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. 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, "Hey, if it's going, let's call it 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.
  • Seconds before, he also set a world record for being the recipient of the world's loudest towel snap. 
  • 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? 

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."



TODAY IS

SNL's Colin Jost turns 36 today and while that's a big deal, an even bigger deal is that he's dating Scarlett Johansson. No presents necessary.

Nicole Scherzinger hits the big 4-0 today. That's 280 in Pussycat Doll years. She's so indecisive, the candles on her birthday cake always burn down before she can decide what to wish for...

Colin Hay, the lead voice from Men At Work, turns 65 today.
  • Ironically, our younger listeners are wondering, "Who can it be now?" 
  • It's getting closer to changing the name of the group to "Men, Retired." 
  • He's going from singing "Who can it be now?" to asking it all the time. 

Fred Grandy, who played Gopher on the old TV series, "The Love Boat," hits birthday number 70. It wasn't so bad being called Gopher, it was just all those traps they sent.

Gary Busey turns 74 today. Somehow. Some way.

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