Today's Trivia and What Happened on January 19

Why did the hipster fall in the lake?

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He went ice skating before it was cool.

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Quote: Physics isn't a religion. If it were, we'd have a much easier time raising money. - Leon Max Lederman, Nobel-winning physicist

Quote: Physics isn't a religion. If it were, we'd have a much easier time raising money. - Leon Max Lederman, Nobel-winning physicist Close Large View

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Holidays

Confederate Heroes' Day Photo Credit: Jim Bowen

Confederate Heroes' Day Photo Credit: Jim Bowen
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Confederate Heroes' Day

Observed in memory of the Confederate forces of the Civil War.

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What Happened On

First MS-DOS Computer Virus

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First MS-DOS Computer Virus

January 19, 1986

The first MS-DOS virus is unleashed. It was a floppy disk boot sector virus that became known as "Brain". It was written by Pakistani brothers Basit Farooq Alvi and Amjad Farooq Alvi, who claimed it was intended to protect their copyrighted medical software from piracy. The virus didn't destroy data, but it did slow down the floppy disk. The brothers are still in business together as Brain Telecommunication Limited.

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Betty Ford Dances On White House Table

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Betty Ford Dances On White House Table

January 19, 1977

After Gerald Ford's loss of the 1976 presidential election to Jimmy Carter, First Lady Betty Ford put her dance lessons to use and danced on the White House Cabinet Room table, stating "I always wanted to dance on the Cabinet Room table!"

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First Televised U.S. Presidential Press Conference go to Video for First Televised U.S. Presidential Press Conference

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First Televised U.S. Presidential Press Conference

January 19, 1955

President Dwight D. Eisenhower is filmed for newsreels and later television broadcasts. Eisenhower announced at the beginning, "Well, I see we're trying a new experiment this morning. I hope that doesn't prove to be a disturbing influence." Eisenhower's Press Secretary James C. Hagerty edited the footage before it was released.
Although this was the first televised presidential press conference, President Harry S. Truman had previously made a number of televised speeches.

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World War I - First Air Raids on England

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World War I - First Air Raids on England

January 19, 1915

Two German Zeppelins drop bombs on Great Yarmouth, Sheringham, King's Lynn, and the surrounding villages. Four people are killed and 16 injured. The original target was Humberside, but the Zeppelins were diverted by strong winds.

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Neon Lighting

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Neon Lighting

January 19, 1915

Georges Claude receives the U.S. patent for his invention the neon light. It was an instant world-wide sensation.

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The tub built for Taft's trip to the Panama Canal The tub built for Taft's trip to the Panama Canal

The tub built for Taft's trip to the Panama Canal The tub built for Taft's trip to the Panama Canal
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President Stuck in Bathtub?

January 19, 1909

A newspaper article is printed about an immense bathtub installed for President-Elect William Howard Taft on the USS North Carolina. Taft was to travel to the Panama Canal, and his great size of over 300 pounds (136 kg) made the use of a standard tub difficult. Similarly large tubs were installed in the White House for his use, contributing to the myth that this was done because Taft got stuck in the White House tub.

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Iraq War

January 19, 2003

Donald Rumsfeld on the cost of the war, "Well, the Office of Management and Budget, has come up come up with a number that's something under $50 billion for the cost."

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Watergate

January 19, 1979

Former U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell is released on parole. He was the last Watergate convict in prison.

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Tokyo Rose Pardoned

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Tokyo Rose Pardoned

January 19, 1977

U.S. President Gerald Ford pardons Tokyo Rose (Iva Toguri D'Aquino). She served six years in prison for treason committed during World War II. She was pardoned after is was discovered that witnesses against her had been coerced into lying under oath.
Born in the U.S. to Japanese immigrants, she was visiting Japan when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. Unable to return the U.S., she began hosting the radio show Zero Hour broadcasting propaganda and entertainment to U.S. troops. During this time, she used part of her earnings to buy and smuggle food to Allied POWs, as she had also done before she began broadcasting.

