Author Archives: dcaligari

October 4, 1964 –Gerry Anderson’s third Supermarionation could freak out unsuspecting children again when Stingray, premiered in the UK on this date. (It was the first British series to be filmed entirely in Colour: the extra U was particularly expensive.) The original red used on the uniforms had to be changed as it was comingContinue reading “Stingray”

St Francis of Assisi, (nee Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone,) was born the son of a rich silk merchant in Italy during the late 12th and 13th centuries. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor, love of animals and his willingness to minister to the lepers. He was fond of kissing leper’s soresContinue reading “We must be simple, humble and pure”

A man survived being hit by a car and thrown 118 feet. In 2001, paramedic Matthew McKnight of Fayette County was struck by a car doing 70 mph along Interstate 376 in Monroeville while he was trying to aid two accident victims was hit by a car travelling 70 miles per hour and was catapultedContinue reading “Kids, don’t try this at home”

October 3, 1942 –An A4-rocket (a modified V-2) developed under the direction of Werner von Braun “Good Nazi“, was successfully launched from the Test Stand VII in Peenemünde, Germany. The 13-ton, 46-foot long V2 rocket flies perfectly over the course of 118 miles to an altitude of 53 miles (85km). While it is generally seenContinue reading “How strange the coincidences in life are”

October 3, 1953 – The final installment of the Looney Tunes “Hunting Trilogy“, Duck! Rabbit, Duck!, premiered on this date. Bugs Bunny stuck out four signs to lead Elmer Fudd to shoot Daffy Duck. In order they are:1st GOAT SEASON OPEN;2nd, DIRTY SKUNK SEASON;3rd, PIGEON SEASON;4th and last, MONGOOSE SEASON.

Three of the past century’s finest comedians were born on October 2: Groucho Marx (1890), Bud Abbott (1895), and Mahatma Gandhi (1869). Groucho and Abbott were funny enough, but they pale beside the towering comic greatness of Gandhi. “When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have alwaysContinue reading “If you don’t ask, you don’t get it”

October 2, 1976 – Every night I have the strangest dreams … John Belushi came out on stage with Joe Cocker while he was performing on Saturday Night Live on this date.

While it’s not my first choice of drink – I’m not one to pass up the chilled neutral spirit. Whatever brand you drink, it always taste better fresh out of the freezer. (Yes, they may quote me on that, I’d be willing to endorse the stuff.)

October 1, 1847 –Maria Mitchell, a distant relative of Benjamin Franklin, using a telescope, discovered “Miss Mitchell’s Comet” (Comet 1847 VI, modern designation is C/1847 T1) on this date. Some years previously, King Frederick VI of Denmark had established gold medal prizes to each discoverer of a “telescopic comet” (too faint to be seen withContinue reading “Keep watching the skies”

October 1, 1962 –The Beach Boys release their first album, Surfin’ Safari, which includes their debut single, Surfin‘ on this date. Led by Brian Wilson, the band started out with his brothers Carl and Dennis with friends Al Jardine and David Marks. Brian was influenced by vocal groups like The Four Freshmen, who used jazzContinue reading “Surfin’ Safari”