ON THIS DAY
The Roman Emperor Vespasian was born on this date in 9 AD. Vespy was credited with building the Coliseum, where the Rome Red Sandals played their home games.
On this date in 1307, it's said that William Tell shot an apple off of his son's head. Why an apple? A raisin was too small and a watermelon gave his son a stiff neck.
In 1820, Antarctica was discovered by U.S. Navy Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer. Forgive me for not being too impressed, but exactly how hard was it to find a continent. Like, if you didn't, someone else wouldn't have done it? A small consolation for being really, really lost.
On this date in 1883, standard time zones were established across the entire U.S... so our entire population could complain about how dark it gets so early at the same time.
It's said that it was on this date in 1902, that the Teddy Bear was invented. Who still has their Teddy Bear?
- One day, I'll forgive my parents for throwing mine away... maybe... they said he went to the corner store for cigarettes and just never came back.
- Don't know what they called skimpy nightgowns before that.
- It replaces the not-very-popular cuddling cactus.
- Big deal, I want to know when the actually Teddy was born.
The Teddy Bear is introduced way, way back in 1902 -- President Theodore Roosevelt had just gone to Mississippi hunting for a bear, but none was found. In an effort to please him, his host captured a cub that Roosevelt refused to shoot. A political cartoonist then published a cartoon about the incident. After reading the story, New York toy store owner Morris Mitchtom got Roosevelt's permission to call his new stuffed animal a "Teddy Bear," and the name stuck. Mitchton went on to found the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company.
- People who collect teddy bears are called arctophiles.
- At the height of the toy's early popularity, a priest in Michigan publicly denounced it as an enemy of the American family. He claimed that the stuffed toy would take over the mother's nurturing role and would eventually lead to racial suicide.
- Bears from the German toy maker Steiff are among the world's most prized collectibles. In 2000, one Steiff bear made in 1904 was priced at almost $18,000, according to one collectibles website.
On this date in 1913, a pilot performed flying's first-ever loop-the-loop. Not surprising -- it was also the day the air-sick bag was invented. His inspiration -- a bee in the cockpit!
Consider this date Mickey Mouse's birthday. It was on this date in 1928 that Mickey made his debut in a movie, called "Steamboat Willie." Kind of weird to think you'd have to give a fictitious character a different name in a movie.
It was on this date in 1966 that the Catholic Church ended their "Fish on Friday" rule. Great news for Catholics, bad news for fishermen.
Owen Wilson somehow made it to 47 today. I always thought his name sounded like a Donut Condom.
Sinbad celebrates birthday number 59 today. Laugh that one off, funny guy! His real name, by the way -- David Adkins.
Quarterback Warren Moon also turns 59 today. One thing about Warren, no matter who he was dating, he could always promise them the Moon.
It's Mickey Mouse's 87th birthday. He still looks pretty young, although his hands really show his age. That's why he always wears the white gloves.
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