We remember Michael Collins (1930-2021)

We remember Michael Collins who was born on this day in 1930 and died April 2021.  He was a part of the Apollo 11 mission along with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

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We remember Dave McNally (1942-2002)

   

Dave McNally was one of my favorite Orioles.    He was born on this day in 1942 and passed away in 2002.

McNally broke with Baltimore in 1962 and won 184 games.   Along the way, Dave pitched in 4 World Series, 2 LCS and won 87 games over 1968-71.

Just a great lefty who kept you in every game.    

McNally won game 4 of the 1966 World Series with a 1-0 shutout of the LA Dodgers.    He hit a grand slam in game 4 of the 1970 World Series against Cincinnati.

He was 7-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 9 post seasons series with Baltimore.     

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Happy Halloween!

Our boys have grown up and left home.....so we've been out of the "trick or treat" business for a few years.   However, we still enjoy all of those kids coming to our door looking for candy.

Happy Halloween. Enjoy your day!

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Halloween costumes with Leslie Eastman & Daisy Viktoria

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Guests:  Leslie Eastman, editor of Temple of Mut and contributor to Legal Insurrection PLUS Daisy Viktoria...............

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Click to listen:

October 30, 1938: Orson Wells and "The War of the worlds" radio show.

Years ago, Sunday night was radio prime time.  

Enter Orson Wells.    

On Sunday, October 30, 1038 at 8 p.m, a voice announced: 

“The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations present Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the air in ‘War of the Worlds’ by H.G. Wells.”

The broadcast was so good that people were in panic from coast to coast.  In other words, many really believed that we were being invaded by aliens.

Let me recommend that you check out the whole show.   It is one of the finest audio programs ever made.  

I can understand why so many people bought into the Martian attack.   Fantastic!    

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We remember John Adams (1735-1826)

We remember John Adams, who was born on this day in 1835.

This is what John Adams wrote to Abigail about July 4th:

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.

It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.

It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

The HBO series is great.   Check it out.

It is a great story about the making of the US.   It is also a great story about a wonderful couple, John and Abigail Adams.

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We remember Agustin Lara (1897-1970)

Like so many of you, I grew up listening to Eydie Gorme & Los Panchos singing many of Agustin Lara’s songs.   

One of those tunes was “Noche de ronda” and those great lyrics: “Luna que se quiebra sobre la tiniebla de mi soledad adonde vas….”

I can still recall my grandmother rocking on her favorite chair and humming one of Lara’s songs. (She once told me that Lara was from Veracruz and then showed me the location on the map!)

We remember that Agustin Lara was born on this day in 1897. I can’t confirm whether he was born in 1897 or 1900…..or October 1st or 30th!  I have seen both dates in my research!  So let’s go with October 30th.. He know that he died in 1970.

Lara was, and continues to be, my favorite Mexican composer.   I’m not an expert on Mexican music.   Yet, I can’t think of any other Mexican who comes close to writing words & music like Lara.

We remember Lara with two of my favorite compositions: “Solamente una vez“, “Farolito” and the wonderful “Noche de Ronda“. 

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We remember Denny Laine (Moody Blues and Wings)

We remember Denny Laine who was born on this day in 1944 and died in 2023.

Denny started out with The Moody Blues.  Later, he joined Wings, the Paul McCartney group of the 1970's.

My favorite of his songs is "Go now", the first big hit in the US by The Moody Blues.........

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"We've already said ‘Goodbye’.

Since you've got to go

Oh you had better go now.

Go now. Go now. Go now

Before you see me cry.

I don't want you to tell me

Just what you intend to do now.

'Cause how many times do I have to tell you

Darling, darling,

I'm still in love With you now? 

We've already said ‘So long’

I don't want to see you go.

Oh you had better go now.

Go now. Go now. Go now

Don't you even try telling me

That you don't want me to end this way

'Cause, darling, darling,

Can't you see I want you to stay? 

