Category Archives: Uncategorized

September 9, 1890 –131 years ago today a little boy named Harland was born in Kentucky. When Harland was six, his father died and his mother was forced to go to work. Little Harland did most of the cooking for his younger siblings. By the age of seven he was a master of the localContinue reading “Stop licking your fingers. It’s disgusting.”

September 9, 1992 –During a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, Nirvana played Lithium, ending in a grand finale where bassist Krist Novoselic tosses his instrument high into the air. When he tries to catch it, he misses, and the bass whacks him in the head. Nirvana wanted to play Rape Me at theContinue reading “I’m not gonna crack”

September 9, 1975 –The sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, starring Gabe Kaplan, debuted on ABC-TV on this date. The original title of the series was to be simply Kotter, but that was before composer John Sebastian had difficulty writing the theme song lyrics. He couldn’t find enough rhyming words for the title. Giving up on thatContinue reading “Welcome Back Kotter”

The time in China follows a single standard time, even though China spans almost five geographical time zones. Because of a legacy of Mao Tse-tung and the Communist Party’s desire for unified control, China, almost as wide as the continental United States, has officially only one time zone — Beijing time. But wait, there’s moreContinue reading “Does anybody really know what time it is (part 2)”

September 8, 1504 –Michelangelo’s David, was unveiled in Florence on this date. If you were staring too hard, you’ll notice that Dave has got a turtleneck. The apparently uncircumcised form would be at odds with Judaic practice, but would be consistent with the conventions of Renaissance art. Now put your eyes back in your head.Continue reading “Nice turtleneck you got on your statue there”

September 8, 1966 – That Girl starring Marlo Thomas premiered on ABC-TV on this date. The train in the opening sequence of the series was shot at Secaucus Junction, in Secaucus, NJ. It was filmed out of the back of the train as it headed northwest, then the film was reversed, making it appear toContinue reading “That Girl”

September 8, 1994 –At the MTV Video Music Awards, Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (MCA), in character as “Nathanial Hornblower,” rushes the stage when R.E.M.’s Everybody Hurts beats Sabotage for Best Direction. It’s the first such intrusion at the VMAs. Frequent Beastie Boys collaborator Nathaniel Hörnblowér has an impressive resume. He directed classic Beasties videos (includingContinue reading “Oh you rapscallions”

September 8, 1986 –The first nationally syndicated episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, went on the air on this date. The topic for the premiere show was “How to Marry the Man or Woman of Your Choice”. Oprah Winfrey used the show as an educational platform, featuring book clubs, interviews, self-improvement segments, and philanthropic foraysContinue reading “The Oprah Winfrey Show”

September 8, 1892 –I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The Pledge, which was written by Baptist minister Francis Bellamy, was published on this day in The Youth’s Companion children’s magazine. (Rev. Bellamy did not include the words “Under God“;Continue reading “Please rise, while reading this”

September 7, 1967 –The Flying Nun, starring Sally Field as a nun who finds that she can fly, debuted on ABC-TV on this date. Sally Field has admitted that she is embarrassed by her work in this series. She didn’t want the role, but her stepfather, Jock Mahoney, convinced her to accept it for jobContinue reading “The Flying Nun”