Note: The calendar is also a page index. Select a date or other item of interest for more information.

The daily notes for this month are from the The History Channel's Home Page. If you like these notes, you'll love looking at the other notes and birthdays they have recorded for every day of the year.

1 Feb -- This is "King of the Movies" Day!

On this day in 1901, in Cadiz, Ohio, William Clark Gable, 'King of the Movies', was born. Of course, he wasn't born King of the Movies -- that came later -- some thirty three years later to be more precise. Just as Hollywood was making the transition from silent movies to talkies, Clark Gable was making his first movie, "Painted Desert". It was 1931 and he wasn't anywhere near being King -- more like Ape -- of the Movies. Darryl Zanuck commented: "His ears are too big. He looks like an ape."

The big ape obviously didn't listen with those big ears. Within the next three years Clark Gable made twenty films with leading ladies like Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford; winning the coveted Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "It Happened One Night". The year was 1934, and a new romantic screen idol and King of the Movies was born. Men shed their undershirts to imitate Clark's barechested look as revealed in the film. Women swooned and undershirt sales plummeted throughout the U.S.

The following year, Clark starred as Fletcher Christian in the Oscar-winning picture, "Mutiny on the Bounty". Then in 1939, Clark became Rhett Butler in the movie for which he will always be remembered, another Oscar-winner, "Gone with the Wind"; and married Carole Lombard. Theirs was a storybook marriage that ended in tragedy three years later when Lombard was killed in a plane crash.

A stint in the Air Force and two decades of films followed; the last (just before he died) was "The Misfits" opposite Marilyn Monroe. After thirty years, he was still the 'leading man' ... King of the Movies.

Word Of The Day: Altruistic (ahl troo IS tik) adj. Unselfish; concerned about others. A beehive exemplifies an altruistic society.

2 Feb -- This is "Groundhog" Day!

It was comedian Bill Murray's least favorite day. At least, in the movie, "Groundhog Day", it was. He kept repeating the same day over and over again. Well, not here, bubba!

We at have the goods on just what this special day means. It means that a bunch of folks in Punxsutawney, PA get up at the crack of dawn, put on tuxedos and dresses, march to the city park and pull old Punxsutawney Phil out of his little house in a tree trunk; and watch him do his groundhog shadow thing. If the woodchuck sees his shadow, it means spring is on its way. If the critter doesn't see his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter, and the folks gathered 'round fry him up for breakfast... Surely, you've heard of 'ground chuck'? (Sorry.)

The tradition of groundhog weather watching dates back to this day in 1887, long before Willard Scott. But not that long.

Word Of The Day: Lithe (laith) adj. Graceful; bending easily, soft. The lithe dancer smilingly skipped off stage.

3 Feb -- This is "The Day the Music Died"!

February 3, 1959 was a sad day in rock 'n' roll history: 22-year- old Buddy Holly, 28-year-old J.P. Richardson ('The Big Bopper') and 17-year-old Ritchie Valens, died in an airplane crash near Mason City, Iowa. February 3rd has been remembered as 'The Day the Music Died' since Don McLean made the line popular in his 1972 hit, "American Pie".

Charles Hardin Holly was born in Lubbock, TX and recorded "That'll Be the Day", "Peggy Sue", "Oh, Boy", "Maybe Baby", "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (recorded just before his death, a smash in the U.K., non top-10 in the U.S.) and others. Buddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Gary Busey offered a convincing portrait of the singer in "The Buddy Holly Story" for TV.

J.P. (Jiles Perry) Richardson was from Sabine Pass, TX. He held the record for longest continuous broadcasting as a DJ at KTRM Radio in Beaumont, TX in 1956. He was on the air for 122 hours and eight minutes. In addition to his smash hit, "Chantilly Lace", Richardson also penned "Running Bear" (a hit for Johnny Preston) plus "White Lightning" (a hit for country star, George Jones).

