History Day........

So on history day...Louise Beavers, a wonderful American actress was born in 1902. As much as I loved all of her movie roles, especially IMITATION OF LIFE, I can't help wishing that she'd been born later. Like say around now. Imagine what more she could have accomplished. As it stands though, Louise made quite an impact on films at a time when women in general were small potatoes compared to men. And black women had even less of a chance to succeed! So yay for you Louise. You can make me cry like nobody else.

In other news...

1885, a train passed over the first railway suspension bridge--at Niagra Falls, NY

1887, the telescopic fishing rod was patented by Everett Horton. (Wasn't there an old time actor by that name??)

1894, the first dog license law was enacted in NY.

1925, a guy was late showing up for his radio show, leaving an engineer, John Gambling to adlib for an hour. He was so popular, the other guy was fired and John took the gig. He kept it for years, before handing it off to his son John...who eventually handed it off to HIS son John. For 70 years, the Rambling with Gambling show was heard in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. (That'll teach you to be on time.)

1953, a census discovered that 239,000 farmers had given up farming over a two year period.

1975, Olivia Newton John reached the top of the charts with HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW...(anyone understand that song?)

1985, the IRS discovered that 407, 700 Americans were now millionaires. More than double the total of just five years before. (I'm guessing they won't find that this year..........)

Anybody else?? What've you got?

posted by Maureen Child @ 3:01 AM