmie Rodgers – Honeycomb
1959 – #1 Hit October 5, 1959 – November 15, 1959: Bobby Darin – Mack the Knife
1962 – Dr. No, the first in the James Bond film series, was released.
1966 There was a partial core meltdown at the Enrico Fermi demonstration nuclear breeder reactor, near Detroit, Michigan.
1969 – The first episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus aired on BBC One. It ran 45 episodes, until 1974.
1970 – The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) began broadcasting and National Educational Television (NET) closed.
1974 – #1 Hit October 5, 1974 – October 18, 1974: Olivia Newton-John – I Honestly Love You
1982 – Johnson & Johnson began a nationwide product recall in the US for all products in its Tylenol brand after several bottles in Chicago were found to have been laced with cyanide, resulting in seven deaths.
1984 – Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space, flying aboard the US Space Shuttle Challenger.
1991 – #1 Hit October 5, 1991 – October 11, 1991: Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch featuring Loleatta Holloway – Good Vibrations
1991 – The first official version of the Linux kernel (version 0.02) was released.
2001 – Barry Bonds surpassed Mark McGwire’s single-season home run total with the 71st and 72nd home runs.
2002 – #1 Hit October 5, 2002 – November 8, 2002: Kelly Clarkson – A Moment Like This
2011 – American Horror Story premiered on FX
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
A group of Telephones is a Ring.
I have a 4.0 GPA and I still can’t determine my rights and lefts until I make a weird gesture with my hands.
“I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” -The Wizard of Oz (1939) #moviequotes
Congratulate a single female performer with “Brava!”
We use escalators, get fat, and then use Stairmasters.
“bring your nickels, tap your feet” #misunderstoodlyrics
SWIMS upside down is also SWIMS
H is probably the hardest letter to spell the sound of.
Female lions do most of the hunting for the Pride.
“Sometimes when you’re doin’ simple things around the house, maybe you’ll think of me and smile.” #songlyrics
More Pop Culture History Resources
October 4 in Pop Culture History
October 4th History, Trivia, and Fun Facts
October 4th History Highlights
- 1582 – Pope Gregory XIII adjusted the calendar, making The day after Thursday, October 4, 1582, as now Friday, October 15, 1582, starting the Gregorian Calendar which we use today.
- 1943 – Corsica (a French Territory) was liberated from Nazi Germany.
- 1957 – The USSR launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth.
- If you were born on October 4th,
You were likely conceived the week of… January 11th (same year)
Traditional October 4th Information
October 4th is…
Improve Your Office Day
Ships-In-Bottles Day
Taco Day
10-4 Day
Vodka Day
World Animal Day
October 4th Birthday Quotes
“In my experience, there’s only one thing that will always steer you toward success: That’s to have a vision and to stick with it… Once I have a vision for a new venture, I’m going to ride that vision until the wheels come off.”
– Russell Simmons
“A comedian does funny things. A good comedian does things funny.”
– Buster Keaton
“Every expert was once a beginner.”
Rutherford B. Hayes
“I think writer’s block is simply the dread that you are going to write something horrible. But as a writer, I believe that if you sit down at the keys long enough, sooner or later something will come out.”
Roy Blount, Jr.
“I don’t have any problem doing anything. The secret is I have no shame.”
– Dakota Johnson
“No matter how rudely someone treats you, remain kind. Walking away at peace with yourself is worth it.”
– Anne Rice
October 4th Birthdays
1892 – Robert Lawson, American author, and illustrator (died in 1957)
1895 – Buster Keaton, American film actor, director, and producer (died in 1966)
1896 – Dorothy Lawrence, English reporter, secretly posed as a man to serve during World War I (died in 1964)
1923 – Charlton Heston, American actor, civil and gun rights activist (died in 2008)
1937 – Jackie Collins, English-American author (died in 2015)
1941 – Roy Blount, Jr., American humorist and journalist
1941 – Anne Rice, American author
1953 – Andreas Vollenweider, Swiss harp player, and new age musician
1957 – Russell Simmons, American businessman, founded Def Jam Recordings
1967 – Liev Schreiber, American actor
1976 – Alicia Silverstone, American actress
1979 – Rachael Leigh Cook, American actress
1989 – Dakota Johnson, American actress
October 4th History
1876 – Texas A&M University opened as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
1883 – First run of the Orient Express, from Paris to Giurgiu in Romania via Munich and Vienna.
1895 – The first U.S. Open Men’s Golf Championship was played at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island.
October 4, 1935 Birthday (fictional) Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter
1941 – Norman Rockwell’s Willie Gillis character debuted on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
1957 – Leave It To Beaver premiered.
1961 – The Alvin Show premiered (Alvin, Simon, Theodore, and Dave)
1965 – Pope Paul VI’s visit to New York got television coverage on all 3 American networks. The Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium was broadcast in color.
1980 – #1 Hit October 4, 1980 – October 24, 1980: Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
1980 – Heathcliff premiered on ABC Saturday morning
1988 – Televangelist Jim Bakker was indicted for fraud.
1990 – Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on FOX
2003 – #1 Hit October 4, 2003 – December 5, 2003: Beyonce featuring Sean Paul – Baby Boy
2004 – SpaceShipOne won the Ansari X Prize, for private spaceflight, by being the first private craft to fly into space.
Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts
The first person offered the role of John McClane in Die Hard was Frank Sinatra. #contractualobligation
16 ounces Alpo = 1 dog pound
It must have been awkward for Jessie after his friend wrote that song about his girl.
Crayola means “oily chalk.”
Shakespeare used the word honorificabilitudinitatibus in Love’s Labour’s Lost. It basically means ‘honorable, and the word was invented in the 9th century.
If The Count from Sesame Street bit someone would they become a muppet?
Facebook has a ‘poke’ button, but what they should have is a ‘slap the crap out of this person’ button
‘Odontophobia’ is the fear of teeth.
A group of Eels is called a Swarm or Bed or Fry.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.
Sean Connery wore a toupee in every James Bond film that he starred in.
If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough.
More Pop Culture History Resources
100+ Classic Sad Songs That Make You Cry
(It’s True) Sad Songs Make You Cry
Sad songs can be a cathartic and emotional experience for listeners, and many great sad songs have been written over the years. The odd thing about sad songs is that they can also be happy songs. That song, which meant everything to the old girlfriend, can still make you cry with the opening notes today.
Sometimes, that sad song can indicate an upcoming hope or a desire to climb out of a sad situation. I’ve always believed that we wouldn’t appreciate the good stuff without the sad stuff.
Everything ever created by man has been made so by some driven need he didn’t have.
Or to impress a girl.
It’s always about something we don’t have and must work to achieve. Sad songs can be the stuff that fuels our dreams to become a reality.
125 Classic Saddest Sad Songs List
