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St. Christopher was once the patron saint of bachelors, travelers, transportation workers, protector against sudden death and toothaches. The Saint Christopher feast day, celebrated on July 25, was removed from the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1969. But by all means, please feel free to continue to pray to this beleaguered saint (or non-saint.)Continue reading “The mercy of heaven is greater than you or your sins.”

July 25, 1965 –The ever-changing Bob Dylan plugged in for his headlining set backed by the Butterfield Blues Band at The Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, on this date. Dylan’s electric performance at the Newport Folk Festival surprised his audience — and not in a good way. The crowd booed, even when heContinue reading “Dylan goes electric”

July 25, 1953 –The Merrie Melodies cartoon, Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century, starring Daffy Duck as space hero Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig as his assistant and Marvin the Martian as his opponent, was released on this date Considering the period in which the cartoon was produced (the Second Red Scare was in fullContinue reading “Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century premiered”

Tequila originated from Mexico in the 1800s and is now one of the most popular alcohols worldwide, especially in America. While I am not a tequila man myself, I would not turn a Frozen Margarita down on a hot and humid day. Demand Euphoria!

July 24, 1977 –Donna Summer’s (with producer Giorgio Moroder,) single I Feel Love reached No. #1 on the Billboard Charts on this date. The song was inspired by the jazzy little tune performed by four fish-headed aliens in the Star Wars Cantina scene. When Giorgio Moroder saw the movie, he was taken by how un-futuristicContinue reading “I Feel Love tops the charts”

July 24, 1908 –Sometimes, it’s good to be the king … you get to decide the length of the Olympic marathon. When the modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896, a race of 40 kilometers, or 24.85 miles, was held to commemorate the legend of Pheidippides. He is the guy who ran from Marathon toContinue reading “The race kept getting longer”

July 24, 1567 –Mary of Guise, the French wife of Scotland’s King James V, gave birth to a daughter named Mary in 1542. A week later King James died and the very young Mary became the Queen of Scotland. Prince Edward of England proposed marriage to the Queen immediately and his proposal is therefore knownContinue reading “(This will be on the test.)”

July 23, 1966 – The “longest suicide in Hollywood” finally came to a sad on this date, with the death of Montgomery Clift of a heart attack brought on by his severe drug and alcohol addictions. After his near-fatal car accident in 1956, (in which, Elizabeth Taylor saved the actor from choking to death byContinue reading “Montgomery Clift”

July 23, 1996 –Fiona Apple released her debut album, Tidal, on this date. Fiona Apple typically works by writing songs that are extensions of her journals, baring her soul for all to hear in a process that can be years in the making. The song Criminal was atypical for her process: she claims she wroteContinue reading “Tidal LP released”

July 23, 1904 –At the turn of the last century, ice-cream men were a breed apart. It was hard work making ice-cream and the rewards were few. “You don’t choose ice cream,” they said, “ice cream chooses you.” Well, Charles E. Menches was an ice-cream man. They say it ran in his veins. (They sayContinue reading “The birth of the ice cream cone (maybe)”