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October 20, 1957 –Walter Cronkite’s documentary series, The Twentieth Century, premiered on CBS-TV on this date, with Churchill, Man of the Century. The program presented filmed reports on news and cultural events that were important for the development of the 20th century.

Several sources, including the eponymously named Facebook page, lists today as International Gin and Tonic Day. Some cite April 9th as the date, although that is usually seen as National Gin and Tonic Day. I’m up for celebrating on both dates. (But don’t confuse it with World Gin Day which always falls on the secondContinue reading “It’s never too early for Gin O’Clock”

In the midst of the First World War, Salvation Army volunteers in France found themselves stymied by inadequate supplies and ovens for baking. Unable to prepare the cakes and and pies they so badly wanted to bake for the troops, they came up with the novel idea of frying rather than baking the dough. TwoContinue reading “Three cheers for Donuts!”

October 19, 1953 –After Julius La Rosa had finished singing Manhattan on Arthur Godfrey Time, the host (and general scum bag) Arthur Godfrey fired him on the air, announcing, “that was Julie’s swan song with us.” Unaware the firing was coming (or what the phrase “swan song” meant), La Rosa tearfully met with Godfrey afterContinue reading “Julius La Rosa fired on TV”

October 19, 1984 –One of the greatest concert movies, the Talking Heads film Stop Making Sense, dirested by Jonathon Demme opens in the US on this date. Jonathan Demme wanted to shoot additional performance footage on a soundstage made to recreate the Pantages Theater. The band vetoed this idea because they thought the lack ofContinue reading “Stop Making Sense premiered”

October 19, 1973 –David Bowie released his seventh album Pin Ups, which features supermodel Twiggy on the front cover, is released on this date. The album is a collection of cover versions of some of the singer’s favorite songs, including tracks by Pink Floyd, The Pretty Things, The Who, The Yardbirds and The Kinks.

October 18, 1968 – The Star Trek episode Is There in Truth No Beauty? premiered on this date. In it, the Enterprise travels with an alien ambassador who must travel inside a special black case because his appearance causes insanity. The Vulcan IDIC was inserted into the script and into the episode at the behestContinue reading “Is There in Truth No Beauty? premiered”

October 18, 1975 – The second-ever episode of Saturday Night Live was notable for the reunion of Simon & Garfunkel on this date. This show marked the first public appearance of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel together since 1972. There are 10 musical performances in this episode, the most ever for the show. The NotContinue reading “Simon and Garfunkel on SNL”

October 18, 1988 – Poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse, sex, menstruation, birth control, teenage pregnancy, masturbation, obesity, abortion, race, social class, domestic violence, and homosexuality – some of the topics dealt with on the series, Roseanne (which premiered on this date.) Early during the first season, Roseanne frequently butted heads with the show’s creator Matt Williams.Continue reading “Roseanne premiered”

Today is National Pasta Day. Pasta is one of America’s favorite foods. Last year, 1.3 million pounds of pasta were sold in American grocery stores. The first American pasta factory was opened in Brooklyn, New York, in 1848, by a Frenchman named Antoine Zerega. Mr. Zerega managed the entire operation with just one horse inContinue reading “Cooked pasta waits for no one”