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April 1st
Ever wondered about the history of April Fool's Day, or All Fool's Day? Some believe it evolved simultaneously in several cultures, from celebrations involving the first day of spring. The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582 in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25 and culminating on April 1st. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1st. Some people had not heard about or didn't believe the change in date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. These backward folk were labeled as 'fools' by the others and were subject to ridicule, and were sent on 'fools errands' or were made the butt of practical jokes and called April Fools. The harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April. The tradition spread to England and Scotland in the eighteenth century and was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day developed into an international fun fest with different nationalities specialising in their own brand of humour at the expense of their friends and families. Be careful you don't get caught! 1572 - The Sea Beggars under Guillaume de la Marck landed in Holland and captured the small town of Briel. 1578 - Born this day, William Harvey, English physician and biologist. After earning a degree at Cambridge University at the age of twenty, he journeyed to Italy to study medicine at the University of Padua. Padua was the centre for western European medical instruction at that time. Harvey graduated with honours in 1602 and returned to England where he earned yet another medical degree from Cambridge University. He then settled down to begin practicing medicine. Harvey was fascinated by the way blood flowed through the human body. Most people of the day believed that food was converted into blood by the liver, then was consumed as fuel by the body. Harvey knew this was untrue through his firsthand observations of human and animal dissections. In 1628 Harvey published An Anatomical Study of the Motion of the Heart and of the Blood in Animals which explained how blood was pumped from the heart throughout the body, then returned to the heart and re-circulated. The views this book expressed were very controversial and lost Harvey many patients, but it became the basis for all modern research on the heart and blood vessels. A second ground-breaking book published by Harvey in 1651, Essays on the Generation of Animals, is considered the basis for modern embryology. Despite the uproar over each of Harvey's unconventional anatomical theories, he was recognised as a medical leader in his day. He was doctor to King Charles I of England and was appointed doctor of physics at Oxford. At the time of his death in 1657, Harvey's medical and scientific genius were celebrated throughout the European medical community. 1621 - The first colonial treaty with Native Americans was signed between Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoags and English pilgrims on behalf of King James I at Strawberry Hill, Massachusetts. 1693 - Colonial clergyman Cotton Mather's first-born son died at the age of four days. Mather suspected witchcraft as the cause, and had previously published Wonders of the Invisible World, affirming his belief in spectral phenomena. 1697 - Born this day, Abbe Prevost, French novelist, journalist (Manon Lescaut). 1755 - Born this day, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French lawyer (Fisiologia del Gusto). 1760 - The Poor Robin's Almanack published one of the first celebrations of April Fools' Day. Some believe April Fools' started independently in different countries to celebrate the Spring Equinox. Others say it celebrated New Year's Day, which fell on April 1st in the Julian calendar. 1778 - Oliver Pollock, a New Orleans businessman, created the dollar sign. 1789 - The US House of Representatives held its first full meeting, in New York City. Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House Speaker. 1815 - Born this day, Otto Von Bismarck, chancellor of Germany (1866-90). 1826 - Samuel Morey of Oxford, New Hampshire, patented the internal combustion engine. 1850 - San Francisco County Government was established. 