Author Archives: dcaligari

April 4, 1883 – American inventor and founder of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, Peter Cooper died on this date. Among his many accomplishments, he obtained the first American patent for the manufacture of gelatin. His patent was sold to the makers of Jell-O. And so it goes

April 4, 1841 – William Henry Harrison was an American military leader, politician, and the ninth President of the United States. He took the oath of office on March 4, 1841, an extremely cold and windy day. People told him, “Think what your mother would say – Take a coat, it’s cold.” Nevertheless, he facedContinue reading “The death of the Ninth President”

April 4, 1983 –NASA launches the Space Shuttle Challenger on its maiden voyage into space from the Kennedy Space Center on this date. The shuttle is named for the British Naval research vessel HMS Challenger, which sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the 1870s. And so it goes

April 4, 1964 –The Beatles set an all-time record on the Top 100 chart of Billboard magazine this day, holding an unprecedented twelve positions on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on this date. The Beatles accounted for 60 percent of the entire singles record business during the first three months of 1964. Those singles byContinue reading “The Beatles set an impression record”

April 3,1956 –Elvis Presley performed on The Milton Berle Show. The show was broadcast live from the aircraft carrier USS Hancock. Elvis played the songs Heartbreak Hotel, Money, Honey, and Blue Suede Shoes. I would not suggest that you place you hand upon the screen – the power you feel emanating from the TV isContinue reading “Elvis on The Milton Berle Show”

Ramadan is a period of 30 days determined by the Islamic calendar where Muslims across the world fast from sunrise to sunset. The span of 30 days is different each year when basing it off of the Gregorian calendar which is what we use. It is a time where Muslims try to break bad habitsContinue reading “Ramadan Mubarak”

April 2, 1968 –Stanley Kubrick’s influential science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, premiered in Washington D.C. on this date. The movie was not a financial success at first. MGM was planning to pull it back from theaters, but several theater owners persuaded them to keep showing the film. Many owners noticed increasing numbers of youngContinue reading “2001: A Space Odyssey”

Back in the eighth century, countries had not yet been formally invented. That part of western Europe known today as France was simply called Frankland. This helped distinguish it from neighboring areas, such as Georgeland to the north and Hansland to the east. The Franks had allowed themselves to be ruled for several generations byContinue reading “This may be on the test”

According to the Nation Peanut Board, Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches are good for the planet. It takes fewer than five gallons of fresh water to produce one ounce of peanuts, and peanuts add beneficial nutrients to the soil. Today is Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Legend has it that American soldiers in World WarContinue reading “A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is better than bad sex”

When you woke up this morning, one of your first thoughts probably was probably, although Velveeta didn’t really come out with skincare products again this year, we will still have to hear more about Will Smith and Chris Rock. But take comfort, it’s April (again.) April is National Poetry Month It is a cruel monthContinue reading “April comes like an idiot, babbling and stewing flowers.”