Author Archives: dcaligari

January 31, 1958 –Explorer-I, officially Satellite 1958 Alpha (and sometimes referred to as Explorer 1), was the first Earth satellite of the United States, having been launched at 10:48 pm EST on this date, as part of the United States program for the International Geophysical Year. The satellite was launched from LC-26 at Cape CanaveralContinue reading “The first successful US satellite launch”

January 31, 1976 –Ohio Players’ single from their album Honey, Love Rollercoaster climbed up the No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. This song is the subject of an urban myth. During an instrumental break, there is a scream that sounds a little out of place. It was rumored that the scream wasContinue reading “The Love Rollercoaster reached the No. 1 position”

January 31, 1919 –Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life. Jackie Robinson, born in Cairo, Georgia on this date, made history in 1947 as the first black baseball player to appear in aContinue reading “Jack Roosevelt Robinson”

January 31, 1988 –Everyone went back to the late 60s and early 70s when The Wonder Years, starring Fred Savage, Danica McKellar and Josh Saviano premiered on ABC-TV on this date. Arye Gross performed the narration for the pilot when it originally aired. However, Arye’s narration was later removed and replaced with Daniel Stern’s voiceContinue reading “You first got to contemplate what you would do if someone sang out a tune”

January 31, 1957 –It’s a crustacean catastrophe! A Fiend with X-ray Eyes! It’s not to be believed but on a double bill, Attack of the Crab Monsters and Not of this Earth premiered on this date.

January 30, 1889 –Bunkies, your history teachers lied to you once again – World War I really started on this date. The bodies of Archduke Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, syphilitic, depressive, whore mongering heir to the Austro-Hungarian crown, and his air headed 17 year old mistress Baroness Mary Vetsera, were discovered in the ImperialContinue reading “The stuff you don’t know”

January 30, 1988 –INXS’ single from their fourth album Kick, Need You Tonight, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Charts on this date. It is the only INXS single to reach No. 1 The song segues seamlessly into the next track on the album, a poem Andrew Farriss wrote and put to music called Mediate.Continue reading “Need You Tonight premiered”

January 30, 1649 –If history teaches us anything, it’s that sometimes, it NOT good to be the king. King Charles I of England, was beheaded for treason at Banqueting House on this date. It is reputed that he wore two shirts as to prevent the cold January weather causing any noticeable shivers that the crowdContinue reading “Try not losing your head following along”

January 30, 1981 –Universal Pictures released the Joel Schumacher film The Incredible Shrinking Woman, starring Lily Tomlin and Charles Grodin, on this date. Initially planned as a Holiday 1980 release, Universal delayed the release until January 1981, hoping to take advantage of the buzz surrounding the release of 9 to 5, which also stars LilyContinue reading “The Incredible Shrinking Woman premiered”

January 30, 1969 –At a free concert at their Apple corporate headquarters in London, The Beatles made their last-ever public appearance as a group on this date. The performance, filmed for the documentary Let It Be, was eventually halted when police arrived after neighbors complained about the racket. (Once again, I strongly encourage you toContinue reading “A bunch of millionaires jammed on their corporate rooftop”