Richard Valenzuela lived in Pacoima, CA (near LA) and had a role in the 1959 film, "Go Johnny Go". Ritchie Valens' two big hits were "Donna" and "La Bamba" ... the last, the title of a 1987 film depiction of his life. "La Bamba" also represented the first fusion of Latin music and American rock.

Of the three young stars who died in that plane crash, the loss of Buddy Holly reverberated the loudest over the years. But, fans of '50s rock 'n' roll will agree, all three have been sorely missed.

Word Of The Day: Disgruntle (dis GRUN tuhl) v. To make discontented; upset. Distruntled at not being picked up on time, he got in and slammed the door.

4 Feb -- This is "Portable Electric Typewriter" Day!

On this day in 1957, Smith-Corona Manufacturing Inc. of New York began selling portable electric typewriters. The first machine was a 'portable' of 19 pounds! Soon, other manufacturers offered similar models -- made of lighter weight plastics, with a lot less of the sophisticated workings inside. Today, the typewriter company is out of business in the United States -- a victim of high-technology that passed it by.

Word Of The Day: Connote (kuh NOTE) v. To suggest or convey meaning. Do raised eyebrows always connote surprise?

5 Feb -- This is "Spot a Clinker" Day!

No, we don't mean the things you are reading here each and every day, but something that happened back in 1969! In one of the few times in television history, a scheduled series (usually 13 or 26 weeks of shows) turned into a one-night wonder. ABC-TV premiered "Turn On", a show in the NBC "Laugh In" mold. TV critics called the show, "offbeat and distasteful". The show never aired again. Something similar happened to Jackie Gleason, who starred in "The Big Picture", a nighttime TV quiz show, years ago. Gleason came back on the second week and, sitting in a chair, on a bare stage said, "This show stinks. What else can I say. It's a bomb. Oh, did it ever bomb..." and the show went off the air, with Gleason apologizing to the audience for such a dopey, terrible show. It never came back, either, though Gleason certainly did. And so did many other clinkers...

Word Of The Day: Quiescent (kwee ES uhnt) adj. Inactive, sedentary; dormant. Ever since the death of Grandma, Ruth has been quiescent and withdrawn.

6 Feb -- This is "Win One for the Gipper" Day!

The 40th president [1981-1989] of the United States and once governor of California [1967-1975], Ronald Wilson Reagan, was born on this day in 1911. Reagan also served six terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild, leading the union of members in his other career: acting.

It was acting that brought Reagan the recognition and notoriety that led to his most successful career in politics. However, it has been written that he had only one notable performance -- in the film, "King's Row" [1941]; although most of us remember his many performances as the host (and, sometimes, the star) of "General Electric Theatre" [1954-1962] and "Death Valley Days" [1965-1966]; and role as George Gipp in the 1940 movie, "Knute Rockne, All-American". Reagan resurrected the line (from the movie), "Win one for the Gipper", during his presidency as a way to gather support for his anticommunist, conservative Republican policies.

Comedians used his role in the 1951 movie, "Bedtime for Bonzo", to gain yucks and guffaws during the Reagan Years (two presidential terms). The personable, good-natured President was once married to actress, Jane Wyman ("Falcon Crest"); but former actress, Nancy Davis, has been his wife for many years. Son, Michael, is a radio talk-show host. Son, Ron, has appeared frequently on television (even in his underwear on "Saturday Night Live") and daughter, Patty, is a writer.

Age has played Ronald Reagan a cruel hand, as he suffers from Alzheimer's disease. It would be good to "win one for the Gipper", now.

Word Of The Day: Interloper (IN tuhr lo puhr) n. A meddler; unauthorized person. These interlopers want to divide the club in two.

7 Feb -- Today is "Reader's Digest" Day!

In 1922, DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace offered 5,000 copies of their magazine for sale for the first time. Today, the "Reader's Digest" continues to be widely read in a dozen languages the world over. In fact, it has become the most-read periodical in history with a circulation of 16 million plus.

