Category Archives: Uncategorized

September 1, 1923 –The worst earthquake in Japan’s history hit the Kanto Plain between Tokyo and Yokohama with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake and subsequent fires killed nearly 140,000 people and destroyed most of both cities. The fires started because the earthquake occurred at noon, when charcoal cooking stoves wereContinue reading “A Major Earthquake occurred in Japan”

September 1, 1972 –David Bowie released John, I’m only Dancing in the U.K. on this date. This was the follow-up single to Bowie’s British breakthrough Starman. He’d previously charted with Space Oddity back in 1969, but had been unable to follow it up.

September is the ninth month of the year, which is why its name is derived from the Latin Septem, meaning seven. (We have previously addressed this problem last month; see August, the Sixth Month.) On the French Revolutionary calendar, September is known as Vendémiaire (vintage,) and in Dutch, September is “the begining of autumn“, Hertmaand.Continue reading “Keep calm and welcome September.”

September 1, 1902 –Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon), written and directed by Georges Méliès, assisted by his brother Gaston, considered to be the first science fiction movie, was released on this date. After finishing work on the film, Georges Méliès intended to release it in America and thereby make lotsContinue reading “A Trip to the Moon premiered”

August 31, 1950 –A mouse flew on a US V-2 rocket from New Mexico, USA on on this date, reaching an altitude of 137 km (85 miles). It was the first mouse in space. Unfortunately the rocket disintegrated because the parachute system failed. But what the hell do you care. And so it goes

August 31, 1422 –Henry V of England, one of the great warrior kings of the Middle Ages, died suddenly of dysentery on this date. He was 34 at the time. At the time of his death, Henry had not only consolidated power as the King of England but had also effectively accomplished what generations ofContinue reading “Good hygiene saves lives”

August 31, 1997 –On August 28, 1997, Mrs. Dr. Caligari and I were coming out of the revolving doors at the Ritz Hotel in Paris and a very famous couple were coming in. A few days later on this date, a charming, slightly addled, beautiful divorcee with two children decides to take a car rideContinue reading “Diana Spencer”

August 31, 1976 –George Harrison was found guilty of unintentionally plagiarizing My Sweet Lord from the Chiffons song He’s So Fine. Just in case you didn’t hear it Those damn Beatles could never come up with an original tune. And so it goes

La Tomatina tomato fight in Buñol near Valencia happens every year on the last Wednesday in August though the partying starts earlier in the week. The highlight of the festival is the tomato fight which takes place between 11am and 1pm on that day. Thousands upon thousands of people make their way from all cornersContinue reading “You say tomato, I say Food Fight”

August 31, 1987 –Epic/CBS Records released the Michael Jackson album, Bad on this date. A nearly 18 minute video of the title song, written by novelist and screenwriter Richard Price and directed by Martin Scorsese, debuted on CBS-TV on this same day, as well.