Author Archives: dcaligari

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.”

Today is also the non-denominational Feast of St. Stupid’s day. here is the history of St. Stupid, directly from the font of all knowledge – Wikipedia: … According to legend, St. Stupid was the son of a codpiece. It is also told that he had not one mother, but thousands. Wherever a country lass wasContinue reading “A message from The First Church Last Laugh”

April 1, 1978 – Tonight was the last time you could play the original version of the game, ‘Hi Bob‘ because the final episode of The Bob Newhart Show aired on this date. Over the course of the series, the phrase, “Hi, Bob” was said 256 times. Howard Borden (Bill Daily) said it a totalContinue reading “The Bob Newhart Show’s final episode”

March 31, 1889 –French engineer Gustave Eiffel unfurled the French tricolor from atop the Eiffel Tower, officially marking its completion on this date, but its history dates back to Gallic times. Documents that have been carbon-dated to roughly 200 B.C. indicate that King Catatonix of the Hellatians decreed, for no apparent reason, the construction ofContinue reading “50,000 Frenchmen can’t be wrong”

Crayola Crayons have been around for 119 years. The Crayola brand was born in 1903 when cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith released the their first crayon box with its eight-count box that was sold for only a nickel. March 31 marks National Crayon Day. The average child will go through hundreds of crayonsContinue reading “Happy National Crayon Day”

March 31, 1994 –Madonna appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman on this date. She dropped the f-bomb more than a dozen times, exchanged less- than-friendly barbs with Dave and then stubbornly refused to leave the set. This made the episode the most censored in American network television talk-show history; it also resulted inContinue reading “Madonna’s appearance on the David Letterman Show”

March 31, 1987 –20 minutes into the future, US network television’s very first cyberpunk series, Max Headroom premiered on ABC-TV, on this date. According to the first episode, the name “Max Headroom” came about when Edison Carter was fleeing from security guards on a motorcycle, and he ran into a parking garage exit gate labeledContinue reading “Max Headroom premiered”