Word Of The Day: Temerity (tuh MER uh tee) n. Fearlessness, foolish boldness. No knight would have the temerity to challenge him.

8 Feb -- This is "Boy Scouts" Day!

William D. Boyce of Chicago, Illinois, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on this day in 1910. He didn't however, conceptualize the scouting movement -- the Boy Scouts were originated by Englishman, Sir Robert S.S. Baden-Powell. Outdoor camping, community service projects and other fun and educational projects are part of the 'merit badge' system for boys from eleven to seventeen years of age. Younger boys start out as Cub Scouts and older young men join the Explorers post. Salute a Boy Scout today!

Word Of The Day: Acute (uh KYOOT) adj. Sharp-pointed; keen; sensitive. For very acute psychological problems, he's the one to see.

9 Feb -- This is "Weather Bureau" Day!

In 1870, the United States Weather Bureau was authorized by Congress. We think people always just sat around and talked about the weather, but it took an act of Congress to do something about it! Today, the weather bureau is officially known as the National Weather Service (NWS) and is a department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). So, how's your weather today?

Word Of The Day: Obtuse (ahb TOOS) adj. Dull; slow, dense. Woody Allen always had an obtuse look on his face.

10 Feb -- This is "Small Wedding" Day!

No, we're not talking about those small, intimate, bride and groom only weddings. We're talking about this day in 1863, when history was made in New York City (where history is no stranger, certainly). Two of the world's most famous midgets, General Tom Thumb, (three feet, four inches) and his lovely bride, Lavinia Warren, (two feet, eight inches), exchanged "I do's" before a small gathering of 2,000 of their closest friends -- most all of them standing on the church pews to catch a glimpse of the couple. (Sniff) Excuse me, I always cry (sniff) at weddings ... big or small.

Word Of The Day: Consummate (kahn SOOM uht) adj. Complete, perfect. He can act the part of the consummate villain.

11 Feb -- This is "Water Closet" Day!

In one of television's most famous moments, Jack Paar, did something that few television stars have ever done. He walked off the air. The sometimes eccentric, sensitive, but well liked Paar did so at 11:41 p.m. on NBC's "Tonight Show" on this night in 1960. TV shows were live (not on videotape) at the time. Paar had started a joke during his monologue about 'WCs'(water closets, as they are called in Great Britain). Paar didn't say 'toilets', but 'water closets'. This offended the NBC censors, who cut the toilet joke (a total of four minutes of on-air time). Paar was incensed when he found out. So, the next night, he complained about the NBC censors, said good night and left. He returned on March 7, following a trip to Hong Kong. Paar didn't last long upon his return. A guest host stepped in and ended up with the show for nearly 30 years. The guest host was Johnny Carson.

Word Of The Day: Virtuosity (vuhr choo WAHS uh tee) n. Great technical skill. Her virtuosity with the cello and viola is remarkable.

12 Feb -- This is "Catcher's Mask" Day!

In 1878, Frederick W. Thayer, the captain of the Harvard University Baseball Club, patented the now familiar baseball catcher's mask. We thought he was sitting in the dugout, scouting pitchers -- but instead, he was drawing pictures of this contraption. Sure beats eating a baseball sandwich, though.

Word Of The Day: Raze (rayz) v. To tear down; destroy. The entire block has been razed to make room for a basketball arena.

13 Feb -- This is "American Magazine" Day!

"The American Magazine", the first magazine in the U.S., was published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on this day in 1741. It beat Benjamin Franklin's "General Magazine" off the presses by 3 days (whew!). Andrew Bradford, publisher of this 50-page gem, was quoted as saying, "Stuff it Ben. Someday, I'll be mentioned ahead of you in Those Were the Days."

Word Of The Day: Retrospect (RET ruh spekt) n. Hindsight, lookinbg back on the past. In retrospect, buying the home was the right thing to do.

