Rained real hard and it rained for a real long time

Unfortunately, historic rainfall and flooding in southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi have left the region devastated and vulnerable, affecting many families still recovering from similar flooding that hit the area in early March.

While you are enjoying the remainder of your vacation this summer, if you can, spend a few moments thinking about the people affected by these devastating floods (and remember that more rain is on its way.)

Some organizations that you could donation to are:

The Salvation Army
The American Red Cross (to volunteer)
Lousiana Strong
The United Way
Second Harvest Food Bank
Save the Children


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



In the last half of the movie Chico Marx is limping. During the making of the movie, Chico was in a car accident and his kneecap was shattered.


August 19, 1964 -
The Beatles first US tour began in San Francisco, California with their concert at the Cow Palace.



They played ten songs to a crowd of over 17,000. The Beatles returned there for another concert in 1965.


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 on this date.

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, 1934 -
The All-American Soap Box Derby, the first official soap box derby, took place for the first time in Dayton, Ohio.



The race continues annually with the World Championship race held every July.


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, 1946 -
Bubba is 70 today!  (No jokes.)

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


August 19, 1960 -
The Soviet Union convicted U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers of espionage on this date, sentencing him to three years in prison and seven 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 launched 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 was 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 60s, 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 A Company. Scandal ruined his later career when doctored photos appeared of Strelka humping the leg of Gore Vidal.


August 19, 1977 -
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.



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



And so it goes.