Tuesday, April 7, 2009

On this day in 1853, chloroform was used as an anesthetic on Queen Victoria, during the birth of her eighth child, Prince Leopold… It was suggested that during her last days in Windsor Castle, Fergie used it just to have tea with Queen Elizabeth.

On this day in 1963, Yugoslavia’s new constitution established Josip Tito as president for life… To anxious American Democrats, George W’s term just seemed that long.

On this day in 1787, a 17-year-old Beethoven impressed Mozart with his piano playing… Jerry Lee Lewis’s playing would have probably frightened him.

Monday, April 6, 2009

On this day in 1874, escape artist Harry Houdini escaped… From his mother’s womb.

On this day in 1909, Robert Edwin Peary reached the North Pole by dogsled… The main difference between dogsled and snowmobile is that when you drive past a cat, it’s much easier to steer a snowmobile.

On this day in 1937, Merle Haggard was born… They say he was a forerunner to Brooks & Dunn, except in Merle’s jeans, you couldn’t see a pulse.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

On this day in 1725, the famous Italian lover Giovanni Casanova was born… He was sort of an eighteenth century Warren Beatty… Apparently, Shirley MacLaine claims to be his brother, too.

On this day in 1937, Colin Powell was born… He’ll probably celebrate today relaxing by watering his ferns… In his Navy SEAL wetsuit, with a super soaker.

On this day in 1960, Ben Hur won 10 Oscars. Movies were different then… At that time, the director had to fight to be able to film even the horses naked.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

On this day in 1963, The Beatles had all of the top 5 singles: Can’t Buy Me Love, Twist and Shout, She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, and Please Please Me… Coincidentally, all of those phrases have been used in text memos from Madonna to her pool boy.

On this day in 1877, a pianist in Philadelphia performed for an audience in New York, over the telephone… That was probably the very 1st “on hold” music.

On this day in 1975, rocker Steve Miller was arrested for burning his girlfriend’s clothes… Some guys will do anything to get out of doing laundry.

Friday, April 3, 2009

On this day in 1860, the Pony Express began. To put it into perspective for computer geeks… It was even slower than email on dial-up.

On this day in 1924, actor Marlon Brando was born… Strangely, one of his last onscreen kisses was with Larry King.

On this day in 1961, Eddie Murphy was born. In The Nutty Professor, he played someone who could radically change weight quickly… At the time they said the film was loosely based on Oprah.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

On this day in 1834, Frederic Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty was born… They say the statue’s nose took fewer man-hours to shape than Michael Jackson’s.

On this day in 1512, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida while searching for the fountain of youth… Many people still go there searching for the fountain of youth, but settle for the $2.95 breakfast.

On this day in 1908, Buddy Ebsen was born. He played Jed Clampit on The Beverly Hillbillies, a back-woods millionaire with more money than smarts… Some would say a taller Ross Perot.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

This day in 1865 marked the last major battle of The Civil War, called Battle of Five Forks… Not to be confused with the time Ken Starr accidentally reached for President Clinton’s pastry silverware.

On this day in 1876, Boston beat Philadelphia 6-5 in the 1st National League baseball game… Back then you could take a couple kids to a ballpark without a co-signer.

On this day in 1960, the US launched the 1st weather satellite Tiros 1, which transmitted 22,952 pictures of cloud cover… Making most people feel better about their vacation pictures that didn’t turn out.