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Highly recommend watching this News Documentary

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Music Calendar...

In 1958 "The Chipmunk Song" by the The Chipmunks with David Seville hits #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for 4 weeks. In 1962 "Telstar" by the Tornadoes hits #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for 3 weeks. (It was the first British group to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.) In 1972 Joni Mitchell's album "For The Roses," containing the single "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio," is certified gold. In 1973 "Band On The Run" by Paul McCartney & Wings enters the U.S. albums chart. In 1975 A suitcase with $85,000 in receipts is stolen from Ike & Tina Turner. In 1976 Isaac Hayes ("Theme From Shaft") files for bankruptcy. In 1976 The Doobie Brothers' LP "Best of the Doobies" goes platinum. In 1977 Styx's album "The Grand Illusion" is certified platinum. In 1978 Faces drummer Kenny Jones becomes the Who's new drummer after the death of Keith Moon, 4 months earlie

Today In History...

In 1772 Moravian missionaries construct the first schoolhouse west of Allegheny. In 1775 A Continental naval fleet is organized in the rebellious American colonies under the command of Ezek Hopkins. In 1807 Congress passes the Embargo Act, seeking to force peace between Britain and France by cutting off all trade with Europe. In 1864 During the Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman sends a message to President Lincoln from Georgia, saying, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah." In 1882 Ed Johnson switches on the first Christmas Tree with electric lights in his home in New York City. In 1894 French army officer Alfred Dreyfus is convicted of treason in a court-martial that triggers worldwide charges of anti-Semitism. In 1919 The U.S. deports 250 alien radicals. In 1941 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrives in Washington for a wartime conference with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1944 During the World War II Battle of the Bulge,

Born On This Day...

In 1696 English general, James Oglethorpe (colonized Georgia) In 1727 Attorney, William Ellery (signed the Declaration of Independence) In 1856 U.S. Secretary of State, Frank Kellogg (1925-29, Nobel-1929) In 1858 Italian operatic composer, Giacomo Puccini In 1862 Baseball Hall-Of-Fame Manager, Connie Mack (Philadelphia A's) In 1869 Poet, Edwin Arlington Robinson In 1903 Biophysicist, H. Keffer Hartline (Nobel-1967) [d: 3-17-83] In 1905 Poet/essayist, Kenneth Rexroth (Beat movement) [d: 6-6-82] In 1907 Actress, Peggy Ashcroft (A Passage To India) [d: 6-14-91] In 1911 Astronomer, Grote Reber (built first radio telescope) [d: 12-20-02] In 1912 Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Johnson [d: 7-11-07] In 1914 Actor, Emil Sitka (The Three Stooges) [d: 1-16-98] In 1917 Game show host, Gene Rayburn (Match Game) [d: 11-29-99] In 1921 Country singer, Hawkshaw Hawkins (Ozark Jubilee) [d: 3-5-63] In 1922 U.S. Speaker of the House, James C. Wright, Jr. (1987-89) [d:

EarthCam Live: Times Square in 4K

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Did You Know - 12-17-20

Desert Radio AZ Podcasts · Did You Know - 12-17-20

ON THIS DAY 12-17-20

Desert Radio AZ Podcasts · ON THIS DAY 12-17-20

TODAY IS - 12-17-20

Desert Radio AZ Podcasts · TODAY IS - 12-17-20

Music Calendar...

In 1938 "Two Sleepy People" by Fats Waller is #1 on the charts. In 1954 "Shake Rattle & Roll" by Bill Haley & the Comets becomes the first rock & roll single to reach the UK pop chart. In 1957 Bobby Darin makes his first national TV appearance on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand." In 1961 Elvis Presley's LP "Blue Hawaii" hits #1 on the U.S. albums chart and stayed there for 24 weeks (non-consecutive). In 1962 The Beatles make their first British TV appearance on "People & Places" live from Manchester, England. In 1965 The Supremes perform at the grand opening of the Houston Astrodome. In 1966 "Snoopy And The Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen, "Nashville Cats" by the Lovin' Spoonful and "Standing in the Shadows Of Love" by the Four Tops all enter the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1966 The Monkees perform both sides of their #1 two-sided hit "I'm A Believer" b/w "Steppin'

Today In History...

