|
January 8th
1297 - In Monaco, Franceschino Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, sneaked into the Genoese-controlled fortress, let in his own soldiers, and established the Grimaldi dynasty. 1642 - Died this day, Galileo Galilei, Italian mathematician and astronomer. 1675 - The first corporation was charted in the United States - the New York Fishing Company. 1786 - Born this day, Nicholas Biddle, financier. 1792 - Born this day, Lowell Mason, educator, hymn writer, (Nearer My God To Thee). 1798 - The 11th Amendment of the US Constitution, modifying the power of the US Supreme Court, was ratified. 1799 - The first important income tax was levied in Great Britain from 1799 to 1816 in order to raise funds for the Napoleonic Wars. After several other temporary income taxes, Britain adopted a permanent one in 1874. The first income tax in the United States was imposed in 1864, during the Civil War, but was discontinued in 1872. 1800 - The first soup kitchens for the poor of London began. 1815 - The Battle of New Orleans. Two weeks after the War of 1812 officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, US General Andrew Jackson achieved the greatest American victory of the war at the Battle of New Orleans. In September 1814, an impressive American naval victory on Lake Champlain forced invading British forces back into Canada and led to the conclusion of peace negotiations in Ghent, Belgium. Although the peace agreement was signed on 24 December, word did not reach the British forces assailing the Gulf coast in time to halt a major attack. On 8 January 1815, the British marched against New Orleans, hoping that by capturing the city they could separate Louisiana from the rest of the United States. Pirate Jean Lafitte, however, had warned the Americans of the attack, and the arriving British found militiamen under General Andrew Jackson strongly entrenched at the Rodriquez Canal. In two separate assaults, the 7,500 British soldiers under Sir Edward Pakenham were unable to penetrate the US defenses, and Jackson's 4,500 troops, many of them expert marksmen from Kentucky and Tennessee, decimated the British lines. In half an hour, the British had retreated, General Pakenham was dead, and nearly 2,000 of his men were killed, wounded, or missing. US forces suffered only eight killed and 13 wounded. Although the battle had no bearing on the outcome of the war, Jackson's overwhelming victory elevated national pride, which had suffered a number of setbacks during the War of 1812. The Battle of New Orleans was also the last armed engagement between the United States and Britain. 1821 - Born this day, James Longstreet, Confederate general in the Civil War. 1824 - Born this day, [William] Wilkie Collins, English pioneer of the detective and suspense story whose work includes The Woman in White and The Moontone. 1832 - Bell's New Weekly Messenger published the first cartoon to appear in an English newspaper. It showed the House of Lords shocked by the Reform Bill. 1845 - Felix Mendelssohn's Hear My Prayer was sung publicly for the first time during a concert at Crosby Hall in London. 1853 - A bronze statue of Andrew Jackson on a horse was unveiled in Lafayette Park in Washington, DC. The statue was the work of Clark Mills. 1856 - Borax (hydrated sodium borate) was discovered by Dr. John Veatch in Tuscan Springs, California. It became a multiuse product that was popularised during the era of TV’s Death Valley Days. 1862 - Born this day, Frank Doubleday, publisher and founder of Doubleday and Company. 1867 - US Congress approved legislation that, for the first time, allowed blacks to vote in the District of Columbia. 1868 - Born this day, Sir Frank Dyson, proved Einstein right about light being bent by gravity. 1880 - Died this day, Norton I, Emperor of the US, Protector of Mexico. Joshua Norton was born in England in 1819. He migrated to South Africa with his parents, and spent his childhood there. Not much is known about this period. He then arrived in San Francisco in 1849, about 30 years of age. Norton died suddenly on 8 January 1880, while making his daily rounds. Area flags were hung at half mast. Businesses were closed. The funeral arrangements were the most elaborate the city had ever seen, with 20,000 people paying their last respects. 1889 - Dr. Herman Hollerith patented an electrically-operated data-processing computer (tabulating machine). The company he formed to market it evolved into the giant IBM. 1901 - The first tournament sanctioned by the American Bowling Congress was held in Chicago, Illinois. 1904 - On 8 January, women were banned by Pope Pius X from wearing low-cut gowns when leading Catholic churchmen are present. 1906 - Arthur Rubinstein made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert received only a few favourable reviews. 1908 - Born this day, Simone De Beauvoir, writer. 1909 - Born this day, Evelyn Wood, reading teacher. 1911 - Born this day, (Thelma) Butterfly McQueen, actress, (The Mosquito Coast, Duel in the Sun, Gone with the Wind). Died 22 December 1995. 1912 - Born this day, Jose Vincente Ferrer (Cintron), Academy Award-winning actor, (Cyrano de Bergerac [1950]; Joan of Arc, Moulin Rouge, The Caine Mutiny, Deep in My Heart, Lawrence of Arabia, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Ship of Fools, Dune, The Evil That Men Do; Rosemary Clooney’s husband). Died 26 January 1992. 1914 - Born this day, Gypsy Rose Lee, burlesque entertainer. 1916 - During World War I (WWI), Allied forces staged a full retreat from the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, ending a disastrous invasion of the Ottoman Empire that resulted in 250,000 Allied casualties. 1918 - US President Woodrow Wilson presented his Fourteen Points to Congress, a peace plan aimed at a new world order after World War I (WWI). 1921 - David Lloyd George became the first British Prime Minister to occupy Chequers. 1923 - Born this day, Larry Storch, comedian, actor. 1924 - Born this day, Ron Moody, actor, singer, (Oliver Twist). 1925 - Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, appeared in his first American concert, as he conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in a program of his own compositions. 1926 - Abdul Aziz ibn Saud became king of the Hejaz, which he announced would henceforth be called Saudi Arabia. 1926 - Born this day, Soupy Sales [Milton Hinkes], comedian. 1928 - Born this day, Sander Vanocur, newscaster. 1928 - Born this day, Slate Gorton, US Senator. 1930 - Born this day, Doreen Wilbur, archery, (Olympic Gold Medalist, Munich 1972). 1931 - Born this day, Bill Graham, concert promoter (Fillmore's East and West). 1933 - Born this day, Charles Osgood, TV journalist, author. 1935 - Born this day, Elvis Presley, [The King of Rock & Roll], born Elvis Aaron Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi at 4:35 a.m. In 1954, working together for the first time in a recording studio with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, Elvis fools around during a break in recording with an uptempo version of That's All Right Mama. Producer Sam Phillips has them repeat the jam and records the track. In 1973, after becoming ill during a concert in Las Vegas Elvis Presley presented doctor Sidney Bowers with a Lincoln Continental to show his appreciation. In 1997, a high court judge ruled that Elvis Presley Enterprises did not have the sole rights to the name, allowing UK fan Sid Shaw to carry on calling himself Elvis Presley at his memorabilla shop in London. Some other songs by Elvis include Mystery Train, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender, and Suspicious Minds. He appeared in over 30 films including Jailhouse Rock, G.I. Blues, and Blue Hawaii. His first UK hit was the 1956 UK No.2 single Heartbreak Hotel, his first UK No.1 single was the 1957 All Shook Up. 1937 - Born this day, Shirley Veronica Bassey, in the notorious 'Tiger Bay' area of Cardiff, Wales, first charted in the UK in 1957, 1970 UK No.4 single with cover of The Beatles George Harrison song Something, also James Bond theme Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever. 1938 - Born this day, Bob Eubanks, game-show host. 1940 - Born this day, Anthony Gourdine, singer, Little Anthony and The Imperials, 1958 US No.4 single Tears On My Pillow, 1964 US No.12 single Goin' Out Of My Head, 1965 US No.3 single Hurt So Bad. The track Tears On My Pillow gave Kylie Minogue a UK No.1 in 1990. 1940 - Vincent Lopez and his orchestra recorded the third version of Lopez’ theme song titled Nola. This version, recorded in Hollywood on Bluebird Records, is recognised as his best rendition of the classic song. 1941 - Died this day, Robert Baden Powell, founder of the scout movement. 1942 - Born this day, Yvette Mimieux, in Hollywood, actress, (Where the Boys Are (1960), The Time Machine (1960), The Most Deadly Game). 1942 - Born this day, Bob Taft, Governor of Ohio. 1942 - Born this day, Professor Stephen Hawking, author, (A Brief History of Time), mathemetician. 1943 - Born this day, Lee Jackson, The Nice, 1968 UK No.21 single America. 1943 - Born this day, Marcus Hutson, The Whispers, 1980 UK No.2 And The Beat Goes On, 1981 UK No.9 It's A Love Thing. 1945 - Born this day, Terry Sylvester, guitar, vocals, Swingin Blue Jeans, The Hollies, (joined in 1969). 1972 US No.2 and UK No.32 single Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress, 1988 UK No.1 single 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother', originally released in 1969 making No.3. 1946 - Born this day, [Robert] Robbie Krieger, musician, guitar, The Doors, 1967 US No.1 and UK No.49 single Light My Fire and 1971 single Riders On The Storm. 1946 - Born this day, Kathleen Noone, actress. 1947 - Born this day, David Bowie (David Robert Jones), in Brixton, London, singer, (Space Oddity, Fame, Changes, Ziggy Stardust, Peace on Earth-Little Drummer Boy [w/Bing Crosby]; actor: The Man Who Fell to Earth, Just a Gigolo, The Last Temptation of Christ). First UK top 40 in 1969 with Space Oddity, also UK No.1 in 1975 and over 50 UK top 40 hits including 5 No.1's, 1980 Ashes To Ashes, 1983 Lets Dance, and two albums with Tin Machine 1991 and 1992. 1947 - Born this day, Terry Sylvester, musician, (groups - Swinging Blue Jeans, Hollies). 1951 - Born this day, John McTiernan, film director. 1952 - Marie Wilson came to TV as My Friend Irma. The show, popular for years on radio, lasted two seasons on television. 1952 - Born this day, Vladimir Feltsman, Russian pianist. 1955 - Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley and his Comets, entered the UK chart for the first time reaching No.17. 1957 - Elvis Presley passed his Army pre-induction exam in Memphis, Tennessee. 1957 - Born this day, Amanda Burton, actress, (Peak Practice). 1958 - Bobby Fisher won the United States Chess Championship for the first time. He was only 14 years of age at the time. 1959 - Fidel Castro, with his 10-year-old son Fidelito on one side and one of his most trusted guerrilla fighters on the other, Major Huber Matos, rolled into Havana on a US-made Sherman tank. At least 1 million Cubans lined the highway and streets, shouting and yelling, 'Gracias, Fidel!' or 'Thank you, Fidel!' 1959 - Charles de Gaulle became the first president of France's Fifth Republic. He took office for a second term on this day in 1966. 1959 - Born this day, Paul Hester, drums, Crowded House, 1992 UK No.7 single Weather With You. Hester died 26 March 2005 aged 46, after he 'attempted suicide' and died from strangulation after being found hanged in a park in Melbourne. 1960 - Eddie Cochran's last recording session was held, in Hollywood. 1961 - Robert Goulet made his national TV debut on The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS. 1961 - Special Branch arrested five people for spying in relation to secrets from the Underwater Warfare Establishment at Portland, Dorset. 1965 - The TV dance show Hullabaloo debuted on NBC. The show, a weekly trip into the world of rock and roll, featured plenty of mini-skirted go-go girls. ABC countered with Shindig, a similar show. 1966 - The Beatles LP Rubber Soul, began a 6-week reign at the top of the US album chart. This was the seventh Beatles LP to reach the No.1 position on the album charts since February, 1964. Rubber Soul stayed on the charts for 56 weeks. The other No.1 albums for the Fab Four to that date were: Meet the Beatles, The Beatles Second Album, A Hard Day’s Night, Beatles ’65, Beatles VI and Help!. 1966 - The Polish government imposed a foreign travel ban on the Catholic primate, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski. 1966 - The Who and the Kinks performed on the last Shindig show on ABC-TV. 1967 - Operation Cedar Falls started when US and South Vietnamese troops launched a major operation in the Mekong Delta. 1968 - A United Nations (UN) resolution called for the 'decolonization' of Gibraltar. 1969 - Joseph DeLouise announced on radio and TV and in newspapers that Ho Chi Minh would soon die. Ho Chi Minh died that year. 1969 - Born this day, R. Kelly, singer, 1994 US No.1 and 1995 UK No.8 single Bump N' Grind, 1997 UK No.1 single I Believe I Can Fly, 1998 UK No.3 and US No.1 single I'm Your Angel, 1999 UK No.2 single If I Could Turn Back Time. 1970 - Born this day, Ami Dolenz, actress, daughter of former Monkee Mickey Dolenz. 1971 - Sir Geoffrey Jackson, British ambassador in Uruguay, was kidnapped by Tupamaros guerrillas. He was held captive until September. 1971 - Born this day, Karen Poole, Alisha's Attic, daughter of 60's musician Brian Poole, 1996 UK No.14 I Am I Feel. 1972 - The New Seekers had their first No.1 UK single with I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (in Perfect Harmony). 1973 - US negotiator Henry Kissinger and North Vietnam's Le Duc Tho resumed talks in Paris on ending the Vietnam War. 1973 - Born this day, Sean Paul, singer, 2003 US No.1 and UK No.4 single Get Busy. 1973 - Luna 21 was launched to the Moon by the USSR. 1973 - Carly Simon received a gold record for the single, You’re So Vain. 1973 - The trial of the 'Watergate Seven' began in Washington, DC. The defendants were charged with breaking into Democratic Party national headquarters. 1975 - Ella Grasso became the governor of Connecticut. She was the first woman to become a governor of a state without a husband preceding her in the governor’s chair. 1975 - Born this day, Steve King, Mansun, 1996 UK No.15 single Wide Open Space. 1976 - Died this day, Chinese Premier Chou En-lai, died in Beijing. 1977 - Barbra Streisand's recording of Evergreen debuted on Billboard's popular record charts on this date, staying on the charts for 18 weeks, and was in the Number 1 spot for 3 weeks. The song, love theme from the movie A Star is Born, was later certified gold. 1977 - Queen went to No.1 on the UK album chart with Day At The Races. 1977 - Taking time out from their group 5th Dimension Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis went to No.1 on the US singles chart with You Don't Have To Be A Star. It made No.7 in the UK. 1979 - Canadian rock band Rush were named the country's official 'Ambassadors Of Music' by the Canadian government. 1979 - The French tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the Gulf Oil terminal at Bantry in Ireland, killing 50 people. 1979 - Born this day, Sarah Polley, actress. 1981 - 'Elvis Presley Day' was declared in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. 1982 - Spain ended its siege of Gibraltar and reopened the frontier. In return, Britain ended its opposition to Spain joining the EEC. 1987 - The Dow Jones industrial average closed over the 2000 mark for the first time ever. 1987 - Kay Orr was inaugurated in Lincoln, Nebraska, as America's first woman Republican governor. 1987 - The new Nicaraguan constitution came into effect. 1989 - 44 people were killed when a British Midland Boeing 737-400 airliner with 126 passengers and crew crashed on to the M1 motorway in central England. (Kenilworth). 1989 - Richard Marx married actress and singer Cynthia Rhodes. 1991 - Pan Am, one of the oldest US airlines and a pioneer of transatlantic and Pacific routes, sought bankruptcy protection, a victim of federal deregulation. 1991 - Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark was found dead at his Chelsea, London, flat by his girlfriend. The coroner ruled that the 30-year-old died of a lethal combination of alcohol and drugs after a night of heavy drinking. 1991 - One person was killed and 248 injured when an early morning commuter train from Sevenoaks, Kent to London, crashed into the buffers at Cannon Street station. 1992 - Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina declared their own republic in protest at a decision by Bosnia's Croats and Muslims to seek EC recognition. 1992 - The rap group Public Enemy debuted its controversial music video on MTV, titled By the Time I Get to Arizona. The video, which included a political bomb sequence, branded the south-western state as racist because it did not have a paid state holiday honouring assassinated civil rights leader, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. The video was condemned by Arizona elected officials. 1992 - US President George Bush fell suddenly ill at a state dinner in Japan. He became pale, slumped in his chair and promptly vomited on the Japanese Prime Minister. What must have made this even more enjoyable for Mr. Bush is the fact that all of this was recorded on video tape for future generations to digest. 1993 - Thousands gathered at Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, to purchase the first issue of a stamp honouring the King of Rock 'n' Roll on what would have been his 58th birthday. 500 million of the 29-cent US postage stamps bearing the image of Elvis were released to the public, it quickly became the best-selling stamp in history. The likeness of a 1950s-era Elvis Presley was issued at a post office near the King's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. The US Postal Service held a vote in 1992 in which fans chose the 1950s Elvis 851,200 to 277,723 over an older Elvis. 1994 - Chaka Demus and Pliers were at No.1 in the UK with Twist And Shout. 1994 - Tonya Harding won the US Figure Skating Championship in Detroit, qualifying her for the Winter Olympics. The US Figure Skating Association also named Nancy Kerrigan to the team, despite her injury in an attack two days earlier. 1995 - Guns fell silent across Sri Lanka's northeast region for the first time in four years at the start of a two-week truce between the government and Tamil separatist rebels. 1996 - A Zairian cargo plane crashed into a crowded market in the center of the capital Kinshasa, killing 350 people. 1996 - A Los Angeles court found Robert Hoskins guilty of five counts of stalking, assault and making terrorist threats to Madonna. He had twice scaled the walls of the singers estate and had threatened to slash her throat from ear to ear. 1997 - Kevin Keegan quit as manager of Newcastle after five years in the job. 1997 - A report by University of Texas scientists concluded that exposure to a combination of chemicals was somehow linked to Gulf War Syndrome, responsible for the various ailments reported by veterans of the 1991 conflict. 2000 - Christina Aguilera started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with What A Girl Wants. She ended Santana's 12-week run at No.1 with Smooth. 2000 - It was reported that police foiled a £1m kidnap plot to snatch Victoria Beckham and her baby son. The plot was uncovered after a tip off to the police, the gang had planned to kidnap the pair when husband David was away playing football. 2001 - A woman who believed that Axl Rose communicated with her via telepathy was arrested for stalking the Guns N' Roses singer for a second time. Police detained Karen Jane McNeil after she was spotted loitering outside his house. 2001 - Former Governor Edwin Edwards of Louisiana was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of extorting money from applicants seeking riverboat casino licenses. 2002 - President Bush signed a major education bill that, among other things, mandated annual testing for students in grades 3-8 and called for tutors for poor schools. 2002 - The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, announced his retirement. 2002 - Fabian got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. |
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.