We've already said ‘Goodbye’.

Since you've got to go

Oh you had better go now. 

Go now. Go now. Go now

Before you see me cry.

I don't want you to tell me

Just what you intend to do now.

'Cause how many times do I have to tell you

Darling, darling,

I'm still in love,

Still in love,

With you now? I don't want to see you go

But, darling,

You'd better go now."

1886: Another anniversary of The Statue of Liberty

We remember another anniversary of The Statue of Liberty.   

Lady Liberty, as we affectionately call her, was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on this day in 1886.  It is one of the country's great landmarks.     

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We remember The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis with Barry Jacobsen

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:

National security stories of the week with Barry Jacobsen 10/22 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics Podcasts:

Guest: Barry Jacobsen, military historian and blogger, joins us for a look at the national security stories of the week..........the Benghazi hearings expose some of Secretary Clinton's management style.......the Russian military operations in the Middle East............the US rescues Iraqi soldiers from a POW camp..........we look back at the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.........the US and USSR over Cuba............and other stories from the week.....

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We remember President Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919)

Future President Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York on this day in 1858.

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest man who ever became president.   He assumed the presidency at 42 after President McKinley was assassinated.   (Kennedy was the youngest elected at 43 in 1960)

In 1906, President Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering a peace treaty between Russia and Japan.   Mr. Roosevelt became the first American ever to win a Nobel Prize in any category.

Overall, a very dynamic president who left his mark in many areas.

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1970: "Jesus Christ Superstar" on Broadway

It took me a while to accept the idea of a show named "Jesus Christ Superstar" but I eventually did.   

The composers were Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.   The show was very successful on Broadway.  Later, they made it into a movie.

The soundtrack was very popular but I don't remember any songs other than "I don't know how to love him" by Yvonne Elliman.     It was also recorded later by Helen Reddy.

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1881: The real shootout at the OK Corral happened this day

On this day in 1881, the Earp brothers faced off against the Clanton-McLaury gang in a legendary shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.   We've seen the shootout in movies over the years, such as "Frontier Marshal" (1939), "Gunfight at the OK Corral" (1957), "Tombstone" (1993) and "Wyatt Earp" (1994).

The story has been featured in several books and the 1957 movie with Burt Lancaster is the best.

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We remember The Shah of Iran (1919-80)

We remember that Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the future Shah of Iran, was born on this day in 1919.

Back in January 1979, The Shah of Iran and family fled Iran.  He had ruled Iran since 1941.   Under The Shah, Iran was a strong ally of the US, specially during The Cold War.

On a democratic scale, the Shah was not Jefferson or Washington.   At the same time, Iran was stable, women were allowed to pursue university degrees and we didn't have to worry about him passing nuclear material to terrorists.

Give me the Shah.   He was not perfect but he was a lot better than what we've known since.   

Moral of the story:   Stability matters, specially when anti-West religious fanatics come into power looking to get a nuclear weapon.

For more on the Shah, see this book below. 

 

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October 25, 1764: Remembering the day that John Adams married Abigail Smith

We enjoy posting about The Founding Fathers.  Today, we remember John Adams and his wife Abigail.  He was our first VP and second president (1797-1801).  She was our second First Lady and the mother of our 7th president, John Quincy Adams.

 

On October 25, 1764 John and Abigail were married.   They also wrote awesome letters about marriage, their children and views on so many issues dividing the colonies.  The letters are a great window into the Adams' lives, feelings and thoughts during those difficult days of The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the new government.

 

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We remember Bobby Thomson (1923-2010)

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Bobby Thomson was born in Scotland on this day in 1923.   

A few years ago, Bill Katz of URGENT AGENDA alerted me to the passing of Bobby Thomson.    

