Today is the 64th anniversary of NBC’s “Today” show. Here are some things you may not have known about “Today” and the morning news shows that followed. The show was created by NBC vice president Pat Weaver, who is the father of actress Sigourney Weaver. One of the proposed names for the show was “The Rise and Shine Revue.” It […]
Read moreAs you can probably tell from my voice, I’m a bit under the weather, so there won’t be a show today. You probably don’t want to listen to me sounding like this anymore than I want to be talking. Before I go, let me remind you of this week’s take-home test: What was name of the first film David Bowie […]
Read moreRock icon David Bowie died earlier today at the age of 69, according to his family Here are some facts you may not have known about the musical innovator. Bowie was born David Jones in Brixton, South London on January 8, 1947. His mother worked as a waitress and his father worked for a charity. At the age of nine, […]
Read moreOn this date in 1940, food rationing began in Great Britain during World War II. Here are some things you may not know about rationing. Bacon, butter and sugar were the first foods to be rationed in the UK. This was followed by rations for meat, tea, jam, cereals, cheese, eggs, milk and canned and dried fruit. Fresh fruit and […]
Read moreToday is the 103rd anniversary of the birth of illustrator Charles Addams. Here are some things you may not have known about the creator of “The Addams Family.” Charles Addams was born in Westfield, New Jersey in 1912. Houses in his hometown were said to be the inspiration for the Addams Family mansion. A childhood friend once said, “his sense […]
Read moreOn this date in 1994, American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by a man hired by the husband of her main competitor, Tonya Harding. Here are some things you may not have known about the skaters and the attack. Nancy Kerrigan was born in 1969 in a suburb of Boston. She began skating at the age of six and […]
Read moreOn this date in 1933, construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge. Here are some things you may not have known about the bridge. Ferry service between San Francisco and Marin County started in the 1820s. The Golden Gate Ferry Company, which originated in 1867 went on to become the largest ferry system in the world in the 1920s. The […]
Read moreOn this date in 1903, Topsy, an Asian elephant was euthanized by electrocution at Coney Island, New York. Here are some things you may not have known about the incident. Topsy was brought to the United States and performed in the Forepaugh Circus, where she gained a reputation as a bad elephant after killing a spectator in 1902. The next […]
Read moreToday is New Year’s Day, which is marked in New York City by the ball drop in Times Square. Here are some things you may not have known about the Times Square Ball. The first ball drop was held on New Year’s Eve 1907. It was organized by Adolph Ochs, the owner of the New York Times, as a permanent […]
Read more