Ridley's Believe It Or Not--This Day In History

Thursday, August 6, 2015

August 6 History Hiroshima Memorial Peace Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 6, 2015 Trust your Thursday is proving to be a great one and you are anxiously awaiting the circus coming to town tonight in Ohio at the Republican debate featuring the Donald and the 16 dwarfs and as always, I hope you enjoy Thursday’s holidays and observances, factoids of interest, a music video by Maureen McGovern, a relevant quote from Brigadier General Carter Clarke, looking forward to enjoying a root beer float, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
1. Hiroshima Memorial Peace Day—commemorating the lives of U.S Marines and GIs that were saved by not having to invade Japan but bemoaning the civilian lives lost on the bombing on this day in 1945 of Hiroshima, one of only two cities in the world that have been struck with a nuclear weapon and a vivid reminder that under no circumstances can Iran ever be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

2. National Gossip Day—celebrated on the birthday of noted gossip columnist Luella Parsons who thrilled millions with her bits of gossip on celebrities.

3. 1973 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1973 on a rwo week run in that position The Morning After by Maureen McGovern, noted singer and Broadway actress. Here is a link to Maureen McGovern performing The Morning After: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlB2Xe5bVz4

4. National Rootbeer Float Day—celebrating another great way to cool down during these Dog Days of Summer.

5. Three Is Not A Lucky Number Day—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1969 of a very talented singer and guitarist Elliot Smith who unfortunately suffered from alcoholism, addiction and depression and that trio combination was too much for him, causing him to take his life by stabbing himself in the chest with a knife.

On this day in:

a. 1890 in an electrifying moment at Auburn Prison in New York, convicted murderer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed in an electric chair.

b. 1912 in a chilling reminder of what a Trump third party bid would do to the Republican Party’s chances to reclaim the White House, the Bull Moose Party, formed by Teddy Roosevelt, convened its convention at the Chicago Coliseum to nominate Teddy Roosevelt and Hiram Johnson to run against President Robert Taft and Democratic challenger Woodrow Wilson.

c. 1960 Castro nationalized American and foreign owned property in Cuba leading to our severing relations only now being restored and imposing a trade embargo which is now being lifted.

d. 1965 the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.

e. 1991 in a what took you so long moment or how did we ever survive without it moment, Tim Berniers-Lee released his files containing his ideas for a World Wide Web.

Reflections on the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki: "...when we didn't need to do it, and we knew we didn't need to do it, and they knew that we knew we didn't need to do it, we used them as an experiment for two atomic bombs." Brigadier General Carter Clarke, the army officer responsible for preparing the reports from the intercepted Japanese cables.

Please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 162 growing followers and please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs—click on the links below. Go to www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—This Day In History, poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy and poems on breaking news items of importance. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for comments on important and breaking news events that should be of interest. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com Ridley's Believe It Or Not Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times

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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

August 5 History Work Like A Dog Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 5, 2015 Trust your Hump Day is proving to be a great one and you are anxiously awaiting the circus coming to town in Ohio at the Republican debate featuring the Donald and the 16 dwarfs and as always, I hope you enjoy Wednesday’s holidays and observances, factoids of interest, a music video by Gilbert O’Sullivan, a relevant quote from Mitch Abom, looking forward to enjoying a dozen oysters on the shell, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
1. Work Like a Dog Day—since we are in the Dog Days of August, highly appropriate to celebrate those who at work give it their all for their company and for their family’s financial security often sadly at great physical and emotional cost.

2. National Underware Day—celebrated since 2003 that article of clothing that your mother always wanted to be clean in case you were unlucky enough to be in an accident and had to go to an emergency ward.

3. 1972 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1972 on a six week run in that position Alone Again (Naturally) by the Gilbert O’Sullivan, noted Irish singer of the 70’s. Here is a link to Gilbert O’Sullivan Alone Again (Naturally): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_P-v1BVQn8

4. National Oyster Day—celebrating a tasty mollusk whether baked, fried, in soup or just raw on the half shell with lemon juice and a tab of horseradish.

5. Serial Entrepreneurs Day—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1967 of one of Stanford’s successful entrepreneurs, Reid Hoffman, internet entrepreneur who founded SocialNet.cin and a co-founder of LinkedIn and invested in numerous startups like Facebook.

On this day in:

a. 1861 in order to finance the Civil War, the U.S. instituted an income tax of 3% on incomes over $800 and probably for the first time in history and, probably in an act never to be repeated again, rescinded the income tax in 1872.

b. 1884 on Bedsoe Island (renamed Liberty Island) the cornerstone for the Statute of Liberty was laid.

c. 1914 in a moment memorialized by Google today, the first electric traffic light was installed in Cleveland, Ohio.

d. 1957 American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark debuted nationally on ABC.

e. 1981 President Ronald Reagan fired 11,359 air traffic controllers for ignoring his order to return to work.

