Don't leave home without it

April 17, 1524 -
Giovanni da Verrazzano, another in a long line of European knuckleheads trying to find a shortcut to India, reaches the Narrows, the strait between Staten Island and Long Island. He finds that he does not have enough change to go through and is turned around by local authorities.

For some reason, we (the U.S.) named two bridges after him.


For those of you in the Paschally inclined - Happy Palm Sunday

Please refrain from hitting your siblings with the palm fronds. Or your mother might say to you, and I quote, " I swear to God if you kids don't cut that shit out, I will beat your asses all the way home with those palms, in front of all your friends. I don't care how embarrassed you are.


National Blah Blah Blah Day

Today’s the day to do any of the following, or whatever. Stop smoking, take out the trash, empty the cat litter, lose weight, pick up your clothes, put dirty dishes in the sink, get a job or quit your job.


April 17, 1971 -
Youth want's to know - how much drugs were ingested to write a song about a bullfrog?



Joy to the World, by Three Dog Night, made it to the top of the pop music charts on this date. The song was number one for six weeks .


Today in History:
It was a lovely April, but a certain beautiful young woman walked about in a daze, heavy of heart and despairing of hope. She was betrothed to a rich and cruel young man who didn’t love her. Then she met a boyishly handsome young ruffian who loved her for who she really was. His every sentiment seemed to echo those in her own soul, sentiments that had gone too long unanswered; his smile radiated warmth and joy, and quickened her blooming young heart, which had withered too long from neglect; his touch sent shivers down her spine, which had always consisted of numerous vertebrae. They fell in love abruptly and completely.

Sadly, the sea broke through the dikes, and they were drowned along with 100,000 other less interesting people on April 17, 1421, in Dort, the Netherlands.

(On April 15, 1912, the unsinkable Titanic sank, drowning 1,523 of her 2200 passengers and crew.



On April 16, 1951, the British submarine Affray sunk in the English Channel, drowning 75.



On April 18, 1906, the San Francisco earthquake left 200,000 homeless and over 1000 dead.



Let's be careful out there.)


April 17, 1937 -
... Oh people call me Daffy They think that I am goony Just because I’m happy is no sign I’m loony toony Oh when they say I’m nutsy It sure gives me a pain Please pass the ketchup I think its going to rain Oh you can’t bounce a meatball Though try with all your might Turn on the radio I want to fly a kite Good evening friends ...



A very funny Looney Tunes cartoon Porky's Duck Hunt premiered on this date. This short, starring Porky Pig, is notable for being the first appearance of the character who would later be named Daffy Duck. It also notable that this is the first cartoon in which Mel Blanc voices both Porky and Daffy.


April 17, 1961 -
In an effort to overthrow Fidel Castro, 1,500 Cuban exiles make a series of amphibious landings at the Bay of Pigs. After it becomes painfully obvious in just a matter of hours that the forces were trained, equipped, and armed by the United States, the speed freak and known sex hound President John F. Kennedy withholds necessary air cover.



In three days of fighting, Cuba captures 1,197 of the rebels and kills approximately 200.


April 17, 1964 -
The Ford Motor Company unveils the Ford Mustang,



championed by Ford Division general manager Lee Iacocca, at the New York World's Fair.


April 17, 1969 -
A Los Angeles jury convicts Sirhan Sirhan of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Sirhan receives a death sentence, but it is later reduced to life in prison.

Poor Mr. Sirhan, one of the only people who might have spoken in his defense, Robert F. Kennedy, was dead.


And so it goes