ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1765, Britain enacted the Quartering Act, requiring American colonists to provide housing for British soldiers... for a quarter. Or, it was either that, or forcing them to pay for everything in quarters.

Harry Houdini, the famous magician and escape artist, was born on this day way back in 1874.

On this date in 1882, the German scientist Robert Koch discovered bacillus, the cause of tuberculosis.
TB or not TB... that is the question.
At first, the medical world didn't accept his findings, but eventually, they caught on.

In 1883, long-distance telephone service was created between New York and Chicago. The basic extent of that first conversation was, "Bears bite!" "Oh yeah, well, Yankees suck!" Click.

On this date in 1932, a radio show was broadcast for the first time from a moving train. It was challenging, but easy to keep on track.

In 1949, "Hamlet" won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Obviously, the Oscars went really late that year.

On this date in 1955, the Tennessee Williams play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opened on Broadway. Only animal rights protesters the first night, until they realized it was just a metaphor. It was also the first show that offered litter box seats.

On this date in 1964, the U.S. mint issued the first Kennedy half-dollar coin.
That was the original 50-cent.
That was the only year they were made out of 100% silver. After that, we went to "sandwich coins." I don't know why I brought that up, except for the fact that I'm hungry.

In 1981 the late night TV show "Nightline" debuted. See, I told you it wouldn't last. Oh, it's still on? Never mind.

On this date in 1989, the Exxon Valdez spilled her oil. 

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