Today in History

[Peacoat]

Happy one hundredth birthday to Margarita Carmen Cansino, better know by her stage name:
Rita Hayworth was an American actress and dancer. She achieved fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars, appearing in a total of 61 films over 37 years. The press coined the term "The Love Goddess" to describe Hayworth after she had become the most glamorous screen idol of the 1940s.
Born: 17 October 1918, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
Died: 14 May 1987, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

Although she wasn't a natural redhead, Rita Hayworth carried the look well. She was one of the first redheads I remember noticing as a kid growing up. I was quite smitten. Even though her career was over by the late 1950s, she was still occasionally in the public eye. That was when I must have first noticed her.

My first love was a natural redhead, and I was partial to them for years thereafter. Haven't cared anything about them for well over 30 years now. My partner and wife of 33 years is a brunette. No longer think about Rita Hayworth or any other redheads.

@GHT, thanks for the post that brought back fond but forgotten memories.

 

[Peacoat]

October 20 was an active day in history.

In 1944, 2 1/2 years after he said, "I shall return," Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines.

In 1968, Jacqueline Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis. This was a little less than 4 years after those terrible events in Dallas.

In 1973, during the Watergate scandal, Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William B. Ruckelshaus resigned and special prosecutor Archibald Cox was dismissed by President Nixon in what came to be known as the "Saturday Night Massacre." Political observers considered that a once in a lifetime event . . . .

 

[LizzieMaine]

Whenever I hear the word "Ruckelshaus" I'm transported back to a certain time and place. Few other words accomplish that so completely for me.

 

[Peacoat]

Today's date in 1879 Thomas Edison invented a workable incandescent electric lamp. My wife and I are glad he did, as we do a lot of reading. Our eyesight would be shot if we had to depend on candlelight.

 

[vitanola]

Whenever I hear the word "Ruckelshaus" I'm transported back to a certain time and place. Few other words accomplish that so completely for me.

 

[Peacoat]

The Cuban Missile Crisis is generally accepted as beginning on October 16, 1962. On today's date, after 6 tense days, President Kennedy announced an air and naval blockade of Cuba. If tension had been high before the announcement, it became palatable after his blockade speech.

The President announced that Russian ships would be turned back before entering Cuban waters. If the ships ignored the blockade, they would be physically stopped and boarded. This was considered an act of war, so the decision was a tough one for the President to make.

Although I wasn't old enough to fully comprehend what was happening, I well remember the concern throughout the country. This was truly one of the times that try men's souls.

 

[GHT]

The Cuban Missile Crisis is generally accepted as beginning on October 16, 1962. On today's date, after 6 tense days, President Kennedy announced an air and naval blockade of Cuba. If tension had been high before the announcement, it became palatable after his blockade speech.

The President announced that Russian ships would be turned back before entering Cuban waters. If the ships ignored the blockade, they would be physically stopped and boarded. This was considered an act of war, so the decision was a tough one for the President to make.

Although I wasn't old enough to fully comprehend what was happening, I well remember the concern throughout the country. This was truly one of the times that try men's souls.

History has a habit of repeating itself:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/20/trump-us-nuclear-arms-treaty-russia

 

[2jakes]

Oct.23, 1915.

25,000 women march in New York City demanding right to vote.

At that point, the fight had been ongoing for more than 65 years, with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 first passing a resolution in favor of women’s suffrage. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t find success for another five years.

 

[MissMittens]

Today in 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, the first known person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, went down the falls.

In 1916, Henry Ford made equal pay a reality in his organization.

 

[GHT]

Today in 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, the first known person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, went down the falls.

Iagara beat her to it:
Annie gave the barrel a trial run over the falls, with a cat named Iagara inside. The cat made it (and ended up in at least one publicity photo with Taylor afterward, perched atop the barrel), and the barrel held up.

 

[2jakes]

July11th, 1886, Carlisle Graham, barrel maker, would make his trip in a five and a half foot barrel of oaken staves and handmade iron hoops. Graham, being six feet tall was forced to stoop over once inside to allow the water-tight lid to be secured into place. With the exception of his arms Graham was encased in waterproof sheeting. Metal handles would allow him to grip the barrel. Carlisle Graham’s trip took 30 minutes. When rescued Mr. Graham was unhurt but he had become extremely ill and dizzy from the trip.

 

[Peacoat]

Today in 1962 my favorite author, John Steinbeck, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. I remember 1962, but I don't know that he was my favorite author yet, so I don't remember the prize.

 

[2jakes]

Today in 1962 my favorite author, John Steinbeck, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. I remember 1962, but I don't know that he was my favorite author yet, so I don't remember the prize.

The year was 1962.

These were on the comic book shelves at the grocery store
where I worked after school.
They were selling for 12¢.
If you feel nostalgic, you can still get one for only $17,999.00.

 

[MissMittens]

Today in 1944, the bulk of the Japanese Navy got knocked out of the war at the Battle of Leyte, leaving Japan with few options other than suicide attacks against US Navy ships, known as the Kamikaze.

In 1960, MLK was jailed for staging a peaceful sit-in.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

I can't believe no one mentioned that yesterday in 1881 was the infamous, Gunfight at the OK corral.

This day in 1904, the New York City subway opened.

 

[2jakes]

I can't believe no one mentioned that yesterday in 1881 was the infamous, Gunfight at the OK corral.

This day in 1904, the New York City subway opened.

I was thinking about it last night.
Does that count?

 

[2jakes]

NYC subway

The first IRT subway line ran from the City Hall subway station–which is no longer open to 145th Street.
The route was trumpeted as “City Hall to Harlem in 15 minutes.”

The day’s festivities centered around the City Hall station, decked out in Guastavino vaulting, as it was intended to be the ultimate showpiece for
the IBT’s new subway line with its impressive architecture and curved
platform.
It was also the chosen place for hanging the commemorative plaques
dedicated to those who designed, built and financed the system.

The New York City Mayor George B. McClellan was given the honorary duty
of starting the first train at City Hall station.
According to a New York Times report of the event, the mayor was eventually supposed to give the controls over to an IRT motorman.
Instead, he took the train all the way to 103rd Street.
When asked, “Don’t you want the motorman to take hold?”
McClellan said, “No sir! I’m running this train!”
In the Times article, McClellan is dubbed as “Mayor-Motorman”
during the opening ride.

 

[Bugguy]

NYC subway
View attachment 142055
The first IRT subway line ran from the City Hall subway station–which is no longer open to 145th Street.
The route was trumpeted as “City Hall to Harlem in 15 minutes.”

Coincidentally, I was also reading about this earlier this week. I came across this video of the station now.

 

[Peacoat]

And today in 1962 the Cuban Missile Crises came to an end when Nikita Khrushchev told the US that he had ordered the dismantling of the missile bases in Cuba.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I can't believe no one mentioned that yesterday in 1881 was the infamous, Gunfight at the OK corral.

Also on Oct 26th William "Bloody Bill" Anderson was killed in 1864. His body was taken into Richmond, MO where it was propped up & pictures were taken. For a small fee the townsfolk could have their picture taken with Bill. When the demand for pictures played out his body was decapitated and his head was posted high up on a pole for all to see. When the stench got bad enough Bill was given a hasty burial. Bill had married while in TX during the winter of 1863-1864. His wife never claimed his remains. It wasn't until Cole Younger was allowed to return to Missouri in 1903 from parole in Minnesota that Cole saw to it William Anderson received a proper burial in 1905. It is unknown if his head was with the body.