Author Archives: dcaligari

Today is National Pasta Day. Pasta is one of America’s favorite foods. Collectively, the U.S. consumed 5.95 billion pounds of pasta last year. The first American pasta factory was opened in Brooklyn, New York, in 1848, by a Frenchman named Antoine Zerega. Mr. Zerega managed the entire operation with just one horse in his basementContinue reading “Life is not worth living if I cannot have pasta”

October 16, 1974 –The Rolling Stones release their the 12th British (and 14th American) studio album, It’s Only Rock N’ Roll, on this date. It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll was an important transitional album for the Rolling Stones. Following the departure of long-time producer Jimmy Miller, the album was self-produced by guitarist Keith Richards andContinue reading “It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll went on sale”

October 16, 1968 –American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving “black power” salutes during a victory ceremony after they’d won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter race on this date. (And you think people are pissed at the ‘kneeling during the anthem‘ thing.) Little rememberedContinue reading “The Olympics turns political”

October 16, 1934 –Mao Tse-tung decided to abandon his base in Kiangsi due to attacks from Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists. With his pregnant wife and about 30,000 Red Army troops, he set out on the “Long March,” – the longest march in the history of warfare. The march lasted one year and four days, covering moreContinue reading “A lot of boots were used for walking”

October 16, 1966 –The film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed by Richard Lester and starring Zero Mostel, Jack Gilford, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton, Michael Crawford, Michael Hordern, and Roy Kinnear opened on this date. Actual fruits and vegetables were used during shooting, andContinue reading “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum premiered”

October 16, 1979 –The comedy sketch show Not the Nine O’Clock News, starring Rowan Atkinson, Chris Langham, Pamela Stephenson and Mel Smith debuts on BBC 2, on this date. The original pilot episode had a different cast: Rowan Atkinson and Chris Langham were joined by Chris Emmett, Christopher Godwin, John Gorman, Willoughby Goddard and JonathanContinue reading “Not the 9 O’Clock News debuted”

Halloween is in 15 days. Get your costume together. Remember, you can always go as a sociopath – they look just like you and me The General Election is in 20 days. Thanksgiving is in 43 days The start of Hanukkah and Christmas are 70 days away. Check to see where you are located onContinue reading “Hey, BTW –”

October 15, 1994 –R.E.M.’s ninth studio album, released by Warner Bros., Monster, was No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. After releasing two consecutive slow-paced albums, Out Of Time and Automatic For The People, R.E.M really wanted to rock out on their album Monster. They were also trying to find their place inContinue reading “Monster topped the charts”

October 15, 1954 –The eponymously named series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin first aired on ABC-TV on this date. A popular children’s record titled Rinny and Rusty and Rip was released in the 1950’s about the three lead characters. It was a 78 rpm Golden Records release, sung by Anne Lloyd and The Sandpipers,Continue reading “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin premiered”

October 15, 1951 –A former starlet convinced the alcoholic, womanizing head of a television network to run the TV version of her somewhat successful radio program. I Love Lucy, the television situation comedy, starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, also featuring Vivian Vance and William Frawley, went on to run on CBS for 181 episodesContinue reading “It’s still running now”