1776: Abigail wrote a letter to John Adams

On this day in 1776, Abigail Adams wrote this to her husband John Adams:  

“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.”

It went down in history as the "remember the ladies" letter.

A few years ago, I saw a TV series called "The Adams Chronicles".   It was the story of the Adams from Massachusetts.   A bit later, I saw "The American Experience" or the wonderful story of John & Abigail Adams.

The two documentaries tell us about President and First Lady Abigail Adams, perhaps the greatest couple of the early days of the nation.    

In 2007, the "John Adams" HBO series added more to the wonderful story of our second president and his First Lady.

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1889: The Eiffel Tower opened to the public

The legendary Eiffel Tower of Paris opened to the public on this day in 1889.   It is one of the many landmarks of this great city.    

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March 1969: Remembering "Odessa" by The Bee Gees!

Before "Saturday Night Fever", The Bee Gees recorded wonderful music and had several hits.

Some of us are old enough to remember the original copy of The Bee Gees' Odessa LP.   It had a luxuriant red velour sleeve and an international best seller.

It was a very creative LP with great tunes like "First of May", "Lamplight", "Melody Fair", and a few others.

Odessa was the story of a shipwreck in the North Atlantic years before the latest Titanic release.

It was great and now available in a digital format.

 

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Happy Easter Sunday

(My new American Thinker)

Many years ago, our family came to the U.S. and learned a few things about how Easter was celebrated here.

First, we called it "Holy Week" or "Semana Santa."  It was Holy Monday to Holy Thursday, and then it got really holy on Friday and Saturday.  I remember one time my mother in utter shock that we play baseball on Good Friday.  We grew up listening to religious music and meditating on "Viernes Santo" or Good Friday.  Everything was so solemn as I recall.

Second, we were completely surprised to see women wear all of those hats on Easter Sunday.  Add to that bunnies and chocolates, and we were caught off guard.  We were sitting at church, looking at the spring dresses and hats and wondering where all of that came from.

Over time, I came to love watching all of those pretty girls and ladies wearing those fancy Easter hats.  I was especially fond of the girls from our school wearing their attire.

On Easter Sunday, I am going to dedicate this Perry Como song to all of our faithful lady readers who will make the world great again by being "the grandest lady" on Easter:

In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it,
you'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade!
I'll be all in clover, and when they look you over
I'll be the proudest fella in the Easter Parade!

On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us
and you'll find that you're in the rotogravure.
Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking to the Easter Parade!

Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet
and of the girl I'm taking to the Easter Parade!

Second, let's hope the woke companies keep their hands off this tradition.  In other words, Easter hats for girls, or females, as we have to call them.

Happy Easter Sunday.

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Happy Easter Sunday

This is one biggest days in the Christian calendar, as told by Mark 1:5-7:

"5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 
6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 
7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,just as he told you.' "'

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Happy Easter Sunday

HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY

Mark 16:1-8

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. "

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1867: Alaska and Seward’s Folly

We remember President Andrew Johnson because he succeeded President Lincoln and was impeached and not convicted in 1868. 

 

Yet, he made a decision in 1867 that impacted the 20th century in ways that no one could have imagined.  It may have been as consequential as The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 that doubled the size of the nation.

 

Back in March 1867, Secretary of State Seward signed a treaty with Russia and purchased Alaska for $7 million.  

 

It was actually a huge bargain but that’s not what they thought back then.

 

So they called it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s icebox”.

 

The critics were tough on President Andrew Johnson, too.  They called it his “polar bear garden.”

 

Less than a 100 years later, or 1959, Alaska became a state and nobody is calling the purchase a folly anymore.

 

Can you imagine Soviet missiles pointing at the US from north in Alaska? Or more oil fields in the hands of Putin today?

 

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We remember Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

Vincent van Gogh was born in The Netherlands on this day in 1853.   He died in 1890.

For some time, I've been meaning to watch "Lust for life", a movie about his life.    Kirk Douglas was amazing as Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch painter, and nominated for best actor.  Anthony Quinn was also great.

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The amazing Cy Young was born on this day in 1867

The amazing Cy Young was born on this day in 1867.  

Young won 511 games, completed 749 with a 2.63 ERA.   

One of his better seasons was 1892:  36-12 with a 1.93 ERA, 453 innings pitched and 48 complete games!

Of course, his name is now synonymous with great pitching.   The Cy Young Award is given each year to the best pitcher in the AL and NL.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) .

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We remember Astrud Gilberto. (1940-2022)

Happy birthday Astrud Gilberto.....she was born in Salvador, Brazil.  We remember her version of "The girl from Ipanema".  She died in June 2023.

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We remember Vic Raschi (1919-88)

We remember Victor John Angelo Raschi who was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, on this day in 1919.   He died in 1988.

Vic Raschi, as we remember him, broke with the Yankees in 1946 and joined the rotation in 1948: 19-8, a 3.87 ERA & 18 complete games.

Raschi won 63 over the next 3 seasons, 21 each year. He was part of a great pitching rotation along with Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat.    He was super in 6 World Series:   5-3 and a 2.24 ERA.