Reflections on the those who cross the line from working like a dog and become workaholics: “I used to be a classic workaholic, and after seeing how little work and career really mean when you reach the end of your life, I put a new emphasis on things I believe count more. These things include: family, friends, being part of a community, and appreciating the little joys of the average day.” Mitch Abom, noted American best selling author with over 35 million books sold. Very astute observation especially when mourners see only a hearse heading from a funeral to the gravesite, not a convoy of U-Hauls.

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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

August 4 History Coast Guard Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 4, 2015 Trust your Taco Tuesday is proving to be a great one and your batteries have been fully recharged to meet whatever issues that are facing you for the week and as always, I hope you enjoy Tuesday’s holidays and observances, factoids of interest, a music video by the Bee Gees, a relevant quote from Rear Admiral R.R. Waesche, looking forward to munching on some chocolates chips, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
1. Coast Guard Day—celebrating the creation of the U.S. Coast Guard on this day 1790; really a great group of protectors of life and property on the oceans and waters and also a first line against smugglers of drugs and illegal aliens.

2. National Night Out—celebrated by over 16,000 communities in the U.S. on the first Tuesday in August to with block parties and cooperation and partnership with the police to take back the streets from the drugs and the criminal elements in our society. Given the murder rate increases experienced in cities like Baltimore, Chicago, and New York City to name but a few, definitely a great idea.

3. 1971 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1971 on a four week run in that position How Can You Mend a Broken Heart by the Bee Gees. Here is a link to the Bee Gees performing How Can You Mend a Broken Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sN05AMV9gY

4. National Chocolate Chips Day—celebrating a great way to spice up any amount of cookie dough or pancakes or waffles or vanilla ice cream for that matter.

5. Birds Chasing the Dragon Can’t Catch the Worm—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1959 of Robbin Crosby guitarist for the heavy metal band Ratt, who like so many musicians chased the dragon too often and died from a heroin overdose at 42.

On this day in:

a. 1821 The Saturday Evening Post was published for the first time and became the most popular magazine in the U.S.; sadly due to losing a defamation law suit, it ceased operations in 1969 but has been resurrected as a magazine published six times a year.

b. 1944 acting on a tip from an informer the Gestapo arrested diarist Anne Frank and her family to ship them off to an extermination camp for execution.

c. 1958 the Billboard Hot 100 was published for the first time.

d. 1977 Jimmy Carter signed into law legislation creating the Department of Energy.

e. 1987 in a moment for balanced journalism, the FCC rescinded its Fairness Doctrine which required radio and TV stations to present controversial issues fairly.

Reflections on the U.S. Coast Guard: “The cat with nine lives is a piker compared to the Coast Guard. You can kick this old service around, tear it to pieces, scream from the house-tops that it is worthless, ought to be abolished or transferred to the Navy, have the people in it fighting among themselves and working at cross purposes and it bobs up serenely bigger and stronger than ever.” - Rear Admiral R. R. Waesche, private letter, 1935 This former Alaskan commercial fisherman can attest to the value and bravery of the officers and sailors of the Coast Guard.

Please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 163 growing followers and please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs—click on the links below. Go to www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—This Day In History, poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy and poems on breaking news items of importance. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for comments on important and breaking news events that should be of interest. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com Ridley's Believe It Or Not Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times

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Rhymes for All the Memorable Times
The Perfect Gift, All Recipients to Receive a Lasting Lift

Monday, August 3, 2015

August 3 History International Assistance Dog Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 3, 2015 Trust your weekend was a great one and your batteries have been fully recharged to meet whatever issues that are facing you for the week and as always, I hope you enjoy Monday’s holidays and observances, factoids of interest, a music video by the Carpenters, a relevant quote from Senator Vest, looking forward to enjoying a large slice of a chilled watermelon, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
1. International Assistance Dog Day—celebrating the great service seeing eye and comfort dogs provide for their two legged friends that have physical and emotional challenges.

2. Apocalypse Day—celebrating since 1940 the birthday of one of the great actors in our time Martin Sheen who with Marlin Brando starred in one of the classic films of all time Apocalypse Now.

3. 1970 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1970 on a four week run in that position Close to You by that great brother and sister duo the Carpenters one of whom the sister died far, far too early from aneorexia . Here is a link to the Carpenters performing In Close to You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6inwzOooXRU

4. National Watermelon Day—celebrating another great way to beat the summer heat ge it with seeds or seedless.

5. Leave Your Heart In San Francisco—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1926 of the long term icon singer Tony Bennet.

On this day in:

a. 1852 in what was probably the first sporting intercollegiate sporting event, Harvard University beat Yale in a rowing contest.

b. 1900 the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was founded.

c. 1946 Whittaker Chambers accused Alger Hiss of being a member of the communist party.

d. 1977 Tandy Corporation introduced the TRS-80 one of the first mass produced personal computers.

e. 2004 the pedestal of the Statute of Liberty reopened after being closed as a result of the 911 attacks.

