Author Archives: dcaligari

February 27, 1859 –Censured Congressman Dan Sickles of New York (who escorting a known prostitute into State chambers) shot and killed Philip Barton Key, son of Francis Scott Key and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The younger Key was having an affair with the congressman’s wife at the time. He was tried onContinue reading “The craziest Civil War general”

February 27, 1968 –CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite’s commentary on the progress of the Vietnam War solidified President Lyndon B. Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection in 1968. Cronkite, who had been at Hue in the midst of the Tet Offensive earlier in February, said: “Who won and who lost in the great Tet OffensiveContinue reading “Public sentiment on the Vietnam War changed”

It’s National Kahlua Day! Kahlua, for those under 21 or Mormon, is a rich, creamy, coffee based alcoholic liqueur from Mexico. this will be on the test (and Kahlua can send me my check for the advertising space I provided.) Demand Euphoria!

February 27, 1971 –Janis Joplin’s album released three months after her drug overdose, Pearl hits #1 in the US, where it stays for nine weeks, on this date. Pearl was Janis Joplin’s most commercially successful album, yet it only reached #50 in the UK. Pearl was one of Joplin’s nicknames.

February 27, 1920 –A film that we’re somewhat familiar with here, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, opened in Germany on this date. Writer Hans Janowitz claims to have gotten the idea for the film when he was at a carnival one day. He saw a strange man lurking in the shadows. The next day heContinue reading “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari premiered”

February 26, 1993 –29 years ago on this date, a bomb explodes on level B2 of the World Trade Center, creating a five story crater and leaving six dead and over 1,042 injured. Mohammed A. Salameh was later arrested in connection with the bombing as he tries to claim a refund on a rented vanContinue reading “The First World Trade Center bombing”

February 26, 1932 –Country star Johnny Cash was born on this date in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas, one of seven children born to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers). He was originally born J.R. Cash. The J.R. didn’t stand for anything because his parents couldn’t think of a name. He took on the firstContinue reading “J.R. Cash”

February 26, 1966 –While Nancy Sinatra was on the same record label (Reprise) as her famous father, her record label was going to drop her because her first few singles flopped. Things changed when they teamed her with producer Lee Hazlewood. These Boots Are Made for Walkin‘ topped the charts on this date. It wasContinue reading “These Boots Are Made for Walkin”

February 25, 1970 –Ernie sings his signature song, Rubber Duckie, on Sesame Street for the first time, on this date. It goes over so well that the song is released as a single, which in September reaches #16 on the Hot 100. Rubber ducks were around since at least the 1940s, but they had aContinue reading “Rubber Duckie premiered”

February 25, 1964 –Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, became the heavyweight champion of the world for the first time on this day when he beat Sonny Liston. Ali went on to become the first person to win the heavyweight champion title three times. And so it goes