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Nuclear Regulatory Commission

January 19, 1975

The government body to regulate the use of nuclear energy is established.

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First Regular Transatlantic Radio Broadcast

January 19, 1903

Broadcasts begin between Cape Cod, Mass. and Cornwall, England with greetings exchanged between King Edward VII and U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

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Civil War - Georgia Secedes

January 19, 1861

Georgia becomes the 5th state to secede from the Union.

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Antarctica

January 19, 1840

The Wilkes expedition discovers the continent and claims it for the U.S.

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Tin Canning

January 19, 1825

The first U.S. patent for preserving food in tin cans is granted. Thomas Kensett had originally been preserving food in glass jars, but they were subject to breakage, so he and his father-in-law Ezra Daggett obtained a patent for storing food in tin cans and set up a small canning plant on the waterfront selling America's first hermetically sealed fish, fruits, vegetables and meat.

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Birthdays

Dolly Parton (1977) Dolly Parton (1977)

Dolly Parton (1977) Dolly Parton (1977)
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Dolly Parton

Born January 19, 1946

American Grammy-winning country singer, actress. She has had 25 singles reach #1 on the Billboard country music charts and with more than 100 million records sold worldwide, she is one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
She recorded her first single Puppy Love in 1959 at age 13.
She is co-owner of The Dollywood Company, which manages a number of entertainment venues, including the Dollywood theme park and the Splash Country water park.
Music: Here You Come Again (1978, #1), 9 to 5 (1980, #1). Film: Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Rhinestone (1984), and Steel Magnolias (1989).

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Janis Joplin

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Janis Joplin

Born January 19, 1943 d. 1970

American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer. Known for her breakout performances at the Monterey Pop Festival (1967) and Woodstock (1969). She died of a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Some believe Joplin had been given heroin that was much more potent than normal, as several of her dealer's other customers also overdosed that week.
Her only #1 hit Me and Bobby McGee was released after her death, becoming the second posthumously-released song to reach #1 on the U.S. charts, after "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding.
Music: Piece of My Heart (1968) and Me and Bobby McGee (1970, #1).

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Jean Stapleton

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Jean Stapleton (Jeanne Murray)

Born January 19, 1923 d. 2013

American actress. Jean Stapleton is best known as Edith Bunker on TV's All in the Family.
TV: All in the Family (1971-79, Edith Bunker) and First Lady of the World (1982, title role).

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Matthew Webb

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First Person to Swim the English Channel Without a Life Preserver

Matthew Webb

Born January 19, 1848 d. 1883

Navy Captain. He was the first person to swim the English Channel without a life preserver or other artificial aids (Aug 24-25, 1875), swimming from Dover to Calais in under 22 hours. He died attempting to swim across the Niagara River below Niagara Falls.

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Edgar Allan Poe

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Edgar Allan Poe

Born January 19, 1809 d. 1849

American poet, horror story writer. He created the literary genre of the detective story with The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841).
His cause of death is still a mystery. He was found delirious wandering the streets of Baltimore wearing someone else's clothes and died four days later in the hospital without having recovered his senses. Some speculate he may have been a victim of cooping, the practice of kidnapping people and forcing them to wear disguises in order to vote multiple times. When he was found, it was election day and he was outside a pub that also served as a polling place. It was also the practice of the day to give the voter a drink after voting. Poe and his sister were known to have a very low tolerance to alcohol, with even a single glass of wine leaving them stumbling. This would explain his delirium and the clothes he was wearing. Other physicians diagnosed his symptoms as typical of rabies. Speculation about his death also includes a brain tumor or even having been beaten delirious by his wealthy fiancé's brothers.
Writings: The Raven (1845).

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Robert E. Lee

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Robert E. Lee (Robert Edward Lee)

Born January 19, 1807 d. 1870

American soldier. He turned down the command of the U.S. Army to become commander of the Virginian forces during the Civil War.