In 1538 Pope Paul III excommunicates England's King Henry VIII. In 1777 France is the first nation to recognize American independence. In 1790 An Aztec calendar stone is discovered in Mexico City. In 1791 A New York City traffic regulation creates the first one-way street. In 1830 South American patriot Simon Bolivar dies in Colombia. In 1843 Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" is published. In 1892 The dress rehearsal for "The Nutcracker Suite" by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky is staged in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the presence of Czar Alexander II. In 1903 At 10:35am, for 12 seconds, the first sustained motorized aircraft flight is made by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, NC. In 1933 In the first world championship football game, the Chicago Bears defeat the New York Giants 23-21. In 1939 The German pocket battleship Graf Spee is scuttled by its crew, ending the World War II Battle of the River Plate off Uruguay. In 1944 The U.S. army announces it w

Born On This Day...

In 1734 Statesman, William Floyd (signed the Declaration of Independence) In 1778 Chemist, Sir Humphrey Davy (discovered several chemical elements) In 1797 American inventor, Joseph Henry (electromagnetism) In 1807 American author, John Greenleaf Whittier In 1853 English actor, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree In 1861 Electrical engineer, Arthur Edwin Kennelly (Edison's assistant) In 1873 Magician, Horace Goldin (developed sawing a woman in half trick) In 1892 Biochemist, Edwin Joseph Cohn (methods of blood fractionation) In 1894 Conductor, Arthur Fiedler (The Boston Pops) In 1903 Author, Erskine Caldwell (Tobacco Road) [d: 4-11-87] In 1908 Chemist, Willard Frank Libby (carbon-14 atomic clock) [d: 9-8-80] In 1912 Actor, William Roerick (Henry-The Guiding Light) [d: 11-30-95) In 1927 Actor, Richard Long (Nanny & Professor, Big Valley) [d: 12-22-74] In 1929 Actress, Jacqueline Hill (Barbara-Dr. Who) [d: 2-18-93] In 1929 Political columnist, William Safire (New York Times, Nixon) [d: 9-2

HEADLINE TRUTH OR TRASH

"Painting Worth $340K Found in Dumpster!" Truth! The painting by French surrealist Yves Tanguy was accidentally left at a check-in counter at a German airport. It had been wrapped in cardboard and they fortunately found it in a paper-recycling dumpster used by the airport's cleaning company. "Taylor Swift Planning to Release 30 New Albums By End of Year!" Trash! Don't be silly. 24 at most. "HOA Tells Homeowner to Take Down Cross as a Christmas Decoration!" Truth! In Raleigh, North Carolina, the HOA said crosses were for Easter and not Christmas. They gave the owner 30 days to take it down, which is after Christmas and he says that's when he would have taken it down anyway. "William Barr Resigned After Refusing to Put On Santa Suit!" Trash! I heard it was because he had heard the line, "Belly up to the Barr" once too many times. "Fauci is 2020's Most Mispronounced Word!" Truth! As in Dr. Anthony Fauci. At least

IT'S A GAS GAS GAS

Here are some true facts about passing gas, you know, the really cheap kind: The average man with a healthy diet lets out a quart of gas every day. That equals 10-15 gaseous explosions between the legs. Women pass gas 8 or 9 times a day. Dogs gulp so much air when they drink and eat that they fart up to 30 times a day. The average speed a toot is 10 feet per second. The gassiest foods are: Beans, Mushrooms, Cabbage and Onions.

TODAY IS

It's the last full week before Christmas. Benjamin Bratt is 57. His acting career has been good, but what's even more impressive is that he was Julia Roberts escort at the Oscars the night she won Best Actress. His name always reminds me of tailgate parties, almost as much as William Wurst. Former Chicago Bear William "The Refrigerator" Perry is 58 today. He's not as energy efficient as a lot of today's players. He's gotten even bigger since that great Super Bowl year and should probably change his name to "Side by Side." However, the Refrigerator is no longer running. You know he's a big guy when they're nicknaming him after appliances. My guess is that, any year now, his wife is going to replace him with a more efficient model. He was not only a huge player, but he also kept your beer cold. He's a little noisier and not as frost-free as he used to be. Xander Berkley is 65. You've had lots of ways to hate him. As George Mason in

ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1773, the famous "Boston Tea Party" took place. A lot of people missed it because no invitations were sent. A group of men calling themselves the "Sons of Liberty" and dressed as Mohawk Indians went to the Boston Harbor. They boarded three British ships, the Beaver, the Eleanor and the Dartmouth, and dumped 45 tons of tea into the Boston Harbor. There were no finger sandwiches at the party. You know, it almost didn't happen. The patriots showed up and saw how much tea was on that ship, at first, they wanted to bag it. Then, they decided best to keep it loose-leaf. It was an attempt to set the record for the world's largest Chai tea. The British weren't so upset about the tea as they were the insensitivity and racist attitudes of the colonists. At first, the British thought the Village People were behind it, but it turned out the movement was led by the great Ezekiel Palin. May I just say, they weren't very good about sending out invit

Music Calendar...

In 1933 "Did You Ever See A Dream Walking?" by Eddy Duchin is #1 on the charts. In 1960 George Harrison, 17, is deported from Germany because it was found he was too young to perform there. In 1965 "Woman," written by Paul McCartney under the pen name Bernard Webb, is recorded by Peter & Gordon at the Abbey Road studios in London. In 1966 The first Jimi Hendrix single, "Hey Joe," is released in the UK. In 1967 The American Breed ("Bend Me, Shape Me") make their first TV appearance on ABC-TV's "American Bandstand." In 1967 "Green Tamborine" by the Lemon Pipers enters the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1968 Creedence Clearwater Revival's debut album is certified gold. In 1970 "Knock Three Times" by Dawn and Creedence Clearwater Revival's single "Bad Moon Rising" are both certified gold. In 1971 The 8-minute-plus version of Don McLean's "American Pie" is released. In 1971 Melanie receives

Today In History...

In 1653 Oliver Cromwell becomes lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. In 1773 The Boston Tea Party took place when American colonists disguised as Indians boarded a British ship and dumped tea into Boston harbor. In 1809 Napoleon Bonaparte is divorced from the Empress Josephine by an act of the French Senate. In 1811 A 12.0 earthquake on the Richter scale shakes America in Missouri. In 1905 Entertainment trade magazine "Variety" publishes its first issue. In 1907 The Great White Fleet sails from Hampton Downs on it's World Cruise. In 1916 Gregory Rasputin, the monk who had powerful influence over the Russian court, is murdered by a group of noblemen. In 1944 The Battle of the Bulge begins in Belgium as German forces launch a surprise counter-attack against Allied forces during World War II. In 1945 The Cleveland Rams win the National Football League championship at home by defeating the Washington Redskins, 15-14. In 1950 President Truman declares a national st

Born On This Day...

In 1485 Queen Catherine of Aragon (first wife of Henry VIII) In 1770 German composer, Ludwig von Beethoven In 1775 English novelist, Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice) In 1857 Astronomer, Edward Barnard (discovered Jupiter's fifth satellite) In 1863 Philosopher/poet, George Santayana In 1872 General Anton Denikin (Russian Civil War, 1918-20) In 1882 Sir John Berry Hobbs (greatest cricket batsman of his time) In 1899 Playwright/composer, Sir Noel Coward In 1900 Literary critic/author, V.S. Pritchett [d: 3-20-97] In 1901 American anthropologist, Margaret Mead [d: 11-15-78] In 1917 Author/scientist, Arthur C. Clarke (2001) [d: 3-19-08] In 1920 Director, George Schaefer (Hallmark Hall of Fame) [d: 9-10-97] In 1931 Football player/announcer, Tom Brookshier (CBS Sports) [d: 1-29-10] In 1937 Actress, Joyce Bulifant (Marie-Mary Tyler Moore Show) (83) In 1937 Country singer, Jim Glaser (Tompall & the Glaser Brothers) [d: 4-6-19] In 1938 Actress, Liv Ullmann (Cries & Whispers, 40 Cara

TODAY IS

As of noon, we'll be half-way through December. Helen Slater turns 57 today. She originally played Supergirl in the movies. More recently, she played Supergirl's mom on the TV show until she'll eventually play Supergirl's grandmother somewhere. People love saying goodbye to her: "Later Slater!" Don Johnson, from the old "Miami Vice" and "Nash Bridges" TV series, and made a career out of not wearing socks, turns 71 today. Back then, he walked around looking cool with no socks. These days, there are two things he always has one: his socks and his turn signal. Dave Clark of the Dave Clark Five turns 78 today. One of their big hits was "Catch Us If You Can," back when catching things was a lot harder. I don't remember which one he was in the group. Cindy Birdsong of the Supremes turns 81 today. It used to be there "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"... now, there are. Underdog Day -- "There's no need to fear - U

ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1791, the Bill of Rights went into effect in the United States, although sometimes, you wouldn't know it. They are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. In 1836, the patent office burned in Washington, DC. Obviously, no one had applied yet for a patent on a smoke detector. If only they had approved that patent for a fire extinguisher sooner. It was on this day in 1854, the first mechanical street sweeper went into service. Too bad most of the roads back then were dirt. On this date in 1859, G.R. Kirchoff described the chemical composition of the sun in his famous "Hot Stuff" dissertation. In 1877, Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. Finally, he had something to do with all his records. On this date in 1939, Nylon Yarn was commercially manufactured for the first time... which of course paved the way for the development of the plastic sweater. On this date in 1939, "Gone with the Wind" made it's debut in theaters. It was the ins

Music Calendar...

In 1944 A plane carrying bandleader Glenn Miller, a U.S. Army major, disappears in thick fog over the English Channel. In 1959 The Everly Brothers record "Let It Be Me." In 1964 The "Beatles '65" album, which contained "I Feel Fine," "I'm A Loser" and "Rock & Roll Music," is released in the U.S. In 1967 The Beatles' album "Magical Mystery Tour" is certified gold, a week before it even had the chance to make the charts in America. In 1968 Grace Slick, performing with Jefferson Airplane on the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," appears in blackface and raised a black-leather glove in the black power salute at the conclusion of "Crown of Creation." In 1969 John Lennon & Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band play at London's Lyceum Ballroom in Britain with proceeds going to UNICEF. The show, titled "Peace For Christmas," also included George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Delaney & Bonnie

Today In History...

In 1612 Simon Marius, namer of Jupiter's 4 inner satellites, is the first to observe the Andromeda galaxy through a telescope. In 1791 The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution -- The Bill of Rights -- went into effect after ratification by Virginia. In 1836 The patent office burns in Washington, DC. In 1854 The first mechanical street cleaning machine appears. In 1859 G.R. Kirchoff describes the chemical composition of the sun. In 1877 Thomas Edison patents the phonograph. In 1890 Sioux Indian Chief Sitting Bull and 11 others are killed in Grand River, South Dakota, during a fracas with Indian police working for the U.S. government. In 1916 The French defeat the Germans in the World War I Battle of Verdun. In 1922 The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is formed. In 1938 Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jefferson Memorial take place in Washington, DC, presided over by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1939 The movie "Gone With The Wind," starring Vivien Le

Born On This Day...

In 37 Roman emperor, Nero (54-68) In 1812 Journalist, Joseph Moses Levy (founded London's Daily Telegraph) In 1832 French engineer, Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower) In 1852 Physicist, Antoine-Henri Becquerel (discovered radioactivity) In 1859 Linguist/author, Dr. Ludwik Zamenhof (Esperanto) In 1861 Automaker, Charles Edgar Duryea (invented first U.S. auto) In 1881 Actor, James Schneider (Keystone Kops) In 1891 Country singer, Alvin Pleasant "A.P." Carter (The Carter Family) In 1892 Business tycoon, J. Paul Getty (founded oil empire) In 1896 Novelist, Betty Smith (A Tree Grows In Brooklyn) In 1906 Producer/playwright, Kermit Bloomgarden (Music Man) [d: 9-2-76] In 1911 Cartoonist, Dr. Nicholas Dallis (Rex Morgan MD) [d: 7-6-91] In 1916 Pianist, Buddy Cole (Buddy Cole Trio) [d: 11-5-64] In 1918 Actor, Jeff Chandler (Return to Peyton Place) [d: 6-17-61] In 1922 Disc jockey, Alan Freed (coined term "Rock & Roll") [d: 1-20-65] In 1926 Country singer, Rose M

THINGS I'VE LEARNED WHILE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Never walk into a Hickory Farms with a loaf of bread and shout "Where's them samples?!" Try not to giggle when asking the girl behind the counter to wrap my package. Santa, while looking fairly sturdy, has a weight limit. No matter how clever I think I am, the lingerie sales lady has heard it all before. Unless I'm actually witnessing the birth, or I'm the father, never ever assume a woman is pregnant!

