On Sept. 23, 1952, Sen. Richard M. Nixon, R-Calif., facing calls to withdraw as Dwight D. Eisenhower's running mate, went on television to defend himself against allegations of improper campaign fundraising. The address, which came to be known as the"Checkers" speech because of Nixon's on-air reference to a dog given to his family as a gift, proved highly successful in rallying public support for keeping Nixon on the GOP ticket.
In 63 B. C. E., Caesar Augustus was born in Rome.
In 1642, Harvard College held its first commencement, in Cambridge, Mass.
In 1779, the American warship Bon Homme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, defeated HMS Serapis in battle. Jones is said to have declared, "I have not yet begun to fight!" during the battle.
In 1780, British spy John Andre was captured along with papers revealing Benedict Arnold's plot to surrender West Point to the British.
In 1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition returned to St. Louis more than two years after setting out for the Pacific Northwest.
In 1846, Neptune was identified as a planet by German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle.
In 1908, an apparent base-running error by Fred Merkle of the New York Giants cost his team a victory against the Chicago Cubs and left the game tied 1-1. (The Cubs won a rematch game and with it, the National League pennant.)
Seventy years ago, in 1939, Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, died in London at age 83.
Sixty years ago, in 1949, President Harry S. Truman announced there was evidence the Soviet Union had recently conducted a nuclear test explosion. (The test had been carried out on Aug. 29, 1949.)
In 1950, Congress adopted the Internal Security Act, which provided for the registration of communists. It was ruled later unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1957, nine black students who had entered Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas were forced to withdraw because of a white mob outside.
In 1962, New York's Philharmonic Hall (since renamed Avery Fisher Hall) formally opened as the first unit of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
In 1973, former Argentine president Juan Peron was returned to power.
In 1990, Iraq threatened to destroy Middle East oil fields and attack Israel if other nations tried to force it from Kuwait.
Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton vetoed the Republicans' $792 billion tax cut bill, calling it "too big, too bloated." The Mars Climate Observer apparently burned up as it was about to go into orbit around the Red Planet.
In 2001, 13 coal miners were killed in explosions at the Blue Creek Mine No. 5 in Brookwood, Ala.
Five years ago: President George W. Bush denied painting too rosy a picture about Iraq, and said he would consider sending more troops if asked; Iraq's interim leader, Ayad Allawi, standing with Bush in the White House Rose Garden, said additional troops weren't needed.
One year ago: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused what he called"a few bullying powers" of trying to thwart his country's peaceful nuclear program and declared in a speech before the U.N. General Assembly that"the American empire" was nearing collapse. A 22-year-old gunman opened fire at his trade school in Kauhajoki, Finland, killing 10 people before fatally shooting himself.
Today's Birthdays: Actor Mickey Rooney is 89. Actress Margaret Pellegrini ("The Wizard of Oz") is 86. Singer Julio Iglesias is 66. Actor Paul Petersen ("The Donna Reed Show") is 64. Actress-singer Mary Kay Place is 62. Rock star Bruce Springsteen is 60. Rock musician Leon Taylor (The Ventures) is 54. Actress Rosalind Chao is 52. Golfer Larry Mize is 51. Actor Jason Alexander ("Seinfeld") is 50. Actor Chi McBride is 48. Actress Elizabeth Pena is 48. Country musician Don Herron (BR549) is 47. Actor Erik Todd Dellums is 45. Actress LisaRaye is 43. Singer Ani DiFranco is 39. Rock singer Sarah Bettens (K's Choice) is 37. Recording executive Jermaine Dupri is 37. Actor Kip Pardue is 33. Pop singer Erik-Michael Estrada ("Making the Band") is 30. Actress Aubrey Dollar is 29. Tennis player Melanie Oudin is 18.
Today In Entertainment History September 23
In 1926, jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane was born in Hamlet, N.C.
In 1930, musician Ray Charles was born Ray Charles Robinson in Albany, Ga.
In 1962, "The Jetsons" premiered on ABC. It was the first program to be carried by the network in color.
In 1966, a Rolling Stones concert at England's Royal Albert concert hall was halted temporarily when screaming girls attacked Mick Jagger onstage. The riotous enthusiasm of the fans resulted in a ban of pop concerts at the hall.
In 1968, Lucille Ball returned to TV in "Here's Lucy" on CBS.
Forty years ago, in 1969, the "Paul is Dead" rumor began with a story in the Illinois University newspaper with the headline, "Clues Hint At Beatle Death."
Thirty-five years ago, in 1974, Robbie McIntosh, drummer with the Average White Band, died of a heroin overdose in Los Angeles. He had ingested the drug at a party, thinking it was cocaine. [Kids: Know your powders! — Ed.]
In 1987, choreographer-director Bob Fosse died at age 60.
In 1996, actor Jim Carrey married actress Lauren Holly. She later filed for divorce.
In 1998, actress Mary Frann died of apparent heart failure at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif. She was 55. She's probably best known for playing Bob Newhart's wife on "Newhart." White Zombie announced its breakup. [Related or not? — Ed.]
Thought for Today:
"The only interesting answers are those which destroy the questions." — Susan Sontag, American author and critic (1933-2004).
1 comment:
Awwwww Checkers is kwewt
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