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October 20, 1818 – Canada and the United States in the “Convention of 1818“, established the 49th Parallel as their mutual boundary (known as the International Border) for most of its length from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky mountains. The International Boundary is commonly referred to as the world’s longest undefended border,Continue reading “Remember to Blame Canada”

October 20, 1980 –U2 released their debut album, Boy, produced by Steve Lillywhite, on this date. When the time came for U2 to release their debut album, young Peter Rowen, the younger brother of Derek Rowen aka Guggi, an Dublin artist and member of The Virgin Prunes, a band who were friends and collaborators withContinue reading “Boy dropped”

October 20, 1985 –The first of two reunion films, I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later, starring Barbara Eden, Wayne Rogers, and Bill Daly aired on NBC on this date. Larry Hagman was unavailable to reprise his role as Tony Nelson reportedly because he was too busy filming his CBS series Dallas at the time.Continue reading “I Dream Of Jeannie reunion films premiered”

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”