1852 - Born this day, Edward Austin Abbey, US painter (Quest of the Holy Grail). 1853 - Cincinnati became the first US city to pay its firefighters a regular salary. 1863 - The first wartime conscription law came into effect in the United States. 1864 - The first travel accident policy was issued to James Batterson by the Travelers Insurance Company (The company with the red umbrella as a logo) Mr. Batterson also received the first general insurance policy issued by the firm in July, 1864. 1865 - In the US Civil War, the battle of Five Forks ended with the defeat of the Confederate Army under Pickett. (Another source says - At the Battle of Five Forks, General Robert E. Lee began his final offensive.) 1865 - Born this day, Richard Zsigmondy, in Germany, chemist (Nobel-1925). 1867 - Blacks voted in a municipal election in Tuscumbia, Alabama. 1867 - An International Exhibition opened in Paris. 1868 - The Hampton Institute was founded in Hampton, Virginia. 1868 - Born this day, Edmond Rostand, French dramatist, poet/playwright (Cyrano de Bergerac). 1870 - Died this day, Patrick Gass, Sergeant of Lewis & Clark Expedition, aged 98. 1873 - The British White Star steamship Atlantic sank off Nova Scotia, 547 died. 1873 - Born this day, Sergei Rachmaninoff, in Novgorod Provine, Russia, composer (Prelude in C# Minor). 1875 - Born this day, Edgar Wallace, in London, England, novelist, playwright, thriller writer and journalist (The Terror). In his 28-year career he wrote 173 books, 22 plays and hundreds of short stories. 1875 - The Times of London became the first newspaper to print a daily weather chart. 1876 - The first official NL baseball game took place (Boston-6, Phila-5). 1883 - Born this day, Lon Chaney, film actor, man of a 1000 faces, (High Noon, Phantom of Opera). 1883 - Born this day, William Manchester, US historian and biographer. 1886 - Born this day, Wallace Beery, actor (Alias a Gentleman, Dinner at 8, Ah Wilderness). 1887 - In White Fish Bay, Wisconsin, a tornado struck during a snow squall and damaged a mobile home. 1889 - The first dishwashing machine was marketed, in Chicago. 1892 - A. Charlois discovers asteroid #331 Etheridgea. 1895 - Born this day, Alberta Hunter, blues singer. 1902 - The treadmill was abolished in British prisons. 1905 - The British East African Protectorate became the colony of Kenya. 1905 - Berlin and Paris were linked by telephone. 1905 - Born this day, Gaston Eyskens, Prime Minister of Belgium (1949, 1958-61, 1968-72). 1905 - Born this day, Mother Clara Hale, founder of Hale House. 1906 - Born this day, Ned Glass, in Poland, actor (Sol-Julia, Uncle Moe-Bridget Loves Bernie). 1906 - Born this day, Sigve Lie, in Norway, yachtsmans (Olympic gold 1948, 1952). 1909 - Born this day, Abner Biberman, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, actor (Imhook-Kodiak). 1909 - Born this day, Eddie Duchin, in Massachusetts, society pianist, bandleader (Eddie Duchin Orchestra). 1910 - Dumitru Dan of Romania, completed a 62,137 mile (100,000 m) walk. 1915 - Born this day, Art Lund, in Salt Lake City, Utah, singer (Ken Murray Show). 1916 - The first US national women's swimming championships were held. (Where?). 1917 - Died this day, Scott Joplin, King of ragtime music, composer, musician, guitarist, pianist, bugler. Joplin died on this date of complications due to syphilis. His innovative music would regain popularity in the 1970's when it was adapted by Marvin Hamlisch as the Oscar-winning score for the 1970's blockbuster movie, The Sting. (Composed - Original Rags, Maple Leaf Rag, The Ragtime Dance, The Entertainer, operas: The Guest of Honor, Treemonisha). 1917 - Born this day, Johnny Andrews, in Boston, singer, host of Songs at Twilight. 1917 - Born this day, Leon Janney, in Ogden, Utah, actor (Hawk). 1918 - In Britain, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Force amalgamated to form the Royal Air Force. 1919 - Born this day, Joseph E. Murray, transplant physician. 1920 - Germany's Workers Party changed its name to the Nationalist Socialist German Worker's Party (Nazis). 1920 - The Church was disestablished in Wales. 