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Kimberly Bergalis

Born January 19, 1968 d. 1991

American AIDS victim. It is believed that she contracted AIDS from her dentist, Dr. David Acer, during a tooth extraction (December 1987). She won a $1,000,000 settlement from his insurer (January 1991).

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Ricky Ricardo, Jr. (Little Ricky)

Born January 19, 1953

the fictional son of TV's Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. 68% of all U.S. television sets were tuned in to watch his birth.

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Desi Arnaz Jr.

Born January 19, 1953

American child actor. TV: I Love Lucy (Little Ricky).

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Robert Palmer

Born January 19, 1949 d. 2003

British singer. Music: Addicted To Love (1986).

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Shelley Fabares (Michelle Fabares)

Born January 19, 1944

American actress, singer. TV: The Donna Reed Show (Donna's daughter Mary) and Coach (Christine). Music: Johnny Angel (1962, #1).

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Laurie London

Born January 19, 1944

American singer. Music: He's Got the Whole World In His Hands (1958, #1).

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Michael Crawford (Michael Dumble-Smith)

Born January 19, 1942

British actor. Film: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972, the White Rabbit).

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Phil (left) and Don Everly Phil (left) and Don Everly

Phil (left) and Don Everly Phil (left) and Don Everly
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Phil Everly

Born January 19, 1939 d. 2014

American Hall of Fame singer. Performing as duo with his brother Don Everly, they combined rock and roll, country, and pop, becoming pioneers of country rock. They were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986) and the Country Music Hall of Fame in (2001).
Music: Bye Bye Love (1957, #1), Wake Up Little Susie (1957), and Gone, Gone, Gone (1965).

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Robert MacNeil

Born January 19, 1931

Canadian-born news correspondent. TV: PBS's MacNeil/Lehrer Report.

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Tippi Hedren (Nathalie Kay Hedren)

Born January 19, 1930

American actress, fashion model, animal rights activist, and mother of actress Melanie Griffith. Film: The Birds (1963). TV: The Birds II (1994).

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Fritz Weaver

Born January 19, 1926 d. 2016

American Tony-winning actor. Stage: Baker Street (1965, Sherlock Holmes) and Child's Play (1970, Tony). Film: Marathon Man (1976, Professor Biesenthal). TV: Holocaust (1978, Dr. Josef Weiss).

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Nicholas Colasanto

Born January 19, 1924 d. 1985

American actor. TV: Cheers (Coach).

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Minnesota Fats

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Minnesota Fats (Rudolf Wanderone, Jr.)

Born January 19, 1913 d. 1996

American Hall of Fame billiards wizard. Wanderone adopted the nickname "Minnesota Fats" from a character in the 1961 film The Hustler, claiming that the character was based upon him, although the author of the original novel Walter Tevis denied this. In 1978, Fats and Willie Mosconi competed in a televised match on ABC's Wide World of Sports, drawing almost 11 million viewers, the second-highest rated episode of the show that year.

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Oveta Culp Hobby

Born January 19, 1905 d. 1995

American government official. She was the first secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, first commanding officer of the Women's Army Corps, and the first woman in the Army to receive the Distinguished Service Medal.

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James Watt

Born January 19, 1736 d. 1819

British inventor, for whom the unit of power the 'watt' is named. He invented the modern condensing steam engine (1765).

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Francis II

Born January 19, 1544 d. 1560

King of France (1559-60). He married Mary Queen of Scots (1558).

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Deaths

Hedy Lamarr go to Video for Hedy Lamarr

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Hedy Lamarr (Hedwig Kiesler)

Died January 19, 2000 b. 1914

Austrian actress. Film: Samson and Delilah (1949, Delilah). Considered film's most beautiful actress. In the 1938 film Algiers, she was the recipient of the famous line, "Come with me to the Casbah." And while the line was used in the trailers for the film, it was cut from the actual film itself.
At the beginning of World War II, Lamarr and composer George Antheil developed a secret communication system using spread spectrum and frequency hopping. The principles of their work are now incorporated into modern Wi-Fi, CDMA and Bluetooth technology. For this, she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (2014).