Thomson was a very good player:   264 HR and one of the NL's best power hitters of the early 1950s! (averaged 102 RBI over a five-year stretch with the Giants from 1949-53)

However, he will always be remembered for hitting the greatest home run in baseball history:  A 1951 NL pennant clinching home run by a Giants team that was 14 games out of first place Brooklyn in June!  And the greatest radio baseball call ever!

Rest in peace Bobby Thomson! You gave us one of the greatest baseball moment ever!

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1969: "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" debut in the US

On this day in 1969, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as a team of bank robbers in the Old West, opened in theaters around the United States.

It was a great movie and huge commercial success.    My favorite scene is Paul Newman and Katharine Ross on the bicycle with B J Thomas singing in the background.

The story was based on the lives of the two outlaws down in Bolivia...

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Remembering Ellie Greenwich (1940-2009)

As we wrote a few years ago, Ellie Greenwich died in 2006.   She was born in Brooklyn on this day in 1940.

Along with her husband Jeff Barry, they wrote a bunch of pop songs in the 1960's, such as "Be my baby" and "Chapel of love".  Ellen Greenwich was a big part of the "girl groups" era of pop-rock music. Her songs were generally about girls singing of love and that man of their dreams! (Again, great songs that still sound great!)

She was inducted in The Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1991.

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October 22, 1962: President Kennedy spoke about missiles in Cuba

It all started when the USSR challenged the US by placing missiles in Cuba, or in this part of the world.   

For days, the world waited for a resolution.  We were down in Cuba at the time and my parents recall just how tense every minute was.    

There are many books about The Cuban Missile Crisis.    The Robert F Kennedy book takes a personal look at the crisis.   The Michael Dobbs is more detailed.  

Nevertheless, the world came very close to a nuclear war in October 1962.

 

We remember the Cuban Missile Crisis with Frank Burke......Click to listen.

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We remember Annette Funicello (1942-2013)

We remember Annette Funicello.  She was born in Uttica, NY on this day in 1942 and died in 2013.

Annette was the cute girl next door who went from The Mickey Mouse Club to all of those sweet movies with Frankie Avalon.  Honestly, the movies were pretty good and you can catch them on retro TV.

I guess that life was less complicated back then.

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October 1962: A few thoughts about the Cuban Missile Crisis

It was 1962 but still a big part of my past.  In other words, it was the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis that consolidated the Castro regime and led to our departure of Cuba.

It all started when the USSR challenged the US by placing missiles in Cuba, or in this part of the world.   

For days, the world waited for a resolution.  We were down in Cuba at the time and my parents recall just how tense every minute was.      

Nevertheless, the world came very close to a nuclear war in October 1962.

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We remember Whitey Ford (1928-2020)

We remember Whitey Ford who was born in Astoria, New York, in 1928 and died in 2020.    He was known as "The Chairman of the Board" when he pitched for the mighty Yankees, 1950-67.

Ford pitched in 11 World Series for New York:  10-8 & 2.71 ERA.   Overall, he was 236-106 with an amazing career ERA of 2.75!

Ford was selected to The Hall of Fame in 1974.   He was the ace of some of the greatest Yankee teams ever.   His teammates included Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Roger Maris and others.

And a great gentleman as well.

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The Battle of Trafalgar (1805)

We remember The Battle of Trafalgar that took place this day in 1805.   Victory ensured that Napoleon would never invade Great Britain. Admiral Nelson, who was killed, was hailed as the savior of his nation and given a magnificent funeral in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

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We remember Celia Cruz (1925-2003)

We remember Celia Cruz....with Fernando Hernandez, author......she was born in Havana on this day in 1925........

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We remember Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993)

We remember today one of the giants of US jazz.

Dizzy Gillespie was born on this day in 1917.  He died in 1993.

He left us a tremendous legacy of music and recordings for future generations to enjoy.   

Dizzy Gillespie also pioneered the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz music in the 1940's.

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We remember Mickey Mantle (1931-1995)

We remember Mickey Mantle who was born in Oklahoma on this day in 1931.  His Hall of Fame page tells the story.