1920 - The Ottawa Senators beat the Seattle Metropolitans 3 games to 2 for the Stanley Cup. 1920 - Born this day, Toshiro Mifune, in Tsing-tao, China, writer, actor (Shogun). 1921 - Born this day, William Bergsma, in Oakland, California, composer (Fortunate Island). 1921 - K. Reinmuth discovered asteroid #950 Ahrensa. 1922 - Born this day, William Manchester, historian (Death of a President). 1923 - In the Eastern US States, residents woke to an April Fool's Day of bitterly cold temperatures. -34 °F (-36.7 °C) at Bergland, Michigan and to 16 °F (-8.9 °C) in Georgia. 1924 - The first gramophone to change records automatically went on sale. (Where?) 1924 - The Crown took over Northern Rhodesia from the British South Africa Company. 1924 - Imperial Airways was formed in Britain. 1924 - A court sentenced Adolf Hitler to five years in jail for high treason after his abortive 1923 'Beer Hall Putsch'; he was released December 20. 1925 - On Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem, British statesman Lord (Arthur James) Balfour dedicated Hebrew University. 1926 - Born this day, Anne McCaffrey, American writer (Crystal Singer). 1926 - Born this day, Lyndon Brook, actor. 1927 - The first automatic record changer was introduced by His Master's Voice. 1927 - Eurovision was founded in Chicago. Headquartered today in Pasadena, California, this Protestant overseas missions agency specialises in supporting national churches through evangelistic radio, literature and relief work. 1928 - China's Chiang Kai-shek began attacks on communists. 1928 - Born this day, George Grizzard, actor (Wrong is Right, Bachelor Party, Attica). 1928 - Born this day, Herbert Klein, newscaster, press secretary. 1928 - Born this day, Jane Powell, in Portland, Oregon, singer/actress (7 Brides for 7 Brothers). 1929 - The yo-yo was introduced in the United States by Louie Marx. 1929 - Morehouse College, Spelman College and Atlanta University were affiliated. 1929 - Born this day, Milan Kundera, Czech writer (The Farewell Party, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, L'art du Roman). 1930 - Leo Hartnett of the Chicago Cubs broke the altitude record for a catch by catching a baseball dropped from the Goodyear blimp 800 feet over Los Angeles, California. 1930 - Died this day, Zawditu, first reigning female monarch of Ethiopia. 1930 - Born this day, Grace Lee Whitney, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, actress (Yeoman Rand-Star Trek). 1931 - Pitcher Jackie Mitchell was signed by the Chattanooga Baseball Club. At the age of 19, Mitchell was the first woman in organised baseball. 1931 - Born this day, George Baker, actor. 1931 - Born this day, Debbie Reynolds [Mary Frances Reynolds], actress, dancer, in El Paso, Texas, (Singin' in the Rain, Tammy). 1932 - German scholar Gerhard Kittel published the first partial volume of Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. With World War II (WWII) and Kittel's death in 1948 intervening, this monumental 10-volume work was not completed until the late 1960s. 1932 - Born this day, Gordon Jump, in Dayton, Ohio, actor (Arthur Carlson-WKRP, Growing Pains). 1933 - Nazi Germany began persecuting Jews with a boycott of Jewish-owned businesses and by seizing their bank accounts. 1934 - Born this day, Don Hastings, in Brooklyn, New York, actor (Capt Video, Bob-As the World Turns). 1934 - Born this day, Jim Ed Brown, in Sparkman, Arkansas, country singer (Nashville on the Road). 1935 - The first radio tube made of metal was announced, in Schenectady, New York. 1935 - L. Boyer discovered asteroid #1344 Caubeta. 1936 - Orissa was constituted a province of British India. 1937 - K. Reinmuth discovered asteroids #1417 Walinskia and #3417 Tamblyn. 1937 - M. Laugier discovered asteroid #1426 Riviera. 1938 - The Baseball Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown, New York. 1938 - Born this day, Ali MacGraw, actress, in Pound Ridge, New York (Love Story, Goodbye Columbus). 1939 - The United States recognised the Franco government in Spain following the end of the Spanish Civil War. 1939 - Born this day, Phil Niekro, knuckleball pitcher (New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves). 