Today in 1967 - British actress Vivien Leigh died at age 53 in London. She was diagnosed with tuberculosis some 20 years earlier; for the rest of her life, she battled against persistent coughs and occasional delirium. She was driven to keep pace with Sir Laurence Olivier, her former husband, who was called the greatest actor of the century. For years, Leigh's physical condition grew worse, yet she would not slow down on her career. On this date, Leigh was found dead on her bedroom floor, six days after being diagnosed with advanced TB. Apparently, she had awakened in the midst of a choking spasm and her lungs had filled with enough fluid to suffocate her. The talented actress would be best-remembered for her Academy Award-winning performances in Gone With the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. Other films included Fire Over England, Waterloo Bridge, That Hamilton Woman, and Caesar and Cleopatra.
And in 1957 - Elvis Presley's single, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, jumped to Number 1 on Billboard's record charts, and stayed in the top spot for 7 weeks.
Today in 1987 - At the Iran-Contra hearings, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North testified on national television on this date that he had shredded documents while Justice Department aides were investigating his office. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North was ultimately found guilty on three of the twelve counts against him. The Iran-Contra hearings revealed that North had run a secret war against Nicaragua, and he was convicted for destroying and falsifying documents, failing to pay for a $13,800 security system, and aiding the obstruction of Congress. He was acquitted of the nine most serious charges. North won the hearts of many Americans during the televised hearings. Despite his part in the contras, North emerged a hero and a media celebrity.
And in 1922 - Eighteen year-old Johnny Weissmuller became the first person to swim the 100 meters freestyle in less than one minute. One of the fastest swimmers of all time, Weissmuller won five Olympic gold medals and set 51 world records. Weissmuller was later hired by Hollywood to become "Tarzan of the Jungle".
Today in 1989 - Mel Blanc, the beloved voice man of Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Sylvester the Cat, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety Bird, the Roadrunner, and nearly a hundred other characters in the Warner Bros. "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" animated cartoon shorts, died on this date at the age of 81. Blanc also did voices for Jack Benny's radio program, Disney Studios and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, which included the voices of Barney Rubble and Dino the Dinosaur for the 1960s prime time cartoon, The Flintstones. Knowing that he would not live forever, Blanc carefully tutored his son, Noel, so that Bugs Bunny and his other characters would live on after his passing.
And in 1900 - One of the world's most famous trademarks, "His Master’s Voice," was registered with the United States Patent Office. The Victor Recording Company, and later RCA Victor use logo of the dog, Nipper, looking into the horn of a gramophone.
Today in 1987 - An eight-pound baby boy, Matej Gaspar, born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, was proclaimed the five billionth inhabitant of Earth. The United Nations Development Fund, hoping to draw attention to population growth, proclaimed July 11th as World Population Day.
And in 1918 - Enrico Caruso took a break from opera to join in the World War effort when he recorded "Over There," written by George M. Cohan.
Today in 1982 - "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" broke all box-office records when it surpassed the $100-million mark in ticket sales for its first 31 days of opening.
And in 1912 - The premiere of the first foreign-made film to be shown in the United States occurred. The film was "Queen Elizabeth," a French film starring Sarah Bernhardt and Lon Tellegen.
Today in 1985 - Simultaneously, the "Live Aid" concert, for African famine relief, occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and London, England. Performances from JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, London’s Wembley Stadium and other venues were broadcast world-wide and raising over $70 million. The all-day and most-of-the-night concert showcased some of rock 'n' roll's biggest names including Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Madonna, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. The concert was attended by 162,000 people, while 1.5 billion people watched the show from their televisions. Bob Geldorf, singer for Boomtown Rats organized the "Live Aid" concert and was responsible for gathering the big name stars, all of agreed to perform without pay.
And in 1897 - Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi received a US patent for the radio (or wireless telegraphy). Two years earlier, at the age of 19, he experimented with sending and receiving radio signals from different parts of his house. Marconi's invention was first rejected in Italy, but was later well received in England and the US.
Today in 1969 - Easy Rider premiered in New York. It received mixed reactions for its messages of freedom and drug use. Jack Nicholson received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role.
And in 1914 - Liquid rocket-fuel was patented by Robert H. Goddard of Worcester, Massachusetts.
In 1867 - Explosives manufacturer Alfred Nobel first demonstrated his invention, dynamite, at Merstham Quarry in Redhill, Surrey.
