ON THIS DAY

It's Bastille Day, commemorating that day in 1789 when French peasants stormed the Bastille and inspired "Les Miserables."
  • Probably because it seemed the thing to do on Bastille Day. 
  • Which, of course, immediately put the guards out of a job. There was no one to guard. 
  • I forget what Anne Hathaway did. 
  • It was the ultimate in rudeness. 
  • Seems like a lot of effort for so few, but they got a holiday out of it. 

It was on this date in 1798 Congress passes the Sedition Act, making it a federal crime to publish false, scandalous or malicious writing about the U.S. government. Unless, of course, you're running for office. I wonder what ever happened to that?

On this date in 1850, the first public demonstration was given of ice that was made by refrigeration. Back then, audiences were a lot easier. It probably would have been more impressive if it hadn't been done up at the North Pole.

In 1868, the tape measure was invented. Suddenly, our country had a new ruler.

On this date in 1881 that William Bonney Jr., alias Billy the Kid, was reportedly shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The sheriff's final words to him? "Here's looking at you, Kid!"

In 1950, the Distinguished Flying Cross was presented for the very first time. Up until that time, it was undistinguished.

On this date in 1951, Citation became the first race horse to win $1 million. It was during a very lucky hand of Queens Wild poker. The even more amazing part, he had bought the lottery tickets all by himself!

In 1976, Jimmy Carter became the official Democratic nominee for president. And the 15% mortgage rate was born.

On this date in 1978, the cheese-eating record was set when Peter Dowdeswell ate a pound of hard cheddar in 73 seconds --  See more cheese eating records at http://recordsetter.com/cheese-world-records.



TODAY IS

Jaime Gormez, better known as Taboo in the Black Eyed Peas, turns 42 today.
  • I'd tell you what his name means, but I can't. 
  • At which point are you no longer young enough to be Taboo? 
  • I'd like to tell you why he's named "Taboo," but I'm forbidden to say. 

Missy Gold, the little girl on the old TV series "Benson" turns 47 today. If you don't remember it, Benson was the story about a black butler who worked for a Southern White Governor. Yeah, not even thinking about sequel.

Matthew Fox hits 51 today. He started out on "Party of Five," then made it big on "Lost." Or, as it's otherwise, "Survival Party of Fifty."

Jane Lynch of "Glee" turns 57 today. She single-handedly revived the jogging suit industry. A good last-minute gift: Cheerios.

Harry Dean Stanton turns 91 today. I'll remember him forever as the angel Gideon in "One Magic Christmas." There are those who don't believe in such creatures, but I've seen Harry in other movies so I know he exists.

National Nude Day -- It's time to get naked, America. This is a a chance to keep cool on hot summer days. Nudity or nakedness is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations.

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