1939 - Born this day, Rudolph Isley, The Isley Brothers, 1968 UK No.3 single This Old Heart Of Mine, 1973 US No.6 and UK No.14 single That Lady. 1941 - The first contract for advertising on a commercial FM radio station began on W71NY in New York City. 1941 - The US Navy took over Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. 1942 - Mexico changed from 3 time zones to 2. 1942 - Born this day, Samuel R. Delany, sci-fi author (Dhalgren). 1942 - The US Navy began a partial convoy system in the Atlantic. 1942 - Born this day, Alan Blakley, Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, and The Tremeloes 1967 UK No.1 and US No.11 single Silence Is Golden. Died of cancer 1 June 1996. 1942 - Born this day, Phil Margo, The Tokens, 1961 US No.1 and UK No.11 single The Lion Sleeps Tonight. 1944 - Born this day, Carol White, in England, actress (Daddy's Gone a Hunting). 1945 - Born this day, Heather Young, in Bremerton, Washington, actress (Betty-Land of Giants). 1945 - On this day in 1945, after suffering the loss of 116 planes, and damage to three aircraft carriers, 50,000 US combat troops of the 10th Army, under the command of Lieutenant General Simon B. Buckner Jr., landed on the southwest coast of the Japanese island of Okinawa, 350 miles south of Kyushu, the southern main island of Japan. Determined to seize Okinawa as a base of operations for the army ground and air forces for a later assault on mainland Japan, more than 1,300 ships converged on the island, finally putting ashore 50,000 combat troops on 1 April. The Americans quickly seized two airfields and advanced inland to cut the island's waist. They battled nearly 120,000 Japanese army, militia, and labour troops under the command of Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima. The Japanese surprised the American forces with a change in strategy, drawing them into the mainland rather than confronting them at the water's edge. While Americans landed without loss of men, they would suffer more than 50,000 casualties, including more than 12,000 deaths, as the Japanese staged a desperate defense of the island, a defense that included waves of kamikaze ('divine wind') air attacks. Eventually, these suicide raids proved counterproductive, as the Japanese finally ran out of planes and resolve, with some 4,000 finally surrendering. Japanese casualties numbered some 117,000. Lieutenant Buckner, son of a Civil War general, was among the casualties, killed by enemy artillery fire just three days before the Japanese surrender. Japanese General Ushijima committed ritual suicide upon defeat of his forces. The 1952 film Okinawa starring Pat O'Brien, is one of several movies to depict this decisive episode in the history of World War II (WWII). 1946 - Born this day, Arthur Conley, soul singer, 1967 US No.2 and UK No.7 single Sweet Soul Music. Died of cancer on 17 November 2003. 1946 - Tsunamis generated by a quake in the Aleutian Trench struck Hilo, Hawaii, resulting in more than 170 deaths. 1946 - A miner's strike in the US caused 400,000 workers to be made idle. 1946 - Born this day, John Barbata, drums, The Turtles, US No.1 single Happy Together, and with Jefferson Starship, 1987 UK and US No.1 single Nothing's Gonna Stop Us. 1946 - Born this day, ['Plonk'] Ronnie Lane, rock bassist, vocals, The Small Faces, 1967 UK No.3 and US No.16 single Itchycoo Park, 1968 UK No.1 album Ogden's Nut Gone Flake, The Faces, 1972 UK No.6 and US No17 single Stay With Me, with Slim Chance, 1974 UK No.5 single How Come. Died on 4 June 1997 aged 51 after a 20 year battle with multiple sclerosis. 1946 - Born this day, William F. Fisher, Dallas, Texas, MD, astronaut (STS 51-I). 1947 - Born this day, David Eisenhower, grandson of President Dwight, married Julie Nixon. 1947 - Born this day, Robin Scott, singer, M, 1979 US No.1 and UK No.2 single Pop Muzik. 1947 - Died this day, Greece's King George II. 1947 - The school leaving age was raised to 15 in Britain. 1948 - Born this day, Simon Cowe, guitar, Lindisfarne, 1972 UK No.3 single Lady Eleanor, 1978 US No.33 single Run For Home. 1948 - Born this day, Jimmy Cliff, reggae singer, Jamaican singer, songwriter, 1969 UK No.6 and US No.25 single Wonderful World Beautiful People, 1970 UK No.8 cover of Cat Stevens' Wild World. 