We remember Roberto Clemente (1934-72)

Roberto Clemente was killed in a plane crash many years ago:

"On December 31, 1972, an airplane chartered by the professional baseball player Roberto Clemente to bring food and other relief supplies to survivors of a recent earthquake in Nicaragua crashes shortly after takeoff from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Five people were killed in the crash, including Clemente, whose body was never recovered."

Like most of you, I was shocked to hear the news.       

Clemente hit .317 and got # 3,000 on his last at-bat of the 1972 season.   He was the MVP of the 1971 World Series and hit .318 in the postseason.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1972: President Harry Truman died in Missouri

We remember that Pres Truman died on this day in 1972.  He was the 33rd president of the US and one of the most consequential figures of the 20th century.

VP Harry Truman became president when President Roosevelt died in April 1945.  As President, he faced some huge challenges in Europe and Japan, such as dropping two atomic bombs in Japan.  It was a tough decision but it ended the war.

President Truman was elected on his own in 1948 but his second term was very tough, from economic problems to the war in Korea.  As a consequence, he left the presidency with very low approval ratings and was succeeded by the very popular President Eisenhower.

Today, we think of President Truman as a decisive and strong president.  His legacy gets stronger and stronger with time.  He made decisions and that was his greatest asset.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

"Mary had a baby" by Mary Hopkin........

Mary Hopkin was 18 years old when she recorded "Those were the days"!

It was one of the biggest hits in pop music history.

She has a beautiful voice and recorded many songs many Christmases ago!

Here is "Mary had a baby":

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"Virgin Mary had a little baby

Oh, Glory Hallelujah

Oh Pretty little baby

Glory be to the newborn king

what will you name that pretty little baby

Oh, Glory Hallelujah

Oh pretty little baby

Glory be to the newborn king

some call him David

Think I'll call him Jesus

Oh Glory Hallelujah’

Oh Think I’ll call him Jesus

Glory to the newborn king

Some call him Jesus

Think I’ll call him Savior

Oh Glory Hallelujah’

Oh Think we’ll call him Savior

Glory be to the newborn King

My name is Mary

and I’m going to have a baby

Oh Glory Hallelujah

Jesus save my little baby

From a life of suffering"

MERRY CHRISTMAS.....FELIZ NAVIDAD....HAVE A NICE DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY

MERRY CHRISTMAS.....FELIZ NAVIDAD.... 

HAVE A NICE DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY.......

 Guest:  Frank Burke, author, businessman and contributor to American Thinker......we will look back at our Christmas experiences........is Christmas too commercial?   wasn't Christmas declared a federal holiday........plus Frank's annual message.......plus a few other stories..........

 

We remember Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

We used to read her poetry in school.      Emily Dickinson was born on this day years ago in Amherst, Massachusetts.  She wrote 1775 poems but only 7 were published in her lifetime.

One of my English teachers loved her work and would give us a full share of her poetry to read.    Glad that she did!

  P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

December 10, 1898: The Treaty of Paris

We remember today The Treaty of Paris signed in 1898.    It concluded the short Spanish American War of the same year.

The Spanish Empire came to an end: Puerto Rico and Guam were lost, the Philippines Islands were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a US protectorate until independence in 1902.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1956: We can not forget what happened in Hungary many years ago

The Cold War is over. The USSR is the answer to a trivia question.  We call them Russia now.

Nevertheless, an amazing thing happened in Hungary this week in 1956. It started with simple protests and then students, workers, and even some soldiers demanded more freedom.

The Soviet tanks eventually crushed the rebellion and the dream was not realized until 1989.

However, we can never forget what the brave citizens of Hungary did this week in 1956. They stood up to communism and we can not forget their bravery.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Jesse James 1847-1882

We remember Jesse James who was born on this day in 1847.

Jesse and his brother robbed banks and trains.     They stole over $200,000 and killed a lot of innocent people. 

I saw in a documentary that Jesse James robbed banks and trains because he never accepted the South’s defeat in The Civil War.     

James became a folk hero after his death. 

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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"Cuba" & Trio Matamoros!

Trio Matamoros was formed in the 1920's by the legendary Miguel Matamoros, a great Cuban singer and composer. (His partners were Rafael Cueto and Siro Rodríguez)

Over their career, they recorded many songs.   They are one of my favorite Cuban groups.

This is "Son de la loma", a wonderful tune to remember their wonderful contribution to Cuban music.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

2013: Let's meet Nilda Cepero, Cuban American author & poet..

2013: Let's meet Nilda Cepero, Cuban American author & poet...click to listen... https://t.co/BSrvyGx7nh

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 7, 2017

 P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Remembering Rick Huxley of The Dave Clark 5

We remember Rick Huxley who was born in the UK on this day in 1940. He died in 2013 at age 72. 

Looking back, The Dave Clark Fiive were one of the biggest rock groups of what was called "The British invasion".

I was a big fan and loved their sound.     

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We love the movie: "The Pride of the Yankees"!