In early 1954, Vic was traded to the Cardinals. On April 23, 1954 he gave up Hank Aaron’s first HR.  

Raschi played on the great Yankees teams who won the World Series in 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 & 1953.

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"Sandlot" is a fantastic movie

Want to watch a great movie?   Try "Sandlot", the story about the boys and their sandlot team.

Once upon a time in Los Angeles, there was a sandlot baseball team.   They used to play ball every day, a story that most men my age will understand.

During one of their games, a boy hit the ball over the fence and it landed next to "the beast" or a big dog that scared the heck out of them.

What was the big deal?   The ball was signed by Babe Ruth and they were using it without dad's permission.

Well, I've given you enough of the story.   Watch it because it is fantastic.

You can get the movie here!

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1776: Juan Bautista de Anza and San Francisco

On this day in 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza arrived in what we now call San Francisco.  

It took years to settle the city by the bay.  By 1852, the population had reached 36,000.

Thanks to Sr. De Anza, we got songs like "San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie.....the composer was John Phillips of Mamas & Papas.....

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1942: The Pride of the Yankees, my favorite baseball movie

What a great movie.   

This is the story of Lou Gehrig and I have to watch it every year.   You can catch Babe Ruth playing himself.   

Gehrig died in 1939 at age 36, a couple of months short of his 37th birthday.

His numbers are legendary:  .340 career batting average, 494 HR & 1,995 RBI.   Add to this 2,721 hits in 2,164 games PLUS the 2,130 consecutive game streak.  Lou played in 7 World Series and was the clean up hitter of the 1927 Yankees!

This is a Hollywood version.   However, it depicts Lou correctly.   Lou was a gentleman and a team player.

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1951 "RHUBARB": A cat inherits a fortune plus Ray Milland & Jane Sterling

It must be the start of a new season because those old movies about  baseball are on TV.  

I caught "Rhubarb", the cat who inherited a fortune, including a baseball team.   Frankly, it's hilarious!

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We remember David Janssen (1931-80)

We remember David Janssen who was born in Nebraska on this day in 1931.   He died in 1980.

Janssen played Dr. Richard Kimble on TV's "The fugitive".   It was a series about a man on the run for a murder he didn't commit.    It was a great TV show.

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We remember Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)

Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on this day in 1942.  She died in 2018.

Her father was Baptist preacher Reverend Clarence La Vaughan "C. L." Franklin. 

Her mother was Barbara Siggers Franklin, a gospel singer.

In the spring of 1967, Aretha had her first # 1 with "Respect", an Otis Redding song.   She had many more hits after that.   

In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

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We remember Jack Ruby (1911-1967)

Jack Ruby was born Chicago on this day in 1911 and died of cancer in 1967.  

As far as we know, Ruby never changed his story about killing Lee Harvey Oswald.     Apparently, Ruby did not want Jackie Kennedy to come to a trial.   He took that explanation or story to his grave.

For the record, I believe that Oswald shot President Kennedy on his own.  I came to that conclusion after reading Gerald Posner’s “Case closed” in the 1990’s.   

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We remember Joseph Barbera (1911-2006)

We remember Joe Barbera who died in 2006 and was born on this day in New York in 1911.

I did not know that he was the creator of all of these cartoon characters:   Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo, the Flintstones & the Jetsons.   

What a great and creative life!

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We remember Thomas E. Dewey (1902-61)

We remember Thomas E. Dewey who was born in Owosso, Michigan, on this day in 1902.    He was a distinguished lawyer, prosecutor, and the 47th Governor of New York, 1943-54.   

Dewey was the GOP nominee for president in 1944 and 1948.   

No one expected Dewey to win in 1944 but the popular vote turned out to be a lot of closer than predicted.     FDR won by 3.5 million out of 48 million cast that day but blew out Dewey in the Electoral College:  432-99.

Everyone expected him to win in 1948 or defeat President Truman, who had assumed the presidency after FDR died in April 1945.    In the end, President Truman won and surprised all of the experts.

Mr. Dewey served as Governor of New York until 1954.  He was active in GOP politics until his death in 1961.

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We remember Clyde Barrow (1909-34)

Clyde Barrow was born on this day in 1909 in Texas.    

We remember him as the Clyde of Bonnie & Clyde.  They turned into a deadly couple who robbed banks and killed a lot of policemen.    

In 1967, a movie starring Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway made them famous all over the world.

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"Houdini" with Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh is a good movie

A few days ago, the retro channel showed "Houdini", a 1953 film with Tony Curtis & Janet Leigh.   It is the story of the famous Harry Houdini and based on the 1928 book "Houdini" by Harold Kellock.

I found this movie to be very entertaining.   Curtis & Leigh make a great pair.   

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We remember Harry Houdini (1874-1926)

The great Harry Houdini was born in Budapest, Hungary on this day in 1874.    He died in 1926 or age 52.      

It was an amazing but short life.

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1634: The settlement of Maryland

On this day in 1634, the first colonists arrived at St. Clement’s Island and found the settlement of St. Mary’s.    The territory was named Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of Charles I. 

Today, Maryland is known for its wonderful seafood, the city of Baltimore, Fort McHenry and popular sports teams.

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1958 and Elvis joined the US Army

A generation ago, young men were drafted for military service. The draft ended in the 1970's under President Nixon.

One of those young men drafted was the legendary Elvis. He joined the US Army on this day in 1958.

He could have fought the draft with legal gimmicks and technicalities, starting with the fact that he was already 23!

Nevertheless, he went, did his duty and came back to more success.

Well done Elvis!

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We remember Steve McQueen (1930-1980)

We remember Steve McQueen who was born in Beech Grove, Indiana, on this day in 1930.    

We remember him for many films, such as the World War II P.O.W. film "The Great Escape" (1963), "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1968) and "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965).

McQueen died in 1980.

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Berlin 1949: The USSR lifted the Berlin blockade

The Cold War began shortly after World War II. 

We recall something that happened on this day in 1949 or the day that the USSR lifted the blockade against West Berlin.   

For over a year, the USSR tried to strangle West Berlin by closing all entrances to that city. 

The US and UK broke the blockade with a massive airlift of supplies to keep the citizens fed and warm over the winter. 

The numbers were impressive:   

Over the course of the airlift, 2.34 million tons of food, coal, fuel and other vital supplies were delivered to Berlin’s 2.2 million inhabitants.

More than 277,000 flights involving 300 aircraft took part in the operation, the biggest of its kind. At the height of the airlift planes were taking off and landing at 90-second intervals.

The Soviets ended their blockade on May 12, but the Allies continued the airlift until August 27 in order to build up a sufficient supply of goods.

Some 78 people lost their lives during the airlift — 31 Americans, 39 Britons and eight Germans.

The Berlin airlift was one of President Truman’s finest moments.  He stood up to the USSR and the good guys won. 

Of course, we also remember the story of the “candy bombers“, the pilots who dropped candy to children.

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1954: "Saskatchewan", a movie and a very familiar voice jumps at me

Flipping channels and I came across "Saskatchewan", a 1954 movie about the Canadian frontier.    The big stars were Allan Lad and Shelley Winters.

I was pleasantly surprised when Jay Silverwheels ("Tonto" of The Lone Ranger") was playing Cajou, an Indian from the tribe who had good relations with the white people.

The movie was released in 1954.   I'm not sure if he was already playing "Tonto" in the classic TV series.

By the way, the movie's choreography was fantastic.

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1963: We remember "Please please me", the first LP by The Beatles

We remember this week another anniversary of "Please please me", the first LP released by The Beatles in the UK.     It did not chart in the US although some of the tracks were released in different LP's in 1964.

The album was recorded in one day.   Parlaphone rushed the LP's release to take advantage of "Please please me", the group's first number one in the UK.   

Overall, it was a good debut effort.

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1965: "The Early Beatles" LP released in the US

We remember today another anniversary of "Please please me", the first Beatles' LP in the UK on March 22, 1963.   

Many of the songs on that LP were later released in the US as "The early Beatles" on this day in 1965.

The song list included "Love me do", the group's first UK 45 and "Please please me", the first million seller & # 1 in the English charts.

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We remember Tommy Davis (1939-2022)

We remember Tommy Davis who was born in Brooklyn, NY, on this day in 1939.  He died April 2022.

Davis broke with the LA Dodgers in 1959 and became a regular in 1961.  He won back-to-back batting titles in 1962-63 and seemed headed for The Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, Davis had some bad injuries and never regained his early form.   

In 1973, Davis joined the Orioles and became one of the first veterans to get playing time as a designated hitter.   He hit .291 over 4 seasons with Baltimore and played in a couple of ALCS. 

Tommy was a great hitter despite all of the injuries that limited his career:  .294 average, 2,121 hits and 1,052 RBI in 1,999 games.     

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We remember Hank Izquierdo (1931-2015)

Growing up in Wisconsin, our family was very passionate about the Minnesota Twins.  Their roster included Cuban All Star players like Camilo Pascual, Tony Oliva & Zoilo Versalles.  And Hank Izquierdo, the “other cubano” in that 1967 Twins team eliminated on the last day of the season.   

He was born Enrique Roberto Valdes Izquierdo in Matanzas, Cuba. Hank bounced around professional baseball and finally got to the majors as a backup catcher in 1967:    .269 in 16 games.   

Hank never played in the majors again and died in 2015.  

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We remember Vera Lynn (1917-2020)

We remember Vera Lynn born in 1917 and died in 2020.   

She was known as "The sweetheart of soldiers" because of her songs during World War II.

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A wonderful book about Cuban-Americans

We spoke a few years ago with Amarilys Gacio-Rassler, the author of "Cuban American Dancing on the hyphen".

 Amarilys was born in Cuba and came to the US under Operation Pedro Pan.  She was one the 14,000 unaccompanied children to the US in the early 1960s.

This is a great read, from humorous posts to wonderful memories of "Abuelo" and "Tio Manuel".

We would strongly recommend this one for your Cuban-American library.    Get your copy.

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