1948 - Russia began imposing rigid checks on road and rail traffic between Berlin and West Germany. The fear is that this could turn into a full-scale blockade to squeeze out the West from the four-power city. Britain said it will resist any attempt to stop its trains, but cars on the road to the capital are all being delayed. 1948 - Born this day, J.J. Williams, former rugby player. 1948 - The Berlin Blockade began with Soviet troops cutting road and rail links to the Allied Western Zone. 1949 - Born this day, Gil Scott-Heron, Jazz musician. 1949 - The first all-black-cast variety show was presented on WENR-TV in Chicago, Illinois. The show was called Happy Pappy. 1950 - Italy assumed trusteeship of Somaliland, taking over from the British administration. 1950 - Died this day, Charles R. Drew, surgeon, developer of blood bank concept, aged 45. 1951 - United Nations (UN) forces moved northward again across the 38th Parallel in Korea. 1952 - The Big Bang theory was proposed in 'Physical Review' by Alpher, Bethe & Gamow. 1952 - Born this day, Annette O'Toole, in Houston, Texas, actress (Cat People, Superman III). 1952 - Born this day, Rey Robinson, US 100m sprinter (Olympics 1972). 1952 - Born this day, Billy Currie, rock musician, keyboard, violin, Ultravox, 1981 UK No.2 single Vienna, plus 15 other UK top 40 singles. 1953 - Born this day, Ali MacGraw, actress. 1954 - The US Air Force Academy was founded in Colorado. 1954 - Born this day, Jeff Porcaro, musician, drummer, percussionist, Toto, 1983 US No.1 and UK No.3 single Africa. Died 5 August 1992. 1954 - The first US army helicopter battalion was formed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 1955 - Goethe Link Observatory discovered asteroid #1852 Carpenter. 1955 - One Man’s Family was seen on TV for the final time after a six-year stay on NBC-TV. The longtime popular radio show of the same name continued until 1959. 1955 - George Martin became the head of A&R for EMI's Parlophone label. 1956 - Elvis Presley was given a screen test at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, acting the role of Jimmy Curry in a scene from The Rainmaker. 1956 - Chet Huntley began his successful news career with NBC. He started as a reporter and analyst of the Sunday news series, Outlook. Soon, he would be teamed with David Brinkley for election coverage. The duo would click and become co-anchors of The Huntley-Brinkley Report nightly on NBC with Huntley presenting news from the New York studio while Brinkley reported from Washington, DC. John Chancellor, who would become the sole anchor of the NBC Nightly News years later, was also a part of the broadcast giving comment and analysis on the day’s top news. Huntley and Brinkley closed each news broadcast with the trademark, 'Good night Chet. Good night David. And good night from NBC News'. 1956 - Died this day, William R. Newell, 88, American Congregational pastor and Bible teacher. He is remembered today as author of the hymn, At Calvary (Years I Spent in Vanity and Pride). 1957 - All of Great Britain was fooled this April Fool’s Day by England’s famous newscaster, Richard Dimbleby. The newscaster, wrapping up the day’s news on Panorama, the BBC’s current affairs program, reported about the 'spring spaghetti crop in Italy'. The filmed report showed the spaghetti (some ten pounds of the stuff) being picked from a tree. Many people believed him. 1957 - Born this day, David Gower, ex-cricketer, TV show panellist. (They Think It's All Over). 1957 - Appearing at the London Palladium, were Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. 1958 - Born this day, Anton Innauer, in Austria, 70 metre ski jumper (Olympic gold 1980). 1960 - The first weather satellite, TIROS-1, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Tiros I, was the world's first meteorological satellite which transmitted cloud cover pictures. (TV & Infra-Red Observation 'weather' Satellite) 1960 - Mabry Harper caught a 25 lb Walleye in Tennessee. 1960 - Elvis Presley taped Frank Sinatra's Timex TV special in Miami. 1960 - U Nu was elected premier of Burma. 