It’s July 4 and we recall another anniversary of Lou Gehrig's 1939 farewell speech.

We also love watching "Pride of the Yankees", the greatest baseball movie ever. (Maybe "Field of Dreams" is second!)

We love baseball history.  We love Lou Gehrig's life, and specially the courageous way that he fought adversity.

P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty and mothers

Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty of Hungary is one of the great heroes of the 20th century. His life was amazing, from standing up to Hitler and then the communists.

We recall today the Cardinal's poem:

"MOTHER The Most Important Person on earth is a mother.

She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not.

She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral-a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body. . . The angels have not been blessed with such a grace.

They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven.

Only a human mother can.

Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation. .. What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

Celebrate Mother's Day every day of the year.

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember President Truman (1884-1972)

We remember President Harry S. Truman who was born in Lamar, MO, on this day in 1884.   

Truman assumed the presidency following the death of President Franklin Roosevelt in April 1945.    Truman made the decision to drop two atomic bombs against Japan.  He helped rebuild postwar Europe, worked to contain communism and led the United States into the Korean War (1950-1953). 

Truman left the presidency with very low ratings.   However, he has risen over time and most see him today as a very consequential president.

President Truman died in 1972.    

A few years ago, David McCullough wrote a wonderful book about President Truman.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

“55 days at Peking” is a great movie!

Once in a while, we have a little free time to catch an old movie.    Not long ago, they were showing “55 days at Peking”.   This is a story based in China during The Boxer Rebellion.   The cast is rather good:

Charlton Heston as Maj. Matt Lewis;  

Ava Gardner as Baroness Natalie Ivanoff; and,  

David Niven as Sir Arthur Robertson.

Again, it is rather good.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

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We remember David Jannsen (1931-80)...."The Fugitive".

We remember David Jannsen (1931-80)...."The Fugitive"......

 P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1972: "The Godfather" and still a great movie!

We take a minute and say happy birthday to The Godfather.  It opened on this day in 1972 and took the country by storm.

In my opinion, Gone with the Wind (1939), Casablanca (1941), and The Godfather from 1972 are the three greatest American movies ever.

Some of you will agree or disagree or select different movies.  However, it’s hard to argue that The Godfather took violence, revenge, and even brotherly love to a new level.

Furthermore, The Godfather is just as good today as it was many years ago.  My sons were born in the late 1980s, and they enjoy the movie as much as I do.  (This is also true of Casablanca and Gone with the Wind.)

I know that there was a little “too much blood” in The Godfather, but the movie was well written and the acting was superb.

My favorite scene is the one about the horse head. Who came up with the idea of putting that horse head on the bed?  Brilliant!

My second is when Michael goes to the restaurant and kills the two guys after finding the gun in the bathroom.  I love when they are speaking in Italian.  Great stuff!

What makes those two scenes so wonderful is that you have no clue what’s coming.  Great stuff!

Great movie.  It’s also a great family story.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1475: Michelangelo was born in Italy

Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in this day in 1475.   We remember him for some great works, such as the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.       

Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison were great in "The agony and the ecstacy", a movie about him from 1965.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

1972: President Nixon and the China moment

Who remembers Air Force One landing in China this week in 1972?  What a photo.  What a TV image for those who remember that day.

We celebrate another anniversary of President Nixon's trip to China. 

It is still one of the most incredible presidential trips in US history.  Can you think of another one more unexpected or revolutionary?

President Nixon built his career as an anti-communist and strong supporter of the US military superiority.  He was the last person in the world that any would have expected to go to China and shake Mao's hand.

Well, he did and changed international relations.  

His visit to China also created the political phrase or the "Nixon to China" moment.  It became a phrase to describe a presidential move that went against conventional wisdom.

Pres. Nixon's motives were to improve relations with China and divide the two communist superpowers.  He also understood the potential of China, diplomatically and economically.   Eventually, we developed our relationship with China but kept strong ties with Taiwan with care and diplomacy.

Today, China is an emerging superpower with a billion people and lots of challenges.  Time will tell whether China will continue to grow or blow up from within.  Again, time will tell.

Nevertheless, it was an amazing moment this week in 1972.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1972: Nixon to China

Who remembers Air Force One landing in China this week in 1972?   It was quite a TV image for those who remember that day.

We celebrate another anniversary of President Nixon’s trip to China.  

It is still one of the most incredible presidential trips in US history.  Can you think of another one more unexpected or revolutionary?

President Nixon built his career as an anti-communist in the days of The Cold War.  He was the last person in the world that anyone would have expected to go to China and shake Mao’s hand.

His visit also created the phrase “Nixon to China” moment.  It became a popular slogan to describe a presidential move that goes against conventional wisdom.

President Nixon’s motives were to improve relations with China and divide the two communist superpowers.  He also understood the potential of China, diplomatically and economically.   

Today, China is an emerging superpower with a billion people and lots of challenges.  Time will tell whether China will continue to grow or blow up from within.  

