The Rosetta Stone was found on this date

July 15, 1799 –The Rosetta Stone is an Ancient Egyptian artifact which was instrumental in advancing modern understanding of hieroglyphic writing. The stone is a Ptolemaic era stele with carved text. The text is made up of three translations of a single passage, written in two Egyptian language scripts (hieroglyphic and Demotic), and in classicalContinue reading “The Rosetta Stone was found on this date”

Honky Chateau hits the top of the charts

July 15, 1972 –Elton John’s fifth studio album, Honky Chateau, reached No. #1 on the US Billboard Charts, on this date, making it the first of John’s seven consecutive US No. #1 album. The album was recorded at Château d’Hérouville, Hérouville, France, in January 1972. At the time, the studio was known as “Strawberry Studios,”Continue reading “Honky Chateau hits the top of the charts”

You might think it’s butter …

July 15, 1869 –During war with Prussia, French ruler Napoleon III commissions Hippolye Mege Mouries to find a butter substitute. A patent for margarine was issued on this date, it being based on beef fat instead of milk fat. He called it Margarine (but you can call it Oleo) because the French word for pearlContinue reading “You might think it’s butter …”

It’s All Over Now went to the top of the charts

July 14, 1964 –The Rolling Stones score their first #1 hit in the UK with their cover of Bobby Womack’s It’s All Over Now. New York disc jockey Murray the K gave The Stones a copy of the original recording of the song by The Valentinos and suggested they record it. Murray was important enoughContinue reading “It’s All Over Now went to the top of the charts”

Popeye the Sailor premiered

July 14, 1933 –The iconic Popeye the Sailor, appeared in his first eponymous titled cartoon, on this date. (Kids, Betty, who is probably underage in this film, is not wearing a bra – so avert your eyes.) Popeye’s appearance is based on that of a fighter named Francis “Rocky” Fiegel whom his creator, Elzie Segar,Continue reading “Popeye the Sailor premiered”