1961 - Troy Shondell recorded This Time. 1961 - The Beatles began a three-month residency at The Top Ten Club, Hamburg. The band played for seven hours a night on weekdays and eight hours at weekends with a fifteen minute break every hour. 1961 - Jim Bakker married Tammy Faye. 1961 - Born this day, Jennifer Runyon, actress (New Brady Bunch). 1961 - Born this day, Mark White, rock guitarist, ABC, 1982 UK No.4 and US No.18 single The Look Of Love, plus nine other UK top 40 singles. 1962 - In Alma, New Brunswick, Canada, torrential rains fell measuring 179.1 mm (7.05 inches), with a storm total over 48 hours of 228.6 mm (9.00 inches). 1962 - Born this day, Phillip Schofield, TV presenter. 1962 - In a referendum the Swiss people rejected a proposed amendment to the Constitution prohibiting manufacture of atomic weapons on Swiss territory. 1963 - The daily TV serial, General Hospital, began its long and popular run on ABC-TV. Not to be left on the operating table alone, NBC-TV countered with its popular program, The Doctors. 1963 - New York City's newspapers resumed publishing after a 114 day strike. 1964 - Born this day, Leslie Langston, bass, Throwing Muses, 1992 UK No.46 Firepile EP. 1964 - John Lennon was reunited with his father Freddie after 17 years. 1965 - King Hussein of Jordan appointed his younger brother Prince Hassan as his heir. 1965 - Syncom 3, the first geo-synchronous communications satellite, passed from civilian to military control. 1965 - Born this day, John 'Jumbo' Elliot, NFL tackle (New York Giants). 1965 - Born this day, Peter O'Toole, rock musician, Hothouse Flowers, 1988 UK No.11 single Don't Go. 1965 - Operation Crossbow with Sophia Loren was released. 1965 - Greater London came into being, comprising the City of London plus 32 metropolitan boroughs. 1966 - Sophia Loren made the cover of Life magazine. 1966 - The first world festival of black art was held in Dakar, Senegal. 1966 - Pye Records released David Bowie's first solo single, Do Anything You Say. Bowie had previously recorded as David Jones and the Lower Third. 1967 - Born this day, Chris Evans, DJ/TV presenter. 1967 - The Kinks appeared in concert at Kelvin Hall, in Glasgow, Scotland. 1968 - The US Army launched Operation Pegasus, the reopening of a land route to the besieged Khe Sanh Marine base. 1969 - The Beach Boys sued Capitol Records for over $2 million over unpaid royalties and other losses. 1969 - Sweet Charity with Shirley MacLaine was released. 1969 - Ambrose Slade (Slade) made their live debut at Walsall Town Hall, Walsall. 1969 - Born this day, Traci Lin-Tavi, in New York City, actress (Ryan's Hope, F/X, Fright Night 2). 1970 - 50 musicians recorded the Orchestral scores for The Long And Winding Road and Across The Universe for the Phil Spector produced Beatles sessions, the bill for the 50 musicians was £1,126 and 5 shillings (25p). 1970 - In Chicago, Illinois, O'Hare Airport was closed as 10.9 inches (27.7 cm) of snow buried the Windy City. The storm was the city's biggest snowstorm so late in the season. 1970 - Earls Court, London received over one million postal ticket applications for The Rolling Stones forthcoming 6 concerts. 1970 - The US Army charged Captain Ernest Medina for his role in the My Lai massacre. 1970 - President Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette adverts on radio and television, to take effect after 1 January 1971. 1970 - The Woodstock movie premiered in Hollywood. 1970 - John and Yoko released the hoax that they were having dual sex change operations. 1970 - L. Chernykh discovered asteroid #1805 Dirikis, #1957 Angara and #1976 Kaverin. 1971 - United Kingdom lifted all restrictions on gold ownership. 1971 - Born this day, Clifford Smith, Method Man, Wu-Tang Clan, 1997 US and UK No.1 album Wu-Tang Forever. 1971 - US/Canada ISIS 2 was launched to study the ionosphere. 1972 - 30,000 attended the Mar Y Sol rock concert, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. 1972 - Major league baseball players staged their first collective strike. 1972 - The three day Mar Y Sol festival in Puerto Rico took place, featuring Rod Stewart, Dr John, The Allman Brothers, Osibisa, ELP, The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Security was simple as the event took place on an island accessible by ticket only. 1973 - John Lennon and Yoko formed a new country with no laws or boundaries, called Nutopia, its national anthem was silence. 