ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1066, The Normans, under William the Conqueror, defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings.

• He wasn't known as William the Loser!
• They fought over pudding? Of course they won.
• Part of the treaty required all British to yell out "Norm!" when any of the Normans entered the room.
• For generations, the Normans were quite the distinguished family... until that year they opened the Bates Motel.

In 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots went on trial for conspiring against Queen Elizabeth the 1st. In her opening statement, she said, "Let's not lose our heads over this!" She did.

On this date in 1644, William Penn was born. He put the William in Williamsburg and the Penn in Pennsylvania.

In 1854, the very first baby show was held in Ohio. It featured all the basic models: you know, 4-on-the-floor, padded seats and drool exhaust.

On this date in 1884, George Eastman patented paper-strip photographic film. Ironically, he didn't get any pictures, even thought it was a Kodak moment. Yes, there was a time we printed every picture we took on paper. Seems so long ago.

In 1912, former president Teddy Roosevelt was shot in the chest while campaigning... and continued to deliver his speech afterwards.

• Now that's a stubborn politician!
• Yes, the debates were much tougher back then.
• Back then, politicians were tough. Now they can't even keep the government going.

On this date in 1947, U.S. Air Force Captain Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound. He flew so fast, he heard people congratulating him before he landed.

In 1961, Alvin and the Chipmunks got their own TV show. But they still didn't have a hula hoop.

On this date in 1978, the first movie based on a TV series was shown on television. Any idea which series? It was "Return to Gilligan's Island." Should you have seen it? As Gilligan always said, "Skip 'er, skip 'er!"