March 16, 1979 –The Columbia Pictures thriller The China Syndrome, starring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, and Wilford Brimley premiered in the US on this date. The film opened less than two weeks before the Three Mile Island Nuclear meltdown. When the film was first released, nuclear power executives soon lambasted the picture asContinue reading “The China Syndrome premiered”
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Puff the Magic Dragon went on sale
March 16, 1963 –The musical group of Peter Paul and Mary released their hit single Puff the Magic Dragon, on this date. This song was rumored to be about drugs, particularly marijuana. Some of the alleged drug references in this song include the “autumn mist,” which was marijuana smoke, and the “land of Hanah Lee,”Continue reading “Puff the Magic Dragon went on sale”
Happy St. Urho’s Day
March 16 – Today is the celebration of St. Urho’s Day, Patron saint of Finnish vineyard workers. Attributed to him is the miracle of banishing grasshoppers from Finland which he accomplished with a few choice Finnish phrases, thereby saving the season’s grape crop. But in reality a bunch of very drunk people made this upContinue reading “Happy St. Urho’s Day”
Naked went on sale
March 15, 1988 –Talking Heads release their eighth and final album, Naked, on this date. The album was co-produced with the band by Steve Lillywhite, an Englishman known for his work with Peter Gabriel and U2. He was married to the singer Kirsty MacColl, who contributed backing vocals of the song, (Nothing But) Flowers.
Today’s lesson: Avoid wearing skirts in mid March
March 15, 44 BC –Julius Caesar, already warned to be wary on this the Ides of March by the astrologer Spurinna, was assassinated with pointy knives by a group of Senators, including Brutus and Cassius, at the Pompey theater. They were angry at him because he had crossed the Rubicon. Later Marc Antony borrowed everyone’sContinue reading “Today’s lesson: Avoid wearing skirts in mid March”
Three’s Company premiered
March 15, 1977 – Everybody was first welcomed to The Regal Beagle when Three’s Company, starring John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and Suzanne Somers, premiered on this date. John Ritter is the only cast member to appear in every episode.
Mr. Belvedere premiered
March 15, 1985 –The 1948 film Sitting Pretty, starring Clifton Webb, was adapted in the TV sitcom, Mr. Belvedere, starring, Christopher Hewett, Bob Uecker, and Ilene Graff, premiered on ABC TV, on this date. The series was the fourth attempt to adapt the 1947 novel Belvedere by Gwen Davenport and subsequent film series for television.Continue reading “Mr. Belvedere premiered”
Roxy Music’s Jealous Guy topped the charts
March 14, 1981 –Roxy Music had their only U.K. No. 1 single with their version of John Lennon’s Jealous Guy, on this date. Roxy Music recorded this as a tribute to Lennon, who was murdered on December 8, 1980. Bryan Ferry performs the whistling solo on the Roxy Music version. The Roxy frontman’s whistling prowessContinue reading “Roxy Music’s Jealous Guy topped the charts”
Love is like Pi: natural, irrational, and very important
Today is Pi Day! Pi Day was founded by Physicist Larry Shaw in 1988. Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts ( read – lonely shut-ins) around the world on March 14th. π was first used as a mathematical symbol in 1706 by William Jones. Albert Einstein’s parents conveniently arranged for him to be bornContinue reading “Love is like Pi: natural, irrational, and very important”
All Our Yesterdays premiered
March 14, 1969 –The Star Trek episode All Our Yesterdays first aired on this date. This is the penultimate episode of the original Star Trek series. In it, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are trapped on a planet which will soon be destroyed in a supernova When first arriving on the planet Sarpeidon and meeting MrContinue reading “All Our Yesterdays premiered”