Today, the US-China relationship is more complex than ever,  from a trade deficit to a cocky Chinese Navy in the Pacific.  

Nevertheless, it was an amazing moment this week in 1972.

By the way, President Nixon wrote a lot about the trip to China in his wonderful memoirs published in 1978.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1972: President Nixon in China

One of the benefits of old age is that you remember President Nixon's trip to China in 1972.  

It caught everyone by surprise.  It must be one of the best kept secrets in modern history.

Nobody expected such a move from President Nixon, the anti-communist.  At the same time, it was proof of President Nixon's brilliance and his ability to look forward and promote US interests.

Again, I'm old enough to remember watching the scenes on the evening news.  It's amazing how China has changed, from all of those people in bicycles to huge cities polluted by industries and cars.   

Was it the right thing to do?    We are still debating that today.   

We remember Henry Kissinger, who became Secretary of State a year later in 1973.  Also, President Nixon discussed the trip in his memoirs.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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1972: The 'Nixon to China' moment

On this day in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon made history by landing in China. 

It was the story of the year and one of the most interesting foreign-policy decisions of the post-war period.  After all, who would have believed that anti-communist Nixon would shake hands with Mao?

President Nixon's move paved the way for the China of today. In other words, cars instead of bicycles and skyscrapers instead of simple buildings. It also contributed to the outsourcing of thousands of manufacturing jobs, i.e. "Made in China" is everywhere!  

The jury is still out on just how much the U.S. got out of this arrangement.   Nevertheless, as Seth Mandel wrote a couple of years ago, President Nixon left us with a great expression, or  ".....any major politician’s rebuke to his ideological compatriots, no matter how superficial, is a “Nixon-to-China moment.”"

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2015: Valentines Day show

  2015:  Our 3rd annual Valentines Day show........ http://t.co/w5FxF8p2bd

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) February 12, 2015

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

February 9, 1964: Over 70 million people watched The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show"

It was February 1964 and Mr Sullivan introduced the US to The Beatles:  73 million Americans watched them!

It was stunning and a "game changer" as people like to say.    By the way, you can get the entire Ed Sullivan performances here!

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Buddy Holly 1936-1959: He is still making fans years later!

In 1972, Don McClean introduced our generation to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in the # 1 song"American Pie". 

It started like this:     

"A long, long time ago...I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while. But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, But something touched me deep inside The day the music died."

The "day the music died" was years ago, a big triple loss for pop music. 

McClean's tune got me very interested in Buddy Holly, a native of West Texas.

 

I bought his records. I visited his grave during a business trip to West Texas about 20 years ago. I have followed the creation of The Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, TX.

 

I learned that Paul McCartney was also a huge fan of Buddy Holly. He toured England in 1958!

 

The Beatles recorded Holly's "Words of Love" in one of their early LP's. The Rolling Stones recorded "Not fade away", another of Holly's songs.

 

Buddy Holly was only 22 but ".....In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Holly #13 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

 

You can hear Buddy Holly's influence in every rock song recorded over the years. You can specially hear it in garage bands or every 15-year old who has played a rock guitar.

 

Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed in the same plane crash. They were not as popular as Holly but Valens had incredible potential since he was only 17!

 

The day "the music died", a sad day in the history of rock.

 

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We remember Gene Cernan 1934-2017, the last man to walk on the moon

Back on December 1972, Gene Cernan was on the Apollo 17 crew.    He turned out to be the last man who walked on the moon.    

Gene Cernan died on this day in 2017.

Who would have believed in December 1972 that Apollo 17 would turn out to be the last mission to the moon?

 P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

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January 1972: Don McLean's "American Pie" was # 1 this week

Back in January 1972, Don McLean's "American Pie" was the # 1 song in the country and probably most of the world.  

As I recall, many people enjoyed the catchy chorus ("bye bye Miss American pie") but struggled with the meaning of the lyrics and the story behind the song.

'American Pie" did have one wonderful benefit for me and many others.  It introduced us to the story of Buddy Holly of Lubbock, Texas, Richie Valens ("La bamba") and the Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace").  They were the three musicians who were killed in that winter storm over Iowa in 1959, or "the day that the music died".

"American Pie" may have also opened the door to "American Grafitti", "Grease", "Happy Days" and all of that 1950's music revival of the mid-70's.  

You can hear the song here:  CLICK.

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January 9, 1972: The Milwaukee Bucks stopped the LA Lakers 33-game streak!

Who remember watching the Bucks stop the Lakers' 33 game winning streak?   

I remember watching this game with my dad and brother on TV.   It was a very anticipated match because of Kareem Jabbar and Walt Chamberlain.   It was a clash of the young star vs the veteran on the basketball court.

The final score was 120-104.    

There were some great players on that court.   Oscar Robertson was the Bucks' leader and guard.    On the LA side, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich and the aforementioned Chamberlain are in the Hall of Fame.

It was a great game to watch and enjoy.    

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