Author Archives: dcaligari

February 11, 1650 –Rene Descartes, mathematician, drunken fart and philosopher best known for his statement “I think therefore I am“, stops thinking on this date. Queen Christina of Sweden (remember – the girl king – see December 18 ) persuaded Descartes to come to Stockholm. On this date, after only a few months in thatContinue reading “Bring a sweater when traveling”

The eleventh day of the Lunar New Year is known as the day to welcome Zigu Shen (the Purple Lady). According to legend, Zigu was a concubine of a rich man in ancient China. The wife of the rich man killed her in the toilet due to her jealousy. The Heavenly God had compassion forContinue reading “Yes, this is the longest holiday celebration in the world”

February 11, 1963 –Julia Child opened America’s appetite for better cooking when The French Chef premiered on this date. In her first black-and-white episode, she made Boeuf Bourguignon, spending a half hour in the kitchen, recording the show live.

Today is the birthday of the god of stone. On this day, it is forbidden to move any stone, including stone roller, stone mill and stone mortar, so this day is also known as “Shi Bu Dong”(meaning do not move any stone). In addition, it is also forbidden to cut into a mountain for rockContinue reading “Leave that stone unturned!”

February 10, 1945 –The no. 1 song in America, on this date, was Rum and Coca Cola by Andrews Sisters. (The copyright holder of the song was Morey Amsterdam of The Dick Van Dyke Show fame, but that’s another story.) It’s nice to think back in the more ‘innocent‘ era of America, songs about whenContinue reading “Rum and Coca Cola”

February 10, 1956 –The series about a boy and his horse is set on the Goose Bar Ranch in Montana, My Friend Flicka premiered on CBS TV on this date. Based on their 1943 feature film, this was 20th Century Fox’s first entry into television production.

It is Bathtub Day, Toothache Day and Bagels and Lox Day today. And I’m not quite sure why? Demand Euphoria!

Today is the Ninth day of the Lunar New Year. The Jade Emperor is also known as the Yù Huáng or Yù Dì, the Ruler of all Heavens (of which the Chinese have over 30), Earth and the Underworld/ Hell, Creator of the Universe, later the Emperor of the Universe, and Lord of the ImperialContinue reading “It is the Birthday of Jade Emperor, King of Heaven.”

February 9, 1971 – All in the Family aired what TV scholars believe to be the first positive portrayal of a gay issue on American television on this date. Guest stars Anthony Geary and Philip Carey both went on to play long running roles on popular ABC Soap Operas. Geary as Luke Spencer on GeneralContinue reading “All in the Family”

February 8, 1973 –The cult classic film The Harder They Come (the breakthough film for Reggae music in the US,) was released in New York by Roger Corman’s New World Pictures, on this date. The movie is in Jamaican Patois, a creole language which can be understood to some extent by English speakers. There areContinue reading “The Harder They Come premiered (in the US)”