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January 25, 1759 –It’s Robert Burns’ birthday and people will be celebrating with a Burns Supper The Burns Supper is eaten all across Scotland each year on the anniversary of the national poet’s birth. It consists of haggis and whiskey. It is customary for the host to read Burns’ Ode to a Haggis at theContinue reading “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!”

January 24, 1941 –I never expected that I would be doing this for as long as I’ve been doing it. Neil Diamond, singer, songwriter, (such a nice boy,) who had a number of world wide hits hits over three decades and still tours successfully to sell out tours in America and around the world, wasContinue reading “Neil Leslie Diamond”

January 24, 1970 –Robert Moog introduced his ‘Mini-Moog‘ synthesizer, on this date. The Mini-moog was a more portable and affordable version of the Moog synthesizer (priced at around $2,000,) and was the first synthesizer available for sale in retail stores. The American Federation of Musicians considers banning the Mini-Moog, fearing that its ability to simulateContinue reading “The Mini-Moog was introduced”

January 24, 1975 –The Norman Lear developed TV adaptation of Lanford Wilson’s 1973 off-Broadway play, Hot L Baltimore, starring Richard Masur, Conchata Ferrell, James Cromwell, Al Freeman, Jr., & Charlotte Rae, premiered on ABC, on this date. The series garnered controversy due to its cast of characters, which included two prostitutes, an illegal immigrant, andContinue reading “A Show you probably never heard of premiered”

January 24, 1940 –John Ford’s film version of John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, starring Henry Fonda, opened in New York City on this date. John Steinbeck was particularly enamored with the performance of Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, feeling that he perfectly encapsulated everything he wanted to convey with this character. The twoContinue reading “The Grapes of Wrath premiered”

Its National Peanut Butter Day. By law, any product labeled “peanut butter” in the United States must be at least 90 percent peanuts, (don’t ask about the other 10%.) Boldly celebrate the lowly legume Arachis hypogaea, (except for the 1.5% of US students allergic to peanuts.) Former President Bill Clinton says one of his favoriteContinue reading “Peanut butter is the pate of childhood.”

January 23, 1978 –Terry Kath of band Chicago accidentally killed himself on this date while pretending to play Russian Roulette in Woodland Hills. Kaith’s last words were ‘Don’t worry, it’s not loaded.‘ The circumstances of his death gave him the dubious distinction of being one of the first celebrities to be nominated for a DarwinContinue reading “Terry Alan Kath”

The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) established today as National Handwriting Day back in 1977, in order to celebrate John Hancock’s birthday (who was born on January 12th, so go figure,) one of our Founding Fathers, as well as the first signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Most people who were around then wereContinue reading “Is anyone learning the Zaner-Bloser method?”

January 23, 1977 – The twelve-hour miniseries Roots first aired on ABC-TV on this date. The show was programmed by ABC to air on several consecutive nights in prime time. It was considered a revolutionary approach to programming a mini-series, since most minis were aired once or twice a week over several weeks’ time. ItContinue reading “Alex Haley’s family saga premiered”

January 23, 1975 –Barney Miller, a TV series set in a New York City police station in Greenwich Village, premiered on ABC-TV on this date. The producers were approached during the run of the series about doing a feature film based on the show using the regular cast members. The film was never made.