Wednesday May 7th has many people blowing candles. At least the living ones, cause if the others do as well, then please fell free to run like hell. Celebrating their birthday today are composer Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840), Hollywood legend Gary Cooper (1901), political asset Eva Peron (1919), film director Amy Heckerling (1954), exotic-film actress Traci Lords (1968) and proficiently-nosed actor Breckin Meyer (1974). And now a look at the historical screw ups.
British-held Fort Detroit came under attack in what was the beginning of Chief Pontiac’s rebellion of 1763. the chief bravely took on the Brtisflanked with his valiant warriors Sunfire, Firebird and Firefly. To avoid a potential disastrous mishap, the elected not to invite clumsy rider Fiero.
1824 sees the first public performance of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, which received roaring applause from the audience reacting either to the groundbreaking music or the metaphysical choreography of the conducting composer. When accompanying conductor Michael Umlauf congratulated his mentor saying he had never heard anyting like it, the great man simply answered “Me neither”.
Russia celebrates today what is known as Day of Radio, marking the invention in 1895 of the radio receiver by Alexander Stepanovich Popov. I’d gladly make a joke about it, but the man’s last name downright stole my thunder.
VE Day in 1945 sets the stage for grandiose celebrations around the world, as Germany signs unconditional surrender to the allies. Canadians showed the rest of the planet how to really party when Peace comes after 6 years of war: Turning the even into a two-day riot that left the city of Halifax in ruins. No need for war, we can provide our on destruction…
First publication appears, in 1950, of a concept known as Integrated Circuit, the brainchild of Geoffrey W.A. Dummer. His partner Dum had however insisted strongly on naming the concept after his living address, 404 Error Street.
1980 ends the longest prison sentence ever served; convicted murdered Paul Geidel is released after 68 years and 245 days. The newly-free man declared in an interview that his sentence actually went by faster then it would seem, as he developed correspondence with a number of sympathetic and caring people, notably an extremely nice and well-balanced young man named Mark Chapman.
And finally a roaring laughter erupts all throughout the financial world when in1998 Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler announced its purchase of Chrysler. Hilarity is soon followed by a moment of silence observed in sympathy, as Daimler discloses the amount paid for the transaction: 37 Billion.
WOW: Words Of (a certain) Wisdom
“Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors.” - Ludwig Van Beethoven (often mistakenly attributed to George Bush, either father or son)