Author Archives: dcaligari

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.

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”