Today in History

[Peacoat]

On March 4, 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president of the United States. In his famous inaugural address, * Roosevelt outlined his “New Deal”–an expansion of the federal government as an instrument of employment opportunity and welfare. The speech radiated optimism and competence and united the country behind his radical programs. Thus began the long road out of the Great Depression.
______
* "[T]he only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

 

[Peacoat]

Today in 1946, In one of his famous speeches, Winston Churchill's gave a name to the isolationist policy of Russia: “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” This was the opening volley in what would become the Cold War.

 

[Peacoat]

Today's date in 1955 saw the death of Charlie "Bird" Parker, a jazz saxophonist of the Era.

 

[scotrace]

March 12 is the birthday of Coca-Cola (1894), Liza Minelli (1946), and Jack Kerouac, 1922.

 

[scotrace]

March 14, 1879: Albert Einstein was born, as was Michael Caine in 1933.

 

[Peacoat]

Today in 1935 Adolf Hitler decided to break the military terms set by the Treaty of Versailles by ordering the rearming of Germany. And we all know where that led 4 1/2 years later.

 

[Peacoat]

While this isn't Era material, it is important. Today in 1969 Golda Meir became the Prime Minister of Israel. She is the first female head of state that I remember, and was a strong woman and a strong leader. She was known as the Iron Lady of Israeli politics. She resigned in 1974 and died of a lymphoma in 1978. I was almost as impressed with her as I was with Sir Winston. Strong leaders, both of them.

 

[Fading Fast]

While this isn't Era material, it is important. Today in 1969 Golda Meir became the Prime Minister of Israel. She is the first female head of state I remember and was a strong woman and a strong leader. She was known as the Iron Lady of Israeli politics. She resigned in 1974 and died of a lymphoma in 1978. I was almost as impressed with her as I was with Sir Winston. Strong leaders, both of them.

Another similarity between Meir and Churchill: both their countries were facing existential threats and they both chose the exact right leader at the exact right moment.

 

[MisterCairo]

On this day, St. Paddy's day, 1955, Montreal Canadiens fans rioted after Maurice "Rocket" Richard (pronounced Rish-ARD) was suspended for the season and post-season for going nanners on a Boston Bruin player AND a linesman:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Riot

It would end up costing him a chance at his only league scoring title (when his team mate Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion would over take Richard on the last game of the season, and was booed. In Montreal...) and likely helped Montreal lose to the Bruins in seven games in the Stanley Cup final.

 

[Peacoat]

On this day in 1970 the greatest race horse to have ever lived, Secretariat, was born. As things worked out, we have one of his grandsons. Of all of the horses we have had over the years, he is one of my favorites. He is just a good guy, as I have heard his grandfather was. I have visited Secretariat's grave, but I never got to see him live.

RIP, Secretariat, may your records remain unbroken.

 

[Bugguy]

"With the S&P 500 closing down more than 2.2 percent Monday, the broad market index clinched its worst start to April since 1929."

In early 1929 the market was somewhere south of 307 pts... the Crash wasn't till October.

Friends ask me why I haven't retired... I ask back, how much is too much in your IRA?

 

[Peacoat]

Today in 1968, while in Memphis, Dr. King delivered what would be his final speech. And we all know what happened 52 years ago tomorrow, also in Memphis.

 

[GHT]

On this day in 1564, William Shakespeare was born in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, in the county of Warwickshire.
And on this day in 1616, Shakespeare died, he's buried in the church of The Holy Trinity in Stratford. There is a curse upon the headstone of his grave, which reads:
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones.


April 23rd is also Saint George's Day, the patron saint of England. The English don't celebrate their patron's day, unlike the Celtic nations. There was an uproar some years ago when a fellow was accused of being racist, just for wearing the English rose on St George's Day. You couldn't make it up.

 

[Harp]

William O'Shakespeare was an Irishman lad. Only a Mick could have composed such majestic wonderful prose.

