Interrogatories
If you're an old movie fan, which movie studio's output (MGM, Warner, Paramount, RKO, etc.) your favorite?
Who was your favorite comedy team or troupe?
Are you obedient of the speed limit, even when traveling long distances? How many speeding tickets have you received?
What football teams are you rooting for today?
The Twitter Emitter
On This Day
In 1814 , the Times in London began using a high speed automatic, steam powered printing press making it possible to finally provide enough newspapers to reach a mass audience.
In 1907, Louis B. Mayer, a former scrap-metal dealer, opened a movie theater in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the first of many. As you all know, he wound up being the final ‘M’ in ‘MGM.’
In 1909, Sergei Rachmaninoff gave the first performance of his famed Piano Concerto No. 3, said to be one of the most difficult and challenging piano concertos to perform in all of classical music.
In 1925, a show called WSM Barn Dance began broadcasting in Nashville, Tennessee. It later became known as The Grand Ole Opry.
In 1995, heeding the words of rocker Sammy Hagar, President Bill Clinton signed a bill ending the federal 55 mph speed limit.
Born on This Day
1757 – William Blake, British poet (d. 1827)
1784 - Giuseppe Bezzuoli, Italian painter (d. 1855)
1851 - Hugo Darnaut, Austrian painter (d. 1937)
1853 – Helen Magill White, first American woman to earn a PhD (d. 1944)
1862 - Théodore van Rysselberghe, Belgian painter (d. 1926)
1862 - Albert Gabriel Rigolot, French landscape painter (d. 1932)
1895 – José Iturbi, Spanish pianist (d. 1980)
1904 – Nancy Mitford, English writer (d. 1973)
1915 – Evald Okas, Estonian painter (d. 2011)
1923 – Gloria Grahame, American actress (d. 1981) See Tipple Jar
1929 – Berry Gordy Jr., American record company owner
1931 – Tomi Ungerer, French graphic artist
1932 – Gato Barbieri, Argentinian saxophonist
1933 – Hope Lange, American actress (d. 2003)
1936 – Gary Hart, American politician who, as a Dem, lost out due to a sex scandal.
1943 – Randy Newman, American composer
1944 – Rita Mae Brown, American writer
1948 – Beeb Birtles, Dutch-Australian musician (Little River Band)
1948 – Dick Morris, American political figure, author. The key word here is “Dick.”
1950 – Ed Harris, American actor
1952 – S. Epatha Merkerson, American actress
1962 – Jon Stewart, American comedian
1962 – Matt Cameron, American drummer (Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog)
1966 – Sam Seder, American political pundit
1968 – Dawn Robinson, American singer (En Vogue)
Died on This Day
1652 - Bartholomeus van Bassen, Dutch Baroque painter and architect (b. 1590)
1870 – Frédéric Bazille, French painter (b. 1841)
1877 - François Diday, Swiss painter and engraver (b. 1802)
1886 - Joseph Urbain Mélin, French animal painter (b. 1814)
1889 - John Gadsby Chapman, U.S. painter and illustrator (b. 1808)
1907 - Stanislaw Wyspianski, Polish painter (b. 1869)
1963 – Karyn Kupcinet, American actress and conspiracy theory figure. (b. 1941)
1968 – Enid Blyton, British children's author (b. 1897)
1976 – Rosalind Russell, American actress (b. 1907)
1992 – Sidney Nolan, Australian painter (b. 1917)
1993 – Jerry Edmonton, Canadian drummer (Steppenwolf) (b. 1946)
2000 – Liane Haid, Austrian actress (b. 1895)
2002 – Dave "Snaker" Ray, American blues musician (b. 1943)
2010 – Leslie Nielsen, Canadian-born American actor (b. 1926)
Today is
Make Your Own Head Day
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National French Toast Day
Chanukah or Hanukah
National Day of Mourning
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Turkey-free Thanksgiving