ON THIS DAY

On this date way back in the year 48 BC that Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalus... which, we believe, was an early form of backgammon.

In 1767, the British Parliament approves the Townshend Revenue Acts, which imposed import duties on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea shipped to America. Everyone was surprised by these taxes -- no one knew the British Parliament was made up of Democrats! 

On this date in 1776, the Virginia state constitution is adopted, and Patrick Henry is made governor. That was back in the days when England was against a Brexit. Of course, Henry's famous for the phrase: "Give me liberty or give me death!" That was also the day the British coined the phrase, "No problem!"

In 1916, a Boeing aircraft flew for the first time. Back then, their company slogan was, "If it's not going, we're not Boeing."

On this date in 1940, the first issue of "Batman" was published. Only hours later, the joke "Oh, he was in the batroom" was told for the first time.

In 1953, congress passed the Highway Act... which resulted in the construction of dozens of freeways, allowing millions of people to drive slower than ever before.

On this date in 1956, Charles Dumas became the first person to high jump over 7 feet.

• It happened right after he backed into a javelin thrower.
• When asked how he did it, Charles replied, "Because of the Rottweiler on the other side of that 7-foot fence!"
• It was also the same day he won the lotto. Coincidence?
• Needless to say, the bank approved the loan.

In 1966, the citizens of Humberside, England, created a 3,124-foot long hot dog. The tough part was finding a bun long enough.

On this date in 1994, in a British TV documentary, Prince Charles said he was faithful in his marriage to Princess Diana "until it became irretrievably broken down." It was Britain's version of "I did not have sex with that woman."