And in 1789 - The people of Paris took over the Bastille, a state prison that symbolized the absolutism of the monarchy of Louis XVI, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. The storm of the prison is known as Bastille Day ("Le Jour de la Bastille") and is celebrated as the dawn of democracy in France.
Today in 1965 - The spacecraft "Mariner IV" sent back the first close-up pictures of planet Mars.
And in 1996 - It was announced in newspapers across the country that the six cast members of NBC's enormously-popular sit-com Friends threatened to go on strike unless they each received $100,000 per episode and part of the series profits. Cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry, virtual unknowns when the show premiered, originally earned $22,500 an episode when the series began two seasons earlier. They threatened they would not prepare new shows for the 1996-997 season unless their salary requests were honored. Warner Brothers had recently sold Friends into syndication for $4 million an episode, provided that all cast members complete at least two more seasons of the show.
Today in 1945 - The United States conducted its first test of an atomic bomb when is exploded "Fat Boy," the experimental plutonium bomb, at 5:30 a.m. The atomic bomb's signature mushroom-shaped cloud rose 41,000 feet above the New Mexico desert at Alamogordo Air Base. All life within a mile radius was killed or obliterated.
And in 1948, Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, opened in New York. Jazz greats Count Basie and Billie Holiday performed onstage at the gala premiere. The film, about a mobster holding guests hostage in a Florida hotel, was the last of three movies that Bogart and Bacall made together. The pair had married in 1945.
July 8 John Davison
)
July 8
John Davison Rockefeller (born 1839)
Marty Feldman (born 1933)
Today in 1967 - British actress Vivien Leigh died at age 53 in London. She was diagnosed with tuberculosis some 20 years earlier; for the rest of her life, she battled against persistent coughs and occasional delirium. She was driven to keep pace with Sir Laurence Olivier, her former husband, who was called the greatest actor of the century. For years, Leigh's physical condition grew worse, yet she would not slow down on her career. On this date, Leigh was found dead on her bedroom floor, six days after being diagnosed with advanced TB. Apparently, she had awakened in the midst of a choking spasm and her lungs had filled with enough fluid to suffocate her. The talented actress would be best-remembered for her Academy Award-winning performances in Gone With the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. Other films included Fire Over England, Waterloo Bridge, That Hamilton Woman, and Caesar and Cleopatra.
And in 1957 - Elvis Presley's single, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, jumped to Number 1 on Billboard's record charts, and stayed in the top spot for 7 weeks.
July 9 Michael J. Fox
)
July 9
Michael J. Fox (born 1961)
Tom Hanks (born 1956)
Mitch Mitchell (born 1946)
Elias Howe (born 1819)
Today in 1987 - At the Iran-Contra hearings, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North testified on national television on this date that he had shredded documents while Justice Department aides were investigating his office. Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North was ultimately found guilty on three of the twelve counts against him. The Iran-Contra hearings revealed that North had run a secret war against Nicaragua, and he was convicted for destroying and falsifying documents, failing to pay for a $13,800 security system, and aiding the obstruction of Congress. He was acquitted of the nine most serious charges. North won the hearts of many Americans during the televised hearings. Despite his part in the contras, North emerged a hero and a media celebrity.
And in 1922 - Eighteen year-old Johnny Weissmuller became the first person to swim the 100 meters freestyle in less than one minute. One of the fastest swimmers of all time, Weissmuller won five Olympic gold medals and set 51 world records. Weissmuller was later hired by Hollywood to become "Tarzan of the Jungle".
July 10 Virginia Wade
)
July 10
Virginia Wade (born 1945)
Fred Gwynne (born 1926)
Don Herbert (born 1917)
Adolphus Busch (born 1842)
Today in 1989 - Mel Blanc, the beloved voice man of Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Sylvester the Cat, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety Bird, the Roadrunner, and nearly a hundred other characters in the Warner Bros. "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" animated cartoon shorts, died on this date at the age of 81. Blanc also did voices for Jack Benny's radio program, Disney Studios and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, which included the voices of Barney Rubble and Dino the Dinosaur for the 1960s prime time cartoon, The Flintstones. Knowing that he would not live forever, Blanc carefully tutored his son, Noel, so that Bugs Bunny and his other characters would live on after his passing.
And in 1900 - One of the world's most famous trademarks, "His Master’s Voice," was registered with the United States Patent Office. The Victor Recording Company, and later RCA Victor use logo of the dog, Nipper, looking into the horn of a gramophone.
