Author Archives: dcaligari

January 16, 1969 – Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 perform the first docking of manned spacecraft in orbit as well as the first-ever transfer of crew from one space vehicle to another. Yevgeny Khrunov became the first astronaut to transfer between linked capsules. It is the only time such a transfer will everContinue reading “The First Crew Exchange in Space”

January 16, 1988 –George Harrison hits #1 with Got My Mind Set On You, becoming the act with the longest time between #1 hits – it was 24 years since Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth). When George Harrison conceived the Cloud Nine album, he looked for a producer who could carry someContinue reading “Got My Mind Set On You”

January 15, 1971 –George Harrison unintentionally rewrites the song He’s So Fine and releases it as My Sweet Lord on this date. Bright Tunes Music, the owner of the publishing rights, sued Harrison because this sounded too much like the 1963 Chiffons hit He’s So Fine. The trial took place February 23-25, with various expertContinue reading “My Sweet Lord”

January 15 , 1892 –A little magazine in Springfield, Massachusetts, first published the rules for a brand new game that involved tossing a soccer ball into a high-mounted peach basket. This was, of course, the precursor of what is today known as “Peachbasket” or “Peach Socccer“. still as popular as ever in Springfield, Massachusetts. AndContinue reading “The creation of Peach Soccer”

January 14, 1956 –Little Richard released Tutti Frutti on this date, (to fully take advantage of the healing powers of Little Richard, much like Elvis – you must remove all your clothing (underwears optional) and dance around the house, continually touching your afflicted regions.) This song introduced Little Richard’s famous “Whooooo,” and also a bigContinue reading “Tutti Fruitti”

For those of you not following that new fangled Gregorian Calendar (and still keep stock with the Julian Calendar), it’s January First. Happy New Year Please feel free to call in sick today and explain to them that it’s Orthodox New Years Day in your religion (but remember that you used this excuse when MarchContinue reading “Happy New Year, again”

January 14, 1972 – Sanford and Son, featuring comedian Redd Foxx (whose last name was really Sanford) and Demond Wilson, premiered on NBC-TV on this date. Throughout the series, whenever Lamont threatened to move out, or things did not go Fred’s way, he would clutch his chest and fake a heart attack, shouting variations ofContinue reading “Sanford and Son premiered”

The Asian Lunar New Years is 19 days away. Valentine’s Day is 32 days away. Mardi Gras is 38 days away. And today is Old New Years Eve (Old Style Calendar.) And if this matter’s to you, Pete’s birthday is two days away. Enjoy the day!

January 13, 1966 – Samantha gave birth to a baby girl, Tabitha on the ABC-TV program Bewitched (entitled, And Then There Were Three,) on this date. This is the first appearance of Cousin Serena, who would be a recurring character for the remainder of the series.

If you were ever an altar boy or ever took Latin, I don’t need to tell you what jacta alea est means. But if you’re like most Americans, to whom Latin is about as familiar as Urdu, let me translate: it means the die is cast. At least that’s how it’s usually translated. Back inContinue reading “Jacta Alea Est”