Here is your Today in History -
1836 -
Knife aficionado Jim Bowie arrives at the Alamo to assist its Texas defenders.
On January 18, 1871, while Prussian guns blasted all hell out of Paris, William I was proclaimed Emperor of a united Germany in nearby Versailles. For this reason the Germans have always had a soft spot for France, and have returned often.
January 18, 1882 -
A.A. (Alan Alexander) Milne, novelist, humorist and journalist was born on this date. Since his death, Milne's more than 60 books for adults have almost all gone out of print, but his Winnie-the-Pooh books remain classics of children's literature. They have been translated into more than 20 languages, including Latin.
A.A. Milne wrote, "Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."
January 18, 1892 -
Oliver Hardy, writer, director and member of Laurel and Hardy comedy duo (one could argue that they were the greatest duo period in film history), was born on this date. Despite rumors over the years, he did not die from the effects of obesity--quite the contrary. Dieting on doctor's orders, he took off too much weight too fast, going from 300+ pounds to 150 in a matter of a few weeks, weakening his constitution well past the danger point. It was becoming dangerously underweight in this manner that brought about his final illness and death.
January 18, 1904 -
Archibald Leach, noted acrobat, actor and famous for going overboard at orgies, was born on this date.
January 18, 1903 -
Theodore Roosevelt, the President of the United States, sends a radio message to King Edward VII: the first transatlantic radio transmission originating in the United States. Unfortunately, Teddy decided to use the old joke about having Prince Albert a can and 'Bertie', the King had already heard the joke ad nauseum (Prince Albert was his father) and was not amused.
January 18, 1978 -
"Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read. -- Frank Zappa, Chicago Tribune
January 18, 1983 -
Ringo Starr made him do it. During a broadcast of "The Magic Christian," Bruce Blackman shoots and kills his family. He claims that he acted on orders received while watching the movie.
January 18, 1990 -
Rusty Hamer, the actor who played Danny Thomas's son on Make Room For Daddy, shoots himself in the head with a .357 Magnum in DeRidder, Louisiana. Rusty was 42 years old. Uncle Tonoose made him do it.
January 18, 1990 -
Washington DC mayor Marion Barry is arrested on cocaine possession charges at the Vista International Hotel, as he tokes on a glass crack pipe while being videotaped with his mistress Rasheeda. Kids remember, say no to drugs, especially while being videotaped.
January 18, 1991 -
The United States admits that the CIA paid Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega over $300,000 during his career as undercover narc. Those payments were approved mostly by George H. W. Bush.
And so it goes.
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