Author Archives: dcaligari

September 16, 1810 –If you thought Mexican Independence Day was Cinco de Mayo. Today is Independence Day in Mexico. Mexico began its revolt against Spanish rule on this date. Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued “El Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Freedom), which claimed the end of Spanish rule.

September 16, 1963 – The science-fiction anthology series The Outer Limits first airred on ABC-TV on this date. The original title for this series was Please Stand By, but because the Cuban Missile Crisis had happened less than a year earlier, executives thought it might make people fearful of an air raid. As a referenceContinue reading “The Outer Limits premiered”

September 16, 1920 –A horse-drawn carriage loaded with dynamite exploded in front of the J.P. Morgan and Company headquarters at 23 Wall Street in New York’s financial district, on this date. 30 people were killed in the blast. More than 400 were injured. Although the crime was never solved, it was believed to have beenContinue reading “The time Wall St. was bombed”

September 16, 1977 –The eponymously named debut LP, Talking Heads: 77, was released on this date. It has long been considered one of the best debut albums of the CBGB habitués.

September 16, 1969 –The hardest working person in Hollywood had her series, The Debbie Reynolds Show, starring (besides her,) Don Chastain, Patricia Smith, Tom Bosley, and Debbie Thompson debut, on NBC TV, on this date Debbie Reynolds‘ contract with NBC guaranteed a two season run, promised her a starring role in a feature film toContinue reading “The Debbie Reynolds Show premiered”

September 16, 1967 – The TV series Mannix, starring Mike Connors, first aired on CBS-TV on this date. The role of Peggy Fair was intended for Nichelle Nichols, but she was forced to withdraw due to her commitment to Star Trek: The Original Series.

Rosh Hashanah begins this evening, As you hear the shofar this evening, remember to start writing 5784 on your checks.

September 15, 1922 –According to fashion arbiters from days gone by – you should not be wearing your straw hats any longer this season – In the early 20th Century, tradition held that a man switch from straw hats to felt ones on September 15th. If he wore “the taboo headgear” after that date, hooligansContinue reading “Does anybody still wear a hat?”

September 15, 1983 –Chrysalis Records released Huey Lewis and the News’ third album, Sports, on this date. Huey Lewis & the News had lots of goofy fun in their videos, which was exactly what MTV was looking for. They would often star Lewis as a normal guy surrounded by lunatics played by his bandmates.

September 15, 1971 – The first episode of the Columbo series, Murder By The Book, directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Steven Bochco, and starring Peter Falk, premiered on NBC-TV on this date. The original plan was for a new episode to air every week, which would have meant shooting an episode every five days.Continue reading “Just one more thing …”