1973 - Japan allowed its citizens to own gold. 1973 - Curved Air kicked off a 12 date UK tour at Birmingham Town Hall. 1973 - In Britain, Value Added Tax (VAT) became operative. 1974 - Barbra Streisand, for The Way We Were, lost the Best Actress Academy Award to Glenda Jackson. 1974 - Reorganisation of local government in England and Wales saw changes to many county names and boundaries. 1975 - Cambodian President Lon Nol, leader of the US-backed government, fled to Indonesia as Khmer Rouge guerrillas closed in on the capital Phnom Penh. 1975 - The Bay City Rollers' own TV series Shang-A-Lang premiered on ITV in the UK. 1976 - The Buzzcocks played their debut live gig when they appeared at Bolton Institute Of Technology. The power was turned off after three numbers. 1976 - N. Chernykh discovered asteroid #2206 Gabrova, #2312 Duboshin, #2361 Gogol, #2606 Odessa, #2722 Abalakin, #2734 Hasek, #2769 Mendeleev, #2849 Shklovskij, #2922 Dikan'ka, #3246 and #3723. 1976 - Died this day, Freddie Lennon, father of John Lennon, aged 63. 1976 - Helter Skelter, an explosive made-for TV dramatisation of the best-selling novel about the Charles Manson 'family' and the trial of the Tate/LaBianca murderers, aired its Part I on CBS on this date. It was one of the biggest made-for-TV productions of its time, with 115 speaking parts. It ended up being one of the highest-rated television films during the two nights it took to unfold. 1977 - The NFL decided to experiment with a 7th official in some pre-season games. 1977 - Elvis Presley was admitted to a Memphis hospital suffering from fatigue and intestinal flu (he stayed there for six days). 1978 - Appearing live were Elvis Costello and The Attractions at The Bracknell Sports Centre, Berkshire. 1978 - The Philadelphia Fury soccer team (owned by Paul Simon, Peter Frampton, James Taylor and others) made its debut. 1979 - Iran proclaimed an Islamic Republic following the fall of the Shah. 1980 - Wayne Gretzky broke Bobby Orr's record with 103rd assist. 1981 - Heavy fighting broke out in Beirut and Zahle between Arab peace-keeping force and Lebanese right-wing militia. 1981 - E. Bowell discovered asteroid #3480 Abante. 1981 - Born this day, Hannah Spearritt, singer, formerly of S Club 7. 1999 UK No.1 single Bring It All Back. 1982 - The United States formerly transferred control of the Panama Canal Zone to Panama. 1983 - New York Islander Mike Bossy became the first to score 60 goals in three consecutive seasons. 1984 - Eight men set a record for the longest distance rowed in 24 hours at 13 miles. 1984 - Died this day, Marvin Gaye, US soul singer, shot by his father Marvin Gaye Snr. during a violent argument at his parents home in Los Angeles. Gaye's father was sentenced to 5 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter, in November 1984. 1985 - Tom Bailey singer with The Thompson Twins collapsed from exhaustion while staying at The Holiday Inn, Chelsea. He was flown to Paris to see his private doctor. 1985 - George Plimpton played an April Fool’s joke on readers of Sports Illustrated. Plimpton introduced the entire nation to Sidd Finch, a 28-year-old aspiring monk, who could throw a 168 MPH fastball! Finch was said to be a free-agent pitcher in the New York Mets’ spring training camp; that he had “learned the art of the pitch” while playing the French horn in his spare time. Plimpton later admitted that Finch was the figment of a most active imagination. No such person existed. 1985 - David Lee Roth quit Van Halen to go solo. 1985 - The long-awaited album, We Are the World, was finally released. Eight rock stars donated previously unreleased material for the LP. Three-million copies of the award-winning single of the same name had already been sold. The song, We Are the World, was number five, and moving up, on the Billboard magazine pop single’s chart. 1985 - Villanova beat Georgetown for the NCAA basketball title. 1986 - US sub Nathaniel Green ran aground in the Irish Sea. 1986 - World oil prices dipped below $10 a barrel. 1987 - Steve Newman became the first man to walk solo around the world. The 15,000-mile trek took him four years and untold pairs of shoes to complete. 