July 11 Leon Spinks (born
)
July 11
Leon Spinks (born 1953)
Debbie Harry (born 1945)
Giorgio Armani (born 1934)
Yul Brynner (born 1920)
Today in 1987 - An eight-pound baby boy, Matej Gaspar, born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, was proclaimed the five billionth inhabitant of Earth. The United Nations Development Fund, hoping to draw attention to population growth, proclaimed July 11th as World Population Day.
And in 1918 - Enrico Caruso took a break from opera to join in the World War effort when he recorded "Over There," written by George M. Cohan.
July 11 cont. Suzanne Vega
)
July 11 cont.
Suzanne Vega (born 1959) - Luka is an all time classic.
July 12 John Wetton (born
)
July 12
John Wetton (born 1949)
Bill Cosby (born 1937)
George Eastman (born 1854)
Today in 1982 - "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" broke all box-office records when it surpassed the $100-million mark in ticket sales for its first 31 days of opening.
And in 1912 - The premiere of the first foreign-made film to be shown in the United States occurred. The film was "Queen Elizabeth," a French film starring Sarah Bernhardt and Lon Tellegen.
July 13 Erno Rubik (born
)
July 13
Erno Rubik (born 1944)
Patrick Stewart (born 1940)
Julius Caesar (born 100 B.C.)
Today in 1985 - Simultaneously, the "Live Aid" concert, for African famine relief, occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and London, England. Performances from JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, London’s Wembley Stadium and other venues were broadcast world-wide and raising over $70 million. The all-day and most-of-the-night concert showcased some of rock 'n' roll's biggest names including Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Madonna, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. The concert was attended by 162,000 people, while 1.5 billion people watched the show from their televisions. Bob Geldorf, singer for Boomtown Rats organized the "Live Aid" concert and was responsible for gathering the big name stars, all of agreed to perform without pay.
And in 1897 - Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi received a US patent for the radio (or wireless telegraphy). Two years earlier, at the age of 19, he experimented with sending and receiving radio signals from different parts of his house. Marconi's invention was first rejected in Italy, but was later well received in England and the US.
July 14 Chris Cross (born
)
July 14
Chris Cross (born 1952)
Harry Dean Stanton (born 1926)
Today in 1969 - Easy Rider premiered in New York. It received mixed reactions for its messages of freedom and drug use. Jack Nicholson received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role.
And in 1914 - Liquid rocket-fuel was patented by Robert H. Goddard of Worcester, Massachusetts.
In 1867 - Explosives manufacturer Alfred Nobel first demonstrated his invention, dynamite, at Merstham Quarry in Redhill, Surrey.
And in 1789 - The people of Paris took over the Bastille, a state prison that symbolized the absolutism of the monarchy of Louis XVI, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. The storm of the prison is known as Bastille Day ("Le Jour de la Bastille") and is celebrated as the dawn of democracy in France.
July 15 Julian Bream (born
)
July 15
Julian Bream (born 1933)
Linda Ronstadt (born 1946)
Brigitte Nielson (born 1961)
Today in 1965 - The spacecraft "Mariner IV" sent back the first close-up pictures of planet Mars.
And in 1996 - It was announced in newspapers across the country that the six cast members of NBC's enormously-popular sit-com Friends threatened to go on strike unless they each received $100,000 per episode and part of the series profits. Cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry, virtual unknowns when the show premiered, originally earned $22,500 an episode when the series began two seasons earlier. They threatened they would not prepare new shows for the 1996-997 season unless their salary requests were honored. Warner Brothers had recently sold Friends into syndication for $4 million an episode, provided that all cast members complete at least two more seasons of the show.
July 16 Phoebe Cates (born
)
July 16
Phoebe Cates (born 1963)
Stewart Copeland (born 1952)
Ginger Rogers (born 1911)
Today in 1945 - The United States conducted its first test of an atomic bomb when is exploded "Fat Boy," the experimental plutonium bomb, at 5:30 a.m. The atomic bomb's signature mushroom-shaped cloud rose 41,000 feet above the New Mexico desert at Alamogordo Air Base. All life within a mile radius was killed or obliterated.
And in 1948, Key Largo, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, opened in New York. Jazz greats Count Basie and Billie Holiday performed onstage at the gala premiere. The film, about a mobster holding guests hostage in a Florida hotel, was the last of three movies that Bogart and Bacall made together. The pair had married in 1945.