A dozen years of his life remain largely unknown.
And from reading his work, I believe he spent a hitch in the Army,Shakespeare having writ a soldier's prose far too often.
The myth of Francis Bacon as ghostwriter is entirely without foundation.

 

[GHT]

The myth of Francis Bacon as ghostwriter is entirely without foundation.

Of course it is, but there will always be conspiracies, the problem with the internet is that conspiracies can dressed up to give so much plausibility. I did like your comment about Brendon Bracken being Churchill's ba***rd child: "Street slander." You hit it right on there.

 

[Harp]

I did like your comment about Brendon Bracken being Churchill's ba***rd child: "Street slander." You hit it right on there.

THAMES did a Churchill series-in a scene with WSC and boyo Bracken, WSC called him an "Irish marmeduke."
Sounded quite legitimate criticism conception-wise.

 

[Peacoat]

Today in 1983, Blues singer Muddy Waters died in Westmont, Ill., at age 68. Westmont isn't too far from the South Side of Chicago where Muddy lived most of his life, but it is a long way from Clarksdale, MS where he grew up.

Born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi as McKinley Morganfield, he was 68 years old when he died, and died much too young.

I knew Muddy and thought a lot of him, as did just about everyone else who knew him or played with him.

 

[crawlinkingsnake]

Today in 1983, Blues singer Muddy Waters died in Westmont, Ill., at age 68. Westmont isn't too far from the South Side of Chicago where Muddy lived most of his life, but it is a long way from Clarksdale, MS where he grew up.

Born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi as McKinley Morganfield, he was 68 years old when he died, and died much too young.

I knew Muddy and thought a lot of him, as did just about everyone else who knew him or played with him.

Thanks for posting Peacoat. It's great that you actually knew him. I didn't. We often go to Clarksdale; except for this year due to COVID-19. Took this pic of Mississippi Blues Trail marker (www.msbluestrail.org/blues-trail-markers/muddy-waterss-cabin) just outside town. Site of the cabin where Muddy once lived while working on Stovall Plantation.

 

[Peacoat]

Wow. Didn't realize the cabin was that primitive.

I knew Muddy but wasn't friends with him—the age difference was too great. He did know my name though, and we had some good conversations over the years. In the band, Pinetop Perkins (piano) was Muddy's best friend. He also liked Calvin Jones (bass). The three of them were older and had more in common. The dynamics in any band are going to be different. In this band, Muddy was everyone's boss, which I had forgotten until I saw him shoot a stare at the guitar player when he made a minor mistake (not minor to Muddy).

I was friends with his lead guitar player, Luther, Guitar, Jr., Johnson and his harp player at the time, George, Mojo, Buford. Both of them were great guys, as was Muddy. Muddy was also a real gentleman. I treasure the times over the years I was able to hang out with them.

 

[crawlinkingsnake]

Wow. Didn't realize the cabin was that primitive.

I knew Muddy but wasn't friends with him—the age difference was too great. He did know my name though, and we had some good conversations over the years. In the band, Pinetop Perkins (piano) was Muddy's best friend. He also liked Calvin Jones (bass). The three of them were older and had more in common. The dynamics in any band are going to be different. In this band, Muddy was everyone's boss, which I had forgotten until I saw him shoot a stare at the guitar player when he made a minor mistake (not minor to Muddy).

I was friends with his lead guitar player, Luther, Guitar, Jr., Johnson and his harp player at the time, George, Mojo, Buford. Both of them were great guys, as was Muddy. Muddy was also a real gentleman. I treasure the times over the years I was able to hang out with them.

Envious of you Peacoat. Woulda loved been along with you during those times. Got to talk with Pinetop Perkins a couple times. Quite a guy. He's buried along side Highway 61 north of Clarksdale beside our friend Frank "Rat" Ratliff. Rat was owner of the Riverside Hotel which has quite a story behind it. Still great friends with his widow Joyce and daughter Zee.