Oh, by the way

While I've been on vacation, the U.S. Government admitted to the existence of Area 51.  This is just great.  Mr. Teeny is going to be unbearable; he has been gong on for years about this.



Next up - Yes, there's an actual horrific conspiracy (they think you couldn't handle) concerning the assassination of President Kennedy.


If you're like me (and God help you if you are,) you're always on the lookout for more hard hitting videos about the rough and tumble world of school libraries.  Well wait no more.



Once again, any show is greatly improved if people have outrageous 70's porn 'staches.


August 19, 1946 -
Hey Bubba's 67 today!



William Jefferson Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III) 42nd President of the United States of America was born on this date.


August 19, 1932 -
The Marx Brothers' fourth movie, Horse Feathers, went into general release on this date.



Although the present running time is very close to that of the original, there are still a few bits and pieces and lines of dialogue missing, due to re-editing in 1935 in order to bring the film up to Production Code standards. Apparently the only surviving material also contained some splices which lop of lines of dialogue and bits of action, particularly in the sequence in Thelma Todd's apartment involving the blocks of ice. Another brief gag was cut from the speakeasy scene, in which Harpo stood up on the bar and bowled beer bottles with a grapefruit.


August 19, 1972 -
NBC-TV presented The Midnight Special for the first time on this date.





John Denver hosted the first episode of the show with guests including: Mama Cass, The Everly Brothers, The Isley Brothers, Harry Chapin, Linda Ronstadt and Argent. Helen Reddy was also a musical guest on the show, but did not host this first episode.


Today in History:
August 19, 1601 -
The end of the 16th century was dominated by the personality of Michael the Brave. He became Voivode of Wallachia in 1593, joined the Christian League - an anti-Ottoman coalition initiated by the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire and he succeeded, following heavy battles (Calugareni, Giurgiu) to actually regain the independence of his country.



In 1599-1600 he united for the first time in history all the territories inhabited by Romanians, proclaiming himself "prince of Wallachia, Transylvania and the whole of Moldavia." The domestic situation was very complex, the neighboring great-powers - the Ottoman Empire, Poland, the Hapsburg Empire - were hostile and joined forces to overthrow him; so this union was short-lived as Michael the Brave was assassinated in 1601.

This bit of historical fluff was totally unnecessary but the next time you want to shut up some snooty blowhard, ask them to name their favorite voivode of the sixteenth century.


August 19, 1936 -
Federico Garcia Lorca retired from his position as Spain's most celebrated poet (and playwright) in order to become a gravedigger.



This proved to have been a poor career move: his Fascist supervisors were so displeased with his work that they shot him to death after he had dug only one grave on this date.


August 19, 1934 -
Adolf Hitler won absolute power when 89.9% of the German electorate consolidates the positions of President and Chancellor into a single office, occupied by him (amazing, given the fact that Hitler was not officially a German citizen.)

Years after the war, many Germans swear that they voted for another candidate but the 'whole hanging voter' thing got in the way.


August 19, 1960 -
The Soviet Union convicts U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers of espionage on this date, sentencing him to 3 years in prison and 7 years of hard labor.



All because he didn't jab himself with the poison needle. another example of our faulty military training.


August 19, 1960 -
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik V into orbit on this date. On board are two dogs (Belka and Strelka), along with 2 unnamed rats and 40 mice. The menagerie is recovered safely the next day from the landing capsule.



The two rats were later appointed wardens of gulags in Siberia. Belka entered politics and nearly became Soviet Premier in the late 60's, unfortunately he developed mange and had to retire from public life. Strelka enjoyed a long career on Russian TV, appearing in such classics as, I Love Lenin and 14's Company. Scandal ruined his later career when doctored photos appeared of Strelka humping the leg of Gore Vidal.


August 19, 1977 -
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.





One of the world's leading commentator on the human condition, Julius Marx gave up the ghost on this date.



And so it goes.