Author Archives: dcaligari

Several sources, including the eponymously named Facebook page, lists today as International Gin and Tonic Day. Some cite April 9th as the date, although that is usually seen as National Gin and Tonic Day. I’m up for celebrating on both dates. (But don’t confuse it with World Gin Day which always falls on the secondContinue reading “Never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast.”

The third Friday in October has been set aside to celebrate Global Champagne Awareness Day (or International Champagne Day) and boy, oh boy, do I need to celebrate something. Most champagne-lovers will already know that, in order for the sparkling nectar to be classified as “champagne“, the wine must come from the Champagne province inContinue reading “In victory, you deserve Champagne; in defeat, you need it.”

October 18, 1957 –Given almost complete control of the program, the eponymously named The Frank Sinatra Show, a variety/drama anthology series, debuted on ABC on this date. Sinatra wanted to do a dramatic television series, while the ABC television network wanted him to host a variety show. The star and the network compromised – 13Continue reading “The Frank Sinatra Show premiered”

October 18, 1974 –The highly influential independent film, A Woman Under the Influence, directed by John Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk debuted on this date. John Cassavetes could not find a distributor for the film after completion, and was at one point literally carrying the reels under his arm, from one theater toContinue reading “A Woman Under the Influence premiered”

October 18, 1975 – The second-ever episode of Saturday Night Live was notable for the reunion of Simon & Garfunkel on this date. This show marked the first public appearance of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel together since 1972. There are 10 musical performances in this episode, the most ever for the show. The NotContinue reading “Paul and Artie get back together (for the first time)”

October 18, 1943 –During World War II, a pigeon named G.I. Joe saved the lives of the inhabitants of the village of Calvi Vecchia, Italy, and of the British troops occupying it, on this date. Air support had been requested against German positions at Calvi Vecchi on this date, but the message that the BritishContinue reading “A pigeon saves the day”

October 17, 1998 –The first big hit for Barenaked Ladies, One Week hit No.1 on this date The band has said that this song is about a big fight in a relationship. The lyrics are essentially meaningless, but wildly entertaining, showing off their clever wordplay in a rapid-fire interplay between their lead singers, Ed RobertsonContinue reading “One Week topped the charts”

October 17, 1814 –Late on a Monday afternoon on this date, one of the 800lb iron restraining hoop fell off one of the two giant porter vats at the the Meux and Company Brewery on London’s Tottenham Court Road. A clerk made a note of the occurrence but thought no more of it until aboutContinue reading “What a way to go!”

October 17, 1975 –The British science fiction television series Space: 1999, created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson without the use of Supermarionation, starring Barbara Bain and Martin Landau, first aired in the US on this date. Originally conceived as a new season of UFO, which would’ve been set twenty years further into the future withContinue reading “Space: 1999 premiered”

October 17, 1958 –What is considered a comeback special, An Evening with Fred Astaire first aired on NBC-TV on this date. The special was the first color show pre-recorded on videotape at NBC’s new state-of-the-art ‘Color City‘ studios in Burbank, California.