Good Morning!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend and Memorial Day. 🙂

On this day in 1774 The First Continental Congress convened in Virginia.

In 1863 the first black regiment left Boston to fight in the U.S. Civil War.

In 1937 President Franklin Roosevelt pushed a button in Washington, DC, signaling that vehicular traffic could cross the newly opened Golden Gate Bridge in California.

In 1957 National League club owners voted to allow the Brooklyn Dodgers to move to Los Angeles and that the New York Giants could move to San Francisco.

In 1961 Amnesty International was founded.

And in 1996 U.S. President Clinton’s former business partners in the Whitewater land deal were convicted of fraud.

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Quote of the Day

“Then sails are back’d, we nearer come,
Kind words are said of friends and home;
And soon, too soon, we part with pain,
To sail o’er silent seas again.”

Thomas Moore

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First up, the birthday lady and the Pips.

And then John Fogerty is next. Since he was at his best with CCR in my opinion….

And here’s a little music trivia for you. Today in 1955 the song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” was reported to be the most popular song on Billboard. It would also make the chart 2 additional times in 1955 when 2 other artists released their versions of the song. Here’s the original from Bill Hayes, which was the only one to hit #1. 5 bonus points if you can tell me without looking what soap opera he played on.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

And a Happy Memorial Day to you all. 🙂

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This day was originally called Decoration Day, and was established after the Civil War by Union Veterans in 1868.

Since 1971 when the day was established as an official holiday, Americans have set aside the last Monday in May to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country. It is a well deserved honor.

While there is some question as to the most accurate total of those who have died, it is well over 1.1 million soldiers and sailors from all branches. Over 300,000 are buried in Arlington.

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The 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, has been honoring the fallen by preparing Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day Services for more than 60 years. 900 soldiers, 400 flags each.

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Quote of the Day

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

George S. Patton

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QoD’s

Do you plan to attend a memorial service today?

Or do you have someone among your family or friends that you’re thinking of today?

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Good Morning!

Happy Saturday! 🙂

On this day in 585 BC the first known prediction of a solar eclipse was made in Greece.

In 1787 the Constitutional convention opened in Philadelphia with George Washington presiding.

In 1925 John Scopes was indicted for teaching the Darwinian theory in school.

In 1935 Babe Ruth hit his final home run, his 714th, a record that would stand for 39 years.

In 1977 “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” opened and became the largest grossing film to date.

In 1979 an American Airlines DC-10 crashed during takeoff at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport killing 275 people.

In 1983 “The Return of the Jedi” opened nationwide. It set a new record in opening day box office sales.

Just a side note here since Star Wars has already been a hit on this day. Today is also the birthday of Frank Oz, the actor, puppeteer, and voice of many of the Muppets, as well as the voice of Yoda. That has to be “The Force” at work. 🙂 I’m just sayin’……

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Quote of the Day

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Since it’s the weekend……. and it’s front man Klaus Meine’s birthday…….

This next one? Well blame Peter L. He’s the one who got it stuck in my head. 🙂 So I thought I’d do the same for you.

You’re welcome. 🙂

And it’s also this lady’s birthday. Which is yet another Muppet/birthday/Oz/Yoda/Star Wars movie connection on the same day coincidence. I’m tellin’ ya… it’s “The Force” at work. 🙂

And Frank Oz may have been in that video too, I don’t know for sure. But from the looks of Wikipedia it’s possible.

Oz is known for his work as a puppeteer, performing with Jim Henson‘s Muppets. His characters have included Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and Sam the Eagle on The Muppet Show, and Grover, Cookie Monster and Bert on Sesame Street, among many others.

See how it all ties in…..?   😯

🙂

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Who has a QoD for us today?

Good Morning!

It’s finally Friday! 🙂

And on this day in 1738 the Methodist Church was established.

In 1830 the first passenger railroad service in the U.S. began service.

In 1844 Samuel F.B. Morse formally opened America’s first telegraph line. The first message was sent from Washington, DC, to Baltimore, MD., and the message was “What hath God wrought?”