1988 - Died this day, Jim Jordan, radio's Fibber McGee, aged 91 after a fall. 1989 - Madonna scored her 3rd UK No.1 album with Like A Prayer. 1989 - The Bangles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with Eternal Flame. It was also a No.1 in the UK. 1989 - The first New York Met versus New York Yankee game in New York City since 1983 took place. The Yanks won 4-3. 1989 - A. Bartlett Giamatti replaced Ueberroth as the seventh commissioner of baseball. 1989 - Despite determined threats of non-payment and other protests, Margaret Thatcher introduced her Community Charge (Poll Tax) in place of rates in Scotland from this date. 1990 - Willie Nelson's tour bus crashed into a car in Riverdale, Canada, killing the car driver. 1990 - Ha! the comedy Channel on cable TV began transmitting. 1990 - CBS fired sportscaster Brent Mussburger. 1990 - It became illegal in Salem, Oregon to be within 2 feet of nude dancers. 1990 - Jack Nicklaus won first start on the Senior PGA tour. 1990 - In Wrestlemania VI, Ultimate Warrior beat Hulk Hogan for the championship. 1990 - Soviet military vehicles rolled through the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, a day after Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev warned the Baltic republic to annul its independence bid. 1990 - The longest prison riot in British history began at Strangeways, Manchester, and lasted until April 25. One remand prisoner died and the jail was left in ruins. 1991 - Died this day, Matha Grahame, ballerina, aged 96. 1991 - Dwight Goodin signed a $5.15 million 3 year contract with the New York Mets. 1991 - Died this day, Richard Thorpe, director (MGM), aged 95. 1991 - The Duke Bluedevils beat Kansas 72-65 for the NCAA championship. 1991 - The US minimum wage rose from $3.80 to $4.25 per hour. 1991 - The Warsaw Pact officially dissolved. 1991 - KLM founded a new strong regional airline, KLM Cityhopper, by amalgamating NLM Cityhopper and NetherLines. 1992 - The NFL decided to stay with a 17 week schedule instead of expanding it to 18 games. 1992 - Died this day, Juanito, soccer star (Madrid Real 1977-87), aged 37 in car crash. 1995 - More than 1,500 mourners attended a vigil for Latin singer Selena in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she had been shot to death the day before. 1995 - The Outhere Brothers had the UK No.1 single with Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle). 1996 - In Japan, the world's largest bank was created when the merger of the Mitsubishi Bank and the Bank of Tokyo was completed. 1998 - Actor Robert Downey, Jr., aged 33, left a Los Angeles jail on this date after serving 113 days for violating probation on multiple drug charges. He then entered an undisclosed rehabilitation center for a two month stay. 1999 - A New Jersey, USA man was arrested and charged with originating the Melissa email virus. 2000 - Tens of thousands of people took part in an emotionally-charged rally to show support for Rover car workers facing the sack due to its sale by BMW. 2000 - Santana went to No.1 on the US singles chart with Maria Maria. 2001 - It was reported that Spice Girl Mel B had been advised to sell her £3.5m Buckinghamshire mansion because she couldn’t afford to run it. The singer had told friends she was having to take out a £500,000 bank loan. 2001 - Crazytown went back to No.1 on the US singles chart for two weeks with Butterfly. 2001 - TV's Popstars winners Hear'say, started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut album Popstars. 2001 - Agriculture Minister Nick Brown refused to reveal if the Government would vaccinate against foot-and-mouth. 2002 - Died this day, gun salutes rang out across the United Kingdom as the nation mourned the death of the Queen Mother. 2003 - Allied commanders blamed Iraq's 'tactics of terrorism' after US troops opened fire on two cars, killing at least eight civilians. |
Trivia
Trivia - petty details or considerations, matters or things that are very unimportant, inconsequential, or nonessential; trifles; trivialities.
Trivial - of very little importance or value; insignificant: "Don't bother me with trivial matters." Trivially - unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling.