Trivia People - SoundSage

Let’s start with salad, specifically salad dressing, even more specifically salad dressing names.

We’ll start with the king of salad dressings in the United States: ranch.

Ranch dressing was first created in 1954 by Steve Henson, who owned a dude ranch called Hidden Valley Ranch, near Santa Barbara, California. His customers liked the dressing so much that Henson started selling packets of dried mix so they could have it at home. Bottled, prepared ranch dressing was introduced in 1983.

Thousand Island dressing’s origin story is not as clear, although it’s name refers to the Thousand Island region of New York and Ontario in the St. Lawrence River. One story says the dressing was invented by a fisherman’s wife. Another says it was created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York and named after the region where the hotel’s owner spent his summers. Another story says it was simply based on the already existing French dressing.

Speaking of French dressing, it’s not French. The ketchup, probably should have given that one away. Same thing, ketchup and all, goes for Russian dressing. Italian dressing, which doesn’t feature ketchup, is an American version of the classic vinaigrette.

Green goddess dressing, was likely created in San Francisco in the 1920s as a tribute to a play of the same name.

Our question, how many islands make up the Thousand Islands?

Today is National Science Day in the United States. Thursday is National Wedding Planning Day. Friday is Employee Appreciation Day. Saturday is National Mulled Wine Day, and Sunday is National Grammar Day.

It’s the birthday of architect Frank Gehry, who turns 89; Thursday is the 91st birthday of entertainer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. Saturday is the birthday of author Dr. Seuss, who was born in 1904; and Sunday is the 56th birthday of athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1967, the top song in the U.S. was “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees.

The No. 1 movie of 1967 was “The Graduate,” while the novel “The Secret of Santa Vittoria” by Robert Crichton topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Before the break we asked: What is the total number of islands in The Thousand Islands?

The answer is 1,864.

Now for the answer to last week’s question, which was: Which two Winter Olympic events debuted at the Summer Olympics?

The answer is figure skating and ice hockey.

The first person to submit a correct answer was Doug Button.

This week’s question: What company manufactures Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing?

Submit your answer at triviapeople.com/test and we’ll add the name of the person with the first correct answer to our winner’s wall … at triviapeople.com. We'll have the correct answer on next week’s episode.

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute, please rate the show on iTunes, or support it at triviapeople.com/support. For other details, visit triviapeople.com

We'll talk to you next week.

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Today is the 14th day of competition at the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Here are a few things you might not have known about these Olympics and the Olympic Winter Games in general.

Ninety-two nations are competing in 102 events in 15 sports during the 19-day competition. The host South Koreans marched with their counterparts from North Korea under a unified Korean flag during the opening ceremony. The two countries combined to field a unified women’s ice hockey team, but otherwise participated separately.
This is the third time the Winter Olympics have been held in East Asia, and the first of those to be held outside of Japan. Japan hosted the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo and the 1998 games in Nagano. It’s the second time South Korea has hosted an Olympics, the first was the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul. It’s the first of three consecutive Olympics that will be held in Asia, with the 2020 Summer games scheduled for Tokyo and the 2022 Winter Olympics set for Beijing, which will become the first city to host the Summer and Winter Olympics.
2,914 athletes are competing, with 1,672 men and 1,242 women qualified. Six countries are making their Winter Olympics debut: Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore. Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo and Singapore have each sent one athlete, while Malaysia has sent two and Nigeria has sent three. One country not officially represented is Russia, which was suspended following a doping controversy at the 2014 Olympics. Select Russian athletes are being allowed to compete under the Olympic Flag as Olympic Athletes from Russia.

Our question: This was not the first time North and South Korea marched together during the opening ceremony. What other years, and in what cities did the Koreans march as one?

Today is World Day of Social Justice, Wednesday is National Sticky Buns Day, Thursday is National Margarita Day, Friday is Diesel Engine Day, Saturday is International Sword Swallowers Day, and Sunday is National Clam Chowder Day

Today is the birthday of actor Sidney Poitier, who is 91; and singer Kurt Cobain, who would have been 51. Singer Nina Simone would have turned 85 on Wednesday, which is also the 78th birthday of U.S. Representative and civil rights activist John Lewis. Thursday is the birthday of George Washington, who was born in 1732. Friday is the birthday of educator and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, who was born in 1868. Sunday would have been the 75th birthday of musician George Harrison.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1980, the top song in the U.S. was “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen.

The No. 1 movie of 1980 was “The Empire Strikes Back,” while the novel “Princess Daisy” by Judith Krantz topped the New York Times Bestsellers list this week.

Now for the answer to last week’s question, which was: What is the current initiation fee and annual dues for Club 33 at Disneyland?

The answer is a reported $50,000 initiation fee and $15,000 yearly dues, although Disney doesn’t publicize either of those numbers.

The first listener with a correct answer was Jim Cardillo.

This week’s question: Which two Winter Olympic events debuted at the Summer Olympics?

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute, please rate the show on iTunes, or support it at triviapeople.com/support. For other details, visit triviapeople.com

We'll talk to you next week.

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I hope you’re asking yourself, where has this guy been for the past eight months? Well, my wife and I moved from Yakima, Washington, to Los Angeles in a so-far successful attempt to avoid winter. Also, I’ve recently started a new job, because unlike other podcasters, we’re not rolling in Blue Apron or SquareSpace money yet.

So, inspired by my new-ish surroundings, here are five things you may not have known about Disneyland:

Walt Disney originally wanted to build an amusement park next to his studios in Burbank, California, north of downtown Los Angeles. However, the proposed site was too small, and Disney eventually purchased a 160-acre site in Anaheim, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles.
Construction of the park began one year and one day before the park opened on July 17, 1955. The construction also led the state of California to add two additional lanes to the interstate highway that was under construction nearby.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the centerpiece of the park, was not inspired by the film of the same name. The castle, which is one of the park’s original attractions, predates the film by about four years. It’s 77 feet tall and was inspired largely by Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
The park originally featured five themed areas called Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. In 1957, an area called Holidayland opened. It featured a circus and a baseball field. It closed in 1961. New Orleans Square was added in 1966, Bear Country, which is now known as Critter Country, opened in 1972, and Mickey’s Toontown debuted in 1993. A new area called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is under construction and is scheduled to open in 2019.
In its early years, Disneyland was closed on Mondays and Tuesday in the off-season. This schedule was coordinated with the nearby Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park, which was closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays to make sure at least one park was open every day.

Our question: What is the name of the exclusive VIP lounge located in New Orleans Square?

Today is Paul Bunyan Day, Tuesday is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday. Wednesday is Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday. Thursday is National Hippopotamus Day. Friday is National Almond Day, Saturday is National Public Science Day, and Sunday is Drink Wine Day.

Today is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.

Tuesday is the 95th birthday of the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound, Chuck Yeager.

The rest of the week: Wednesday: Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein turns 74; Susan B. Anthony was born 198 years ago Thursday; Actor LeVar Burton turns 59 on Friday; Michael Jordan turns 55 on Saturday, while writer Toni Morrison turns 87.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1959, the top song in the U.S. was “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price.

The No. 1 movie of 1959 was “Ben Hur,” while the novel “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

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To my listeners:

I hope you've noticed there has been a lack of "Trivia Minute" podcasts lately.

I have quite a few exciting and positive things going on in my life right now, so I've had to put the podcast on the back burner until things settle down (likely sometime this autumn).

My promise: The show will return, so please stay subscribed using whichever podcast service you use.

Keep an eye on this space for updates.

Thank you for listening!

-- Marcus

P.S.: All 550-plus episodes will also remain available on TriviaPeople.com.

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We’ll start off with a question: What nation did Mexican forces defeat in the Battle of Puebla, which is marked by Cinco de Mayo celebrations?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is Cinco de Mayo, which is celebrated more in the United States than it is in Mexico. It’s also Children’s Day in Japan and South Korea and Constitution Day in Kyrgyzstan.

It’s unofficially International Midwives’ Day, Cartoonists Day, and International Tuba Day.

It’s the birthday of chef James Beard, who was born in 1903; actor Michael Palin, who is 74, and singer Adele, who is 29.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1986, the top song in the U.S. was “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys.

The No. 1 movie was “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life if Calling,” while the novel “A Perfect Spy” by John le Carre topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What is the official name of Amtrak?

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute Update, please rate the show on Apple Podcasts, or support it at triviapeople.com/support. For other details, visit triviapeople.com

We'll talk to you tomorrow.

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We’ll start off with a question: What was the only crime gangster Al Capone was ever convicted of?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is International Firefighters Day, Youth Day in Fiji, and Restoration of Independence Day in Latvia.

It’s unofficially Star Wars Day, National Day of Prayer and National Orange Juice Day.

It’s the birthday of actress Audrey Hepburn, who was born in 1929; actor Will Arnett, who is 47; and golfer Rory McIlroy, who is 28.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1961, the top song in the U.S. was “Runaway” by Del Shannon.

The No. 1 movie was “101 Dalmatians,” while the novel “The Agony and the Ecstasy” by Irving Stone topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the official name of Amtrak?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_4

https://www.checkiday.com/5/4/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-may-04

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=5&d=4&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1961_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1961

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We’ll start off with a question: Who was the owner of the Dodgers when they moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is World Press Freedom Day, Constitution Day in Poland, and Constitution Memorial Day in Japan.

It’s Public Radio Day, Wordsmith Day, and National Raspberry Popover Day.

It’s the birthday of singer and actor Bing Crosby, who was born in 1903; musician James Brown, who was born in 1933; and magician Doug Henning, who was born in 1947.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1981, the top song in the U.S. was “Morning Train” by Sheena Easton.

The No. 1 movie was “Caveman,” while the novel “Gorky Park” by Martin Cruz Smith topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the official name of Amtrak?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_3

https://www.checkiday.com/5/3/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-may-03

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=5&d=3&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1981_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1981

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We’ll start off with a question: The maiden flight of the De Havilland Comet, the first jet airliner, traveled between which two cities?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is Flag Day in Poland, National Education Day in Indonesia, and Teachers’ Day in Iran.

It’s unofficially National Play Your Ukulele Day, International Scurvy Awareness Day and World Asthma Day.

It’s the birthday of Catherine the Great, who was born in 1729; singer Engelbert Humperdinck, who is 81; and soccer star David Beckham, who is 42.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1988, the top song in the U.S. was “Wishing Well” by Terence Trent D’Arby.

The No. 1 movie was “Colors,” while the novel “The Icarus Agenda” by Robert Ludlum topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Earlier we asked: Between which two cities was the maiden flight of the first jet airliner, the De Havilland Comet ?

Weekly question: What is the official name of Amtrak?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_2

https://www.checkiday.com/5/2/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-may-02

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=5&d=2&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1988_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1988

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Our T-shirt giveaway came to an end on Sunday. We only had one entry from Doug Barbeau, who wins a Trivia Minute T-Shirt. Thanks, Doug.

We’ll start off with a question: Which two of the contiguous 48 states are not served by Amtrak rail service?

Today is Constitution Day in Argentina, Latvia and the Marshall Islands. It’s International Workers’ Day, and it’s May Day.

It’s unofficially Frequent Flyer Day, National Chocolate Parfait Day, and School Principals’ Day.

It’s the birthday of author Joseph Heller, who was born in 1923; musician Judy Collins, who is 78; and film director Wes Anderson, who is 48.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1979, the top song in the U.S. was “Reunited” by Peaches and Herb.

The No. 1 movie was “Manhattan,” while the novel “The Matarese Circle” by Robert Ludlum topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the official name of Amtrak?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1

https://www.checkiday.com/5/1/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-may-01

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=5&d=1&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1979_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1979

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak

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Today's trivia question: Who was the captain of the HMS Bounty?

Today is International Workplace Safety Day, National Heroes Day in Barbados, and National Day of Mourning in Canada.

It’s unofficially National Cubicle Day, National Superhero Day, and National Blueberry Pie Day.

It’s the birthday of author Harper Lee, who was born in 1926; Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, who is 57; and actress Penelope Cruz, who is 43.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1986, the top song in the U.S. was “Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer.

The No. 1 movie was “Legend,” while the novel “The Bourne Supremacy” by Robert Ludlum topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Listen to the show for the answer to the daily and weekly trivia questions!

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute Update, please rate the show on Apple Podcasts, or support it at triviapeople.com/support. For other details, visit triviapeople.com

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

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We’ll start off with a trivia question: Tanzania was formed from the merger of what two countries?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is World Intellectual Property Day.

It’s unofficially Administrative Professionals Day, Audubon Day and Hug an Australian Day.

It’s the birthday of architect I.M. Pei, who is 100; actress Carol Burnett, who is 84; and actor Jet Li, who is 54.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1990, the top song in the U.S. was “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor.

The No. 1 movie was “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” while the novel “September” by Rosmunde Pilcher topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What was Edward R. Murrow’s actual given name?

T-shirt contest update We only have one entry in our T-shirt giveaway contest. Three people will win, so you have a pretty good shot if you enter by writing a review on Apple Podcasts and then email your username to podcast@triviapeople.com

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_26

https://www.checkiday.com/4/26/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-april-26

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=4&d=26&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1990_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1990

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We’ll start off with a trivia question: What is the name of the canal and lock system that connects the North American Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean?

We’ll have the answer in the show.

Today is World Malaria Day, Flag Day in Swaziland, and Liberation Day in Italy.

It’s unofficially National Plumber’s Day, National Telephone Day, and Hairstylists Appreciation Day.

It’s the birthday of journalist Edward R. Murrow, who was born in 1908; singer Ella Fitzgerald, who was born in 1917; and actor Al Pacino, who is 77.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1977 U.S. was “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell.

The No. 1 movie was “Annie Hall,” while the novel “Oliver’s Story” by Erich Segal topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What was Edward R. Murrow’s actual given name?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_25

https://www.checkiday.com/4/25/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-april-25

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=4&d=25&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1977_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1977

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We’ll start off with a trivia question: What city hosted the most recent World’s Fair held in the United States?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is Civil Service Day in India, National Tree Planting Day in Kenya, and Day of Self-Government in Russia.

It’s unofficially Big Words Day, Kindergarten Day, and Keep Off the Grass Day.

It’s the birthday of author Charlotte Brontë, who was born in 1816; Queen Elizabeth II, who is 91; and actor Tony Danza, who is 66.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1971, the top song in the U.S. was “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night.

The No. 1 movie was “Summer of ’42,” while the novel “QB VII” by Leon Uris topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_fair

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_21

https://www.checkiday.com/4/21/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-april-21

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=4&d=21&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1971_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1971

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We’ll start off with a trivia question: What sporting event is closely associated with World War I fighter pilot Roland Garros?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is World Heritage Day; Independence Day in Zimbabwe, Friend’s Day in Brazil and Coma Patients’ Day in Poland.

It’s unofficially National Lineman Appreciation Day, National Animal Crackers Day, and National Velociraptor Awareness Day.

It’s the birthday of TV host Conan O’Brien, who is 54; actor David Tennant, who is 46; and actress America Ferrera, who is 33.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1983, the top song in the U.S. was “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

The No. 1 movie was “Lone Wolf McQuade,” while the novel “The Little Drummer Girl” by John le Carre topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Who was the first fighter pilot to achieve ace status with five or more victories.

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Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_18

https://www.checkiday.com/4/18/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-april-18

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1983_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1983

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Hey folks.

We’re having some technical difficulties here at TriviaPeople.com HQ, so there won’t be a show today.

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On this date in 1992, The Walt Disney Company opened Euro Disneyland.

Here are some things you may not have known about Disney parks.

Walt Disney originally wanted to build a theme park in Burbank, California, near his studios. Because of the limited size of the property, Disney chose instead to buy 160 acres of orange grove in Anaheim, about 30 miles south of Burbank. Initially, Disney planned to call the park “Disneylandia.”

Construction of Disneyland began in 1954 and the park opened the following year. When it opened, Disneyland had five distinct lands: Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street USA. The original park has been expanded many times with the additions of New Orleans Square in 1966; Bear Country, which is now called Critter Country, in 1972; Mickey’s Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars Land, which is under construction and is set to open in 2019. A separate park, Disney’s California Adventure, opened in 2001.

The centerpiece of Disneyland is Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

More than 650 million people have visited Disneyland since it opened. In 2013 alone, more than 16 million people visited.

The Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 near Orlando, Florida. In 1982, the permanent World’s Fair known as Epcot opened. It was followed by Disney-MGM Studios and Typhoon Lagoon in 1989, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998. More than 20 million people visited the Magic Kingdom in 2015.

The centerpiece of the Magic Kingdom is Cinderella’s Castle.

Tokyo Disney Resort, originally called Tokyo Disneyland, opened in 1983. It was the first Disney theme park built outside of the United States. It’s the second most popular of the resorts, seeing about 17 million visitors per year. It’s centerpiece is also Cinderella’s Castle.

Euro Disneyland, now known as Disneyland Park, is located on the outskirts of Paris. Initially, it was not a financial success. But it now welcomes about 13 million visitors per year.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort followed in 2005, and Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016.

Our question: What did the acronym EPCOT originally stand for?

Today is Children’s Day in Bolivia, National Redemption Day in Liberia, and Halifax Day in North Carolina.

It’s unofficially National Licorice Day, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, and National Only Child Day.

It’s the birthday of author Beverly Cleary, who is 101, TV show host David Letterman, who is 70; and actress Claire Danes, who turns 38.

This week in 1992, the top song in the U.S. was “Save the Best for Last” by Vanessa Williams.

The No. 1 movie was “Sleepwalkers,” while the novel “The Pelican Brief” by John Grisham topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the nickname of the bell that surpassed Big Ben as the largest bell in Great Britain?

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Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

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Sources https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland_Park_(Paris)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Parks_and_Resorts

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Kingdom

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epcot

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Disneyland

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Disneyland_Resort

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Disney_Resort

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_12

https://www.checkiday.com/4/12/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-april-12

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=4&d=12&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1992_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1992

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We’ll start off with a question: Despite not landing on the Moon, what record did the crew of Apollo 13 set?

Today is Juan Santamaria Day in Costa Rica and World Parkinson’s Disease Day.

It’s unofficially International Louie Louie Day, National Eight-Track Tape Day, and National Pet Day.

It’s the birthday of fashion designer Oleg Cassini, who was born in 1913; actor Joel Grey, who turns 85; and television host Jeremy Clarkson, who is 57.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1988, the top song in the U.S. was “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” by Billy Ocean.

The No. 1 movie was “Beetlejuice,” while the novel “The Icarus Agenda” by Robert Ludlum topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What is the nickname of the bell that surpassed Big Ben as the largest bell in Great Britain?

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On this date in 1858, the bell known as Big Ben was cast in London.

Here are some things you may not have known about Big Ben.

The nickname Big Ben refers to the bell only. The clock is called the Great Clock, while the tower is named Elizabeth Tower.

The namesake of the bell is disputed. It may have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was in charge of the installation of the bell, or it might have been named after the English heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt.

The bell weighs 13 1/2 tons. It’s 7 feet, 6 inches tall and 9 feet in diameter.

It’s not the original bell intended for the clock tower. The first bell, which was slightly heavier than its successor, cracked during testing before it was installed. The replacement bell cracked in September 1859, as the hammer used to strike it was heavier than the bell was designed for. For three years, the bell was out of commission, and the hours were signaled using the lowest of the accompanying quarter bells.

The quarter bells, as their name would indicate are sounded at the quarter-hour. There are four of them, which play G-sharp, F-sharp, E, and B. The chime melody they play is known as the Westminster Quarters, and is widely played by clocks around the world. The melody, while made famous at Westminster, originated at the church of St. Mary the Great in Cambridge.

The tower leans about 9 inches to the northwest because of settling and construction of underground train lines beneath it. The clock is 23 feet in diameter and the face contains 312 pieces of opal glass. The clock uses a double three-legged gravity escapement, which helps maintain the clock’s famous accuracy. Part of this is a small stack of old pennies which sit atop the pendulum. The coins move the pendulum’s center of mass slightly higher, which increases the rate at which the clock runs. Each penny changes the speed by 0.4 seconds per day. In August 2015, it was discovered that the clock was running 7 seconds fast, so a few of the pennies were removed to correct the error.

In 2012, the tower, which never had a name, was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee.

Our question: How many years as monarch does a Diamond Jubilee celebrate ?

Today is International Siblings Day.

It’s also Safety Pin Day, National Farm Animals Day, and Golfer’s Day.

It’s the birthday of actor Omar Sharif, who was born in 1932; football coach and announcer John Madden, who is 81; and actor Steven Seagal, who is 65. It’s also my mom’s birthday. Happy birthday, Mom.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1984, the top song in the U.S. was “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins.

The No. 1 movie was “Police Academy,” while the novel “The Aquitaine Progression” by Robert Ludlum topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the nickname of the bell that surpassed Big Ben as the largest bell in Great Britain?

Now here’s how you can get a free Trivia Minute T-shirt. All you have to do is write a review on iTunes and then email your iTunes user name to podcast@triviapeople.com. Three reviewers picked at random will win a Trivia Minute T-shirt. The contest ends on April 30. We’ll announce the winners on May 1. Because of shipping costs, the contest is only open to listeners in the U.S. and Canada.

Reviews are the easiest way you can support the show. It helps increase our exposure on iTunes, which leads to more robust community of listeners.

So head to iTunes and review the show today, then send us an email at podcast@triviapeople.com.

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Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Quarters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escapement#Gravity_escapement

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Jubilee_of_Elizabeth_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Westminster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitechapel_Bell_Foundry

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Hey folks, no show today, but I wanted to make sure to give you the answer to this week’s question.

Also, be sure to listen to Monday’s podcast when we’ll have details on our first T-shirt giveaway contest.

As a refresher, the question was: What is the second fastest land mammal?

Listen to the show for the answer.

The first correct answer came from Christopher Lazar. We also got correct answers from Tom (who didn’t give his last name), Alex Thompson, Brian and Elisa, and Jim Cardillo.

Thanks for listening. Go to triviapeople.com for more information on the show.

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On this date in 1792, George Washington used his presidential veto power for the first time.

Here are a few things you may not have known about the veto.

The history of the veto, which means “I forbid” in Latin, can be traced to the Roman Empire. Roman consuls had to act unanimously, so one essentially held veto power over the other, while tribunes held veto power over the Roman Senate.

In the British-based Westminster system of government, the power of the veto is held by the monarch. All legislation passed by parliament must receive Royal Assent to become law. If the monarch doesn’t approve, the bill doesn’t become law. However, the last time Royal Assent was withheld in Great Britain was when Queen Anne vetoed the Scottish Militia Bill of 1708. The governors general of Commonwealth counties hold veto power in their realms as the representative of the monarch. The power has never been used in Australia or in Canada.

Other counties, obviously, have different systems. In countries like Iceland and Latvia, if the president refuses to sign a bill, it is put to a national referendum. Many other countries, such as France and Italy, allow the executive to ask the legislature to reconsider the bill, after which it becomes law regardless of whether it is signed. Other countries, like Poland, allow the president to refer a bill to the judiciary to determine its constitutionality.

In the United States, all federal legislation must pass the House of Representatives and the Senate and be presented to the president for his or her signature. The president can sign the bill — making it law — or veto the bill. If the bill is vetoed, the House and Senate may override the veto with a two-thirds majority in each house. A bill can also become law if the president fails to sign it within 10 days. However, if the 10-day period expires with Congress adjourned, the bill fails to become law. This is known as a pocket veto.

There has been a total of 2,571 vetoes since Washington’s first in 1792. Seven presidents — John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore and James A. Garfield — didn’t veto any legislation during their time in office. Franklin Pierce had the largest percentage of vetoes overridden with 56 percent of his nine vetoes overturned. The largest number of presidential vetoes overridden by Congress were the 15 of Andrew Johnson. Harry Truman and Gerald Ford had 12 vetoes overridden.

The president who issued the most vetoes was Franklin Roosevelt, who vetoed 635 pieces of legislation. Only nine of those vetoes were overturned. Since Roosevelt’s time in office, the number of vetoes has fallen dramatically. Richard Nixon vetoed 43 bills, Jimmy Carter vetoed 31, while George W. Bush and Barack Obama vetoed 12 each. Donald Trump has yet to veto any legislation.

It’s unofficially National Deep Dish Pizza Day and National Carmel Day, after eating all of that, you’ll be happy to know it’s also National Walking Day.

It’s the birthday of educator and civil rights activist Booker T. Washington, who was born in 1856; actress Bette Davis, who was born in 1908; and actor Gregory Peck, who was born in 1916.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1981, the top song in the U.S. was “Kiss on My List” by Hall and Oates.

The No. 1 movie was “Nighthawks,” while the novel “The Covenant” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Now for our weekly question: What is the second fastest land mammal?

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We’ll start off with a random trivia question: Which actors played the character of Jay Gatsby in the 1949, 1974, and 2013 film versions of “The Great Gatsby”?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is International Landmine Awareness Day, Children’s Day in Hong Kong and Taiwan; Independence Day in Senegal.

It’s unofficially World Rat Day, National Tell a Lie Day, and International Carrot Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Muddy Waters, who was born in 1915; writer Maya Angelou, who was born in 1928; and actor Robert Downey Jr., who is 52.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1974, the top song in the U.S. was “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede.

The No. 1 movie was “The Great Gatsby,” while the novel “Burr” by Gore Vidal topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the second fastest land mammal?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_4

https://www.checkiday.com/4/4/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-april-04

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=4&d=4&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1974_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1974

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby#Film_and_television

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On this date in 1860, the Pony Express began operations.

Here are some things you may not have known about the Old West mail service.

After the discovery of gold in 1849 and the admission of California as a state in 1850, a faster way to deliver transcontinental mail was needed. At the time, mail could take up to a month to travel from coast to coast.

The Pony Express was founded with the goal of cutting that time to 10 days between St. Joseph, Missouri and San Francisco, California. The goal was thought impossible by many.

The Pony Express system involved a series of horseback riders traveling relatively short distances at high speeds.

When the system started it employed 120 riders on 400 horses going between 184 stations manned by more than 400 support personnel.

The identity of the first rider is in dispute. Depending on the source it was either Billy Richardson or Johnny Fry who departed St. Joseph, Missouri.

The first run took 11 days to reach San Francisco. The cost to send a letter via the Pony Express was originally five dollars per half ounce. The equivalent of about $120 per half ounce today.

Gradually, as telegraph service expanded across the country, The Pony Express route was shortened. News of Abraham Lincoln’s election as president of the United States in 1860 was able to be transmitted to the West Coast in just seven days, thanks to the Pony Express and the expansion of telegraph service to Fort Kearny, Nebraska.

Less than a year after service started, the route ran from Salt Lake City to Sacramento, spanning the final gap in telegraph service.

The service ceased on October 26, 1861, two days after the first transcontinental telegraph line was completed at Salt Lake City.

The operation never made money, losing $110,000 over the course of the 19-month run.

Our question, what’s the fastest speed recorded by a horse?

Today is unofficially National Chocolate Mousse Day, National Sweet Potato Day, and Armenian Appreciation Day.

It’s the birthday of actress Doris Day, who is 95; astronaut Gus Grissom, who was born in 1926; and singer Wayne Newton, who is 75.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1973, the top song in the U.S. was “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” by Vicki Lawrence.

The No. 1 movie was “Charlotte’s Web,” while the novel “The Odessa File” by Frederick Forsyth topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the second fastest land mammal?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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March 31, 2017: Still Under the Weather

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We’ll start off with a random trivia question: What are the three sites at which U.S. space shuttles have landed?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is unofficially National Doctors' Day, Pencil Day and World Bipolar Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Eric Clapton, who is 72; rapper MC Hammer, who is 55; and musician Tracy Chapman, who is 53.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1985, the top song in the U.S. was “One More Night” by Phil Collins.

The No. 1 movie was “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning,” while the novel “If Tomorrow Comes” by Sidney Sheldon topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: When did Pan Am go out of business?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_30

https://www.checkiday.com/3/30/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-30

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=30&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1985_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1985

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On this date in in 1806, the first major improved highway in the United States was authorized.

Here are some things you might not know about The National Road.

The National Road began in 1751 as the Braddock Road, which ran from Fort Cumberland, Maryland, which is navigable limit of the Potomac River, to Fort Duquesne at the site of modern-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 1806, President Thomas Jefferson authorized construction of a road between the Potomac and Ohio River at what is now Wheeling, West Virginia. Construction began in 1811 and the road reached Wheeling in 1818.

Private toll roads were constructed connecting the eastern terminus to Baltimore, while in 1820, Congress approved extending the road to St. Louis on the Mississippi River. However the road never reached St. Louis, as Congressional-funded road building stopped in 1839. The western terminus of the road ended up at Vandalia, Illinois.

Construction and maintenance was transferred to the states. Virginia built the Wheeling Suspension Bridge in 1849, which was at the time the world’s longest bridge at 1,010 feet between towers. It is the oldest vehicular suspension bridge still in use in the United States.

The National Road eventually became part of the National Old Trails Road, which extended from New York City to San Francisco. In 1927, the road was designated as U.S. Highway 40. Most of its route is now paralleled by Interstate 70.

Our question: Name the current state capitals The National Road ran through?

Today is Youth Day in Taiwan and Boganda Day in Central African Republic.

It’s unofficially Manatee Appreciation Day, National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day and National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day.

It’s the birthday of comedian and writer Eric Idle, who is 74; basketball legend Walt Frazier, who is 72; and actress Amy Sedaris, who is 56.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1989, the top song in the U.S. was “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles.

The No. 1 movie was “Fletch Lives,” while the novel “The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: When did Pan Am go out of business?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland,_Maryland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeling_Suspension_Bridge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_29

https://www.checkiday.com/3/29/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-29

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=29&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1989_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1989

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On this date in 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania suffered a partial core meltdown.

What is the name of the river in which Three Mile Island is located?

We’ll have the answer later in the show.

Today is Teachers’ Day in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and Serfs Emancipation Day in Tibet.

It’s unofficially National Hot Tub Day, National Children’s Picture Book Day, and National Something on a Stick Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Reba McEntire, who is 62; actor Vince Vaughn, who is 47; and musician Lady Gaga, who is 31.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1963, the top song in the U.S. was “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons.

The No. 1 movie was “How the West was Won,” while “Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters” by J.D. Salinger topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: When did Pan Am go out of business?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accident

https://www.checkiday.com/3/28/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-28

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=28&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1963_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1963

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On this date in 1977, 583 people died in the deadliest accident in aviation history.

Here are some things you may not have known about the Tenerife Airport Disaster.

KLM Flight 4805 from Amsterdam, and Pan Am Flight 1736 from Los Angeles via New York, were both traveling to Gran Canaria Airport at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

A bomb explosion at Gran Canaria Airport forced five large airliners, including the two 747s, to be diverted to the smaller Los Rodeos Airport on the island of Tenerife. As the airport was not equipped to handle so many large aircraft, the taxiway was blocked by parked jets, which forced the use of the runway as a taxiway. During the time the planes were parked, a dense fog had rolled in, greatly reducing visibility.

The passengers from the KLM flight were taken to the terminal while the plane was refueled. One passenger who lived on the island decided to go directly home and didn’t re-board the plane.

The airport on Gran Canaria reopened and the KLM flight was sent to the end of the runway to wait for clearance to takeoff. The Pan Am plane followed onto the runway after being told to take an earlier exit back onto the taxiway.

The fog was so thick that the controller in the tower couldn’t see the runway or the planes on it. The pilots couldn’t see each other either. The airport did not have ground radar at the time, so the only way to keep track of the planes was by voice on radio.

English is the international language of aviation. With a Dutch crew on the KLM flight, an American crew on the Pan-Am and Spanish controllers in the tower, chances for miscommunication were rife in the already difficult conditions. The KLM crew mistook the controller’s command to lineup for departure with clearance for takeoff and throttled up.

The Pan Am crew was still taxiing down the runway, having missed their intended and poorly marked taxiway.

While the KLM 747 was coming up to takeoff speed, the tower instructed the Pan Am crew to report when they were clear of the runway. The KLM flight engineer heard this and asked his captain if the Pan Am was clear. The KLM captain said “Oh, yes,” and continued with the takeoff.

The Pan Am crew suddenly saw the KLM landing lights approaching at takeoff speed, and turned hard left toward the grass to try to avert a collision. The KLM crew saw the Pan Am at about the same time and pulled up hard in an effort to climb over the Pan Am. This resulted in the KLM dragging its tail for 72 feet. The nose gear of the KLM cleared the Pan Am, but the engines, lower fuselage and the main landing gear tore through the Pan Am jet almost directly above the wing.

The KLM jet remained airborne momentarily, but stalled, rolled sharply and hit the ground about 500 feet past the collision. Its full load of fuel caught fire immediately.

Both planes were destroyed. All 234 passengers and 14 crew members on the KLM flight died, as did 326 passengers and nine crew members on the Pan Am jet. 54 passengers and seven crew from the Pan Am flight survived, including the the flight deck crew.

Investigators determined that the main cause of the collision was the KLM taking off without clearance. Other major factors included the weather and radio interference, while the use of non-standard language, the Pan Am jet missing the intended exit, and the overcrowding of the airport were contributing, but not critical factors.

As a result of the accident, several changes were made to international airline regulations. Flight crews are now required to read back instructions from the controllers, rather than just acknowledging them. The words “take off” are only used after clearance has been given, “departure” is used before clearance. Cockpit procedures were also changed to allow the flight deck crew to raise concerns in the event of a misunderstanding.

The Spanish government also installed ground radar at the airport after the collision.

The Pan Am 747 involved in the collision was historic in its own right. It took the first commercial flight by a 747 on January 22, 1970. It was also the first 747 to be hijacked, when a flight from New York to Puerto Rico was forced to land in Cuba.

Our question: What type of animal are the Canary Islands named after?

Today is International Whiskey Day, World Theatre Day, and Armed Forces Day in Myanmar.

It’s unofficially Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day, National Paella Day, and National Joe Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Sarah Vaughan, who was born in 1924; filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who is 54; and singer Mariah Carey, who is 47.

Because we’ve recently featured 1977, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1969, the top song in the U.S. was “Dizzy” by Tommy Roe.

The No. 1 movie was “Charro!,” while the novel “Portnoy’s Complaint” by Philip Roth topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: When did Pan Am go out of business?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife_airport_disaster

http://www.1001crash.com/index-page-tenerife-lg-2-numpage-6.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Palmas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_27

https://www.checkiday.com/3/27/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-27

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1969_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1969

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I am a bit under the weather today, so there won’t be a show today, but I wanted to make sure we answered this week’s question.

The question was: How much did the United State pay per acre for Alaska in 1867?

Listen to the show for the answer!

The first correct answer was from Kevin Lazar. We also had correct responses from Trent Harris, Alex Thompson, Jim Cardillo, Tom (who didn’t give his last name), Jeff Toro and Doug Button.

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We’ll start off with a random trivia question: What university was founded on this date in 1868?

Today is World Meteorological Day, Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship, and Day of the Sea in Bolivia.

It’s unofficially National Puppy Day, National Chip and Dip Day, and National Melba Toast Day.

It’s the birthday of actress Joan Crawford, who was born in 1905; film director Akira Kurosawa, who was born in 1910; and actress Keri Russell, who is 41.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1973, the top song in the U.S. was “Love Train” by The O’Jays.

The No. 1 movie was “Tom Sawyer,” while the novel “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: How much per acre did the United States pay for Alaska in 1867?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_23

https://www.checkiday.com/3/23/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-23

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=23&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1973_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1973

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On this date in 1894, the first Stanley Cup playoff game was held.

Here are a few things you may not have known about the oldest trophy in North American professional team sports.

The cup was commissioned as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup by Lord Stanley of Preston, who was then the governor general of Canada. It was awarded for the first time in 1893 to the Montreal Hockey Club based on league standings, not on a playoff victory. As a challenge cup, the team which won the cup the previous year was allowed to defend it the next season if it won its league’s regular-season title.

In 1904, the Ottawa Hockey Club was challenged by a squad of miners from Dawson City in the Yukon Territory. The Dawson team was known as the Klondikers and the Nuggets, and traveled to Ottawa by foot, bicycle, dogsled, narrow-gauge railway, steamship and train. Two days after arriving in the capital, they lost the first game 9-2. Three days later, Ottawa won the second game 23-2, with Frank McGee scoring 14 goals, including eight consecutive goals over the course of nine minutes. No team from west of Winnipeg won the Cup during the challenge era. The first true West Coast team to play for the Cup was the Victoria Aristocrats in 1914.

During the challenge era, the most successful club was the Ottawa Hockey Club with 17 successful challenges or defenses of the Cup.

In 1914, it was determined that the Stanley Cup would go to the winner of a series between the champions of the National Hockey Association and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. This led to the inclusion of American teams, as the PCHA had teams in Seattle and Portland. The trustees of the Cup announced that the trophy would no longer be awarded to the best team in Canada, but to the best team in the world. Which, apparently, at the time consisted of Canada and the states of Washington and Oregon.

The Seattle Metropolitans were the first American team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917. They played for the Cup again in 1919 and 1920. The 1919 series was canceled when it was tied at two games apiece after an influenza outbreak decimated the Montreal team. Montreal’s coach attempted to forfeit the series to Seattle, but the Seattle coach wouldn’t accept it. The trophy was not awarded that year.

Since 1927, the Stanley Cup has been exclusively the championship trophy for the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup a record 24 times since 1915. The Cup was not awarded in 2005 as the result of a labor dispute. As a result, in 2006 a settlement was reached which would allow non-NHL teams to challenge for the Stanley Cup if the NHL doesn’t operate for a season.

The cup itself is the bowl that makes up the top 7 inches of the nearly 3-foot tall trophy. The rest of the trophy is made up of rings that are engraved with the names of the players and executives from the winning team. Once a ring is filled with names, the oldest remaining ring is removed and kept at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Our question: Which player’s name is engraved on the Stanley Cup a record 11 times?

Today is the earliest day on which Easter Sunday can fall, April 25 is the latest. It’s World Water Day and Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico.

It’s unofficially As Young As You Feel Day, National Sing Out Day, and National Goof Off Day.

It’s the birthday of songwriter Stephen Sondheim, who is 87; actor William Shatner, who is 86; and songwriter Andrew Lloyd Webber, who is 69.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 2001, the top song in the U.S. was “Butterfly” by Crazy Town.

The No. 1 movie was “Exit Wounds,” while the novel “A Painted House” by John Grisham topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: How much per acre did the United States pay for Alaska in 1867?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Cup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Stanley_Cup_challenge_games

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Stanley_Cup_champions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditions_and_anecdotes_associated_with_the_Stanley_Cup

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_22

https://www.checkiday.com/3/22/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-22

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=22&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2001_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_2001

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We’ll start off with a random trivia question: What is the largest city named after a U.S. President?

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, International Color Day, International Day of Forests, World Down Syndrome Day, World Poetry Day and World Puppetry Day. It’s Independence Day in Namibia, and Human Rights Day in South Africa.

It’s unofficially National Flower Day, National Teenager Day, and National French Bread Day.

It’s the birthday of former Mexican president Benito Juarez, who was born in 1806; musician and minister Solomon Burke, who was born in 1940; and actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell, who is 55.

Now, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1967, the top song in the U.S. was “Happy Together” by The Turtles.

The No. 1 movie was “In Like Flint,” while the novel “The Arrangement” by Elia Kazan topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: How much per acre did the United States pay for Alaska in 1867?

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On this date in 1985, Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail sled dog race.

Here are some things you might not have known about the annual tradition.

The Iditarod is run in honor of the 1925 serum run, which was a sled dog relay to deliver a diphtheria antitoxin to the town of Nome during an outbreak. 20 mushers combined to haul 20 pounds of serum 674 miles in about five and a half days. A particularly treacherous leg of the route was run by Norwegian Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog Togo. The final leg was run by Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen and his lead dog Balto. Later that year a statue of Balto was placed in New York’s Central Park, where it remains a popular tourist attraction.

It took Dick Wilmarth 20 days, 49 minutes and 41 seconds to win the first modern Iditarod race in 1973. In 2017, the race was won by Mitch Seavey in a record 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds. Seavey also broke his own record as the oldest person to win the race at 57 years old. His son Dallas Seavey was the youngest to win at age 25 in 2012. He’s since won the race three more times.

The winningest musher is Rick Swenson, who has five victories. Susan Butcher, Martin Buser, Jeff King, Doug Swingley, and Lance Mackey join Dallas Seavey in the four-time winners’ club.

Our question: What’s the name of the peninsula on which Nome is located?

Today is the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, International Day of Happiness, World Sparrow Day, and Independence Day in Tunisia

It’s unofficially French Language Day, International Astrology Day, and National Ravioli Day.

It’s the birthday of playwright Henrik Ibsen, who as born in 1828; comedian Carl Reiner, who is 95; and children’s TV pioneer Fred Rogers, who was born in 1928.

Because we’ve recently featured 1985, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1977, the top song in the U.S. was “Rich Girl” by Hall and Oates.

The No. 1 movie was “Airport ’77,” while the novel “Trinity” by Leon Uris topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: How much per acre did the United States pay for Alaska in 1867?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iditarod_Trail_Sled_Dog_Race

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1925_serum_run_to_Nome

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balto

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_20

https://www.checkiday.com/3/20/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-20

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1977_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1977

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Today is St. Patrick's Day.

Here are some things you should know.

While a four-leaf clover may be lucky, it’s not a shamrock. Shamrocks have three leaves and are more common than their quad-leaved brethren. It’s said that St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to help explain the Christian Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. St. Patrick is often depicted as holding a cross in one hand and a bundle of shamrocks in the other.

St. Patrick didn’t drive the snakes out of Ireland, as told in legend. There have never been snakes there, but the idea of snakes were likely used as a metaphor for the druids.

St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the island of Montserrat. Montserrat is known as the “Emerald Island of the Caribbean” because it was founded by Irish settlers.

Corned beef and cabbage, an American tradition on St. Patrick’s Day isn’t an Irish tradition. While cattle have been raised in Ireland for centuries, most of the cattle farms were owned by British landlords who sold their product in Britain. The more common meat in traditional Irish cooking was pork. It’s thought that corned beef became associated with Irish-Americans because it was readily available from fellow immigrants who were Jewish.

Here’s a tip: Just call the holiday St. Patrick’s Day. If you must shorten it, it’s St. Paddy’s Day with D’s, not T’s.

Our question: Why doesn’t the dye used to turn the Chicago River green up in Lake Michigan?

Today is Children’s Day in Bangladesh.

It’s unofficially National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day, World Sleep Day, and Campfire Girls Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Nat King Cole, who was born in 1919; musician Billy Corgan, who is 50; and soccer player Mia Hamm, who is 45.

Because our topic doesn’t have a specific year associated with it, we’ll pick a year at random.

This week in 1964, the top song in the U.S. was “She Loves You” by The Beatles.

The No. 1 movie was “Kissing’ Cousins,” while the novel “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold” by John Le Carre topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_River

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corned_beef

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Sanitary_and_Ship_Canal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat

http://www.rte.ie/tv/scope/SCOPE4_show03_snakes.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_17

https://www.checkiday.com/3/17/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-17

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1964_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1964

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Today is Day of the Book Smugglers in Lithuania, and Latvian Legion Day.

It’s unofficially National artichoke heart day, national orange and lemon day, freedom of information day, and black press day.

It’s the birthday of former US President James Madison, I was born in 1751; actor and comedian Jerry Lewis, who is 91; and actor Erik Estrada, who is 68.

Now, let's spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1980, the top song in the U.S. was “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” by Pink Floyd.

The No. 1 movie was “Coal Miner's Daughter,” while the novel “Princess Daisy” by Judith Krantz topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: Pluto was originally the pet dog of which Disney character?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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On this date in 1820, Maine was admitted to the Union.

Here are some things you may not have known about the 23rd state.

The first inhabitants of what would become Maine was a loose confederacy of Algonquin-speaking people, called the Wabanaki.

The first European contact came about 800 years ago when Norwegians arrived on the coast. The Norwegians didn’t settle in the area, but returned over the next few centuries to trade and collect timber. A 10th-century Norwegian coin was discovered during 1954 archeological dig in the state.

The first European settlers came in 1604. In 1652, what is now Maine was made part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It remained part of Massachusetts, separated by New Hampshire, until it was made a state in 1820.

The original capital of Maine was Portland, but it was moved to the more centrally located Augusta in 1832.

Maine has many geographic and demographic oddities. It’s the only state to border only one other state. It’s the easternmost state. It’s the state that is located closest to Africa. It’s the site of the only sovereignty dispute over land between the United States and Canada. It’s the least densely populated state east of the Mississippi River. 83 percent of the state is covered by forest, the highest percentage in the country. It has the highest percentage of non-Hispanic whites of any state at 94.4 percent. It also has the highest percentage of French Americans, and the highest percentage of French speakers in the U.S.

Today’s question: What was the name of the fictional Maine town in which the TV show “Murder, She Wrote” was set?

Today is International Day Against Police Brutality; World Consumer Rights Day; National Day in Hungary; and Constitution Day in Belarus.

It’s unofficially National Peanut Lovers Day.

It’s the birthday of former U.S. President Andrew Jackson, who was born in 1767; musician Phil Lesh, who is 77; and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is 84.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1982, the top song in the U.S. was “I Love Rock ’n Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

The No. 1 movie was “Richard Prior: Live on the Sunset Strip,” while the novel “North and South” by John Jakes topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Pluto was originally the pet dog of which Disney character?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_15

https://www.checkiday.com/3/15/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-15

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1982_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1982

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For the foreseeable future, we’ll be scaling back our episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We’ll still bring you all the features that usually run in the second half of the show.

Today is Pi Day, in celebration of the mathematical constant pi, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

In several Asian countries, it’s White Day, where men give gifts to women in a reversal of local Valentine’s Day customs.

It’s unofficially Learn About Butterflies Day, National Potato Chip Day, and National Save a Spider Day.

It’s the birthday of scientist Albert Einstein, who was born in 1879; actor Michael Caine, who is 84; and actor Billy Crystal, who is 69.

This week in 1972, the top song in the U.S. was “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young.

The No. 1 movie was “What’s Up, Doc?,” while the novel “The Winds of War” by Herman Wouk topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Pluto was originally the pet dog of which Disney character?

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute, please rate the show on iTunes, or support it at triviapeople.com/support. For other details, visit triviapeople.com

We'll be back with a full show tomorrow.

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On this date in 1930, the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered.

Here are some things you may not have known about what was once considered the ninth planet in the solar system.

Although it wasn’t discovered until 1930, astronomers had predicted in the late 19th century that something besides the newly discovered Neptune was disturbing the orbit of the seventh planet, Uranus. Between 1909 and 1930, there were 16 prediscovery observations of Pluto in which the observer didn’t realize what was there.

Clyde Tombaugh, a 23-year-old astronomer was hired by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, to lead the effort to find what was called “Planet X.” He did this by comparing photographs of the night sky and looking for any undiscovered moving objects. On Feb. 18, 1930, Tombaugh discovered a moving object in pictures taken on January 23rd and 29th. Other photos confirmed the movement and the discovery was telegraphed to the Harvard Observatory on March 13.

The name Pluto was chosen from more than 1,000 suggestions. Pluto, after the mythological god of the underworld, was joined on the final short list of candidates by the names Minerva, after the goddess of wisdom, and Cronus, the son of Uranus and father of Zeus. The name Pluto was suggested by 11-year-old Venitia Burney, who had taken an interest in classical mythology.

After its discovery, Pluto was almost immediately seen as a disappointment. It was much smaller than it should have been. If it were the predicted Planet X, it should have been about seven times larger than Earth. In fact, at the time it was estimated to have a diameter of about 60 percent of that of the Earth. It also had an very elliptical orbit and was less reflective than anticipated. It was also determined that Pluto’s orbit takes it inside that of Neptune periodically. A stable orbital ratio means that the two bodies will never collide.

Almost immediately, Pluto’s status as a planet was called into question. The dimness and eccentric orbit were seen to be more like those of a comet or asteroid. A year later, other astronomers proposed that the new planet was not the cause of the orbital irregularities of Uranus, and that the discovery of Pluto was an accident.

Though the years, estimations of Pluto’s size were revised downward. In 1948, it was believed to be 1/10 the size of the Earth. In 1976, the estimate was down to 1/100th. The 1978 discovery of its moon, Charon, further lowered the estimate to about 1/500th. The most recent estimate puts Pluto at 1/459th the size of Earth.

In 1992, new information from Voyager 2’s flyby of Neptune allowed for more precise calculations of Neptune’s effect on the orbit of Uranus, eliminating the need for a Planet X to explain any irregularity.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union created an official definition of the term “planet.” Pluto meets the first two conditions, which are orbiting the Sun and being massive enough to have its own gravity. It doesn’t meet the third condition of clearing its orbital neighborhood of other objects. Instead of being classified as the ninth planet, Pluto is considered the largest and second most massive dwarf planet in the solar system.

Our question: Which came first, the discovery of the dwarf planet Pluto, or the naming of Disney character Pluto?

Today is the anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, and it’s National Elephant Day in Thailand.

It’s unofficially National Workplace Napping Day, National Jewel Day, and National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day.

It’s the birthday of actor William H. Macy, who is 67; U2 bassist Adam Clayton, who is 57; and skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who is 22.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1999, the top song in the U.S. was “Believe” by Cher.

The No. 1 movie was “Analyze This,” while the novel “The Testament” by John Grisham topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Pluto was originally the pet dog of which Disney character?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_beyond_Neptune

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAU_definition_of_planet

http://www.space.com/18566-pluto-distance.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_13

https://www.checkiday.com/3/13/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-13

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=13&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1999_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1999

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On this date in 1926, the first Book of the Month Club selection was published.

Here are some things you might not have known about it.

The Book of the Month Club was founded by Harry Scherman in New York. Scherman had earlier success selling a collection of 30 leather-bound books for just under $3. Over the course of five years, he sold more than 40 million copies.

The club was started as a way to introduce new books to readers. Scherman saw the club as a way to become a tastemaker or what he called a “standard brand.” This would lead to people buying whichever books were selected, based on the trust they had in the club.

The first selection was “Lolly WIllowes; or The Loving Huntsman” by Sylvia Townsend Warner. It was sent out to the club’s 4,000 subscribers.

One of the club’s selections in the first year was “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway. In its 10th year, the club selected a then-unknown novel by Margaret Mitchell called “Gone With The Wind.” Partly as a result of that selection, “Gone with the Wind” would go on to be made into the highest-grossing film of all time, when adjusted for inflation. The book finished second to the Bible as the most popular book in the United States in a 2014 poll.

After 20 years, the club had more than a half a million subscribers.

In 1951, the club sent out its 100 millionth book, which was a copy of “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.

In its early days, the club worked as a negative response system. Similar to later record and CD clubs, members had the option to decline a month’s selection, but they would receive the selection automatically if they didn’t respond. It now operates as a box subscription service. Memberships are sold based on a set number of months.

Our question: The novel “The Sun Also Rises” is set largely in what country?

Today is Harriet Tubman Day and National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the United States.

It’s unofficially International Bagpipe Day, Landline Telephone Day, and National Blueberry Popover Day.

It’s the birthday of actor Chuck Norris, who is 77; actor Jon Hamm, who is 46; and singer Carrie Underwood, who is 34.

This week in 1984, the top song in the U.S. was “Jump” by Van Halen.

The No. 1 movie was “Footloose,” while the novel “Pet Sematary” by Stephen King topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: For which book, later turned into a movie, did James Michener win the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for fiction?

The answer and correct respondents are in today's podcast.

Thanks to RaidersFan1975 for the five-star review on iTunes.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-book-of-the-month-club-selection-is-published

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Month_Club

https://www.bookofthemonth.com/our-story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolly_Willowes

https://parade.com/286409/viannguyen/new-poll-reveals-americans-10-favorite-books-of-all-time/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_Also_Rises

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_10

https://www.checkiday.com/3/10/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-10

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=10&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1984_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1984

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Today is Teachers’ Day in Lebanon.

It’s unofficially False Teeth Day, Barbie Day, and National Meatball Day.

It’s the birthday of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was born in 1934; actor Raul Julia, who was born in 1940; and actress Juliette Binoche, who is 53.

This week in 1967, the top song in the U.S. was “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” by The Supremes.

The No. 1 movie was “Hurry Sundown,” while the novel “The Secret of Santa Vittoria” by Robert Crichton topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: For which book, later turned into a movie, did James Michener win the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for fiction?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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On this date in 1985, the charity song “We Are The World” was released.

Here are some things you may not have known about it.

More than a million people died as a result of a widespread famine in Ethiopia between 1983 and 1985, in the midst of more than two decades of insurrection and civil war.

In response to this, musician Bob Geldof organized a supergroup of mostly British and Irish musicians called Band Aid to record a charity single called “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”

The song ended up raising 8 million pounds in the first year.

Inspired by the success, Harry Belafonte decided to organize an American version.

Calling the group USA For Africa, the USA standing for United Support of Artists, the group would raise money for African famine relief and to fight hunger in the United States. Belafonte called on entertainment manager Ken Kragen, whose clients included Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers. Stevie Wonder was the third artist to join up.

Quincy Jones was brought on to co-produce the song, and he convinced Michael Jackson to join the effort.

Jackson, Richie and Wonder were initially assigned songwriting duties, but Wonder had to drop out because of time constraints. Jackson and Richie spent a week working together on the song. The duo completed writing the song the night before recording was scheduled to begin.

On the night of Jan. 22, Jackson, Richie, Wonder and Jones recorded a vocal guide of the song to send to the artists who would be participating in the full recording session about a week later.

At about 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 28, musicians began gathering at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood. The final version was completed at about 8 a.m.

The song was released on March 7, and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after two weeks, becoming the second song after “Let It Be” by The Beatles to his No. 1 so quickly.

The song topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary, R&B and Dance charts as well. It hit No. 27 on the Mainstream Rock chart and 76 on the Country Singles chart.

A videotape of the recording session ended up being the ninth best-selling home video of the year.

The song also topped the charts in 15 other countries, and was the year-end No. 1 hit in Australia and New Zealand.

Since its release, the song has raised more than $63 million for USA For Africa’s humanitarian fund.

Our question: Who was the only singer on “We Are The World” who also played an instrument on the track?

Today is Teachers’ Day in Albania.

It’s unofficially National Sportsmanship Day, National Cereal Day, and Peace Corps Day.

It’s the birthday of Janet Guthrie, the first woman to race in the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500, who turns 79; actress and comedian Wanda Sykes, who is 53; and actress Jenna Fischer, who is 43.

This week in 1985, the top song in the U.S. was “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon.

The No. 1 movie was “Beverly Hills Cop,” while the novel “If Tomorrow Comes” by Sidney Sheldon topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: For which book, later turned into a movie, did James Michener win the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for fiction?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_They_Know_It%27s_Christmas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983%E2%80%931985_famine_in_Ethiopia

https://www.checkiday.com/3/7/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-07

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=7&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1985_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

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On this date in 1899, Bayer registered the name “Aspirin” as a trademark.

Here are some things you might not have known about aspirin.

Aspirin is also known as acetylsalicylic acid. People have been using willow and myrtle trees, both rich in salicylate for thousands of years to treat pain and fever.

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in the same class as ibuprofen and naproxen. It’s a pain reliever, fever reducer and it fights inflammation. It works by suppressing the production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Prostaglandins are involved in the transmission of pain information, modulation of the thermostat in the brain and inflammation. Thromboxanes are responsible for the gathering of platelets that cause blood clots, which can lead to heart attacks.

It proved difficult and wasteful to extract salicylic acid from plants, but in 1860 Hermann Kolbe figured out how to synthisize it. The synthesized drug had many of the positive effects of aspirin, but had negatives including weakening of the heart, gastric irritation and an intense bitter taste.

In 1897, Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann began working on how to make salicylic acid less irritating. It’s thought he began his research because his father had suffered from the side effects of sodium salicylate used to treat rheumatism. Using existing research, he discovered a better method for creating acetylsalicylic acid. Bayer would credit Hoffman as the inventor of aspirin, when in reality he refined the process of making it.

Testing of what would become known as aspirin was delayed by company bureaucracy. It would have to wait even longer because Bayer’s testing department was busy testing diacetylmorphine, which would be become better known as heroin. The name heroin is a reference to the quote “heroic” feelings it gave the testers. Eventually aspirin was tested and was found to have few of the side effects of its predecessors.

When it came time to name the drug, there were two final options: aspirin and euspirin. Aspirin was derived from its chemical name in German: Acetylspirsäure. Euspirin had a similar origin, but included the prefix eu- meaning good, as in euphemism.

Aspirin was originally sold in powder form. However, this made it difficult to prevent competitors from making confusingly similar products. So Bayer began pressing aspirin into standardized tablets.

During World War I, Bayer had its American assets seized, including its name and logo. It was purchased by Sterling Products, Inc.

After World War II, aspirin lost market share to new drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. In the 1980s when both new drugs were available over the counter, aspirin had a small portion of the pain reliever market. It was hurt even further by the link of aspirin consumption by children to Reye’s Syndrome, a potentially fatal disease. Soon after, aspirin’s effectiveness at reducing heart attacks was brought to light and the drug regained its place as the top-selling pain reliever in the U.S.

In 1994, Bayer purchased Sterling Products and regained use of its name, logo and products in the United States.

Our question: What year was heroin made illegal in the United States?

Today is Independence Day in Ghana.

It’s unofficially Dentist’s Day, National Oreo Cookie Day, and National Frozen Food Day.

It’s the birthday of illustrator Will Eisner, who was born in 1917; author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who was born in 1927; and basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, who turns 45.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1979, the top song in the U.S. was “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

The No. 1 movie was “The Deer Hunter,” while the novel “Chesapeake” by our man James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: For which book, later turned into a movie, did James Michener win the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for fiction?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_aspirin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_aspiration

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonsteroidal_anti-inflammatory_drug

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COX-2_inhibitor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antipyretic

http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/heroin-timeline.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Heroin_Act_of_1924

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_6

https://www.checkiday.com/3/6/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-06

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=6&y=1979&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1979_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

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On this date in 1986, the Australia Act of 1986 came into effect.

Here are some things you may not have known about Australia’s independence from the United Kingdom.

The Australia Act of 1986 cut the last constitutional ties between Australia and the UK.

The process began in 1901 with the creation of the Dominion of Australia. Dominions were semi-independent, self-governing parts of the British Empire. Dominion status was somewhere between that of a colony and a full-fledged state. The first country to be called a dominion was Canada in 1867. Australia was second, followed by New Zealand and Newfoundland, which was then separate from Canada. The Union of South Africa became a dominion in 1910, followed by the Irish Free State in 1922.

Australia established a bicameral federal legislature, a high court and the office of Governor-General, who was the monarch’s representative. The site of the federal capital was also set with a compromise between Melbourne and Sydney leading to the establishment of the new city of Canberra.

In 1931, the Statute of Westminster increased the independence of the dominions, cutting almost all ties between them and the UK. It provided that laws made by the British Parliament would only have an effect on a dominion at the request of that dominion. It also allowed the dominions to enact laws that were inconsistent with those of the UK. The statute applied automatically to Canada, the Irish Free State and the Union of South Africa. The other three dominions’ parliaments needed to pass legislation to enact it.

Australia didn’t enact the Statute of Westminster until 1942, after British forces were defeated in Singapore, and Australia needed to form its own alliance with the United States. The act was backdated to the beginning of World War II in 1939.

The Australia Act ended the last of the British Parliament’s power to legislate in Australia. The British monarch, however continues to be the head of state in Australia. The High Court of Australia has established that March 3, 1986, marks the establishment of Australian independence.

Australia remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, along with many former British colonies.

Our question: What is the largest country by population that is eligible to be, but is not, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations?

Today is World Wildlife Day, Liberation Day in Bulgaria and Girl’s Day in Japan.

It’s unofficially World Day of Prayer, National Cold Cuts Day, and What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day.

It’s the birthday of inventor Alexander Graham Bell, who was born in 1847; actress Jean Harlow, who was born in 1911; and athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who turns 55.

This week in 1986, the top song in the U.S. was “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister.

The No. 1 movie was “Pretty in Pink,” while the novel “Lake Wobegon Days” by Garrison Keillor topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What television series had the second-most-watched finale in the U.S.?

Our first correct answer was from Celia from Bermuda. We also had correct responses from Alex Thompson, Kevin Lazar and Tom, who didn’t give his last name.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Act_1986

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Australia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Westminster_1931

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_Westminster_Adoption_Act_1942

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_3

https://www.checkiday.com/3/3/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-03

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=3&y=1986&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1986_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1986

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_watched_television_broadcasts_in_the_United_States

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On this date in 1933, the film “King Kong” premiered in New York.

Here are some things you may not have known about it.

“King Kong” is the tale of a wildlife filmmaker and his crew, who stumble upon an enormous gorilla-like ape on an uncharted island off of Indonesia.

The ape falls in love with the actress, Ann Darrow, played by Fay Wray. The ape is brought to New York City to be displayed, where he escapes and kidnaps Ann and climbs to the top of the Empire State Building.

At the time of production, there weren’t many zoos with primate exhibits, so there was public demand to see the animals. Hollywood filled this need with several jungle-themed adventure movies, including “Tarzan,” and “The Lost World” among others.

Among the actresses considered for the role of Ann Darrow were Dorothy Jordan, Jean Harlow and Ginger Rogers. Producers convinced Wray to take the role by promising to put her opposite the “tallest, darkest leading man in Hollywood,” whom she took to mean Clark Gable, until she was shown a character design of King Kong.

Four models of Kong were built, two of them 18 inches tall, another 24 inches tall, and the last one made of lead and fur for the final scene in which the ape tumbles from the Empire State Building. A version of Kong’s head was built for closeups, however it was completely out of scale with the other models and would indicate that Kong was up to 40-feet tall, rather than his intended 18-foot height.

Film historians have rejected accounts that some scenes were filmed with an actor in a gorilla suit.

The film was also the first American talkie to have a feature-length score composed for it. Originally the studio, RKO, planned to reuse other music, but one of the producers paid $50,000 out of his own pocket. The studio later reimbursed him.

The film opened at Radio City Music Hall and RKO’s Roxy theater across the street. The two theaters, which sat a combined capacity of almost 10,000, were sold out for all 10 shows each of the first four days, setting a record for attendance at an indoor event.

“King Kong” made a profit of $650,000 on its first run. It was rereleased in 1938, 1942, 1946, 1952 and 1956. Each rerelease was censored more than the previous version.

It was selected as the 43rd best movie of the 20th Century by the American Film Institute, and the fourth best fantasy film of the same period. Rotten Tomatoes ranks “King Kong” as the best horror movie and the 20th best film.

The film was remade in 1976, starring Jessica Lange as the female lead, and in 2005 with Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow. A rebooted version called “Kong: Skull Island” is set to be released on March 10.

Our question: In what country was Fay Wray born?

Today is Texas Independence Day and Air Force Day in Sri Lanka.

It’s unofficially National Banana Cream Pie Day, and National Old Stuff Day.

It’s the birthday of author Dr. Seuss, who was born in 1904; musician Lou Reed, who was born in 1942; and musician Karen Carpenter, who was born in 1950.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1990, the top song in the U.S. was “Escapade” by Janet Jackson.

The No. 1 movie was “Driving Miss Daisy,” while the novel “Devices and Desires” by P.D. James topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What television series had the second-most-watched finale in the U.S.?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Kong_(1933_film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fay_Wray

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardston

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kong:_Skull_Island

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_2

https://www.checkiday.com/3/2/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-02

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=2&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1990_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

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On this date in 1954, four Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire in the House of Representatives chamber in the United States Capitol building.

Here are some things you may not have known about it.

The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party was founded in the 1920s in an attempt to secure the island’s independence from the United States. The U.S. had gained possession of Puerto Rico as part of the Treaty of Paris of 1898, which ended the Spanish-American War. The U.S. also acquired Guam, the Philippines and Cuba as part of the treaty. An amendment to the U.S. declaration of war prevented the U.S. from keeping Cuba.

The Puerto Rican nationalists argued that their island wasn’t the property of Spain in the first place, so the Spanish couldn’t give the island to the United States.

In 1950, Puerto Rico was made a “Free Associated State,” meaning the people of Puerto Rico could elect their own governor and legislators in a manner similar to full-fledged American states. The U.S. government retained responsibility for defense and foreign relations. In October, the U.S. helped the Puerto Rican National Guard put down a nationalist uprising, which resulted in 28 fatalities. Two days later, two nationalists attempted to assassinate President Harry Truman in Washington, D.C. The attack was unsuccessful, but a White House police officer and one of the attackers were killed.

In 1952, 82 percent of Puerto Rican voters decided to accept the new status as a commonwealth. The only other option provided on the ballot was for maintaining direct American rule. Independence was not an option.

On March 1, 1954, Lolita Lebrón, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irvin Flores and Andres Figueroa Cordero smuggled semi-automatic pistols into the visitors’ gallery above the House of Representatives chamber in the U.S. Capitol. The group recited the Lord’s Prayer, Lebrón stood up and shouted “¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!” or “Long live a free Puerto Rico” and unfurled a Puerto Rican flag. The group then opened fire.

Five congressmen were shot: Alvin Bentley of Michigan, Clifford Davis of Tennessee, Ben F. Jensen of Iowa, George Hyde Fallon of Maryland and Kenneth A. Roberts of Alabama. Bentley was the most severely injured, having been shot in the chest. Lebrón said she fired her gun into the ceiling. It’s reported that Figueroa Cordero’s gun jammed. Cancel Miranda claimed to have fired most of the shots and injured all of the congressmen.

The nationalists were immediately arrested. After her arrest, Lebrón said, “I did not come to kill anyone, I came to die for Puerto Rico.”

All of the wounded congressmen survived their injuries.

The four nationalists were convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy. Each of them except Cancel Miranda were given 76-year sentences. Cancel Miranda, who was considered to be the primary shooter, was sentenced to 85 years in prison and sent to Alcatraz.

Figueroa Cordero was released from prison in 1978, the others were pardoned in 1979.

Cancel Miranda is the only surviving participant of the plot. He’s 86 years old and lives in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Since 1967, there have been four referendums on the status of Puerto Rico. Maintaining the commonwealth and pursuing statehood have been the top vote getters. Another referendum is scheduled for June 11, 2017. The only options on the ballot will be statehood or independence/free association.

Our question: What are the names of the other three major islands in the Greater Antilles?

Today is Ash Wednesday, World Civil Defense Day, Independence Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Heroes’ Day in Paraguay.

It’s unofficially National Pig Day, National Fruit Compote Day, and World Math Day.

It’s the birthday of bandleader Glenn Miller, who was born in 1904; musician Harry Belafonte, who is 90; and actor and director Ron Howard, who is 63.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1973, the top song in the U.S. was “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack.

The No. 1 movie was “Walking Tall,” while the novel “Jonathan Livingston Seagul” by Richard Bach topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

With as often as they’re mentioned, Richard Bach and James Michener should be paying for advertising on this show.

Weekly question: What series had the second-most-watched finale on U.S. TV?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_shooting_incident_(1954)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_constitutional_referendum,_1952

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Cancel_Miranda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_status_referendum,_2017

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1898)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teller_Amendment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1

https://www.checkiday.com/3/1/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-march-01

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=3&d=1&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1973_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1972

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On this date in 1983, the series finale of the television show “MASH” aired in the United States.

Here are some things you may not have known about the most-watched scripted television episode in American history.

The final episode of the series was called “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” The comedy/drama ran for 11 seasons, eight years longer than the Korean War in which it was set.

The 2 1/2-hour episode begins with Hawkeye Pierce suffering from a nervous breakdown. During the episode he recovers and rejoins the 4077th as the news of a ceasefire reaches the camp. The rest of the episode deals with the characters saying goodbye to one another. It ends with Pierce on a helicopter seeing that his tentmate and fellow surgeon B.J. Hunnicutt, who had trouble saying farewell, had arranged a number of large number of stones to read “GOODBYE.”

Because of the overwhelming interest in the episode, CBS was able change $450,000 for a 30-second commercial block, which was more expensive than time during the Super Bowl that year.

Almost 106 million people watched the episode, making it the most-watched television program in American television history.

The episode would have had even higher ratings, if not for a power outage in the San Francisco area which prevented many viewers from seeing the finale. It ran again three weeks later on the CBS affiliate in the Bay Area.

Eight Super Bowls have since eclipsed the “MASH” finale in terms of viewership, although it retains the record for scripted programming.

Determining a global record isn’t easy. Some countries don’t have reliable estimates for viewership.

The most-reliable numbers indicate that the global record for the most-watched television event was the first moon landing in 1969. It’s estimated that 530 million people saw Neil Armstrong walk on the lunar surface. The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final audience was estimated to be about 260 million viewers. Over the course of two weeks, it is estimated that up to 5 billion people, about 70 percent of the world’s population, watched some part of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Our question: What show had the longest run of seasons as the No. 1 show in the U.S.?

Today is Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday, marking the last day before the start of Lent.

It’s unofficially International Pancake Day, which is related to Shrove Tuesday celebrations; National Science Day; and National Chocolate Souffle Day.

It’s the birthday of gagster Bugsy Siegel, who was born in 1906; actor Zero Mostel, who was born in 1915; and race car driver Mario Andretti, who is 77.

This week in 1983, the top song in the U.S. was “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson.

The No. 1 movie was “Tootsie,” while the novel “Space” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What series had the second-most-watched finale in the U.S.?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_28

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodbye,_Farewell_and_Amen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAS*H_(TV_series)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_watched_television_broadcasts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_watched_television_broadcasts_in_the_United_States

https://www.checkiday.com/2/28/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-28

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1983_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1983

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On this date in 1942, anti-aircraft guns blazed over the city of Los Angeles during what was eventually determined to be a false alarm.

Here are some things you might not have known about “The Battle of Los Angeles.”

The United States was three months into its involvement in World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

California was especially on edge, as the night before a Japanese submarine opened fire on an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California.

Air raid sirens began sounding in Los Angeles County on the night of February 24. Air raid wardens were summoned to their positions and at 3:16 a.m., the 37th Coast Artillery Brigade began firing its .50 caliber machine guns and 12.8-pound anti-aircraft shells at the reported invading aircraft.

The anti-aircraft fire continued for almost an hour. More than 1,400 shells were fired. The all-clear was given at 7:21 a.m.

Five people died as an indirect result of the chaos. Three people died in car accidents, and two others died of heart attacks. Many buildings and vehicles were damaged.

The next day, the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, held a news conference blaming the entire incident on anxiety and “war nerves.” Some news outlets suspected a coverup. Other people suspected UFOs.

In 1983, the U.S. Office of Air Force History said the Battle of Los Angeles was triggered by a stray weather balloon along with war anxiety.

Following the war, the Japanese said they did not have any planes in the area.

Our question: Who directed the movie “1941” that was loosely based on the Battle of Los Angeles?

Today is Independence Day in Estonia, Flag Day in Mexico, and Engineer’s Day in Iran.

It’s unofficially World Bartender Day, National Tortilla Chip Day, and National Trading Card Day.

It’s the birthday of artist Winslow Homer, who was born in 1836; Admiral Chester Nimitz, who was born in 1885; and Apple founder Steve Jobs, who was born in 1955.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1997, the top song in the U.S. was “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls.

The No. 1 movie was “The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition),” while the novel “Hornet’s Nest” by Patricia Cornwell topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Thanks to Ned_Starks_Bastards for the five-star review on iTunes. If you haven’t rated the show yet, head over there and help us out. You can also support the show on Patreon at triviapeople.com/support.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Subscribe on Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_24

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Los_Angeles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Ellwood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941_(film)

https://www.checkiday.com/2/24/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-24

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1997_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1997

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On this date in 1886, Charles Martin Hall used an economical method to produce aluminum for the first time.

Here are some things you may not have known about it.

Aluminum is the third most common element in the Earth’s crust, and the most common metal. Aluminum compounds occur naturally, and have been used in clay pottery for thousands of years. However aluminum proved difficult to isolate because of its high affinity for oxygen. Metallic aluminum never occurs in nature.

In the first half of the 19th century, scientists made strides in isolating aluminum, but the process remained difficult. At the time, aluminum was a semiprecious metal with a price comparable to silver. It was so highly regarded that a six-pound pyramid of aluminum was used as the tip of the Washington Monument, which was completed in 1884.

Charles Martin Hall was born in 1863 in Ohio. While attending Oberlin College, he attended a lecture on aluminum. The professor, Frank Fanning Jewett, touted the possibilities of the metal as a material and as a way for the person who commercialized the production to make a fortune.

Over the course of the next three years, Hall, along with his sister Julia Brainerd Hall, conducted experiments but found no success.

In 1886, using a system in which an electrical current is passed through molten aluminum oxide dissolved in cryolite, Hall discovered several small accumulations of shiny metal at the bottom of crucible. He took them to Professor Jewett, who confirmed it was aluminum.

At almost the same time in France, Paul Heroult made the same discovery. The process is now known as the Hall-Heroult process.

Hall was awarded the U.S. patent for the process and went on to form the Aluminum Company of America, which became Alcoa.

Just as Jewett predicted, Hall became wealthy by his discovery. He served as a trustee of Oberlin College, which erected a statue of him, fittingly made of aluminum. Because of its light weight, the statue was frequently stolen as a student prank. It’s now glued to a large granite block inside a science building on campus.

Hall died in 1914 at the age of 51.

Aluminum became the first metal to come into widespread use since iron in prehistory, and it’s the most widely used non-ferrous metal. Almost 59 million metric tons of aluminum were produced in 2016.

If you’re not located in North America, you’re probably annoyed by my pronunciation of aluminum. In the rest of the English-speaking world, the metal is referred to as aluminium. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first word used to refer to the element was alumium. The man who discovered aluminum used the now-North American word, but it was rejected by the British in favor of a construction similar to other then-newly discovered elements like potassium, sodium and magnesium.

Our question: What country produces the most aluminum today?

Today is National Day in Brunei.

It’s unofficially National Chili Day, Play Tennis Day and National Banana Bread Day.

It’s the birthday of composer George Handel, who was born in 1685; civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, who was born in 1868; and comedian Aziz Ansari, who turns 34.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1977, the top song in the U.S. was “New Kid in Town” by The Eagles.

The No. 1 movie was “Rocky,” while the novel “Trinity” by Leon Uris topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Who is the most prolific inventor, in terms of total number of patents?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martin_Hall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Héroult

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxide

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium

https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/aluminumprocess.html

http://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/#histogram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoa

https://www.checkiday.com/2/23/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-23

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=23&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1977_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1977

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On this date in 1959, Lee Petty won the first Daytona 500.

Here are some things you may not have known about stock car racing’s crown jewel.

The Daytona 500 is the direct descendant of earlier races held on the Daytona Beach Road Course. Stock car races were held on a stretch of Daytona Beach and an adjacent stretch of highway. The first stock car race held on the course took place in 1936.

NASCAR, the stock car sanctioning body, was formed in 1948, and its top series included races on the beach course until 1958. Five years prior to the final beach race, Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR, began planning a paved 2 1/2-mile superspeedway called Daytona International Speedway.

Construction began in 1957, on the high-banked oval. The banking proved to be a construction hurdle, as normal paving equipment couldn’t stand upright on the 31-degree turns. The track’s architect, Charles Moneypenny, designed a system that anchored the equipment from the top of the banking. He later patented the method.

The first race drew 42,000 fans to the new facility, where they saw Lee Petty beat Johnny Beauchamp in a photo finish that wasn’t decided for three days.

The Daytona 500 wasn’t the first 500-mile NASCAR race. The first Southern 500 was held in Darlington, South Carolina, in 1950.

1974 saw the only time the Daytona 500 was not a true 500-mile race. As a result of the oil embargo, the race was shortened to 450 miles. Officials did this by symbolically starting the race on the 21st lap.

Lee Petty’s son, Richard Petty, would go on to win the race a record seven times between 1964 and 1981. 11 drivers have won the race more than once. Chevrolet is the winningest manufacturer with 23 victories, ahead of Ford with 14 victories.

The youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 was Trevor Bayne, who was 20 years and one day old in 2011. The oldest was Bobby Allison, who won it in 1988 at 50 years and 73 days.

Our question: Who is the only driver born outside the United States to win the Daytona 500?

Today is Independence Day in Saint Lucia.

It’s unofficially Be Humble Day, Walking the Dog Day, and Margarita Day.

It’s the birthday of George Washington, who was born in 1732; founder of the Boy Scouts Robert Baden-Powell, who was born in 1857; and basketball legend Julius Erving, who is 67.

This week in 1959, the top song in the U.S. was “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price.

The top grossing film was was “Ben-Hur,” while the novel “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Who is the most prolific inventor, in terms of total number of patents?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_22

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_500_history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_Beach_and_Road_Course

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_France_Sr

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_International_Speedway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bojangles%27_Southern_500

https://www.checkiday.com/2/22/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-22

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_in_film

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=22&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1959

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On this date in 1947, Edwin Land demonstrated the first instant camera.

Here are some things you may not have known about the Polaroid Land Camera.

Edwin Land was born in 1909 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. After one year of studying chemistry at Harvard, he dropped out to move to New York and work on his own. While in New York, he invented an inexpensive way of polarizing light for sunglasses and scientific work. He did this despite not having a laboratory of his own by sneaking into Columbia University late at night and doing his reading in the New York Public Library.

After inventing the polarizing film, which he called Polaroid film, he returned to Harvard. Land, however, wasn’t motivated by earning a degree, he was interested in solving problems. His wife would get him to answer homework answers, write it up, and turn it in so he wouldn’t fail the course.

He left Harvard again to start a new company with his physics instructor George Wheelwright. The company, called the Polaroid Corporation, worked to commercialize Land’s previous invention and find new uses for it. This included jukebox displays, 3D glass and photographic filters.

In 1947, Land demonstrated his instant camera, which he called the Land Camera. The original camera used a process called diffusion transfer to move dyes from a negative image to a positive image using a reagent. The negative would be exposed inside the camera, then aligned with a positive sheet and squeezed through rollers with a chemical between the layers that would develop the image. After a minute, the back of the camera was opened and the positive could be peeled away from the negative.

The first commercial batch of the Land Camera went on sale for Christmas in 1948. 60 cameras were manufactured, 57 of them sold at the Jordan Marsh department store in Boston. All 57 of the cameras sold out on the first day. They cost $89.75 each.

Land was driven in his research. He took few breaks and had to be reminded to eat. He had teams of assistants working with him that would rotate in and out through the day. It was said that he wore the same clothes for 18 straight days while focused on overcoming a problem with one of his inventions.

Eventually, Land and Polaroid improved on the developing process, which had fewer steps and worked faster. The 1 millionth Polaroid camera was sold in 1956. Color film was introduced in 1963. In 1978, Polaroid introduced an instant color motion picture system, just as videotape-based systems were debuting. Polaroid’s entry was not a success.

Land retired as CEO of Polaroid in 1980. He died in 1991 at the age of 82. Over his lifetime, he amassed 535 patents.

In 2001, Polaroid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company name survives today, but it stopped making instant cameras in 2007 and stopped making film in 2009.

Our question: Who was hired as Polaroid’s first film consultant in 1949?

Today is Armed Forces Day in South Africa and the Birthday of King Harald V in Norway.

It’s unofficially Single Tasking Day, and National Sticky Bun Day.

It’s the birthday of civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman John Lewis, who is 77; actor Alan Rickman, who was born in 1946; and writer David Foster Wallace, who was born in 1962.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1972, the top song in the U.S. was “Without You” by Harry Nilsson.

The No. 1 movie was “Cabaret,” while the novel “The Winds of War” by Herman Wouk topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What’s the name of the most prolific inventor, in terms of total number of patents?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_21

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_camera

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_Corporation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_H._Land

https://www.bu.edu/prc/forms/polatimeline.pdf

https://www.checkiday.com/2/21/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-21

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1972_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1972

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On this date in 1966, Brian Wilson began recording what would come to be the Beach Boys single “Good Vibrations.”

Here are some things you may not have known about the song.

“Good Vibrations” was recorded while the Beach Boys were working on their album “Pet Sounds.” At some point, the song was intended to appear on the album, but was later held back as Brian Wilson continued to work on it.

The recording and production of “Good Vibrations” took seven months and cost an estimated $50,000 to $75,000, making it the most expensive single ever made up to that time. The entire “Pet Sounds” album had cost $70,000, which was an unusually high cost for an album at the time.

Wilson worked on individual portions of the song, and spliced them together later. It’s believed that more than 90 hours of tape were used in more than a dozen sessions while recording the 3 minute, 35-second song.

While Wilson was the driving force behind the song, the lyrics were written by his bandmate, and sometimes rival, Mike Love.

The lead vocals on the song were sung by Carl Wilson, Brian’s brother and the band’s lead guitarist.

The song was described by Wilson and the band’s publicist Derek Taylor as a “pocket symphony,” for its episodic nature and otherwise complex musical structure.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the song is the presence of the electro-Theremin. The electronic instrument, which was frequently used in science-fiction and horror films, was rarely used in popular music at the time. Its use in “Good Vibrations” and other Beach Boys songs led to a shortage of the instruments. It also led Soviet authorities to exile the inventor of the instrument, Leon Theremin.

When the song was released, it was hailed as one of the finest pop songs of all time. It was the Beach Boys’ first million-selling single and their third of four No. 1 singles in the United States.

Our question … it’s more of a command, really: Name one of the other three No. 1 hits by The Beach Boys.

Today is unofficially National Cabbage Day, National Woman’s Heart Day, and National Cafe au Lait Day.

It’s the birthday of football legend Jim Brown, who is 81; basketball legend Michael Jordan, who turns 54; musician Billie Joe Armstrong, who is 45.

This week in 1966, the top song in the U.S. was “Lightnin’ Strikes” by Lou Christie.

The No. 1 movie was “Doctor Zhivago,” while the novel “The Source” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Vibrations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-Theremin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beach_Boys_discography

https://www.checkiday.com/2/17/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1966_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1966

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On this date in 2006, the last American mobile army surgical hospital was deactivated.

Here are some things you may not have known about MASH units.

The inspiration for MASH units came during World War II. At the time, the U.S. military used a system that required injured troops to be transported long distances to receive surgical treatment. MASH units allowed surgical intervention to happen much closer to the front lines, helping to save many lives.

Casualties were first treated by buddies or by unit medics. If they needed further help, they were sent to a battalion aid station to be stabilized. From battalion aid, patients were sent to MASH units. The system was very effective. Injured troops who made it alive to a MASH unit during the Korean War had a 97.5 percent chance of survival. During World War II, the rate was 96 percent, and in World War I, it was 92 percent.

One of the hallmarks of the MASH unit was the triage system. The system allows doctors and nurses to establish a patient’s condition and prioritize them, getting the most severely injured into surgery as quickly as possible.

Patients received one of four tags denoting their condition. Red was for those in the most urgent need of treatment; yellow was for patients that weren’t in immediate danger, but needed treatment; green tags were for patients who weren’t completely disabled by their injuries; black tags were for patients who were deceased or had no chance of surviving.

MASH units also served in Vietnam, the Gulf War and the Iraq War. The last MASH unit in South Korea was deactivated in 1997. Several cast members from the television series “MAS*H” attended the deactivation ceremony. The television show was based on the 1970 movie of the same name. Both were based on the 1968 novel “MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors.”

One of the more notable difference between real-life MASH units and those of television is the size of the unit. Real MASH units were about twice the size of the one depicted in the television series.

The last MASH unit, the 212th, served its last deployment in Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. The U.S. State Department bought the unit’s tents and equipment from the Department of Defense and donated it to the Pakistani military.

The MASH unit was replaced with combat support hospitals, and forward surgical teams.

Our question: Which two regular cast members of “MAS*H” served in the U.S. Army in Korea following the Korean War?

Today is unofficially National Almond Day, and National Innovation Day.

It’s the birthday of actor LaVar Burton, who is 60; actor and rapper Ice-I, who is 59; and tennis player John McEnroe, who is 58.

Because we featured a year from the mid-2000s earlier this week, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1982, the top song in the U.S. was “Centerfold” by The J. Geils Band.

The No. 1 movie was “On Golden Pond,” while the novel “The Hotel New Hampshire” by John Irving topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: In what city was UPS founded?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_army_surgical_hospital_(US)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAS*H_(TV_series)

https://www.checkiday.com/2/16/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-16

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1982_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1982

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us& m=2&d=16&y=1982&o=

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Two programmers work on the ENIAC. (U.S. Army Photo via Columbia University) On this date in 1946, ENIAC, one of the first electronic computers was dedicated.

Here are some things you may not have known about it.

ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. It was designed to calculate artillery firing tables for the U.S. Army’s Ballistic Research laboratory.

It was literally a computer. It could solve numerical problems, which were usually done by people, who were also called computers.

Design and construction began in 1943 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Electrical Engineering under the codename “Project PX.” It was 1,000 times faster than electro-mechanical computers of the day, and 2,400 times after than a human.

ENIAC contained more than 17,000 vacuum tubes, 7,200 crystal diodes, 1,500 relays, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors and 5 million hand-soldered joints. It weighed 27 tons and occupied 1,800 square feet.

It used punched cards for input and output, and initially had no memory.

A group of six women were ENIAC’s original primary programmers. Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas and Ruth Lichterman were responsible for inputting programs and debugging problems by crawling inside the machine to find bad solder joints and bad tubes.

ENIAC was decommissioned in 1955.

Our question: What is the most used operating system today?

Today is Flag Day in Canada, Statehood Day in Serbia, and Total Defense Day in Singapore.

It’s unofficially National Gumdrop Day and National Hippo Day.

It’s the birthday of women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony, who was born in 1820; explorer Ernest Shackleton, who was born in 1874; and comedian Chris Farley, who was born in 1964.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1977, the top song in the U.S. was “Blinded By The Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.

The No. 1 movie was “Rocky,” while the novel “Trinity” by Leon Uris topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Before the break we asked: What is the most used operating system today?

Weekly question: In what city was UPS founded?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENIAC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punched_card_input/output

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_15

https://www.checkiday.com/2/15/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-15

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1977_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1977

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On this date in 2005, YouTube was founded.

Here are some things you might not have known about the video-sharing site.

It was created by three former PayPal employees named Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim.

The three differ on their inspiration for starting the company. Karim said it was because he couldn’t find video online of Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction during halftime of the 2004 Super Bowl or of the Indian Ocean tsunami later that year. Hurley and Chen say the original idea was for a video version of a dating site.

The first YouTube video was called “Me at the Zoo” featuring Karim at the San Diego Zoo. It’s still available on the site. The site was made available to the public in a beta form in May 2005, and was officially launched on Dec. 15, 2005.

The first video to hit 1 million views was a Nike commercial featuring soccer star Ronaldinho in November 2005. By July 2006, the company said more than 65,000 videos were being uploaded every day, and videos were viewed more than 100 million times a day. In 2007 it was estimated that YouTube consumed as much bandwidth as the entire internet in 2000.

In October 2006, YouTube was purchased by Google for $1.36 billion in Google stock.

As of 2016, there were more than 1 billion YouTube users, with several hundred million using the site everyday.

47 videos have amassed more than 1 billion views, with “Gangnam Style” by Psy topping the list with 2.762 billion views.

Our question: What artist has the honor of having the most disliked video on YouTube?

Today is Valentine’s Day, and Statehood Day in Oregon and Arizona.

It’s unofficially National Ferris Wheel Day, National Organ Donor Day, and National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day.

It’s the birthday of comedian Jack Benny, who was born in 1894; actress Florence Henderson, who was born in 1934; and actor and dancer Gregory Hines, who was born in 1946.

This week in 2005, the top song in the U.S. was “Let Me Love You” by Mario.

The No. 1 movie was “Hitch,” while the novel “The Broker” by John Grisham topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: In what city was UPS founded?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PayPal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_disliked_YouTube_videos

https://www.youtube.com/yt/press/statistics.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_14

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-14

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=14&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2005_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_2005

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On this date in 1981, more than two miles of streets in Louisville, Kentucky, were destroyed by a sewer explosion.

Here are some things you might not have known about the incident.

A Ralston Purina soybean processing plant suffered a massive leak of hexane, which was used as a solvent to extract soybean oil. Hexane is a highly flammable chemical that is a component of gasoline.

The hexane entered the city’s sewer and gradually spread through the system, just waiting for a spark.

At 5:16 a.m., a car near the intersection of 12th and Hill streets ignited sewer gases, triggering a series of explosions near the University of Louisville.

Police officers in a helicopter said the blasts resembled a military bombing run.

More than two miles of sewer lines were destroyed, and nearby homes and businesses were heavily damaged. Water lines to other homes and businesses were cut, leaving some residents without water for weeks.

No one was killed in the explosions. Ralston Purina paid $18 million to the Louisville sewer district and almost $9 million to the more than 16,000 plaintiffs who suffered damages. The company admitted releasing hexane, but denied negligence.

Our question: Louisville serves as the worldwide air hub for what package delivery company?

Today is World Radio Day, and Children’s Day in Myanmar.

It’s unofficially Clean Out Your Computer Day, National Tortellini Day, and Oatmeal Monday.

It’s the birthday of the first person to break the sound barrier, Chuck Yeager, who is 94; Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is 70; and musician Peter Gabriel, who is 67.

This week in 1981, the top song in the U.S. was “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang.

The No. 1 movie was “Fort Apache, The Bronx,” while the novel “The Covenant” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Before the break we asked: Louisville serves as the worldwide air hub for what package delivery company?

The answer is UPS.

Now for our weekly question: In what city was UPS founded?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville_sewer_explosions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Parcel_Service

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_13

https://www.checkiday.com/2/13/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-13

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1981_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1981

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On this date in 1942, the first gold record was awarded to Glenn Miller and his Orchestra.

Here are some things you may not have known about certification of record sales.

The record given to Miller was from his record company, RCA Victor, to celebrate the sales of 1.2 million copies of the single “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” Other gold records awarded by companies were to Elvis Presley in 1956 after selling 1 million copies of his single “Don’t Be Cruel.” A year later RCA Victor game Harry Belafonte a gold record for selling 1 million copies of his album “Calypso.”

These awards were not official, however. The Recording Industry of America introduced its gold record program for singles and albums in 1958. The official program required a record to sell at lease $1 million in retail sales. The sales numbers were restricted to U.S.-based labels and did not include exports.

The first RIAA-certified gold single was “Catch a Falling Star” by Perry Como. The first album to hit gold was the soundtrack from “Oklahoma!”

In 1976, the certification changed to add the platinum record for sales of 1 million or more copies. The gold record level was changed to 500,000 copies. The first platinum single was Johnnie Taylor’s “Disco Lady,” while the first album was “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly.

In 1999, the Diamond certification was introduced for records that have sold more than 10 million copies.

According to the RIAA, the first record to be certified Diamond was “Can’t Slow Down” by Lionel Richie.

Our question: What is the second-best selling album in the United States behind “Thriller” by Michael Jackson?

Today is unofficially Umbrella Day, National Cream Cheese Brownie Day, and National Flannel Day.

It’s the birthday of actor Lon Chaney Jr., who was born in 1902; film director Alexander Payne, who is 56; and actress Elizabeth Banks, who is 43.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1970, the top song in the U.S. was “Thank You (Fallettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)” by Sly and the Family Stone.

The No. 1 movie was “MASH,” while the novel “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” by John Fowles topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Subscribe on iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_recording_sales_certification

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums_in_the_United_States

https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=top_tallies&ttt=DA&col=certified_units

https://www.checkiday.com/02/10/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-10

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=9&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1970_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1970

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On this date in 1942, year-round Daylight Saving Time was reinstated in the United States during World War II.

Here are some things you may not have known about Daylight saving time.

It was not originally proposed by Benjamin Franklin. Despite his enthusiasm for working in the early morning, most of the world did not keep precise schedules in his day.

The rise of railroads and the telegraph required standardizing the time, so trains could stay on schedule, and most importantly, not collide with each other. Before the standardization of time, each city and its vicinity had its own timezone, usually based local solar noon, the time when the sun was at its highest in the sky.

Daylight saving time was first proposed in 1895 by New Zealander George Hudson, who was an amateur entomologist who wanted more sunlight later in the day to catch insects. Independently, in 1905 William Willett proposed a similar plan to help him be able to finish his round of golf before dark. The first Daylight Saving bill was introduced in Parliament in 1908, but nothing came of it.

In 1916, Germany and Austria began using daylight time to help conserve coal during World War I. Most countries of the world soon followed suit. Following World War I, Daylight Saving Time was repealed despite the veto of President Woodrow Wilson. Until World War II, there was no national law in the U.S. regarding Daylight Savings.

Beginning on February 9, 1942, and lasting until September 30, 1945, the United States reinstated Daylight Time year round, calling it War Time. At the time the thinking was that residential lighting was a primary use of electricity. So, if the sun was still shining at a nominally later hour, less energy would be used by lights. It is now estimated that there is little to negative energy savings caused by Daylight Time.

Among those who benefit from Daylight Time are retailers and golf courses. In 1984, it was estimated that 7-Eleven stores would make an additional $30 million a year with a seven-week extension of Daylight Time. In 1999, a study estimated that Daylight Time increased leisure spending in the European Union by about 3 percent.

Among those who are generally against Daylight time are farmers, parents and those whose hours are set by the sun. Television networks, drive-in and indoor movie theaters are also negatively affected by the plethora of options that a later sunset provides.

Daylight Time shifts are associated with increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, and the effects on sleep schedules can last for several weeks.

In 1967, the United States reinstated Daylight Time, although individual states were allowed to exempt themselves. Arizona and Michigan were the first to do so. In 1974, the U.S. instituted year-round Daylight Time as a response to the oil embargo, however the experiment was cut short after complaints arose about children leaving for school in the dark.

In 2005, the current second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November schedule was adopted. The states and territories that don’t observe Daylight Time are Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Our question: What is the only state with territory in the Mountain Time Zone that also has a Pacific Ocean coastline?

Today is unofficially Chocolate Day, National Bagel Day, and National Toothache Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Carole King, who is 75; author Alice Walker, who is 73; and actor Tom Hiddleston, who is 36.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1975, the top song in the U.S. was “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt.

The No. 1 movie was “The Towering Inferno,” while the novel “Something Happened” by Joseph Heller topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What country did the world’s longest-reigning monarch rule over?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_9

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hudson_(entomologist)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_time_in_the_United_States

https://www.checkiday.com/02/09/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-09

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=9&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1975_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something_Happened

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On this date in 1971, trading began on the NASDAQ stock market.

Here are some things you may not have known about what is now the second-largest stock exchange in the world.

Originally, NASDAQ was an acronym that stood for “National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.”

It was the first electronic stock market, but served only a quotation system, and didn’t provide a way to perform electronic trades. Its implementation helped lower the spread between the bid price and the asking price, which made it unpopular with brokers, who made a lot of money taking advantage of the spread.

Eventually most of the major trades that had been executed over the counter were being made using the NASDAQ market. As late as 1987, the NASDAQ was commonly used as an index for over-the-counter stocks.

The exchange made a special effort to focus on technology companies, and became the trading home of Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, and Oracle among others.

In 1996, the NASDAQ became the first stock exchange to launch a website. Since its founding, the NASDAQ has an annualized growth rate of 9.18 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has a growth rate of 7.02 percent. Since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, the NASDAQ index is up by a rate of 15.95 percent.

Our question: Where was the first stock exchange in the United States?

Today is unofficially Boy Scouts Day, National Kite Flying Day, and National Molasses Bar Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Jules Verne, who was born in 1828; chemist Demitri Mendeleyev, who was born in 1834; and actor James Dean, who was born in 1931.

This week in 1971, the top song in the U.S. was “One Bad Apple” by The Osmonds.

The No. 1 movie was “Love Story,” while the novel it was based on by Erich Segal topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What country did the world’s longest-reigning monarch rule over?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASDAQ

http://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/03/business/company-news-an-erratic-quarter-for-stock-markets.html

http://business.nasdaq.com/discover/nasdaq-story/our-heritage

https://www.measuringworth.com/DJIA_SP_NASDAQ/result.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Recession

https://www.checkiday.com/02/08/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-08

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=7&y=1971&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1971_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1971

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Apropos of nothing, we’re going bananas today.

Here are some things you may not have known about the second most popular fresh fruit in America.

Bananas are technically berries which grow on large herbaceous plants, not trees. Herbs differ from trees in that they have no persistent woody stem above ground.

The species of banana that is most popular today is native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia, and was likely first domesticated in Papua New Guinea.

Until the 1950s a variety called Gros Michel or “Big Mike” was the only type consumed in the United States until it was largely killed off by a fungus called Panama disease. The fungus caused shortages of bananas for most of the first half of the 20th century. One notable cultural reference to these shortages is the song “Yes! We Have No Bananas,” which was released in 1923.

Banana companies were left scrambling to find a variety that was resistant to Panama disease, could ship and keep well and was acceptable to the banana-buying public. The variety they picked was the Cavendish group. Cavendish includes the dwarf Cavendish and the grand nain, which is the variety Chiquita grows. Bananas reproduce asexually, meaning that all the plants are genetically identical, which prevents the evolution of disease resistance. A new form of Panama fungus has developed which is infecting Cavendish. The new disease has yet to reach Latin America, but has wiped out crops in Southeast Asia, and may spell the end of the variety as a commercial crop.

Bananas and apples have been trading off the top spot on the list of most popular fresh fruit in the United States. In 2014, the average person consumed 11.6 pounds of fresh apples and 11.3 pounds of fresh bananas. Grapes, strawberries and watermelon round out the Top 5.

Our question: If you include fresh, frozen, canned, dried and juice, what is the most popular fruit in the United States?

Today is Independence Day in Grenada.

It’s unofficially Ballet Day, National Fettuccine Alfredo Day, and Send a Card to a Friend Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Charles Dickens, who was born in 1812; writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, who was born in 1867; and comedian Chris Rock, who is 52.

Because our topic doesn’t have a specific year associated with it, we’ll pick a year at random.

This week in 1965, the top song in the U.S. was “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by The Righteous Brothers.

The No. 1 movie was “My Fair Lady,” while the novel “Herzog” by Saul Bellow topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What country did the world’s longest-reigning monarch rule over?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_peel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavendish_banana

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbaceous_plant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetative_reproduction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_disease

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gros_Michel_banana

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Nain

https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/charts/40066_foodavailability_fig04png/food-availability_fig04.png?v=42654

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_7

https://www.checkiday.com/02/07/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-07

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=7&y=1940&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1965_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1965

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On this date in 1952, Elizabeth II became queen regnant of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms when her father, George VI, died.

Here are some things you may not have known about Queen Elizabeth II.

She was born by cesarean section on April 21, 1926, at her maternal grandfather’s home in Mayfair, London. Her full name, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, is in honor of her mother, her paternal great grandmother, and her paternal grandmother, respectively. Early, she had difficulty pronouncing her name and called herself “Lilibet,” which is what her immediate family ended up calling her. As a child she was described as being responsible, organized, sensible and well-behaved.

In 1952, Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, were beginning a tour of Australia and New Zealand with a stop in Kenya. They were staying in a treehouse at Treetops Hotel, near Mount Kenya, when George VI died at Sandringham House in Norfolk. She didn’t get the news until the next day. She chose to retain the name Elizabeth as her regnal name, and the royal party returned home to the UK.

On the advice of Winston Churchill and Queen Mary, it was decided that instead of a new royal house bearing Philip’s name of Mountbatten, the house would continue as the House of Windsor. Philip responded that “I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children.” Following Churchill’s resignation and Mary’s death, it was decided the last name of Mountbatten-Windsor would be given to all male descendants without royal titles.

Mary died about two months before Elizabeth’s June 2, 1953, coronation at Westminster Abbey. That ceremony was the first to be televised, with the exception of the anointing and communion portions.

Here are some quick facts about Elizabeth II:

In 1991, Elizabeth became the first British monarch to address a joint session of the United States Congress.

In 2015, she became the longest reigning British monarch and the world’s longest reigning queen regnant and female head of state in history. In October 2016, she became the longest currently reigning monarch and head of state following the death of the King of Thailand.

As of 2015, it was estimated that Queen Elizabeth’s estate is valued at about 340 million pounds, making her the 302nd richest person in the U.K.

Despite widespread criticism of the British monarchy as a system of government, Elizabeth remains personally popular. Some polls show she has favorability ratings as high as 90 percent.

In 2016, a story revealed Elizabeth’s still quick wit. She was walking near her 50,000-acre private estate of Balmoral in Scotland, dressed in tweeds and a headscarf, when a group of American tourists approached her and her bodyguard. The tourists, not recognizing her, asked if she lived in the area. She replied that she had a house nearby. One of the tourists supposedly asked her if she had ever met the queen. She replied truthfully, “No, but he has,” gesturing to the bodyguard.

Our question: How are Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle different from other British royal residences?

Today is Waitangi Day, commemorating the founding of New Zealand; and International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation Day.

It’s unofficially National Frozen Yogurt Day, and Pay-A-Compliment Day.

It’s the birthday of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who was born in 1911; musician Bob Marley, who was born in 1945; and musician Rick Astley, who is 51.

This week in 1991, the top song in the U.S. was “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” by C+C Music Factory.

The No. 1 movie was “Home Alone,” while the novel “Cold Fire” by Dean Koontz topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What country did the world’s longest-reigning monarch rule over?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_VI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmoral_Castle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_the_British_monarch

http://www.inquisitr.com/3013003/queen-elizabeth-would-you-recognize-her-if-you-met-her-these-american-tourists-didnt-and-now-the-story-is-out/

http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/19/the-queen-went-undercover-and-fooled-tourists-at-balmoral-5826352/

https://www.checkiday.com/02/06/2017

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=2&d=6&y=1940&o=

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-february-06

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Today is unofficially National Wedding Ring Day in the United States.

Here are some things you may not have known about wedding rings.

Experts believe the tradition of exchanging rings during a wedding dates back to ancient Egypt. Evidence shows braided rings of hemp and reeds were exchanged by marrying couples. Ancient Egyptians saw the circle as a symbol of eternity and rings signified the unending love between the bride and groom. The tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand also began with the Egyptians. They believed the finger had a special vein that connected directly to the heart, called the Vena amoris. Despite the lasting tradition, there is no special vein in the ring finger; all fingers have a similar vein structure.

After Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC, the tradition migrated to ancient Greece and Rome. Originally it was part of a dowry, it was later part of a pledge of fidelity. The exchange of rings became part of the Christian wedding ceremony in the middle ages in Europe.

The history of the engagement ring can only be traced back to ancient Rome. The first documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by Archduke Maximillian of Austria upon his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.

In Central and Eastern Europe, it is common for an engagement ring to be worn on the left ring finger, while a wedding ring is worn on the right hand.

In most of the western world, wedding and engagement rings have traditionally been worn by women only.

The double-ring ceremony became popular in the United States only after World War II. In the 1920s, only 15 percent of weddings featured rings for both bride and groom, while in the 1940s, the number climbed above 80 percent. During the Great Depression, the price of diamonds collapsed, leading the De Beers Company to begin its first marketing push. In 1947, the company began using the slogan “A Diamond is Forever.”

Our question: What was the average cost of an engagement ring in 2016?

Today is Heroes’ Day in Mozambique and Veterans Day in Thailand.

In addition to National Wedding Ring Day, it’s unofficially Bubble Gum Day, National Carrot Cake Day, and American Painters Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Gertrude Stein, who was born in 1874; author James Michener, who was born in 1907; and actor Nathan Lane, who is 61.

Because our topic doesn’t have a specific year associated with it, we’ll pick a year at random.

This week in 1992, the top song in the U.S. was “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred.

The No. 1 movie was “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” while the novel “Hideaway” by Dean Koontz topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

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Thank you for listening this week.

Have a great weekend, and we’ll talk to you on Monday.

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Today is the 133rd anniversary of the publication of the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Here are some things you may not have known about the dictionary.

It’s a descriptive dictionary, meaning it describes word usage and variations. Descriptivism is the opposite of prescriptivism, which aims to establish a standard of usage. The dictionary also shows the historical development of English though the ages.

In 1844, three members of the Philological Society were unsatisfied with current dictionaries and wanted to create one of their own that addressed what they perceived as shortcomings of the existing works. The idea of creating a new dictionary remained just that until June 1857 when an “Unregistered Words Committee” was formed to find words that had been left out of other dictionaries. The group also wanted to focus on obsolete words, related words and determining earliest use, among other things. Shortly after forming the committee, they decided a comprehensive dictionary was needed and would include words in common use. The title of the work would be “A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles.”

Originally, the group planed for a four-volume, 6,400-page dictionary. It ended up being 10 volumes and 15,490 pages.

In 1878, Oxford University Press agreed to publish the dictionary. The first section of the dictionary was published on February 1, 1884, covering words from A to Ant in 352 pages. After it was determined that the project was taking too long, a second senior editor was hired to oversee other parts of the alphabet. Among those hired as researchers was J.R.R. Tolkien, who handled etymologies from waggle to warlock. After 10 years, 11 volumes had been published through the letter E. The final fascicle, the 125th, was published on April 19, 1928. In 1933, the first supplement was published. Four more supplements followed in 1972, 1976, 1982 and 1986 before a second edition was published in 1989. The second edition is 20 volumes and 21,730 pages. Two volumes of additions have followed since.

Work on a third edition is underway and is expected to be completed in 2037. According to the CEO of Oxford University Press, it’s unlikely that the third edition will be published in book form and will exist only in electronic form.

Our question: Who is the most quoted writer in the Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition?

Today is National Freedom Day in the United States, commemorating the 13th amendment to the Constitution, which outlawed slavery. It’s the first day of Black History Month in the United States and it’s the start of LGBT History Month in the United Kingdom.

It’s unofficially Car Insurance Day, National Baked Alaska Day, and Change Your Password Day.

It’s the birthday of actor Clark Gable, who was born in 1901; writer Langston Hughes, who was born in 1902; and singer Rick James, who was born in 1948.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1961, the top song in the U.S. was “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles.

The No. 1 movie was “101 Dalmatians,” while the novel “Hawaii” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What were Billy Preston’s two No. 1 hits in the United States?

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On this date in 1949, the first daytime television soap opera was broadcast.

Here are some things you may not have known about American soap operas.

They’re called soap operas because soap companies were common early sponsors of the shows. The first soap operas appeared on radio. “Painted Dreams” is considered the first, and it premiered on Oct. 20, 1930, on Chicago radio station WGN. It started as a 15-minute show that ran every day except Sunday. The show was created by Irna Phillips, who also acted on the show. Phillips created many of the techniques that are stereotypically associated with the genre, like cliffhanger endings and using organ music to serve as a bridge between scenes.

Critics, who were mostly men at the time, said the shows were “childlike, unrealistic, vulgar and distasteful.” However, it appears likely that the shows were popular and struck a chord with their intended audiences.

Phillips created several other radio soaps including “The Guiding Light” in 1937. Soon, Phillips was making a quarter-million dollars a year writing several soap operas, and in 1949 created the television program “These Are My Children,” which ran on NBC in Chicago for a month. Critics were once again not impressed. Television World reviewed the show thusly: “There is no place on television of this type of program, a blank screen is preferable.” Phillips didn’t stop and in 1952 “The Guiding Light” was moved from radio to TV. It’s name shortened to “Guiding Light,” it aired on CBS television until 2010, spanning 72 season on TV and radio.

Phillips would go on to create “As the World Turns” and “Another World.” She served as mentor to Agnes Nixon, who would create “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” among other shows.

Since the early 2000s, ratings for American daytime soap operas have fallen significantly. In 2000, there were 11 daytime soap operas on the air. Today, there are only four. The increased number of women working outside the home is cited as the primary reason for the decline. Other reasons include the cost of producing scripted dramas versus talk shows, games shows and court shows.

Our question: Name the four soap operas on the air today.

We'll have the answer after this break.

Welcome back to the Trivia Minute.

Today is Independence Day in Nauru, and Street Children’s Day in Austria.

It’s unofficially National Hot Chocolate Day, Eat Brussel Sprouts Day, and Backwards Day.

It’s the birthday of actress Carol Channing, who is 96; actress Kerry Washington, who is 40; and singer Justin Timberlake, who is 36.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1984, the top song in the U.S. was “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club.

The No. 1 movie was “Silkwood,” while the novel “Who Killed the Robins Family?” by Thomas Chastain topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What were Billy Preston’s two No. 1 singles in the United States?

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On this date in 1969, The Beatles had their last public performance, playing on their record company’s roof in London.

Here are some things you may not have known about the concert.

The performance was unannounced and caught the lunchtime crowd of office workers on the streets below by surprise. The previous year, The Beatles had started a multimedia corporation called Apple Corps Limited. The concert was conducted on the roof of the company’s headquarters at 3 Saville Row, during recording sessions for the album that eventually became “Let it Be.”

The album was originally intended to be called “Get Back” after one of the songs, and as a reference to the group’s effort to get back to basics after several heavily produced albums. The recording process, however, was from all reports, a disaster, leading George Harrison to leave the band for a week. During his absence, John Lennon reportedly wanted to hire Eric Clapton to replace Harrison, but Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr wouldn’t agree. Harrison returned a week later, bringing along keyboardist Billy Preston to help ease tensions. The sessions were then moved to Apple Studio.

The sessions were filmed as part of a planned movie. As a finale for the film, a rooftop concert was devised. Harrison initially resisted, calling the idea “silly,” but relented for the sake of the film.

Wires from the control room in the basement were run to the roof to record the sessions. The four Beatles and Preston played nine takes of five songs during the 42-minute show. Takes of the songs “I’ve Got a Feeling,” “One After 909” and Dig a Pony,” were eventually used on the album, while chatter was used on and between other tracks.

Eventually, the crowd of onlookers began to snarl traffic, and noise complaints arose, leading the Metropolitan Police to try to shut down the performance. Initially Apple employees wouldn’t let police in the building, but changed their minds after being threatened with arrest. The band played for several minutes longer, before concluding with Lennon’s now famous ending.

While “Let It Be” was the final Beatles album released, it wasn’t the last to be recorded. The sessions for “Abbey Road” began less than three weeks after the “Get Back” sessions ended.

Our question: What was the Beatles’ final No. 1 hit song in the United States?

Today is unofficially Yodel for Your Neighbors Day, National Croissant Day, and Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

It’s the birthday of former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, who was born in 1882; actor Gene Hackman, who is 87; and musician Phil Collins, who is 66.

This week in 1969, the top song in the U.S. was “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and the Shondells.

The No. 1 movie was “Oliver!,” while the novel “The Salzburg Connection” by Helen MacInnes topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What were Billy Preston’s two No. 1 singles in the United States?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_30

https://www.checkiday.com/01/30/2017

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles%27_rooftop_concert

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Records
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Road

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Be

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Preston

http://www.billboard.com/artist/383540/beatles/chart

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-30

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1969

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1969_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

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On this date in 1967, three American astronauts died in a training accident on the launch pad in Florida.

Here are some things you may not have known about Apollo 1.

Following the successes of the Mercury and Gemini programs, the next step in landing a man on the moon was the three-man Apollo program. The astronauts chosen as the first crew for the Apollo program were Gus Grissom, one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, Ed White, who had been the first American to walk in space, and rookie Roger B. Chaffee. Chaffee’s spot had originally been given to Donn F. Eisele, who was grounded after dislocating his shoulder during weightlessness training on board a training craft nicknamed a “vomit comet.”

Gus Grissom was born in Indiana in 1926. After serving in the Army Air Forces during the end of World War II, Grissom returned home an earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1950. He reenlisted in the Air Force after graduating and served during the Korean War, flying 100 combat missions. In 1958 he was selected by NASA to be part of a preliminary group of pilots for the Mercury program. He was nearly disqualified when he was found to suffer from hay fever, but was allowed to continue once it was determined that there wasn’t any ragweed pollen in space.

Grissom was the second American in space in Liberty Bell 7. Grissom’s first space flight lasted 15 and a half minutes. After splashdown, the hatch cover exploded open filling the capsule with seawater. Grissom’s spacesuit also filled with water, but he was rescued. The capsule sank and wasn’t recovered until 1999.

Grissom became the first American to fly into space twice when he piloted Gemini 3 with John W. Young. It was the first manned Gemini mission. The mission lasted a little under five hours.

Ed White was born in Texas in 1930. He graduated from West Point in 1952 and served in the Air Force, stationed in West Germany. He narrowly missed qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in the 400-meter hurdles. He was part of the second group of astronauts and was chosen to fly on Gemini 4. On that flight he was the first American to leave a space capsule. He enjoyed the experience so much that he had to be ordered to return to the capsule. A mechanical issue made it difficult to open and close the hatch door, which had to be latched to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. The capsule and crew returned safely following a four-day mission.

Roger Chaffee was born in Michigan in 1935. He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue. He served as a naval aviator, logging more than 2,000 hours in jet aircraft. He was part of the third group of astronauts and served on the ground as a capsule communicator for Ed White’s Gemini 4 mission.

On January 27, 1967, the crew was loaded into the spacecraft as part of a “plugs-out” test to see if the module would operate on internal power. The test was considered non-hazardous because the the vehicle was not fueled and all pyrotechnic systems were disabled. At 2:45 p.m., the hatch was closed and the cabin was filled with oxygen at 2 psi more than atmospheric pressure. At 6:31 p.m., one of the astronauts yelled “Hey!” or “Fire!.” Two seconds later, Chaffee reported a fire in the cockpit. Seven seconds later, a garbled transmission seemed to say “We’ve got a bad fire — Let’s get out .. We’re burning up.” The last communication ended a little less than 16 seconds after the first report of a fire. The fire caused the pressure inside the capsule to rise to 29 PSI which led the inner wall of the module to rupture and the fire to spread. After the oxygen was consumed, the air from outside caused smoke and carbon monoxide to fill the cabin, but also put out the fire.

It took more than five minutes for workers to open the hatch. Inside, with the cabin lights still on, were the bodies of the three astronauts. Grissom was found on the floor of the spacecraft. White was found just inside the hatch, while Chaffee was found in his seat. It took 90 minutes to remove the bodies because of the melted nylon spacesuits fusing to the cabin. White had likely been trying to open the hatch, which was impossible, given the high pressure inside the cabin holding the door shut.

It was determined that the fire was likely caused by exposed electrical wiring and a leaky cooling system. This, combined with the pure oxygen atmosphere, flammable materials, an inward-opening hatch and inadequate emergency preparedness contributed to the magnitude of the disaster.

Following an investigation, the cabin atmosphere for future launches was changed to 60 percent oxygen and 40 percent nitrogen. The astronaut pressure suits continued to use pure oxygen as a way of preventing decompression sickness or the bends. The suits were redesigned with a non-flammable fabric. The hatch was replaced by an outward opening door and all flammable materials were removed. More than 1,400 wiring problems were also corrected.

Grissom and Chaffee were buried at Arlington National Cemetery. White was buried at West Point.

Our question: On Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the moon, what was the name of the astronaut who remained onboard the command module orbiting the moon?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Grissom

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Higgins_White

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On this date in 1993, the American-born sumo wrestler Akebono became the first foreigner promoted to the highest rank of yokozuna.

Here are some things you may not have known about sumo, and Akebono.

Sumo is a wrestling sport where opponents try to force each other to be the first to step out of the ring, or touch the floor with anything but the soles of their feet.

One strategy is to simply be the larger participant. Sumo wrestlers are known for their sometimes enormous weight. There are no weight divisions in professional sumo, so wrestlers sometimes face off against someone twice their weight. However, weight isn’t everything. With the proper technique the smaller wrestler can defeat a much larger opponent.

Sumo wrestlers wear a loincloth called a mawashi. It is made of silk and, when unwound, is about 30 feet long and two feet wide, and can weigh up to 11 pounds. It is an automatic disqualification if the cloth comes off.

Only former professional sumo wrestlers are allowed to train new wrestlers. Sumo wrestlers’ lives are highly regimented. Most wrestlers live communally. Lower ranked wrestlers must wear a thin cotton robe and wooden sandals, year-round. As wrestlers move up the ranks, they’re allowed to wear better clothes and sandals. Junior wrestlers are also responsible for upkeep in the training facility. Because some wrestlers were too big to drive cars, all wrestlers are banned from driving.

Wrestlers below the second division make a small allowance. Top-level wrestlers, such as the Yokozuna, make as much as $30,000 a month.

Yokozuna means “Horizontal Rope” and refers to the ceremonial rope they wear around their waist. The rope can weigh up to 44 pounds.

72 wrestlers have earned the rank of Yokozuna, the first recorded in 1749. Yokozuna are selected based on their power, skill and dignity and grace. Some allege that the dignity and grace criteria was used to prevent foreign wrestlers from achieving Yokozuna status.

That changed in 1993, when Akebono was promoted to yokozuna.

Akebono was born Chad Rowan near Honolulu. He was an all-star center in basketball in high school and went to Hawaii Pacific University on a basketball scholarship. At 6-foot-8, it was thought that he was too tall to be a sumo wrestler, but he was allowed to join a training stable. He adopted the name Akebono, which means “New Dawn.” He rose through the ranks quickly, compiling several championships in 1992 an 1993 to earn promotion.

Akebono lasted nearly eight years as a yokozuna, which is an unusually long time. However he battled injury because of his height and weight. He was one of the heaviest wrestlers ever, fighting at more than 500 pounds. He retired in 2000. Since then, he has fought in mixed martial arts and in American-style professional wrestling.

Our question: Of the four current yokozuna, how many are Japanese?

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

It’s unofficially National Chocolate Cake Day, National Fun at Work Day, and National Geographic Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Lewis Carroll, who was born in 1832; actor Alan Cumming, who is 52; and comedian Patton Oswalt, who is 48.

Because we’ve featured 1993 recently, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1988, the top song in the U.S. was “Need You Tonight” by INXS.

The No. 1 movie was “Good Morning, Vietnam,” while the novel “The Bonfire of the Vanities” by Tom Wolfe topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: In the song “American Pie,” who is referred to as “The Jester”?

The answer is Bob Dylan.

The first correct answer came from Kevin Lazar. He was followed closely by Trent H, Tom, and Brian and Elisa.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_27

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawashi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akebono_Tarō

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makuuchi#Yokozuna

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_yokozuna

https://www.checkiday.com/01/27/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-27

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1988_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1988

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Today is Australia Day.

Here are some things you may not have known about Australia’s national holiday.

Australia Day marks the 1788 arrival of the British First Fleet near Sydney, about 18 years after the first European set foot there.

The fleet was sent to Australia to establish a penal colony on the coast of New South Wales following the loss of the British colonies that became the United States. The fleet arrived at Botany Bay on about a week before, but realized that the land there was unsuitable for a prison colony. After weathering a storm, the fleet moved about 15 miles north to Sydney Cove, where on the morning of January 26, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the British flag in the name of George III.

The formal establishment of the Colony of New South Wales didn’t happen until February 7.

The first formal celebration of the day was held in 1818, the 30th anniversary. A 30-gun salute marked the occasion, and all government workers in New South Wales were given an extra allowance of a pound of meat. At first the holiday was called Foundation Day.

Each of the colonies of Australia held their own holidays on their different founding days. Tasmania held Regatta Day in December, South Australia had Proclamation Day on December 28, and Western Australia celebrated Foundation Day on June 1.

In 1888, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of New South Wales, all colonial capitals, except Adelaide, celebrated Anniversary day. By 1935, all the states of Australia celebrated January 26 as Australia Day, although it was still called Anniversary Day in New South Wales.

It wasn’t until 1994 that all states and territories celebrated a unified public holiday on the same day.

The holiday is regarded by some as a symbol of the British domination of indigenous people. Some mark the day as Invasion Day or Survival Day. Many celebrations of Australia Day acknowledge this history and include indigenous people.

Our question: Who originally claimed New South Wales for the British in 1770?

Today is Republic Day in India, Liberation Day in Uganda, and Engineer’s Day in Panama.

It’s unofficially National Peanut Brittle Day, Clashing Clothes Day, and International Customs Day.

It’s the birthday of General Douglas MacArthur, who as born in 1880; actor Paul Newman, who was born in 1925; comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who is 59; and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who is 56.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 2015, the top song in the U.S. was “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.

The No. 1 movie was “American Sniper,” while the novel “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: In the song “American Pie,” who is referred to as “The Jester”?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_26

https://www.checkiday.com/01/26/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-26

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2015_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_2015

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On this date in 1890, journalist Nellie Bly arrived back in New York after a record-breaking 72-day trip around the world.

Here are some things you may not have known about Bly and her journey.

Elizabeth Jane Cochran was born in 1864 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the age of 16, she replied to a misogynistic column in the Pittsburgh Dispatch newspaper. The editor of the paper was so impressed with her ability that he gave her a full-time job. The editor assigned her the pen name “Nellie Bly” after the title character in a popular song by Stephen Foster.

She tried to write stories about working women, but was prevented from doing so by her superiors. She eventually was moved to the women’s pages, where she covered fashion, society and gardening, among other genteel topics. At the age of 21, she left Pittsburgh to work as a foreign correspondent in Mexico. After six months there, her work upset the government, so she returned to the U.S., eventually moving to New York.

In 1887, she managed to talk her way into an assignment from the New York World, in which she would pose as someone with a mental illness to report on conditions at the Women’s Lunatic Asylum in New York City. Her 10-day stay exposed the horrible conditions in the hospital and led to changes in mental-heath procedures and an increase in hospital funding.

In 1888, Bly decided she wanted to attempt to make Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in 80 Days” into a reality. It took almost two years to convince her editors to allow her to try, but on November 14, 1889, with two days notice, she departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on the steamer Augusta Victoria bound for England.

She carried only the dress she was wearing, an overcoat, a few changes of undergarments, and personal essentials. She carried 200 British pounds and some American currency in a bag tied around her neck.

She traveled from England to France, where she met Jules Verne, before transiting the Suez Canal bound for Ceylon, which is now called Sri Lanka, then on to Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. From Japan, she traveled on board the RMS Oceanic, arriving in San Francisco two days behind schedule because of bad weather. The publisher of her newspaper, Joseph Pulitzer, chartered a private train to help Bly make up time.

She arrived back in Hoboken at 3:51 p.m. on January 25, 1890, 72 days after leaving.

A few months later, Bly’s record was beaten by George Francis Train, who completed the journey in 67 days. By 1913, the record was down to 36 days.

Nellie Bly died of pneumonia in 1922 at the age of 57.

The current record for suborbital circumnavigation of the globe was set by an Air France flight in 1992, with a time of 32 hours, 39 minutes and 3 seconds.

Our question: What type of aircraft was used in the 1992 Air France record?

Today is Russian Students Day, National Police Day in Egypt and National Voters’ Day in India.

It’s unofficially Fluoride Day, National Irish Coffee Day, and Macintosh Computer Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Virginia Woolf, who was born in 1882; athlete Steve Prefontaine, who was born in 1951; and musician Alicia Keys, who is 36.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1984, the top song in the U.S. was “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes.

The No. 1 movie was “Terms of Endearment,” while the novel “Pet Sematary” by Stephen King topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: In the song “American Pie,” who is referred to as “The Jester”?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_Bly

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Around_the_World_in_Eighty_Days

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Pulitzer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumnavigation_world_record_progression

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_25

https://www.checkiday.com/01/25/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-25

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1984_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1984

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On this date in 1972, Shoichi Yokoi, one of the last Japanese holdouts from World War II was discovered hiding in Guam.

Here are some things you may not have known about Japanese holdouts, including Yokoi.

Corporal Shoichi Yokoi served in the 38th Regiment and arrived on Guam in February 1943. After the Americans captured Guam in 1944, Yokoi and nine other soldiers went into hiding. Seven of the 10 eventually left on their own, but three remained behind. The three lived on their own near each other until two of them died in a flood in 1964 after 20 years of hiding. Yokoi lived eight years by himself, hunting for food at night, and making clothing and other essentials from native plants.

In 1972, Yokoi was discovered by two local men checking their shrimp traps. Yokoi attacked them, apparently thinking his life was in danger, but was subdued and hauled out of the jungle.

When he returned to Japan he said, “It is with much embarrassment, but I have returned.” The phrase became a popular saying in Japan.

Yokoi had known since 1952 that the war was over, but preferred to remain in hiding rather than be embarrassed by surrendering.

He became a minor celebrity in Japan, and received $300 in back pay and a small pension.

He died in 1997 of a heart attack at the age of 82. He was buried under a headstone that his mother had originally bought in 1955 when he was first declared dead.

Three more confirmed Japanese holdouts were discovered in the following two years. One was killed in a shootout with Philippine police in October 1972.

Hiro Onoda, who was also hiding in the Philippines would only surrender if ordered to by a superior officer. In March 1974, his commanding officer during the war, now working as a bookseller, was flown to the Philippines to personally deliver the orders. Onoda died in 2014 at the age of 91.

The final documented Japanese holdout to be discovered was Teruo Nakamura, who was arrested in December 1974 in Indonesia. He died of lung cancer five years later at the age of 59.

Our question: On what American battleship was the Japanese surrender ceremony held?

Today is Unification Day in Romania.

It’s unofficially National Peanut Butter Day, Beer Can Appreciation Day, and Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Edith Wharton, who was born in 1862; musician Neil Diamond, who is 76; and actor John Belushi, who was born in 1949.

Because we recently featured 1972, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1963, the top song in the U.S. was “Walk Right In” by The Rooftop Singers .

The No. 1 movie was “Lawrence of Arabia,” and the novel “Seven Days in May” by Fletcher Knebel was likely the top selling book, but there was no bestsellers list because of a newspaper strike. The book topped the list before and after the strike.

Weekly question: In the song “American Pie,” who is referred to as “The Jester”?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_24

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoichi_Yokoi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_holdout

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroo_Onoda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teruo_Nakamura

http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-soldiers-who-refused-to-surrender

https://www.checkiday.com/01/24/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-24

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=1&d=24&y=1963&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1963_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1963

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On this date in 1957, inventor Fred Morrison sold the rights to his flying disc to the Wham-O company.

Here are some things you may not have known about the Frisbee.

Morrison said the idea came to him while he and his future wife, Lucille, were tossing a cake pan back and forth on a beach in 1938. Another person offered them 25 cents for the pan. As the pan cost just 5 cents, Morrison figured there might be a business opportunity there.

Following World War II, Morrison designed a more aerodynamically stable disc he called the Whirlo-Way. In 1948, he and a business partner began selling the discs at fairs and shows. In 1955, he designed a new model, called the Pluto Platter, which is the design he sold to Wham-O.

A few months after buying the design, the company decided to change the name to Frisbee, after discovering that’s what college students in the Northeast called the Pluto Platter. The term Frisbee was derived from the Frisbie Pie Company, whose empty pie tins were tossed around the Yale University campus.

Morrison described the name as “a horror. Terrible.”

In 1964, the Frisbee was redesigned to increase the thickness of the rim, which made it much more controllable. After the redesign, sales of the disc soared.

A class of sports was invented using the Frisbee, including Frisbee Golf and Ultimate Frisbee, among others.

Although people use the name generically, the name Frisbee remains a trademark of the Wham-O company. The company was known for mailing reminder letters to newspaper writers who didn’t capitalize the name, along with a new Frisbee.

The year after Wham-O bought the rights to the Frisbee, they introduced the Hula Hoop. The company introduced the Slip ’N’ Slide in 1961, followed by the Super Ball in 1965. According to Lamar Hunt, the late owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Ball’s name was the inspiration for the name of the Super Bowl.

The company also marketed Silly String, the Hacky Sack and the Boogie Board.

Our question: What type of action stabilizes a Frisbee in flight?

Today is World Freedom Day in Taiwan and South Korea, and Bounty Day in the Pitcairn Islands.

It’s unofficially National Pie Day, Measure Your Feet Day, and National Handwriting Day.

It’s the birthday of U.S. Founding Father John Hancock, who was born in 1737; painter Edouard Manet, who was born in 1832; and Princess Caroline of Monaco, who turns 60.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1972, the top song in the U.S. was “American Pie” by Don McLean.

The No. 1 movie was “The Cowboys,” while the novel “Wheels” by Arthur Hailey topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: In the song “American Pie,” who is referred to as “The Jester”?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Frederick_Morrison

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisbee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisbie_Pie_Company

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wham-O

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyboarding

https://www.checkiday.com/01/23/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-23

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1972

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Today is Inauguration Day in the United States.

Here are some things you may not have known about The swearing in of presidents.

Usually we end of this segment with a trivia question, but today let's start with one. Besides George Washington, who is the only president to have been sworn in in different months following his election?

The answer is Franklin Roosevelt, who was sworn in for his first term on March 4, 1933 and was sworn in for his second term on January 20, 1937.

The reason for the different inauguration date was the 20th amendment to the US Constitution. It changed the Inauguration date from March 4, or March 5 on years when the fourth fell on a Sunday, to January 20 or 21.

In addition, the 20th Amendment moved the start date for congressional terms to January 3, and provides a method for selecting a president if the electoral college fails to do so.

In total, there were 36 inaugurations held on March 4 or March 5. The first inauguration, that of George Washington in 1789, was held in April.

Presidents who ascend to the office following the death or resignation of their predecessor are sworn in immediately to avoid a power vacuum. Three of these extraordinary inaugurations have taken place in April, 2 each in August and September, and one each in November and July.

The Chief Justice of United States usually administers the oath of office. However, during extraordinary inaugurations the chief justice is not always available. Two notable cases were the first inaugurations of Calvin Coolidge and Lyndon Johnson. Coolidge, who became president following the death of Warren G. Harding, was sworn in by his father who was a state notary public. Following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Johnson was sworn in by US District Judge Sarah T. Hughes, the only woman to have administered the oath of office.

Coolidge's second inauguration was the first to feature a former president administering the oath. William Howard Taft became Chief Justice following his term as president.

Our question: Which president had both the warmest and coldest inaugurations in history?

Today is Martyr's Day in Azerbaijan, Heroes’ day in Cape Verde, and Armed Forces Day in Mali.

It’s unofficially National Cheese Lovers Day and National Sweatpants Day.

It’s the birthday of actor and comedian George Burns, who was born in 1896; Director David Lynch who is 71; and musician Questlove, who is 46.

Because our topic doesn’t have a specific year associated with it, we’ll pick a year at random.

This week in 1980, the top song in the U.S. was “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson.

The No. 1 movie was “Kramer vs. Kramer,” while the novel “Smiley's People” by John le Carré topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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On this date in 1978, the last original Volkswagen Beetle made in Germany rolled off the production line in Emden.

Here are some things you may not have known about the Beetle.

It was designed under specific orders from Adolf Hitler.

In 1934, Hitler wanted car designer Ferdinand Porsche to come up with a car the could transport two adults and three children at 62 miles per hour, with fuel mileage of 32 miles per gallon or better. He also demanded the engine be air cooled, because water-cooled engines needed antifreeze, which was only just coming into widespread use.

Testing on the Volkswagen Type 1, as it was officially known, began in the mid 1930s, with small batches made until the start of World War II in 1939. The first production Beetles were made starting on a small scale in 1941. Production numbers were kept down during the war because the factory was also making other vehicles for the Nazi war effort.

Following the war, the factory was seized by the Americans and turned over to the British to be dismantled and shipped to Britain. However, no British manufacturer was interested in building Beetles. An official report says the Beetle was “quite unattractive to the average buyer,” and that building the car would be a “comepletely uneconomic enterprise.

The plant was allowed to remain, but first the British had to remove an unexploded bomb from the works. If the bomb had detonated, the plant would have been closed and the Beetle program canceled. A British army officer persuaded his military to order 20,000 cars, filling a British need for transportation, and a German need for jobs. The factory was soon making 1,000 Beetles a month. Over the next 10 years, more than 1 million Beetles were built.

Initially the Beetle was equipped with a 25-horsepower engine. This was eventually boosted to 36 horsepower and then a whopping 40 horsepower.

It reintroduced the rear-engined car to Europe. In 1946, 2.8 percent of European cars had engines in the rear; while 10 years later 26.6 percent of them did.

More than 15 million Beetles were manufactured in Germany before production was halted in 1978. Volkswagen continued to build Beetles in Mexico and Brazil until 2003.

A new model was introduced in Germany in 1998.

The Beetle is one of the most-nicknamed cars in history. It was called the Bug in the U.S., the Ladybug in France, and the Hunchback in Poland.

In 1999, the original Beetle finished fourth in the Car of the Century Competition.

Our question: What car won the Car of the Century competition?

Today is unofficially National Popcorn Day, Tin Can Day, and Good Memory Day.

It’s the birthday of author Edgar Allan Poe, who was born in 1809; painter Paul Cézanne, who was born in 1839; and musician Dolly Parton, who is 71.

This week in 1978, the top song in the U.S. was “Baby Come Back” by Player.

The No. 1 movie was “Saturday Night Fever,” while the novel “The Silmarillion” by J.R.R. Tolkien topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the name of the current venue of the New York Philharmonic?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Beetle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_of_the_Century

https://www.checkiday.com/01/19/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-19

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1978_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1978

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On this date in 1981, Phil Smith and Phil Mayfield parachuted off a Houston skyscraper, becoming the first BASE jumpers.

Here are some things you may not have known about BASE jumping.

BASE is an acronym. The letters stand for buildings, antennas, spans and earth, from which the jumpers must parachute or fly off of with a wingsuit. The acronym was coined by filmmaker Carl Boenish and his wife, Jean.

Jumpers earn a BASE number by completing jumps in each of the categories. Smith was BASE No. 1, while Mayfield is BASE No. 2. A separate classification for night jumps was later introduced.

Originally, BASE jumpers used standard skydiving equipment. However, because BASE jumps are usually made from much lower altitudes, specialized equipment has been invented.

During the early days of BASE jumping, the National Parks Service issued permits to jump from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The program lasted just three months and the activity has been banned since 1980. It’s estimated that several hundred illegal jumps take place in the park each year.

It’s estimated that more than 300 BASE jumpers have died since 1981. The fatality and injury rate is about 43 times higher than that of skydiving from an airplane.

In 2006, Daniel G. Schilling set the world record for most BASE jumps in a 24-hour period by jumping from the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho, 201 times.

Our question: What river does the Perrine Bridge span?

Today is Revolution and Youth Day in Tunisia, and Royal Thai Armed Forces Day in Thailand.

It’s National Gourmet Coffee Day, National Peking Duck Day, and Thesaurus Day.

It’s the birthday of writer A.A. Milne, who was born in 1882; actor Cary Grant, who was born in 1904; and actor Kevin Costner, who is 62.

This week in 1981, the top song in the U.S. was “Just Like Starting Over” by John Lennon, which we featured a couple of weeks ago. So, instead, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1992, the top song in the U.S. was “Black or White” by Michael Jackson.

The No. 1 movie was “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” while the novel “Scarlett” by Alexandra Ripley topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the name of the current venue of the New York Philharmonic?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASE_jumping

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perrine_Bridge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_18

https://www.checkiday.com/01/18/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-18

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=1&d=18&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1992_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1992

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Today is the 95th birthday of television personality Betty White.

Here are some things you may not have known about her.

She was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1922. Betty is her given name, and not a shortened form of Elizabeth. During the Great Depression, her family moved to California, where her father built radios, which he would occasionally exchange for dogs.

While at Beverly Hills High School, White wanted to be a forest ranger, but because women weren’t allowed to be rangers at the time, she pursued an interest in writing. It was through writing that she found a love of performing.

Movie studios rejected her as being “unphotogenic,” so she started working in radio. She began working in television in 1939 on an experimental channel in Los Angeles. During World War II, she joined the American Women’s Voluntary Services. Following the war, she appeared on several radio shows, eventually getting her own show called, “The Betty White Show.”

In 1949, she became the co-host of the variety show, “Hollywood on Television.” By 1952, she was hosting the show solo. The show, which ran for five and a half hours six days a week, was largely ad-libbed. The show earned White her first Emmy nomination for best actress.

She co-created the show “Life With Elizabeth” in 1952, becoming one of the first actresses with full creative control over their show. At the time, she was 28 years old and lived with her parents. She hosted the annual Tournament of Roses Parade for 19 consecutive years in the 1950s and 60s.

She has been a frequent talk show and game show guest over the course of her career. Among the shows she frequently appeared on were “Password,” “What’s My Line?”, “To Tell The Truth” and “Match Game.” In 1963, she married Allen Ludden, the host of “Password.”

During the fourth season of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” she joined the cast as Sue Ann Nivens. The character, who was the host of a cooking TV show, was sweet and innocent on the air and sarcastic and man-hungry off air, allowing White to satirize her own persona.

In 1985, she was cast as Rose Nylund, in “The Golden Girls.” Rose, the innocent and naive widow from St. Olaf, Minnesota, lived with three other retired women in Miami. White was originally offerred the role of Blanche, which would be played by Rue McClanahan. White was nominated for an Emmy as Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series every year of the show’s run. She won the award once.

Since “The Golden Girls ended in 1992, White has worked steadily as a guest star on many television series. In 2010, she hosted “Saturday Night Live” after a grassroots Facebook campaign. She won her seventh Emmy award for the appearance. From 2010 through 2015, she appeared on the series, “Hot in Cleveland.”

In 2010, the United States Forest Service named White an honorary forest ranger, fulfilling her high school ambition. In a 2011 poll, she was named the most trusted celebrity among Americans, beating Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks.

Betty White is the only woman to receive an Emmy in all comedic performing categories. She also holds the record for the longest span between performance Emmys — she won her first in 1951 and her most recent in 2011. She won a Grammy 2012 for the audio recording of her memoir.

Our question: Who was the musical guest when Betty White hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 2010?

Today is unofficially Customer Service Day, Cable Car Day, and Hot-Buttered Rum Day.

It’s the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, who was born in 1706; gangster Al Capone, who was born in 1899; and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, who is 53.

Because Betty White was born before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1965, the top song in the U.S. was “Downtown” by Petula Clark.

The No. 1 movie was “My Fair Lady,” while the novel “Herzog” by Saul Bellow topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the name of the current venue of the New York Philharmonic?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_White

https://www.checkiday.com/01/17/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-17

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1965

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1965_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

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On this date in 1938, Benny Goodman and his band played the first jazz concert at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Here are some things you may not have known about the concert, the landmark recording of it and Carnegie Hall in general.

Until 1938, Carnegie Hall had been been a venue exclusively for classical music.

It opened in 1891, built by Andrew Carnegie, who pronounced his name slightly different from the common name of the hall. It was built as the venue for the Oratorio Society of New York and the New York Symphony. Its original name, which remains above the marquee was simply “Music Hall.” After two years, the directors of the hall persuaded Carnegie to allow the theater to be renamed “Carnegie Hall.”

The New York Symphony eventually merged with the Philharmonic Society of New York to form the New York Philharmonic.

Benny Goodman was a clarinetist whose band was one of the first well-known racially integrated bands.

The idea of playing at the Carnegie Hall started as a publicity stunt by Goodman’s publicist. Goodman seized on the idea and canceled several already-set concerts to work toward the landmark performance.

The concert was sold out weeks in advance with a top price of $2.75, which is equivalent to about $50 today.

The concert began with three contemporary songs, followed by a chronological history of jazz.

The show featured performances by Goodman’s big band, his trio, his quartet and guests including Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

The highlight of the night was probably Goodman’s signature tune “Sing, Sing, Sing,” which featured solos by Goodman, along with Babe Russin on tenor sax, Harry James on trumpet, Gene Krupa on drums and an unexpected piano solo by Jess Stacy.

Stacy, who usually played rhythm on the song, said he was unprepared for the solo, but what he ended up playing has been hailed as a masterpiece linking jazz and classical music, which was quite appropriate for the venue.

Stacy was glad he didn’t have warning of his solo. He said he would have gotten nervous and screwed it up.

The concert was recorded for personal use, and the original masters gathered dust until 1950, when Goodman brought them to Columbia Records.

The resulting album, “The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert” was the first double album and has never been out of print since its release. It’s one of the best selling jazz albums of all time.

Carnegie Hall had its first rock and roll show in 1955, when Bill Haley and His Comets played a benefit show. In 1964, The Beatles played two shows on their first tour of the United States.

The New York Philharmonic moved to the new Lincoln Center in 1962. Carnegie Hall was saved from the wrecking ball in 1960 when the City of New York purchased it.

Our question: In which country was Andrew Carnegie born?

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States.

It’s unofficially Elementary School Teacher Day, National Fig Newton Day, and National Day of Service.

It’s the birthday of singer and actress Ethel Merman who was born in 1908; zoologist Dian Fossey, who was born in 1932; and playwright, songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is 37.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1977, the top song in the U.S. was “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder.

The No. 1 movie was “The Enforcer,” while the novel “Trinity” by Leon Uris topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: What is the name of the current venue of the New York Philharmonic?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Famous_1938_Carnegie_Hall_Jazz_Concert

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Hall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Carnegie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Goodman#Carnegie_Hall_concert

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Symphony_Orchestra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Philharmonic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oratorio_Society_of_New_York

http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-carnegie-hall-1938-complete-mw0000671550

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sing,_Sing,_Sing_(With_a_Swing)

https://www.checkiday.com

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-16

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1977_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1977

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We’re going to wrap up the week with a shorter show than normal, because I’m making some podcast studio updates, and all the equipment isn’t quite hooked up yet.

Today is Constitution Day in Mongolia, Democracy Day in Cape Verde and Liberation Day in Togo.

It’s unofficially International Skeptics Day, National Rubber Ducky Day, and Public Radio Broadcasting Day.

It’s the birthday of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Salmon P. Chase, who was born in 1808; comedian Rip Taylor, who is 83; and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who is 56.

Because we didn’t have a topic today, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1973, the top song in the U.S. was “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon.

The No. 1 movie was “The Poseidon Adventure,” while the novel “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

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On this date in 1908, the first long-distance radio signal was sent from the Eiffel Tower. Here are some things you may not have known about the Paris landmark.

It was constructed as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair and was designed and built by the company owned by Gustave Eiffel.

The tower cost an estimated 6.5 million francs, of which the World’s Fair organizers paid only 1.5 million. In exchange, they allowed Eiffel to have the commercial rights to the tower during the exposition and for the next 20 years. After those 20 years expired, Eiffel was supposed to dismantle and remove the tower.

The tower was a source of controversy at first. Some believed the 300-meter tall tower was not feasible, and others didn’t like it for aesthetic reasons. Once the tower was completed, one of the latter group, writer Guy de Maupassant, is said to have eaten lunch regularly at the tower’s restaurant because it was one of the few places from which he could view Paris’ skyline without seeing the tower.

Construction began in January 1887 with the foundations. After six months the ironwork began. In all, the tower consists of 18,038 pieces, joined together by 2.5 million rivets.

Structural work was finished by the end of March 1889, but the elevators and other facilities remained a work in progress. In fact, the tower didn’t open to the public until nine days after the start of the World’s Fair in May, and even then the elevators had yet to be completed. However, 30,000 visitors climbed the stairs to the top before the elevators started operation on May 26. More than 1.8 million visitors toured the tower during the exposition.

In 1909, the original permit for the tower expired, but the city allowed it to remain as it was useful as a radio and later television transmitter. It also became a national symbol of France. During World War II, the French cut the elevator cables while the Germans occupied Paris, requiring the Germans to climb the stairs to unfurl their swastika flag. In 1944, as the Allies were on the verge of retaking Paris, Hitler ordered the tower destroyed. The Nazi military governor disobeyed the order.

The economic design of the tower means that if the iron were melted down, it would cover a square the size of the base of the tower to a depth of just two and a half inches. Also, if you were to build a box to surround the tower, the weight of the air inside would almost equal the weight of the metal.

The tower welcomed its 250 millionth visitor in 2010.

The Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world from 1889 until 1930.

Our question, what building preceded the Eiffel Tower as the tallest building in the world?

Today is National Youth Day in India, and Memorial Day in Turkmenistan.

It’s unofficially Curried Chicken Day, National Marzipan Day, and National Pharmacist Day.

It’s the birthday of radio host Howard Stern, who is 63; journalist Christiane Amanpour, who is 59; and Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, who is 53.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we will spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1989, the top song in the U.S. was “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown.

The No. 1 movie was “Rain Man,” while “The Sands of Time” by Sidney Sheldon topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Who was the first person to appear in a commercial for the iPhone?

Submit your answer at triviapeople.com/test and we’ll add the name of the person with the first correct answer to our winner’s wall … at triviapeople.com. We'll reveal the correct answer on Friday’s episode.

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The Grand Canyon as seen from the South Rim.  (Photo by Roger Bolsius via Wikimedia Commons)   On this date in 1908, the Grand Canyon was designated a national monument.

Here are some things you may not have known about the natural wonder.

The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, its width varies from four to 18 miles across and it is more than 6,000 feet deep at some points.

The canyon was created by erosion caused by the Colorado River and uplift of the surrounding plateau over the course of 5 to 6 million years.

The Grand Canyon has been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. The latest research suggests that the first people lived there around 1200 BC. Among the groups who have lived in and around the canyon are the Hualapai, the Havasupai, the Navajo and the Southern Paiute.

The first European to see the Grand Canyon was Garcia Lopez de Cardenas, who arrived from Spain in 1540.

The first European Americans to reach the Grand Canyon were part of a group of trappers led by James Ohio Pattie in 1826. In 1869, John Wesley Powell led an expedition down the Green River and Colorado River, starting in Wyoming. Following the expedition, Powell became the first person to use the term “Grand Canyon.” Until 1871, it had been known as the slightly less impressive “Big Canyon.”

U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt visited the canyon in 1903, and protected the area as a federal game preserve in 1906. He re-designated it as a national monument in 1908. Claims by landowners and miners prevented the area from becoming a national park until 1919, when it became the 17th U.S. National Park.

In 2015, the park was the second most-visited national park in the U.S., with about 5 and a half million visitors.

Our question: What U.S. National Park is the most-visited?

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States, Children’s Day in Tunisia and Republic Day in Albania.

It’s unofficially National Apples Day in Germany, and in the U.S. it’s National Milk Day, and National Hot Toddy Day.

It’s the birthday of U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton, who was born in 1755; women’s rights activist Alice Paul, who was born in 1885; and singer Mary J. Blige, who turns 46.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1974, the top song in the U.S. was “The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band.

The No. 1 movie was “The Exorcist,” while the novel “Burr” by Gore Vidal topped the New York Times Bestsellers list. Now for our weekly question: Who was the first person to appear in a commercial for the iPhone?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_11

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_National_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_the_Americas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River

https://www.checkiday.com/01/11/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-11

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1974_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1974

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One year ago today, rock icon David Bowie died at the age of 69.

Bowie was born David Jones in Brixton, South London on January 8, 1947. His mother worked as a waitress and his father worked for a charity.

At the age of nine, Bowie's father brought home a collection of American records, including some by artists like Elvis Presley, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Platters, Fats Domino and Little Richard.

It was Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti” that had a particular impact on the young Bowie’s life.

He would later say, “I had heard God.”

Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” was also influential. “It really impressed me, the power of the music. I started getting records immediately after that.”

He also began performing, including dancing to songs by Elvis and Chuck Berry.

He began playing a plastic alto saxophone in 1961. A year later he would be seriously injured in a fight with a schoolmate over a girl. Doctors feared Bowie would be left blind in his left eye. He recovered slightly, although he was left with poor depth perception and a permanently dilated pupil. He and the classmate, George Underwood, remained friends. Underwood created artwork for some of Bowie’s early albums.

Bowie started playing in a band called the Konrads in 1962 at the age of 15. He moved from band to band and manager to manager over the next several years. His habit of firing managers would prove quite expensive in later years.

In 1967, he changed his stage name to David Bowie, in order to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees. He took his new last name from American frontiersman Jim Bowie, despite the difference in pronunciation. He also released his self titled debut solo album that year.

In 1969, days ahead of the launch of Apollo 11, “Space Oddity” was released, which was his first hit, reaching the Top 5 in the UK. It reached No. 124 in the United States on its first release. It would be rereleased in 1973 and hit No. 15 in America. It was followed by another self-titled album.

Also that year he met Angela Barnett, whom he would marry, less than a year later. The marriage would produce a son, film director Duncan Jones. 1970 saw Bowie release the album, “The Man Who Sold the World.”

In 1971, he released his landmark album, “Hunky Dory,” which featured the single “Changes” and the song “Life on Mars.” Despite it’s moderate success at the time, “Hunky Dory” has consistently been rated among the greatest albums of all time.

In 1972, Bowie created the character of Ziggy Stardust, the definitive rock star, who also acts as a messenger for extra terrestrial beings. This might be his most influential phase, at the peak of the Glam Rock period. The album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” spawned the hits, “Starman,” “Suffragette City,” “Moonage Daydream,” and the closest thing to a title track the album has, “Ziggy Stardust.” He took the role of Ziggy Stardust so seriously that it began affecting his life off stage, leading him to doubt his sanity. In 1973, Ziggy Stardust “retired” during a show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon.

The next year, Bowie moved to the United States where he worked on his next album “Diamond Dogs,” which veered more into soul and funk. Also at this time he fell into a deep cocaine addiction, leading to physical issues, paranoia and other emotional problems. Despite these issues, “Diamond Dogs,” and a live album were successful. In 1975, he released “Young Americans” the sound of which Bowie described as “plastic soul.” The album produced Bowie’s first No. 1 single in the U.S., “Fame,” which was co-written with John Lennon. He was also one of the first white acts to appear on “Soul Train,” where he performed “Fame” and “Golden Years.”

His next alter ego, the “Thin White Duke” was introduced on his next album “Station to Station.” The character featured immaculate taste in clothing, but was obviously troubled by the massive amounts of cocaine he was taking. The cocaine use eventually got so bad, Bowie decided to move back to Europe, where he recorded what is known as his Berlin Trilogy: “Low,” “Heroes,” and “Lodger.”

In 1981, he worked with Queen to write and record “Under Pressure.” The song was Bowie’s third No. 1 single and Queen’s second, after “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

In 1983, Bowie released his best-selling album “Let’s Dance,” which featured the title track, which went to No. 1 in the U.S., along with “China Girl,” and “Modern Love.”

In 1986, he appeared as Jareth the Goblin King in Jim Henson’s film, “Labyrinth.” He also wrote five songs for the soundtrack.

In 1992, he married Iman, and the couple had a daughter in 2000.

Bowie continued releasing music for the rest of his life. His last album, “Blackstar” was released just before his death.

Our question, what blues guitarist played the solos on the single “Let’s Dance”?

It’s unofficially Houseplant Appreciation Day, National Bittersweet Chocolate Day; and Peculiar People Day.

It’s the birthday of singer-songwriter Jim Croce, who was born in 1943; singer Rod Stewart, who is 72; and former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, who is 68.

This week last year, the top song in the U.S. was “Hello” by Adele.

The No. 1 movie was “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” while the novel “Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Who was the first person to appear in a commercial for the iPhone?

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Oddity

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thin_White_Duke

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Ziggy_Stardust_and_the_Spiders_from_Mars

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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On this date in 2007, Apple announced the iPhone.

Here are some things you may not have known about the smartphone.

The iPhone wasn’t Apple’s first foray into the portable communications market. The company introduced the Newton MessagePad in 1993. The Newton was a personal digital assistant, which was an electronic calendar, contact list and notebook. The Newton interface was based on handwriting recognition, which led to its limited appeal. The first Newton had 640 kilobytes of RAM and was powered by four AAA batteries. The Newton was discontinued in February 1998.

Later that year, Apple introduced the iMac, an all-in-one computer which was designed by Jonathan Ive, who would go on to design the iPod and the iPhone.

The iPod debuted in 2001, selling nearly 400 million units since then.

In 2005, Apple partnered with Motorola to release the ROKR E1, the first mobile phone to feature a version of iTunes, Apple’s online music store. About a year later, Apple discontinued the project to focus on developing its own mobile phone.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made the announcement at the Macworld convention, and the iPhone was released on June 29, 2007.

Apple made a deal with Cingular Wireless to be the iPhone’s exclusive carrier. Cingular changed its name to AT&T before the phone’s release.

AT&T reported that almost 150,000 iPhones were activated during the first weekend it was available.

In November 2007, the iPhone was released in the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Today, the iPhone is available in most countries.

In 2016, Apple announced that it has sold more than 1 billion iPhones.

Our question: What country saw the most recent official release of the iPhone?

We'll have the answer after this break.

Today is unofficially International Choreographers Day, National Apricot Day, and National Cassoulet Day.

It’s the birthday of former U.S. President Richard Nixon, who was born in 1913; musician Dave Matthews, who is 50; and the Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, who is 35.

This week in 2007, the top song in the U.S. was “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce.

The No. 1 movie was “Night at the Museum,” while the novel “For One More Day” by Mitch Albom topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question: Who was the first person to appear in a commercial for the iPhone?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_iPhone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MessagePad

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_mobile_phones

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T_Mobility

http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/27/12302542/apple-billion-iphones-sold

https://www.checkiday.com/01/09/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-09

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2007_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_2007

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On this date in 1994, American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by a man hired by the husband of her main competitor, Tonya Harding.

Here are some things you may not have known about the skaters and the attack.

Nancy Kerrigan was born in 1969 in a suburb of Boston. She began skating at the age of six and won her first competition at age nine. She placed fourth in the junior competition at the U.S. championships in 1987, and made her senior debut the next season. She placed third at the 1991 U.S. Championships and earned a trip to the world championships. There she earned the bronze medal behind fellow Americans Kristi Yamaguchi and Tonya Harding. She finished third at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Tonya Harding was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1970. As a child, she claims she was physically abused by her mother. She began skating at age three and landed her first triple lutz at age 12. She dropped out of high school during her sophomore year to concentrate on figure skating. In 1991, she landed her first triple axel in competition on her way to winning the national championship. She was the first woman to complete a triple axel in a short program, the first woman to land two triple axels in one competition and the first woman to complete a triple axel/double toe loop combination. She finished fourth at the 1992 Olympics but failed to qualify for the 1993 World Championships.

Which brings us to 1994.

Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by Shane Stant following a practice session at the U.S. Championships at Detroit’s Cobo Arena. She was struck a few inches above the knee with a telescopic baton. Her leg was bruised, but not broken, but she was still forced to withdraw from the event which determined the two-person U.S. Olympic team. Harding won the title and a berth to the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. It was later discovered that Stant was hired by Harding’s husband Jeff Gillooly and her bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt. Kerrigan was named to the Olympic team despite not competing in the national championships.

Kerrigan earned the silver medal at Lillehammer, while Harding finished eighth, after restarting her free program due to a broken lace on her skate.

Kerrigan retired from competitive skating following the Olympics.

Gillooly, Eckhardt and getaway driver Derrick Smith were sent to prison for their parts in the attack. Harding pleaded guilty to conspiring to hinder the prosecution of the attackers. She received three years probation, 500 hours of community service and a $160,000 fine. In June of 1994, Harding was stripped of her national championship and banned for life by the U.S. Figure Skating Association. Harding later claimed that she didn’t go to authorities before the attack because Gillooly had threatened to kill her.

Following his release from prison, Gillooly changed his name to Jeff Stone. Eckhardt changed his name to Brian Sean Griffith. He died in 2007 at the age of 40.

Our question, who did Nancy Kerrigan bump from the 1994 Olympic Team?

Today is Armed Forces Day in Iraq and Epiphany.

It’s unofficially Apple Tree Day, National Bean Day and National Shortbread Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Syd Barrett, who was born in 1946; actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, who is 62 and actress and comedian Kate McKinnon, who is 33.

This week in 1994 the top song in the U.S. was “Hero” by Mariah Carey; the No. 1 movie was “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend” by Robert James Waller topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Thanks to somesayhescalledthestig, for the five-star review on iTunes. Reviews are the second-best way to help support the show.

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute, for details on other ways to support the show, visit triviapeople.com

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Kerrigan#Kerrigan.27s_Olympic_skating_fashions

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonya_Harding

http://www.oprah.com/world/Tonya-Hardings-Figure-Skating-Scandal

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-02-26/news/9402260180_1_figure-skating-competition-tonya-harding-lace

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On this date in 1925, Nellie Tayloe Ross was sworn in as governor of Wyoming.

Here are some things you may not have known about the first woman to serve as governor in the United States.

Nellie Tayloe was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1876. She graduated from high school in Kansas and became a kindergarten teacher for four years. While visiting relatives in Tennessee, Tayloe met William Bradford Ross, a lawyer whom she married in 1902. Soon after, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where William became a leader in the state’s Democratic Party.

In 1922, William Ross was elected governor, after running as a progressive. He served less than two years before dying of complications from an appendectomy. Nellie Ross was nominated to run to replace her husband in a special election the following month. She won easily, making history as the first female governor in the United States. She, like her husband, was a strong advocate for the prohibition of alcohol.

That support for prohibition, along with her refusal to campaign for herself, resulted in a narrow defeat in her 1926 reelection attempt. Ross remained active in the Democratic Party and received 31 votes for vice president at the party’s 1928 convention. She then served as vice president of the Democratic National Committee.

In 1933, Ross was appointed director of the U.S. Mint. During her time at the Mint, she oversaw the design and release of the Franklin Half Dollar and the public sale of proof coins. She also oversaw the establishment of the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

She served five terms as Mint director and retired in 1953.

In her retirement, Ross wrote for several women’s magazines and traveled the world. When she died in 1977 at the age of 101, she was the oldest ex-governor in U.S. History.

Our question: Who holds the title of longest-lived former U.S. governor?

Today is unofficially National Bird Day and National Whipped Cream Day.

It’s the birthday of actor Robert Duvall, who is 86; actress Diane Keaton, who is 71; and actor Bradley Cooper, who is 42.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1962, the top song in the U.S. was “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens.

The No. 1 movie was “El Cid,” while the novel “Franny and Zooey” by J.D. Salinger topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What scientist and inventor was Thomas Edison’s main rival in the War of Currents?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nellie_Tayloe_Ross

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bullion_Depository

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Rosellini

https://www.checkiday.com/01/05/2017

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-january-05

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1962_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1962

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On this date in 1903, Topsy, an Asian elephant was euthanized by electrocution at Coney Island, New York.

Here are some things you may not have known about the incident.

Topsy was brought to the United States and performed in the Forepaugh Circus, where she gained a reputation as a bad elephant after killing a spectator in 1902. The next year, she was sold to Coney Island’s Sea Lion Park, which was redeveloped as Luna Park by new owners Frederick Thompson and Elmer Dundy. At Luna Park, Topsy was used to move timbers and power a carnival ride. Her trainer, William “Whitey” Alt, once stabbed Topsy with a pitchfork in an effort to get her to pull the ride. As a result, the police were called to investigate. This led Alt to remove Topsy’s harness and let her run wild in the streets. Alt, who blamed the incident on alcohol, was arrested. In December 1902, a once-again drunken Alt rode Topsy down the streets of Coney Island and used the elephant as a battering ram to get through the door of the police station, leading the officers to hide in the jail cells. Alt was fired after that incident.

The owners, now without an elephant trainer, decided to euthanize Topsy by hanging her, and selling tickets so the public could watch. The president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals intervened, calling hanging a “needlessly cruel means of killing” the elephant. After negotiations, he and the owners decided Topsy should be strangled with large ropes tied to a steam-powered winch, poisoned and electrocuted. On Sunday, January 4, an estimated 1,500 spectators and 100 news photographers descended on the amusement park. Topsy was fed potassium cyanide, a poison, electrocuted with 6,600 volts and then strangled by the apparatus for 10 minutes.

On site that day was a film crew from the Edison film company. They recorded the event and weeks later released a 74-second movie of the proceedings. Contrary to claims, Thomas Edison did not organize the electrocution. 15 years earlier, Edison had been involved in the electrocution of animals to demonstrate the danger of alternating current as part of the War of Currents. Edison, a proponent of direct current, had already merged his company with General Electric and sold all of his stock.

Our question, which is generally larger, the Asian elephant or the African elephant?

We'll have the answer after this break.

Welcome back to the Trivia Minute.

Today is Independence Day in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.

It’s National Trivia Day, World Braille Day and Pop Music Chart Day.

It’s the birthday of scientist Issac Newton, who was born in 1643; educator Louis Braille, who was born in 1809, and musician Michael Stipe, who is 57.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1976, the top song in the U.S. was “Convoy” by C.W. McCall.

The No. 1 movie was “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” while the novel “Curtain” by Agatha Christie topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Now for our weekly question: What scientist and inventor was Thomas Edison’s main rival in the War of Currents?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsy_(elephant)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocuting_an_Elephant

http://www.eleaid.com/elephant-information/differences-african-asian-elephants/

http://www.himandus.net/elefunteria/library/elefacts/elefacts.html

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On this date in 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed following the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Here are some things you may not have known about the formation of the Soviet Union.

On December 30, 1922, the leaders of the Russian Republic, Transcaucasian Republic, Ukrainian Republic and Byelorussian Republic met in the first Congress of Soviets, two days after signing the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR. The main function of the treaty was to centralize the federal government in Moscow. Earlier in 1922, Vladimir Lenin suffered the first of a series of stokes, allowing Joseph Stalin, the General Secretary of the Communist Party to fill the power vacuum. Stalin needed a way to consolidate the power of the independent Bolshevik states into a single entity.

Lenin died in January 1924 and days later the second Congress of Soviets ratified a new constitution. Stalin began advocating for building communism in the countries the Bolsheviks already controlled rather than spreading the revolution as Leon Trotsky envisioned. Stalin focused on transforming the USSR into an industrial power, at the same time millions of people were being imprisoned in forced labor camps. Millions more died during the famine of 1932-33. High ranking government officials, military and academics were killed in Stalin’s “Great Purge” of the Communist Party.

In 1936, a new constitution was written which further centralized power in Moscow. It remained in effect until 1977.

Stalin continued to lead the Soviet Union through World War II. He died of a stroke in 1953.

Our question, at the height of the Soviet Union, how many republics made up the USSR?

Today is unofficially National Bacon Day and National Bicarbonate of Soda Day.

It’s the birthday of writer Rudyard Kipling, who was born in 1865; baseball hall of famer Sandy Koufax, who is 81; and golfer Tiger Woods, who is 41.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1975, the top song in the U.S. was “Saturday Night” by the Bay City Rollers.

The No. 1 movie was “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” while the novel “Curtain” by Agatha Christie topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Before the break we asked: At the height of the Soviet Union, how many republics made up the USSR?

The answer is 15.

Thanks for listening to the Trivia Minute, for details on the show and how to support it, visit triviapeople.com

We’ll be back with a new episode on Tuesday. Have a great weekend and a happy new year.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Creation_of_the_USSR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Lenin#Decline_and_death

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_Joseph_Stalin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republics_of_the_Soviet_Union

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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On this day in the year 1170, Thomas Becket was killed by supporters of King Henry II of England during a conflict over the rights of the Catholic Church in England. Here are some things you may not have known about Thomas Becket.

He was born around the year 1120 in London. His father was a merchant and property owner originally from the Normandy region. He studied the trivium and quadrivium and then spent a year in Paris. His father soon suffered a financial setback and Becket was forced to get a job as a clerk. Eventually he worked for Theobald of Bec, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The archbishop sent Becket on missions to Rome and to study canon law in Bologna and Auxerre. In 1154, Becket was named Archdeacon of Canterbury along with other posts. He was appointed Lord Chancellor in 1155.

After the death of Theobald of Bec, Becket was nominated to replace him as Archbishop. His election was confirmed in 1162. He was ordained a priest on June 2 1162 and was consecrated archbishop the next day.

As archbishop he clashed with Henry II over the rights of the church, including the jurisdiction of secular courts over clergy. This disagreement escalated for two years until Henry called a meeting of bishops at Clarendon Palace. There, Henry demanded the church be subject to secular law. Becket refused at first, but eventually agreed to what became known as the Constitutions of Clarendon. Later that year, Becket tried to go to France without permission, which was prohibited by the Constitutions. Additionally, the king would ask him to account for his spending while he was chancellor. He was found guilty on both charges. Becket went in to exile in France for the better part of the next six years.

In 1170, Henry’s son was crowned junior King of England by the Archbishop of York. This act infringed upon the right of the Archbishop of Canterbury to crown monarchs. This led the pope to allow Becket to threaten to censure England as punishment. This threat led Henry to negotiate with Becket. The two reached an agreement on July 22, 1170. Shortly before returning to England, Becket excommunicated the archbishop of York, the bishop of Salisbury and the bishop of London.

The news of the excommunications enraged Henry, who is said to have exclaimed, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”

In answer to this question, four knights set off to confront Becket in Canterbury. Upon arrival, they demanded Becket account for his actions, which he refused. In response, the knights retrieved their weapons and killed Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.

In 1173, Becket was canonized by Pope Alexander III.

Our question, “The Canterbury Tales” is set during a journey to the shrine of Saint Thomas of Canterbury. Who wrote “The Canterbury Tales”?

Today is Constitution Day in Ireland and Independence Day in Mongolia.

It’s the birthday of inventor Charles Goodyear, who was born in 1800; British Prime Minister William Gladstone, who was born in 1809, and actress Mary Tyler Moore, who turns 80.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1987, the top song in the U.S. was “Faith” by George Michael.

The No. 1 movie was “Three Men and a Baby,” while the novel “The Tommyknockers” by Stephen King topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question Besides “(Just Like) Starting Over,” what was John Lennon’s only other solo No. 1 single in the United States?

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Becket

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becket_controversy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop_of_Canterbury

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asceticism

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

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On this date in 1065, Westminster Abbey was consecrated.

Here are some things you may not have known about the landmark London church.

Since the year 1560, the building’s common name has been a misnomer.

Before 1560, it did serve as an abbey, which is a facility where monks or nuns work and live, overseen by an abbot or abbess. In this case, it housed Benedictine monks.

For a short time it served as a cathedral, the definition of which is a church which is the seat of a bishop, making it the main church in a diocese, conference or episcopate.

Since 1560, however it has been classified as a Royal Peculiar collegiate church, meaning that it’s headed by a dean, who, in turn, is responsible directly to the monarch.

The building’s formal name is the Collegiate Church of St. Peter at Westminster.

The church was built as St. Peter’s Abbey to serve as a burial church for King Edward the Confessor. The building was consecrated a week before Edward’s death in January 1066. It’s believed that Edward’s successor, Harold II, was crowned in the abbey, although he first documented coronation was of William the Conqueror later that year.

Construction of Westminster Abbey as it looks today began in 1245. It was built by Henry III in the Anglo-French Gothic style to venerate Edward the Confessor, and to serve as the site of Henry’s own tomb.

During the protestant reformation in the 16th century, the monastery was disolved, but the building itself was converted to a cathedral, which helped spare it from being destroyed as happened to most English abbeys of the day. It was returned to the Benedictines under the Catholic Queen Mary, before they were ejected again in 1559 by Protestant Elizabeth I.

Westminster Abbey has been the site of every coronation of an English monarch since 1066. The only two kings not coronated at Westminster Abbey, Edward V and Edward VIII, were never formally crowned.

It has also been the site of 16 royal weddings — the first was Henry I to Matilda of Scotland in 1100, and the most recent was of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

Our question: Prince Charles and Princess Diana were not married at Westminster Abbey. Where where they married?

Today is King Taksin Memorial Day in Thailand, Republic Day in South Sudan, and Proclamation Day in South Australia.

It’s unofficially National Chocolate Candy Day, National Card Playing Day, and Pledge of Allegiance Day.

It’s the birthday of former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who was born in 1856; actress Maggie Smith, who is 82; and actor Denzel Washington, who is 62.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1980, the top song in the U.S. was “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon.

The No. 1 movie was “9 to 5,” while the novel “The Covenant” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question Besides “(Just Like) Starting Over,” what was John Lennon’s only other solo No. 1 single in the United States?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Abbey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Monasteries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_V_of_England

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VIII

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Paul%27s_Cathedral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_28

http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/december/

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-28

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1980_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1980

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Today is the birthday of Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Here are some things you may not have known about her.

She was born Claudia Alta Taylor in Karnack, Texas in 1912. When she was a baby, her nurse said that she was as “purty as a ladybird” and the nickname stuck. Her father was the son of a sharecropper, who became a wealthy landowner and businessman. Her mother died when Lady Bird was five years old of complications from a miscarriage suffered after she fell down a flight of stairs. Lady Bird was raised largely by her mother’s sister Effie, who moved to Texas after her mother’s death.

To attend high school, Lady Bird moved in with a family in the town of Jefferson, Texas. She graduated third in her class after letting her grades slip so she wouldn’t have to give a valedictorian speech at her graduation ceremony. She attended the University of Alabama for a summer before returning to Texas and enrolling at St. Mary’s Episcopal College for Women, a junior college in Dallas. After graduation, she enrolled at the University of Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history and another in journalism.

In 1934, she met Lyndon Baines Johnson, who was working for Congressman Richard Kleberg. Johnson proposed marriage on their first date. Lady Bird accepted 10 weeks later and they were married in November 1934 in San Antonio, Texas. They had two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines, meaning all four family members had the initials LBJ; five if you include their dog “Little Beagle Johnson.“

Lady Bird used $10,000 of her inheritance from her mother to help fund Lyndon’s first campaign for Congress, which he won. While in office, Lyndon enlisted in the Navy and Lady Bird ran his congressional office. In 1943, Lady Bird used another part of her inheritance to buy a radio station in Austin, Texas. In 1952, she bought a television station as well. The media properties made her the first president’s wife to become a millionaire in her own right.

Lyndon Johnson served in the House of Representatives from 1937 until 1949, when he won election to the Senate after a highly controversial Democratic primary election. He eventually rose to become the Senate Majority Leader. In 1960 he decided to run for president. He was unsuccessful, but ended up nominated to be vice president under John F. Kennedy. During the campaign, Lady Bird Johnson filled in for Jacqueline Kennedy at many events, during Kennedy’s pregnancy. Kennedy and Johnson were elected in November 1960 and took office the next January. Lady Bird continued to fill in at events the first lady couldn’t attend.

In November 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Lyndon Baines Johnson became the 36th President of the United States.

As first lady, Lady Bird Johnson became well known for several beautification projects. The first, the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital, focused on improving conditions in Washington, D.C. She worked to protect wildflowers and plant them along highways. Later she pushed the Highway Beautification Act to limit billboards and plant flowers along highways across the country. The act became known as “Lady Bird’s Bill.” She also convinced her husband to run for his own term as president in 1964. She campaigned tirelessly for him and helped him defeat Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater in the general election.

Lyndon Johnson did not run for re-election in 1968 and the couple retired to their ranch 50 miles west of Austin. Lyndon Johnson died of a heart attack in 1973.

Lady Bird Johnson continued to represent her husband at events for the next 30 years. She served on the board of regents of the University of Texas and on the board of trustees of the National Geographic Society.

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1988.

She died on July 11, 2007, at the age of 94.

Our question, in 1982, a poll of historians ranked Lady Bird Johnson as the third most influential and important first lady. Who ranked ahead of her?

It’s Armed Forces Day in Vietnam, Mother’s Day in Indonesia and National Mathematics Day in India. It’s unofficially National Cookie Exchange Day and National Date Nut Bread Day. It’s the birthday of actress Barbara Billingsley, musicians Robin and Maurice Gibb; and artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

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On this date in 1913, the first crossword puzzle was printed in the New York World newspaper.

Here are some things you may not have known about crossword puzzles.

The first puzzle was actually called a word-cross puzzle. It was created by Arthur Wynne, who was a journalist from Liverpool, England. It was based on earlier puzzles, such as the word diamond, but also included many of the features of the modern crossword puzzle, such as black squares to separate some answers. It came to be known as a crossword puzzle early on as a result of a typesetting error.

The New Yorker magazine’s first issue made mention of the large number of puzzle solvers on public transportation and noted that the puzzles had become a fad. The New York Public Library complained that puzzlers were hogging dictionaries that should be used by “legitimate readers.” The New York Times expressed alarm that so many people were wasting so much time with the puzzles. The New Republic magazine reported that the fad was sure to fade away in 1925; it repeated the claim in 1929. In 1930, The New York Times touted the fact that it had never run a crossword puzzle. The Times didn’t run one until 1942; their puzzle is now considered one of the gold standards of the genre.

In the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries, the dominant form of crossword is the cryptic crossword. In these, the clue is a word puzzle, which must be solved first before filling in the solution. Roger Squires, who sets these types of puzzles, holds the world record for number of crosswords created. In 2007, he published his 66,666th puzzle, all of which totaled more than 2 million clues.

During World War II, cryptologists at Bletchley Park in England were selected using a crossword competition.

Also during the war, It was also noted that an unusual number of military code words were showing up in puzzles in The Daily Telegraph.

In 1942, the French port of Dieppe appeared as an answer the day before an Allied raid on the port. Later, in the run up to D-Day, the words “Utah,” “Omaha,” “Overlord,” “Mulberry,” and “Neptune” were answers. All of them were codewords. The authorities suspected that the words were a form of espionage. An investigation by Britain’s MI5 determined that the puzzle’s creator was a school headmaster, who used answers supplied by his students. The school happened to be located next to an American and Canadian military base where the boys overheard the words.

Our question, what Broadway songwriter was responsible for introducing the cryptic crossword to the United States in New York magazine?

Today is the December Solstice, meaning it’s the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere.

It’s unofficially National Hamburger Day, National Kiwi Fruit Day, and National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.

It’s the birthday of musician Frank Zappa, who was born in 1940; actor Samuel L. Jackson, who is 68; and athlete Florence Griffith Joyner, who was born in 1959, whose records in the 100 and 200 meters still stand.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1979, the top song in the U.S. was “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes.

The No. 1 movie was “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” while the novel “Triple” by Ken Follett topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What was the first broadcast network in the United States?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossword

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wynne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_21

https://www.checkiday.com/12/21/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-21

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=21&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1979_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1979

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On this date in 1946, “It’s a Wonderful Life” was released in the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about the classic Christmas movie.

It’s based on a story called “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern, who wrote it in 1939. After failing to sell the story, he made it into a Christmas card and send copies to friends and family in 1943. One of these cards came to the attention of a producer at RKO Pictures, which bought the story intending to make it into a movie starring Cary Grant.

RKO shelved the project after three unsuccessful screenplay attempts were made. Director Frank Capra read the story and saw its potential. His production company bought the rights and the three screenplays for $10,000. Capra worked with a team of writers, including Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling and Dorothy Parker.

The popular belief is that the role of George Bailey was all but written for Jimmy Stewart, however film historian Stephen Cox claims that Henry Fonda was also considered. The part of Mary was offered first to Jean Arthur, Olivia de Havilland and Ginger Rogers before it finally went to to Donna Reed. Vincent Price and Charles Bickford were considered for the part of the villainous Mr. Potter, who was eventually played by Lionel Barrymore.

Filming took place largely at RKO’s studio in Culver City, California and the RKO movie ranch in Encino, California. The only filming locations that remain intact are the home that the Martini family buys in the film, and the gymnasium at Beverly Hills High School with its swimming pool under the gym floor.

It’s widely believed that “It’s a Wonderful Life” was originally a box office flop and was dislike by critics. However, this isn’t entirely true. The film made $3.3 million dollars in 1947, placing it 26th among more than 400 films released late in 1946 and in 1947. The reviews were mixed, with Time magazine and Variety praising it, and the New York Times and New Yorker magazine panning it.

It went on to be nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Capra and Best Actor for Stewart. It won an Oscar for technical achievement for a new method of simulating falling snow. It lost the Best Picture Oscar to “The Best Years of Our Lives.”

The single event that made the film a Christmas classic didn’t happen until 24 years after it was released. In 1974, the company which owned the rights to the film didn’t properly renew the copyright. This allowed the film to be shown inexpensively on hundreds of local television stations. The film was believed to be in the public domain until 1993, when Republic Pictures proved that it still owned the film rights to the original short story, and because of that, to all derivative works, including “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The movie is now licensed to NBC, which shows it twice during the Christmas season, including on Christmas Eve.

Our question: Which television villain was inspired by the character of Mr. Potter?

Today is unofficially Cathode-Ray Tube Day, Games Day, and National Sangria Day.

It’s the birthday of tire magnate Harvey Firestone, who was born in 1868; author Sandra Cisneros, who is 62; and actor Jonah Hill, who is 33.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1968, the top song in the U.S. was “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.

The No. 1 movie was “Oliver!,” while the novel “The Salzburg Connection” by Helen MacInnes topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What was the first broadcast network in the United States?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It's_a_Wonderful_Life

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Potter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_Rogers

http://www.iamnotastalker.com/2009/12/22/the-martini-house-from-its-a-wonderful-life/

https://www.checkiday.com/12/20/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-20

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1968_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1968

iOS: http://apple.co/1H2paH9

Android: http://bit.ly/2bQnk3m

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On this date in 1932, the BBC Empire Service radio system went on the air for the first time.

Here are some things you may not have known about what is now called BBC World Service.

The Empire Service began as a shortwave service aimed at English speakers in the far-flung reaches of the British Empire. It would take weeks for letters to reach some points by mail, while radio could reach them instantly. King George V said the service was intended for “men and women, so cut off by the snow, the desert or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them.”

While those behind the idea had high hopes for the service in the long term, their short-term hopes were more guarded. The director general of the BBC, John Reith (Wreath), opened the service by saying: “Don’t expect too much in the early days; for some time we shall transmit comparatively simple programs, to give the best chance of intelligible reception and provide evidence as to the type of material most suitable for the service in each zone. The programs will neither be very interesting or good.”

The first foreign-language service, in Arabic, was launched in January 1938, followed in March by German programming. By 1942, the service was broadcasting in all major European languages, and had been renamed BBC Overseas Service.

During World War II, the Overseas Service broadcast propaganda and its French service sent coded message to the French Resistance.

In 1965, the service was again renamed, this time as BBC World Service.

At various times, the BBC World Service has operated in 70 different languages and dialects around the world. Through the years, services have been started and discontinued. In the 1990s and early 2000s, many of the European-language services were discontinued as the majority of listeners in those countries listened in English.

Budget cuts and changing technologies have also led the BBC to reduce the number of countries it broadcasts to on shortwave radio. Countries that retain shortwave service today are mostly in Africa, Asia and South America. Europe, North America and Australia are served by local FM stations, and streaming on the internet.

Today, the service broadcasts in 27 languages, the most recently added service is in the Krygyz language of Kyrgyzstan. The service plans to begin broadcasting to Nigeria in Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin, and Yoruba soon.

Our question: Which European language service was the first to be discontinued by the BBC World Service?

Today is unofficially National Hard Candy Day, and National Oatmeal Muffin Day.

It’s the birthday of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, who was born in 1905; singer Edith Piaf, who was born in 1915; and musician Maurice White, who was born in 1941.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1994, the top song in the U.S. was “Here Comes the Hotstepper” by Ini Kamoze. (Eye-knee)

The No. 1 movie was “Dumb and Dumber,” while “Politically Correct Bedtime Stories” by James Finn Garner topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question The BBC is the world’s oldest national broadcaster. What was the first broadcast network in the United States?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_World_Service

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland

https://www.checkiday.com/12/19/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-19

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=19&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1994_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1994

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Thursday’s episode ended with 12 proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution being sent to the states for ratification. What we now know as the First Amendment was actually the third proposed article of the Bill of Rights.

The first article dealt with how to determine the size of Congress. Because it was never ratified, the total number of seats in the House of Representatives has been determined by specific acts of Congress. The most recent, in 1929, capped the size of the House at 435 seats.

We’ll come back to the second proposed amendment in a moment.

The third proposal was the first to be ratified. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The second was: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The third: “No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

The fourth: “The right of the People to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

The fifth: “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

The sixth: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”

The seventh: “In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by Jury shall be preserved, and no fact, tried by a Jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.”

The eighth: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

The ninth: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

The tenth and final amendment of the Bill of Rights: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Three states didn’t act on the Bill of Rights when it was initially proposed. Georgia refused to ratify any amendments. Massachusetts never sent official notice of ratification. Connecticut failed to reconcile their bills after disagreeing over whether to ratify the first and second articles. As part of the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights in 1939, the three states ratified the 10 amendments.

Now back to the story of the second article passed by Congress in 1789. It prevented Congress from raising its pay until the next election. It also didn’t contain any ratification time limit.

The proposed amendment was largely forgotten until 1982, when Gregory Watson, a student at the University of Texas, began campaigning for its ratification. Besides Wyoming’s ratification in 1978, it had been more than 100 years since the most recent ratification. Over the course of the next 10 years, 29 states ratified it and it became the 27th amendment on May 25, 1992, after pending more than 202 years.

It’s the most recent amendment to the Constitution.

Our question: Of the 27 total amendments, which is the only one to be repealed?

Today is National Day in Bahrain, and Republic Day in Kazakhstan.

It’s unofficially National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, and Underdog Day.

It’s the birthday of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born in 1770; writer Jane Austen, who was born in 1775; and playwright Noel Coward, who was born in 1899.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1969, the top song in the U.S. was “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul and Mary.

The No. 1 movie was “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?,” while the novel “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-seventh_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-first_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_16

https://www.checkiday.com/12/16/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-16

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=15&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1969_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1969

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This is part one of a a two-part episode. On this date in 1791, the United States Bill of Rights became law when the state of Virginia ratified it.

Here are some things you may not have known about the story behind the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

The Constitution of the United States is the result of hard fought negotiations between federalists and antifederalists during the summer of 1787. Originally, the meeting that became the Constitutional Convention was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, which had been in place since 1777.

The Articles of Confederation established how the individual states would work together, and it created a weak national government. The national government had no president, executive agencies, judiciary or right to tax.

Federalists such as James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton argued in favor of throwing out the Articles of Confederation in favor of a new constitution which would establish a strong national government, known as a federal system.

A proposal to add a bill of rights during the convention was defeated. Hamilton, among many, believed such an addition would be dangerous. It was his belief that the inclusion of some rights would imply that rights not specifically mentioned didn’t exist.

The Constitution required ratification by nine of the 13 states before it came into effect. Five states ratified the constitution with little trouble. Massachusetts on the other hand, was a different story.

A contentious convention from the start, the low point of the Bay State’s meeting was a fist fight between federalist Francis Dana and anti-federalist Elbridge Gerry. Cooler heads prevailed as the convention agreed to ratify under the condition that the group also propose amendments. Massachusetts’ suggestions included the basis for what would become the fifth and 10th amendments. Ratifications by Maryland, South Carolina and New Hampshire pushed the Constitution over the nine-state requirement. Shortly after, Virginia and New York ratified, while North Carolina and Rhode Island waited until after the document came into effect in 1788.

By the time the first Congress was seated in 1789, James Madison had come around on the idea of a bill of rights. Although his reasoning was largely strategic. He pledged to introduce a bill of rights as amendments to the Constitution as part of his effort to defeat James Monroe for a seat in the House of Representatives. He also believed that introducing a bill of rights would help preempt a second constitutional convention that could lead to the dissolution of the new federal government.

Madison wrote what would become 20 proposed amendments. The House whittled this down to 17 amendments, while the Senate condensed it to 12. The 12 proposed amendments were then referred to the states for ratification.

On tomorrow’s episode, we’ll delve into the amendments themselves.

Today’s question: What document is seen as the world’s first bill of rights?

Today is International Tea Day, Kingdom Day in the Netherlands, and Remembrance Day of Journalists Killed in the Line of Duty in Russia.

It’s unofficially Cat Herders Day, National Cupcake Day, and National Regifting Day.

It’s the birthday of engineer Gustave Eiffel, who was born in 1832; actor and comedian Tim Conway, who is 83; and actor Don Johnson, who is 67.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1989, the top song in the U.S. was “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel.

The No. 1 movie was “The War of the Roses,” while the novel “Daddy” by Danielle Steele topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What wireless technology was named after a Danish king’s nickname?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_United_States_Congress

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbridge_Gerry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Convention_(United_States)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madison

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/statehood.shtml

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_of_rights

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_15

https://www.checkiday.com/12/15/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-15

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=15&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1989_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1989

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On this date in 1972, Eugene Cernan became the last man to walk on the moon. Here are some things you may not have known about Apollo 17.

Apollo 17 was the first mission to be commanded by someone who was not a test pilot. Gene Cernan was a fighter pilot in the navy, and had more than 200 aircraft carrier landings. He served as pilot on Gemini 9A and lunar module pilot on Apollo 10, which was the dress rehearsal for the first moon landing.

Cernan was joined on Apollo 17 by fellow naval aviator Ron Evans and Jack Schmitt, who was the first, and so far only, professional scientist to fly beyond low Earth orbit.

The mission was classified as a “J” mission by NASA, meaning the crew would spend three days on the lunar surface, conducting several scientific excursions and using the Lunar Rover. During the mission, Cernan and Schmitt logged about 22 miles in the Lunar Rover and Cernan set a lunar land speed record of 11.2 miles per hour. The duo spent a total of 22 hours outside the lunar lander on the surface. Their first extra-vehicular activity was three times longer than the total amount of time Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent on the surface during Apollo 11. They collected almost 250 pounds of samples from the moon.

On December 14, Cernan stepped off the moon as he and Schmitt rejoined Evans in the command module orbiting above.

Five days later, the command module returned to Earth, splashing down in the South Pacific near American Samoa. The astronauts were recovered by the USS Ticonderoga and were safely aboard 52 minutes after landing.

Our question: The first and last men on the moon earned degrees from what university?

Today is unofficially World Monkey Day and National Bouillabaisse Day.

It’s the birthday of Great Britain’s George VI, who was born in 1895; author Shirley Jackson, who was born in 1916; and actress Patty Duke, who was born in 1946.

This week in 1972, the top song in the U.S. was “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul.

The No. 1 movie was “Lady Sings the Blues,” while the novel “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What wireless technology was named after a Danish king’s nickname?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_14

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_program

https://www.google.com/maps/place/17%C2%B052'48.0%22S+166%C2%B006'36.0%22W/@-16.8149668,-170.6073051,7.41z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d-17.88!4d-166.11?hl=en

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Cernan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_9A

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_10

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Evans_(astronaut)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Schmitt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_missions_to_the_Moon

https://www.checkiday.com/12/14/2016

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On this date in 1577, Francis Drake set off from Plymouth, England, on his around-the-world voyage. Here are some things you may not have known about Drake and his voyages.

Francis Drake was born around 1540 in Devon, England. His father was a farmer. As a youth, Drake was apprenticed to a neighbor, who captained a trading ship between Britain and France. The neighbor, who had no heirs of his own, bequeathed the ship to Drake upon his death.

Drake set sail for the Americas for the first time at the age of 23. He sailed with his second cousin John Hawkins, a slave-trader who pioneered the triangle trade of bringing slaves to the Americas in exchange for sugar, tobacco and cotton, which he would then sell in Europe for textiles and manufactured goods, which he would sell in Africa.

On a later voyage, Drake and Hawkins were defeated by the Spanish, but managed to escape.

Drake turned to privateering, which is a nice word for state-sponsored piracy. He attacked the Isthmus of Panama, which was where the Spanish would transit gold and silver from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. He and his men captured around 20 tons of gold and silver. The amount of treasure was too much for them to haul, so they buried it, possibly serving as the inspiration for later buried pirate treasure stories.

Four years later, Drake was sent to pillage the Spanish fleet off the Pacific coast of South America. Drake set sail from Plymouth with five ships and 164 men. He lost lost enough men crossing the Atlantic that he was forced to scuttle two ships before reaching Argentina. At the same spot where Ferdinand Magellan executed mutineers 50 years earlier, Drake killed his own mutineer, Thomas Doughty.

It was also here that a third ship was discovered to be rotting and was burned. Violent storms while rounding Cape Horn led to the loss of his second to last ship, leaving his with only his flagship, the Pelican. It was around this time that he renamed the ship the Golden Hind.

During the trip north along the coast, Drake and his men captured several prizes, including one full of Chilean wine and others loaded with gold and silver. Drake would sail as far north as the coast of California, before turning west to cross the Pacific. He and his crew reached what is now Indonesia a few months later and sailed back to England.

Upon his return, Drake became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, and the first person to command an entire circumnavigation of the world. Magellan had been killed during his attempt.

The voyage’s treasure was roughly equivalent to the rest of the Crown’s income for the year. Drake and his crew kept half the treasure, while the other half went to Queen Elizabeth.

Drake continued sailing into his 50s. He died of dysentery after being defeated by the Spanish in 1596. We was about 55 years old.

Our question: What is a hind, an in the name of Drake’s flagship … the Golden Hind?

Today is Republic Day in Malta, and Sailors’ Day in Brazil.

It’s unofficially Ice Cream Day, National Cocoa Day, and National Violin Day.

It’s the birthday of actor Dick Van Dyke, who is 91, actor and comedian Jamie Foxx, who is 49, and singer Taylor Swift, who is 27.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1965, the top song in the U.S. was “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds.

The No. 1 movie was “A Patch of Blue,” while the novel “The Source” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What wireless technology was named after a Danish king’s nickname?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_13

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Drake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hawkins_(naval_commander)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Doughty_(explorer)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangular_trade

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Hind

https://www.checkiday.com/12/13/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-13

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=12&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1965_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1965

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On this date in year 884, Charles the Fat became emperor of the Frankish Empire. Here are a few historical monarchs with less-than-flattering nicknames, and the stories behind them.

Charles the Fat was a great-grandson of Charlemagne, and reunited his forebear’s empire for a short time. There’s some disagreement over whether he fully qualifies as a Holy Roman Emperor, but he was crowned by Pope John VIII. His empire consisted of large parts of what is now western Europe. He was considered lethargic and inept. He is also believed to have suffered from epilepsy. He was overthrown by his nephew Arnulf of Carinthia three years after reuniting the empire.

One of Charles the Fat’s predecessors was Charles the Bald, who might have been the first monarch to receive an ironic nickname. It’s thought that he had a full head of hair and was quite hairy. Speaking of hirsute monarchs, at about the same time as Charles the Bald’s reign, Wilfred the Hairy was ruling over a portion of what is now Spain.

Among Charles the Bald’s children was Louis the Stammerer. Besides his apparent speech impediment, Louis was also in ill health and only survived his father by two years.

William I of England was known as William the Bastard by enemies and William the Conquerer by allies, while John George I of Saxony was known as Beer Jug because of his alcoholism. Three other monarchs, including Wenceslaus VI were known as “the Drunkard.”

Wladyslaw the Elbow High was known as such because of his short stature.

Ivaylo of Bulgaria was known as Radish, Lettuce, or Cabbage, after leading a peasant revolt against the Byzantines and Mongols.

Four kings, including Louis XI of France and Peter I of Portugal were known as “The Cruel.” Constantine V was known as “the dung-named” by his enemies.

There was Fulk the Ill-Tempered, Henry the Impotent, Louis the Indolent, and Ferdinand the Inconsistent. Other interesting names include Eric the Priest Hater, Frederick the Quarreller, James the Rash, Pippin the Short, and Pippin the Hunchback.

There was Uros the Weak of Serbia, Ethelred the Unready of England and Thomas the Albanian-Slayer.

Besides Ivan, there were three other monarchs known as “the Terrible.”

Of course, most of these nicknames were applied by their enemies, and several of them are known by more favorable names as well.

Our question: Vlad the Impaler was the inspiration for what literary character?

Today is Constitution Day in Russia, Ground Forces Day in Ukraine and Croatian Air Force Day.

It’s unofficially National Ambrosia Day, Poinsettia Day, and Gingerbread House Day.

It’s the birthday of artist Edvard Munch, who was born in 1863; singer Frank Sinatra, who was born in 1915; and game show host Bob Barker, who is 93.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1982, the top song in the U.S. was “Maneater” by Hall and Oates.

The No. 1 movie was “The Toy,” while the novel “Space” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What wireless technology was named after a Danish king’s nickname?

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On Thursday, John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a longtime senator from Ohio died at the age of 95.

Here are a few things you may not have known about him.

John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio, in the southeastern part of the state.

In 1941, he earned his private pilot license for credit in a physics class at Muskingum College. He didn’t complete his degree at that time because he quit college to enlist in the Army Air Corps. He was never called to duty, so he enlisted in the Navy as an aviation cadet. Soon after, he transferred to the Marine Corps.

Beginning in 1943, Glenn flew 59 combat missions in the South Pacific, and was promoted to captain shortly before the end of World War II.

During the Korean War, Glenn flew 63 missions in the new F9F Panther jet. He gained the nickname “Magnet Ass” for his ability to draw enemy fire. Twice he returned to base with more than 250 holes in his plane. For a time, baseball legend Ted Williams served as his wingman.

After the Korean War, Glenn served as a test pilot, completing the first transcontinental supersonic flight in 1957.

A year later he applied for a place in NASA’s first class of astronauts. Despite being 39 years old, just shy of the age limit of 40, and not holding a required college degree in science, Glenn was among the group chosen. Glenn joined Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton as part of the Mercury Seven.

Glenn was chosen for the third Mercury mission, the first that would orbit the Earth. On the morning of February 20, 1962, atop an Atlas rocket, John Glenn, inside his capsule called Friendship 7, was launched into orbit.

Glenn circled the Earth three times during his almost 5-hour mission before splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean north of Puerto Rico.

Glenn was given a hero’s welcome on his return home, receiving a ticker-tape parade in New York City, and meeting with President John F. Kennedy and receiving the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

In 1964, Glenn resigned from NASA to run for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat. However, his candidacy was short-lived as he dropped out after suffering a concussion in a fall in the bathtub. He retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1965, and went to work as an executive with Royal Crown Cola.

Glenn became close friends with the Kennedy family. He was present when Bobby Kennedy was killed in 1968, and served as one of his pallbearers. Glenn ran for Senate again in 1970, losing the Democratic primary. He was finally elected to the Senate in 1974. He was a candidate for vice president in 1976, and for president in 1984.

In 1998, at the age of 77 and while still serving as a senator, Glenn returned to space on the shuttle Discovery, as part of an experiment in geriatric studies.

The mission made Glenn the oldest person to fly in space, and the only person to fly in both the Mercury and Space Shuttle programs.

Upon the crew’s return to Earth, they were the recipients of a ticker-tape parade in New York, making Glenn the 10th and most recent non-athlete to receive multiple ticker-tape parades.

In June 2016, the Port Columbus International Airport was renamed in honor of John Glenn.

Glenn was the last surviving member of the Mercury Seven.

Glenn married the former Annie Castor in 1943 after they met in college. She survives him, along with their two children and two grandchildren.

Our question: Who defeated John Glenn for the 1984 Democratic presidential nomination?

Today is International Anti-Corruption Day, and National Heroes Day in Antigua and Barbuda.

It’s unofficially National Salesperson Day, International Day of Veterinary Medicine, and World Techno Day.

It’s the birthday of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was born in 1905; actor Kirk Douglas, who is 100 years old; and actress Judi Dench, who is 82.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 2003, the top song in the U.S. was “Hey Ya!” by Outkast.

The No. 1 movie was “The Last Samurai,” while the novel “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge,_Ohio

https://www.google.com/maps/place/21°20'00.0%22N+68°40'00.0%22W/@21.5370417,-69.0562302,6.95z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d21.333333!4d-68.666667?hl=en

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn_Columbus_International_Airport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Seven#Group_members

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/us/john-glenn-dies.html?_r=0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua_and_Barbuda

https://www.checkiday.com/12/09/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-09

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=9&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2003_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_2003

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On this date in 1941, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt gave what has become one of the most famous speeches in American history.

Here are a few things you may not have known about the “Infamy Speech.”

On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sinking six American ships and killing almost 2,500 U.S. soldiers, sailors, Marines and civilians.

The next day, Roosevelt spoke before a joint session of Congress. He described the events of the previous day as “a date which will live in infamy.”

That turn of phrase wasn’t in the initial draft of the speech. Originally it read, “a date which will live in world history.” Roosevelt himself changed the wording.

Roosevelt chose the word “infamy” not because of the scope of the attack, but rather because it was unannounced and came while diplomats from the two countries were negotiating.

The speech was written to appeal to Americans’ patriotism and their sense of being wronged by Japan, rather than the idealism used by Woodrow Wilson at the start of World War I, 24 years earlier.

The tone of the speech has been referred to as determined realism. Roosevelt didn’t attempt to sugarcoat the amount of damage done to the American military. He used the speech to rally Americans to fight back against the Japanese aggression.

The speech was broadcast live on radio, and it has been estimated that 81 percent of American homes tuned in.

Less than an hour after Roosevelt finished speaking, both houses of Congress passed a declaration of war against Japan with only one vote against it. The lone “nay” vote was from Montana Republican Jeannette Rankin, who was a pacifist.

Following the speech, the White House was inundated by telegrams praising the speech, while military recruiting stations stayed open 24 hours a day to handle the throngs of volunteers.

Our question: How long after declaring war on Japan did the United States declare war on Germany and Italy?

Today is Constitution Day in Romania and Uzbekistan, and National Youth Day in Albania.

It’s National Brownie Day, National Christmas Tree Day, and Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day.

It’s the birthday of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., who was born in 1925; singer and songwriter Jim Morrison, who was born in 1943; and comedian Sam Kinison, who was born in 1953.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1986, the top song in the U.S. was “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and the Range.

The No. 1 movie was “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” while the novel “Whirlwind” by James Clavell topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What two states were the sources of the marble used in construction of the Washington Monument?

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infamy_Speech

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/day-of-infamy

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_declaration_of_war_on_Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_8

https://www.checkiday.com/12/08/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-08

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1986_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1986

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On this date in 1884, the Washington Monument was completed. Here are some things you may not have known about the memorial to the first American President.

Proposals for a monument to George Washington started at the end of the Revolutionary War. However, Congress didn’t act until after his death in 1799, when it authorized a memorial in the national capital, which was under construction at the time. However, this decision was overturned by the Jeffersonian Republicans who didn’t want to build a monument to any man, much less one that was the hero of the opposition Federalist Party.

It took until 1832 for any legitimate progress toward a monument to be made. That year marked the 100th anniversary of Washington’s birth, which was used by a group called the Washington National Monument Society as a rallying point for a fundraising campaign. Over the course of three years, they raised $28,000, which is the equivalent to more than $17 million today.

A contest was held to choose the best design, which was submitted by Robert Mills, who was the Architect for Public Buildings in Washington, D.C. His design featured a flat-topped obelisk, which is a four-sided pillar that tapers as it rises, with a circular colonnade at the base. Picture a combination of a flat-topped Washington Monument atop a circular Lincoln Memorial. The proposal had an estimated price tag of $1 million, or more than $620 million today.

The society decided to start construction, hopeful that the progress would lead to further donations to allow it to be completed.

It was originally intended to be located at the intersection of perpendicular lines running from the U.S. Capitol and the White House. However, the ground at that location was not stable enough to support such a large building and it was instead built about 400 feet east south east. The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1848.

Construction continued until 1854, when the money ran out. At the time, the monument was 152 feet tall. Construction wouldn’t resume until 1879, using stone from a different quarry, leading to the difference in color that exists to this day.

With sufficient funding, construction moved swiftly. It was completed on December 6, 1884 with the placement of an aluminum cap at the point. At the time, aluminum was rare and as valuable as silver.

The Washington Monument is 554 feet 7-11/32 inches tall. At completion it was the tallest building in the world, passing the Cologne Cathedral. It held the title until the completion of the Eiffel Tower in 1889. It remains the tallest stone structure in the world, and, by law, the tallest building in Washington, D.C.

Our question: Had the Washington Monument been constructed where it was intended, it would have formed the center of a cross. The White House and the Capitol are on two ends of the cross, what buildings are on the opposite ends?

Today is Constitution Day in Spain, Independence Day in Finland, and Armed Forces Day in Ukraine.

It’s unofficially National Gazpacho Day, National Microwave Oven Day, and National Pawnbrokers Day.

It’s the birthday of songwriter Ira Gershwin, who was born in 1896; musician Dave Brubeck, who was born in 1920; and animator Nick Park, who is 58.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1969, the top song in the U.S. was “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam.

The No. 1 movie was “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” while the novel “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

Weekly question What two states were the sources of the marble used in construction of the Washington Monument?

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Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington

https://www.checkiday.com/12/06/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-06

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1969_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1969

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On this date in 1939, LaGuardia Airport in New York opened. Here are some things you may not have known about the closest airport to Manhattan.

LaGuardia was the city’s first major airport.

Until that time, the only commercial airport in the New York region was in Newark, New Jersey. Supposedly, the decision to develop the small North Beach Airport into a commercial terminal came when New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia refused to leave the plane in Newark when his ticket said New York. He demanded to be flown to Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field. At Bennett Field, he held a press conference urging New Yorkers to build an airport in the city.

After that, American Airlines began scheduling flights to Bennett Field, but stopped after several months as they proved unpopular compared to service to Newark.

With backing from the Works Progress Administration, the city and American Airlines began working to expand North Beach Airport. Part of the expansion included moving landfill into a metal framework jutting into the East River and Flushing Bay. That framework still causes magnetic interference for pilots.

It cost $23 million to expand the airfield into a then-modern facility, which was originally called New York Municipal Airport.

In 1942, the airport was reaching its capacity, so the city began construction on another larger airport on the site of Idlewild Golf Course in southwest Queens. Sometimes referred to as Idlewild, New York International Airport opened in 1948.

In 1953, New York Municipal was renamed LaGuardia, six years after the former mayor’s death. Following the death of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, New York International was renamed in Kennedy’s honor.

LaGuardia serves as a regional airport. Since 1984, flights longer than 1,500 miles are prohibited from taking off or landing at LaGuardia from Sunday to Friday. At the time of the rule change, the airport’s longest flights were to Denver, which is 1,600 miles away. Flights to and from the Mile High City are still allowed. Longer flights, including most international flights, land at Newark or Kennedy.

Despite the restrictions, LaGuardia is the 20th busiest airport in the United States.

In 2015, a $4 billion plan to rebuild LaGuardia’s terminals from the ground up was announced. The plan will consolidate the airport’s four terminals into one building. It’s expected to be completed in 2021.

Our question: What Major League Baseball team plays its home games beneath the flightpath leading to LaGuardia Airport?

Today is International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, as well as National Day in Laos and United Arab Emirates.

It’s unofficially National Fritters Day, National Mutt Day, and Safety Razor Day.

It’s the birthday of artist Georges Seurat, who was born in 1859; singer Maria Callas, who was born in 1923; and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who turns 33.

Because our topic happened before 1960, we’ll spin the wheel to pick a year at random.

This week in 1974, the top song in the U.S. was “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas.

The No. 1 movie was “Earthquake,” while the novel “Centennial” by James Michener topped the New York Times Bestsellers list.

• Thanks to JBainJohnson for the five-star review on iTunes.

Links Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or our website.

Also, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider supporting it through Patreon.com

Please rate the show on iTunes by clicking here.

Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaGuardia_Airport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_International_Airport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiorello_H._La_Guardia

https://secure.pqarchiver.com/newsday/doc/279134460.html?FMT=FT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/la-guardia-airport-renovation-a-nightmare-for-travelers/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_busiest_airports_in_the_United_States

http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/brooks12/2012/04/16/now-and-then-laguardia-airport/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/opinion/why-you-cant-get-there-from-la-guardia.html?_r=0

https://www.checkiday.com/12/02/2016

http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-on-december-02

http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/numberonesongs/?chart=us&m=12&d=2&y=1960&o=

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1974_box_office_number-one_films_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times_Fiction_Best_Sellers_of_1974

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