In 1883 after 14 years of construction the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to traffic.

In 1935 the Cincinnati Reds played the Philadelphia Phillies in the first major league baseball game at night. The switch for the floodlights was thrown by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt.

And in 1994 four men convicted of bombing the World Trade Center were each sentenced to 240 years in prison.

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Quote of the Day

“Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom.”

Benjamin Cardozo

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It’s this lady’s birthday today.

This guy too.

And on this day in 1970 Weird Al Yankovic recorded this and 4 other songs for the movie UHF.

🙂 🙂 🙂

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Anyone have a QoD for us today?

Good Morning!

On this day in 1785 Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter that he had invented bifocals.

In 1788 South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify U.S. Constitution.

In 1873 Canada’s North West Mounted Police force was established. The name was changed to Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1920.

In 1876 Boston’s Joe Borden pitched the very first no-hitter in the history of the National League.

In 1934 in Bienville Parish, LA, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and killed by Texas Rangers.

In 1962 Joe Pepitone of the New York Yankees set a major league baseball record by hitting two home runs in one inning. 🙂

And in 1995 the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was demolished.

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Quote of the Day

“A moment’s thinking is an hour in words.”

Thomas Hood
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This guy was born on this day in 1910

It’s this lady’s birthday as well.

And this song was recorded today in 1960.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

On this day in 1761 in Philadelphia, the first life insurance policy was issued in the U.S.

In 1849 Abraham Lincoln was granted a patent for the floating dry dock.

In 1868 near Marshfield, IN, The “Great Train Robbery” occurred. Seven members of the Reno gang were responsible.

In 1872 The Amnesty Act restored civil rights to Southerners.

In 1891 the first public motion picture was shown in Thomas Edison’s lab.

In 1892 A British dentist named Dr. Sheffield invented the toothpaste tube.

In 1900 the Associated Press was incorporated in NY.

In 1955 a scheduled dance, headlined by Fats Domino, was canceled by police in Bridgeport, Conn. because “rock and roll dances might be featured.” 🙂

In 1967 “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” premiered on PBS.

And in 1992 Johnny Carson hosted NBC’s “Tonight Show” for the last time after a 30 year run.

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Quote of the Day

“Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?”
“To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”
“The dog did nothing in the night-time.”
“That was the curious incident,” remarked Sherlock Holmes.”

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1893)  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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Remember kids…

No rock and roll dancin’!

And yeah, that was from “55. 🙂

Next up, let’s have another one of them rock and roll dancer’s. Or should I say THE rock and roll dancer…

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Who has a QoD?

Good Morning!

On this day in 1536 The Reformation was officially adopted in Geneva, Switzerland.

In 1819 bicycles were first seen in the U.S. in N.Y. City.

In 1881 the American branch of the Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton.

In 1906 Louis H. Perlman received his patent for the demountable tire rim.

In 1941 the first U.S. ship, the SS Robin Moor, was sunk by a U-boat.

In 1956 the U.S. exploded the first airborne hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

In 1968 the nuclear-powered U.S. submarine Scorpion, with 99 men aboard, was last heard from. The remains of the sub were later found on the ocean floor.

And in 1970 the National Guard was mobilized to quell disturbances at Ohio State University.

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Quote of the Day

“Socialism is the religion people get when they lose their religion.”

Richard John Neuhaus

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Today is Marc Ribot’s birthday, so it’s “Fat Man Blues”

And on this day in 1892 this opera was performed for the first time by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. Here’s as good a rendition of some of it as you’ll find.

And on this day in 1970 Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young recorded this hippie protest song.

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

Here’s a controversial topic for this day in history, from the good folks at Wikipedia.

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is claimed by some to be the first declaration of independence made in the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution. It was supposedly signed on May 20, 1775, at Charlotte, North Carolina, by a committee of citizens of Mecklenburg County, who declared independence from Great Britain after hearing of the battle of Lexington. If the story is true, the Mecklenburg Declaration preceded the United States Declaration of Independence by more than a year. The authenticity of the Mecklenburg Declaration has been disputed since it was first published in 1819, forty-four years after it was reputedly written. There is no conclusive evidence to confirm the original document’s existence, and no reference to it has been found in extant newspapers from 1775.

Many professional historians have maintained that the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is an inaccurate rendering of an authentic document known as the Mecklenburg Resolves. The Mecklenburg Resolves were a set of radical resolutions passed on May 31, 1775, that fell short of an actual declaration of independence.

And in 1830 the fountain pen was patented by H.D. Hyde.

In 1874 Levi Strauss began marketing blue jeans with copper rivets.

In 1899 Jacob German of New York City became the first driver to be arrested for speeding. The posted speed limit was 12 MPH.

In 1916 Norman Rockwell’s first cover on “The Saturday Evening Post” appeared.

In 1927 Charles Lindbergh took off from New York aboard the “Spirit of St. Louis.” He arrived in Paris 33 1/2 hours later.

In 1932 Amelia Earhart took off to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first woman to do so.

And in 1978 Mavis Hutchinson, at age 53, became the first woman to run across America. It took 69 days

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Quote of the Day

“Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I’ve always called myself an illustrator. I’m not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life.”

Norman Rockwell

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Bill will introduce some of the musicians today. It’s one of their birthdays.

This one we sang yesterday, and I do love it, so here it is again for you.

And who better to sing it than Mr. Shea. 🙂

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

It’s Saturday! Yay! 🙂

On this day in 1798 Benjamin Stoddert was appointed as first Secretary of the U.S. Navy.

In 1802 Great Britain declared war on Napoleon’s France.

In 1917 U.S. Congress passed the Selective Service Act, which called up soldiers to fight in World War I.

In 1942 New York ended night baseball games for the duration of World War II.

And on a side note, today is also the birthday of Baltimore’s Brooks Robinson, who spent his entire 23 year career as an Oriole. Now that’s loyalty. 🙂  It’s also the birthday of some guy named Reggie Jackson. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? 🙂

Anyway, in 1951 the United Nations moved its headquarters to New York City.

And in 1980 Mt. Saint Helens erupted in Washington state killing 57 people and causing 3 billion in damage.

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Quote of the Day

“If it’s a good song and it fits me, that’s what I’m going to do, I’m not out there trying to change the world. I’m just out there trying to sing country music the best way I can.”

George Strait

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Today is George’s birthday, so here he is with the fake AJ. 🙂

We also have Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys with a birthday. Now I could obviously find plenty of Oak Ridge Boys on YouTube. They’ve been around for a long time. But I found one I really like that’s them doing a cover of “Seven Nation Army”, by the White Stripes, which I also like. It takes a little getting started while they explain the reason for the song, but I must say they do it well. 🙂

And it’s also Mr. Como’s b-day too.

And this is the song the Oak Ridge Boys covered above. I love the way 2 people pull it off as well.

That’ll do a number on your eyes huh? Mostly I just like the way he uses the guitar as a bass too. 🙂

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Does anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

It’s Friday! 🙂

And on this day in 1630 an Italian Jesuit named Niccolo Zucchi saw the belts on Jupiter’s surface.

In 1792 the New York Stock Exchange was founded at 70 Wall Street by 24 brokers.

In 1875 the first Kentucky Derby was run in Louisville.

In 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled for school integration in Brown vs. Board of Education.

In 1996 President Clinton signed Megan’s Law.

And in 1998 New York Yankees pitcher David Wells became the 13th player in modern major league baseball history to throw a perfect game. 🙂

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Quote of the Day

“Technology is anything that wasn’t around when you were born.”

Alan Kay

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No disrespect to George, or Eric who does it well too, but Peter does it better. 🙂

And I’d hate to disappoint Beatles fans either, so…

But since it’s Friday, and I mentioned Clapton too….

One more, or I guess you could say two. 🙂

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QoD? Anyone…?