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Ham the Astrochimp

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Ham the Astrochimp

Died January 19, 1983 b. 1956

American chimpanzee (hominid). He was the first hominid launched into space (1961, NASA). Ham had been trained to respond to lights and operate controls. He survived the mission and lived in zoos until his death.

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Ray Harroun - 1st Indy 500 Winner and 1911 poster Ray Harroun - 1st Indy 500 Winner and 1911 poster

Ray Harroun - 1st Indy 500 Winner and 1911 poster Ray Harroun - 1st Indy 500 Winner and 1911 poster
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Won First Indianapolis 500

Ray Harroun

Died January 19, 1968 b. 1879

American racecar driver. Winner of the first Indianapolis 500 (1911). He won with an average speed of 74.59 mph, finishing in 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 8 seconds. His strategy was to maintain a steady speed of 75 mph, because through testing he found that tires wore out significantly faster at higher speeds. In those days, changing a tire was a time-consuming process. His strategy worked: He only had to change four tires. The second place winner changed 14 tires and finished only 1 minute 43 seconds behind - a time he would have easily made up with less tire changes.

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Martin Van Buren Bates

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Tallest Married Couple

Martin Van Buren Bates

Died January 19, 1919 b. 1837

American giant, 7 feet 7.5 inches (2.324 m) tall. He and his wife, Anna Swan at 7 feet 11 inches (2.42 m), were the tallest married couple. They were billed as "The Giants of Seville."

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David Crosby Photo Credit: David Gans

David Crosby Photo Credit: David Gans
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David Crosby (David Van Cortlandt Crosby)

Died January 19, 2023 b. 1941

American singer, with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

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Dorothy Malone

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Dorothy Malone (Dorothy Maloney)

Died January 19, 2018 b. 1924

American Oscar-winning actress. Film: Written on the Wind (1956, Oscar). TV: Peyton Place (1964-68, Constance Mackenzie Carson).

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Stan Musial (Stanisław Franciszek Musiał)

Died January 19, 2013 b. 1920

American Hall of Fame baseball legend, "Stan the Man." He was the first three-time winner of the Most Valuable Player Award (1943, 46, 48).

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Suzanne Pleshette

Died January 19, 2008 b. 1937

American actress. Film: The Birds (1963). TV: The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78, Bob's wife Emily).

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Dennis Doherty

Died January 19, 2007 b. 1940

Canadian folk singer. With The Mamas and The Papas. Music: California Dreamin' (1965) and Monday, Monday (1966, #1).

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Wilson Pickett

Died January 19, 2006 b. 1941

American R&B and soul singer. Music: In the Midnight Hour (1965, #1), Mustang Sally (1966), and 634-5789 (1966, #1).

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Anthony Franciosa (Anthony Papaleo)

Died January 19, 2006 b. 1928

American actor. TV: The Name of the Game (Jeff Dillon) and Matt Helm (title role).

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James Dickey

Died January 19, 1997 b. 1923

American poet, novelist. U.S. Poet Laureate (1966). Writings: Deliverance (1970 He played the sheriff in the 1972 film adaptation).

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Adriana Caselotti

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Adriana Caselotti

Died January 19, 1997 b. 1916

Italian-American singer, actress. She was the voice of Snow White in the 1937 Walt Disney classic, for which she was paid $970.

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Reginald Lewis

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Richest African American

Reginald Lewis

Died January 19, 1993 b. 1942

American businessman. He was the richest African-American man during the 1980s, with a net worth of about $400 million. He was the first African American to build a billion dollar company, Beatrice Foods, which he bought in 1987. Motto: "Keep going, no matter what." Writings: Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?

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Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

Died January 19, 1990 b. 1931

Indian guru. During the 1970s, he had hundreds of thousands of followers known as the orange people - they wore only orange clothing. He once remarked, "So many religions look after the poor, leave the rich to me!"

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