Mickey Mantle's funeral took place in Dallas, Texas back in August 1995.    It reminded me of those days when we all loved Mick and his baseball exploits.

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We remember Tom Petty (1950-2017)

We remember Tom Petty who was born in Florida on this day in 1950.   He passed away in 2017 or a couple of days before he turned 67. 

Petty's guitar was the common denominator in all of his songs. And you can still hear his music all over the radio.

It's hard to pick a favorite but "The waiting" from 1981 is great.

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We remember Ossie Álvarez (1932-2008)

We remember Ossie Alvarez who was born in Matanzas on this day in 1932.

Ossie was a promising middle infielder primarily known for his speed and defensive skills.  He was in the Washington Senators’ farm system and led the minors twice in stolen bases.

In 1958, Ossie played the whole season in the majors hitting .269 in 88 games.  He was traded a couple of times in the off season and played only 8 games for Detroit in 1959.   Alvarez spent the rest of his career in the minors and later the Mexican League.

Alvarez died in 2008.   He worked as a Pirates’ scout after leaving baseball.

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October 1961: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" made its debut on TV

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" made its debut this month in 1961.    It was around for a few seasons (1961-66)  and very active in reruns.    The show was about a TV comedy writer, his beautiful wife Laura and co-workers Morey & Rosemarie.    

What great show and it makes me laugh every time.

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We remember the great Chuck Berry (1926-2017)

Many of us learned of Chuck Berry when we heard The Beatles, Rolling Stones or other British bands record covers of his songs.  

I remember asking the question:  Who is that fellow Berry who wrote “Rock and roll music” or “Carol” or “Reeling and rocking”.

In 1972, I saw Chuck Berry in concert and I became a huge fan.

We remember Chuck Berry who was born in St. Louis on this day in 1926 .    He died in 2017. 

Elvis put rock on the radio but Chuck Berry invented the rock guitar and wrote the songs that every garage band played.    He was awesome and his songs belong in every rock collection.

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We remember Barbara Billingsley (1915-2010)

Like many of you, I grew up watching “Leave it to Beaver”.   I still love the reruns and watch them whenever I have the time.

Barbara Billingsley, the lady who played Mrs Cleaver or “Beaver’s mom”, was born on this day in 1915 and died after a long illness in October 2010.

Who didn’t love Mrs Cleaver?  She reminded me of my mom and every other mom that I came in touch with during those “growing up” years.

Thanks for all of those wonderful shows that generations will love forever!

Go watch an episode.

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1469: Ferdinand married Isabella

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On this day in 1469, 20-year-old Ferdinand of Aragon married 18-year old Isabella of Castile.  On the surface, it sounds like another wedding between a couple of young royals.  In reality, it turned out to be one of the most consequential marriages in world history.

First, it united all of the dominions of Spain into what would become the world's foremost military power.

Years later, they sponsored Columbus's trip, and the rest is the good history we used to learn in school before the P.C. crowd decided to spoil our celebrations of Columbus Day.  The trips convinced the royal couple to encourage colonial activity in the New World, leading to a period of great prosperity and imperial supremacy for Spain. 

In 1492 — or, incredibly, the same year that Columbus departed on his trip, they ordered all Spanish Jews to convert to Christianity or face expulsion from Spain.  The Muslims were also driven out of Spain during their very consequential reign.

They were what we would call today a power couple, as Kathy Copeland Padden wrote:

They had an incredibly modern relationship in many ways, with Isabella on an equal par with her husband.  They enjoyed a profound love and mutual respect in their relationship, tirelessly working together to achieve their aims.

In Ferdinand and Isabella's estimation, their crowning achievement wasn't expanding their empire to include the New World, or uniting the various dominions that would become modern Spain.  They believed their greatest accomplishment was driving out all Muslims from their country.

They both died young:  Ferdinand died in 1516 and Isabella in 1504.