Reflections on man’s best and most loyal friend: “The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only to be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.” Senator George Graham Vest

Please enjoy the 140 character poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet and join 161 growing followers and please follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs—click on the links below. Go to www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—This Day In History, poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy and poems on breaking news items of importance. Go to Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times for comments on important and breaking news events that should be of interest. www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com Ridley's Believe It Or Not Rhymes On The Newsworthy Times

Poet Extraordinaire Beyond Compare
Rhymes for All the Memorable Times
The Perfect Gift, All Recipients to Receive a Lasting Lift

Sunday, August 2, 2015

August 2 History International Forgiveness Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 2, 2015 Trust your Sunday is off to a great start and as always, I hope you enjoy Sunday’s holidays and observances, factoids of interest, a music video by Zagar and Evans, a relevant quote from Marianne Williamson, looking forward to enjoying a cold ice cream sandwich, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
1. International Forgiveness Day—celebrating on the first Sunday in August the act of forgiveness whether it is of others or even oneself and the benefits to one’s peace of mind of forgiving.

2. American Family Day—celebrating since 1977 in Arizona the importance of the family as the bedrock of the community and society and unlike Mothers’ Day or Fathers’ Day family members observing the day are encouraged not to give gifts other than the gift of spending time together.

3. 1969 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1969 on a six week run in that position another great classic of the 60’s In The Year 2525 by Zagar and Evans. Here is a link to Zagar and Evans performing In The Year 2525: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izQB2-Kmiic

4. National Ice Cream Sandwich Day—celebrating another great way to beat the summer heat.

5. All In The Family On Family Day—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1924 of Caroll O’Connor best known for his role as Archie Bunker in the classic TV Series All in the Family.

On this day in:

a. 1790 the first census was completed, showing a population of 3,929,214. In terms of population we have come a long way and with immigration legal and unfortunately illegal continue to expand.

b. 1911 in one of the early shots in this nation’s war on drugs, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which effectively made the production, use and sale of products containing cannabis illegal.

c. 1943 PT-109 was rammed and sunk by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri; but fortunately for us, its captain, John F. Kennedy survived. The Amagiri was sunk near Borneo on April 20, 1944.

d. 1964 three North Vietnamese gunboats launched unsuccessful torpedo attacks on the USS Maddox but were heavily damaged by gunfire and air attacks while retreating back to North Vietnam. Little did we know this brief encounter would be the steps that with great deception on the part of our government led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution due to a phantom attack on the USS Turner Joy 2 days later and the beginning of this nation’s worst nightmare, the Vietnam War.

e. 1990 in a grave miscalculation of U.S. resolve and a U.S. President who when he drew red lines in the sand really meant it, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the First Iraq War and a crushing defeat of Iraqi forces in 100 hours of ground combat.

Reflections on forgiveness and how to find lasting peace: “Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness." Marianne Williamson, noted American spiritural teacher, lecturer and author of ten books, four of which have been number one best sellers on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Without forgiveness anger turns into resentment which is more toxic to one’s spirituality and tranquility than the strongest poison known to man, a veritable tranquility nerve gas.

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Saturday, August 1, 2015

August 1 History Mead Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 1, 2015 Trust your weekend is off to a great start and as always, I hope you enjoy Saturday’s holidays and observances, factoids of interest, a music video by The Doors, a relevant quote from an anonymous source, looking forward to enjoying a sandwich enhanced with your favorite mustard jelly beans ala Ronald Reagan, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
1. Mead Day—celebrating since 2002 and created by the International Homebrewing Association to promote the home brewing of a truly ancient beverage, mead, an elixir of water, honey and yeast.

2. National Parents’ Day—celebrating and promoting the role parents have in nurturing and teaching their children which unfortunately in too many families one parent is either AWOL or prevented/discouraged due to a bitter divorce from being involved.

3. 1968 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1968 on a two week run in that position another great classic of the 60’s Hello I Love You Fire by The Doors. Here is a link to The Doors performing Hello I Love You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzM71scYw0M

4. National Mustard Day—celebrating that tasty spread and garnish that makes the blandest sandwich a five star delight.

5. Grateful Day—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1942 of Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead who due to heavy smoking and drug use, died way too early at the age of 53.

On this day in:

a. 1834 slavery was abolished in the British Empire fortunately by an act of Parliament and not in our case the Civil War.

b. 1911 Harriet Quimby took her pilot’s test and became the first woman in the U.S. to receive a pilot’s certificate from the Aero Club of America.

c. 1966 Charles Whitman entered the Texas Tower at the University of Texas and shot and killed 16 people before killed by police.

d. 1966 in a great leap backward, the purge of intellectuals and imperialists as part of the Cultural Revolution in China began.

e. 1981 MTV began broadcasting.

Reflections on Parents’ Day: “Honor and respect your parents who managed to get through high school and college without the benefit or help of Wikipedia, Google or Twitter.” Anon

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Rhymes for All the Memorable Times
The Perfect Gift, All Recipients to Receive a Lasting Lift