THINGS MOM NEVER SAID

"Be nice to your brother. You may need one of his kidneys someday" "If you don't have anything nice to say, neither do I" "Why do you change your underwear so often?" "I hate the Hallmark Channel" "You call too much."

YES OR B.S.

Eight nails are used in a standard horseshoe. (Yes) Only 10% of Facebook users live in the US or Canada. (Yes) Sugar maple trees have to be 200 years old before they are generally tapped for syrup. (B.S., they have to be about 40 years old) Billy Idol was featured at the very first rock concert held at Yankee Stadium. (B.S., it was Billy Joel, in June 1990, at the end of his Storm Front tour) There are approximately fifty  Joy of Cooking  books sold each minute across the world. (B.S., Bibles) Nearly 27% of single women say if a bowtie is worn by a man on a first date it would ruin all chances of a second date. (Yes) In real-estate shorthand, the acronym FDR represents "Finished Downstairs Room". (B.S., it stands for "Formal Dining Room") Fluffy is the name of the vicious three-headed dog who guards the Sorcerer's Stone in J.K. Rowling's blockbuster book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. (Yes) The largest gland in the human body is the tongue. (B.S.

Music Calendar...

In 1959 "Heartaches By The Number" by Guy Mitchell hits #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for 2 weeks. In 1963 Dinah Washington, 39, dies of an overdose of sleeping pills. In 1963 "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen peaks at #2 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for six weeks. In 1964 Michael Brown of The Left Banke meets Rene Fladen, who inspires him to write "Walk Away Rene" and "Pretty Ballerina." In 1965 Frank Sinatra is featured on the cover of Look magazine. In 1966 Chad & Jermey do a 2-part episode of ABC-TV's "Batman." In 1967 The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" is featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. In 1968 "Crimson & Clover" by Tommy James & the Shondells enters the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1968 "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye hits #1 on the U.S. top 40 chart and stayed there for 7 weeks. In 1968 Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-

Today In History...

In 1799 George Washington, the first U.S. president, dies at age 67, nearly three years after leaving office. In 1819 Alabama becomes the 22nd U.S. state. In 1861 Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, dies in London. In 1911 Norwegian explorer Ronald Amundsen becomes the first man to reach the South Pole, beating out an expedition lead by Robert F. Scott. In 1927 Iraq gains independence from Britain, but British troops remain. In 1939 The Soviet Union is dropped from the League of Nations. In 1939 Baltimore's landmark Rennert Hotel, famed for its restaurant's Maryland cuisine, closes its doors citing financial difficulties. In 1945 Josef Kramer, known as the "Beast of Belsen," and ten others are hanged in Hameln for crimes committed at the Blesen and Auschwitz concentration camps during World War II. In 1946 The U.N. General Assembly votes to establish U.N. headquarters in New York City. In 1962 The U.S. space probe Mariner II approaches Venus, transmitting in

Born On This Day...

In 1503 French physician/astrologer, Nostradamus In 1546 Astronomer, Tycho Brahe In 1739 French economist, Pierre Samuel du Pont In 1894 Actor, Theo Goetz (Papa Bauer-The Guiding Light) In 1895 King George VI of England (1936-52) (father of Elizabeth II) In 1896 American aviator, James H. Doolittle (led 1st bombing raid on Japan) In 1897 Margaret Chase Smith, first woman elected to both houses of Congress In 1898 Actress, Lillian Randolph (Madame Queen-Amos 'n Andy, Roots) In 1908 Actor, Morey Amsterdam (Buddy-Dick Van Dyke Show) [d: 10-28-96] In 1908 Actor, Laurence Naismith (Diamonds Are Forever) [d: 6-5-92] In 1909 American biochemist, Edward L. Tatum (Nobel-1958) [d: 11-5-75] In 1910 Singer/saxophonist, Budd Johnson [d: 10-20-84] In 1911 Orchestra leader/novelty singer, Spike Jones [d: 5-1-65] In 1922 TV producer, Don Hewitt (60 Minutes) [d: 8-19-09] In 1923 Actor, Sully Boyar (Dog Day Afternoon, Car Wash) [d: 3-23-01] In 1932 Actor/director, George Furth (Blazing Saddles) [d: