Author Archives: dcaligari

July 15, 1869 –During war with Prussia, French ruler Napoleon III commissions Hippolye Mege Mouries to find a butter substitute. A patent for margarine was issued on this date, it being based on beef fat instead of milk fat. He called it Margarine (but you can call it Oleo) because the French word for pearlContinue reading “You might think it’s butter …”

July 15, 2009 –45 years after he played at the Ed Sullivan Theater with The Beatles, Paul McCartney returned to the venue to appear on The Late Show With David Letterman. Earlier in the day, McCartney plays a few songs from the theater’s marquee, surprising the onlookers in Manhattan.

July 14, 1965 –The space probe Mariner 4 flew by Mars, sending back the first photographs of the planet — they took eight hours to arrive. They were the first ever close-up photos of another planet. The photos reveal that the planet’s surface is cratered. And so it goes

July 14, 1964 –The Rolling Stones score their first #1 hit in the UK with their cover of Bobby Womack’s It’s All Over Now. New York disc jockey Murray the K gave The Stones a copy of the original recording of the song by The Valentinos and suggested they record it. Murray was important enoughContinue reading “It’s All Over Now went to the top of the charts”

July 14 1789 –Paris was not a happy city in 1789. Paris has never been an especially happy city, especially for those who don’t speak French, but in that fateful year, it was especially grouchy. And it wasn’t just the city, but the whole country. All of France was being cranky and irritable, and allContinue reading “Happy Bastille Day”

I would say for the most part, there are very few people who should actually celebrate the holiday in public. You know whether or not you should celebrate Please feel free to celebrate responsibly within the confines of your own home. Demand Euphoria!

July 14, 1933 –The iconic Popeye the Sailor, appeared in his first eponymous titled cartoon, on this date. (Kids, Betty, who is probably underage in this film, is not wearing a bra – so avert your eyes.) Popeye’s appearance is based on that of a fighter named Francis “Rocky” Fiegel whom his creator, Elzie Segar,Continue reading “Popeye the Sailor premiered”

July 13th –July’s Full Moon is known as the Full Buck Moon, when the new antlers of buck deer push out from their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. A disgusting image – bone pushing through flesh – for your early morning. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason thatContinue reading “A non-Manhattanhenge update”

July 13, 1974 –George McRae’s single Rock Your Baby became the first disco song to hit #1 on this date. The song was written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band, and it formed the basis for their wildly successful writing and performing partnership which yielded five more USContinue reading “Rock Your Baby went to the top of the charts”

July 13, 1985 –37 years ago, I had only recently patented the long birthday weekend…. (I love that WNEW thought that George Segal and Marilyn McCoo were the perfect host for their coverage of Live Aid.) (Find time to watch this short documentary about Bob Geldorf and his feelings about Live Aid.) (still the greatestContinue reading “Live Aid premiered”