14 Feb -- This is "Valentine's" Day!

Sometime during the 1st century A.D., the conservative right thought there should be something else to do on this date than to observe the ancient pagan holiday of Lupercalia. For those who don't remember -- or can't remember -- Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival. Instead of revelry and sacrificing goats and dogs, it was determined that two Christian martyrs should be celebrated. Both were named St. Valentine. One of the saints was a priest and doctor who was beaten and beheaded while on the Flaminian Way, Rome, Italy in the year 269. A year later, the Bishop of Terni met the same fate in the same place.

Something got lost in the translation and the two celebrations became one. St. Valentine's Day, the most widely celebrated unofficial holiday, is a modern day fertility rite. (There's even an old legend that says birds choose their mates on this day.)

This is the day that lovers of all ages give tokens of affection to each other; with kisses accompanied by flowers, candy or romantic, candlelit dinners. Thoughts of love are traded between lovers; often expressed in greeting card form or - with sunset, moonlight, a glass of wine and thou!

Hearts and flowers to you on this Valentine's Day!

Word Of The Day: Culminate (KUL muh nayt) v. To rreach the top or summit; climax. The performance will cuminate in a rousing finale.

15 Feb -- This is "Mustard" Day!

Mustard ... that tangy, yellow stuff made for hot dogs and hamburgers -- was advertised for the first time in America on this day in 1758. Who do you think was responsible for bringing mustard to the U.S.A.? No, not French's ... nor Grey Poupon. It was Benjamin Franklin. We wonder whether Ben preferred the yellow or the dark mustard -- and what he would have thought of the many uses of mustard in haute cuisine.

Word Of The Day: Relegate (REL uh gayt) v. To assign an inferior position; banish. I was relegated to washing dishes day and night.

16 Feb -- This is "Goodson-Todman" Day!

"That's three down. We move now to Arlene Francis." On this day in 1950, Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen, humorist Hal Block, and Louis Untermeyer joined host, John Daly, as one of the classics of early television debuted on CBS. "What's My Line" stayed on the air for 17 years -- the longest-running game show in the history of prime-time network television -- and launched one of TV's biggest production companies: that of Mark Goodson and Bill Todman.

During many years in the television industry, the Goodson-Todman name became famous for such hits as "I've Got a Secret", "Beat the Clock", "To Tell the Truth", "The Price is Right" and "The Match Game". As the announcer for these shows would say, "This program is a Mark Goodson - Bill Todman Production."

Word Of The Day: Nominal (NAHM uh nuhl) adj. Slight; very small amount. I would do the job for a nominal sum.

17 Feb -- This is "PTA" Day!

The National Congress of Mothers was organized on this day in 1897 in Washington, DC. The group later changed its name to the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (so Dads could join); and still later to the NPTA -- the National Parent-Teacher Association. PTA meetings are commonly held monthly at public schools throughout the U.S. If you're a member, remember that you're supposed to be promoting the educational and social welfare of our children.

Word Of The Day: Eventuate (i VEN choo wayt) v. To result, to happen in the end. Only hard work will eventuate in your graduation.

18 Feb -- This is "Nude Descending a Staircase" Day!

No, this isn't about the latest Hugh Hefner "Playboy" centerfold... We speak of this week in 1913 when the famous French painting, "Nude Descending a Staircase", by the French artist, Marcel Duchamp, was displayed at an "Armory Show" (don't ask) in New York City. The work was labeled as America's first look at modern art. Critics called the work "scandalous" and "meaningless". Yeah, well, it's a beautiful, classic work of art no matter if it looks like an android doing The Twist.

Word Of The Day: Backslide (BAK slide) v. To revert to wrongdoing; relapse. Now that we've progressed beyond name-calling, let us not backslide.

19 Feb -- This is "Bollingen" Day!

Thanks to the Bollingen Foundation and Yale University, starving poets have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars. The first Bollingen Prize in poetry ($5,000) was awarded to Ezra Pound on this day in 1949. Mr. Pound was presented with the prize for his poetry collection, "The Pisan Cantos". Unfortunately, this first award presentation by the Bollingen Foundation was filled with controversy. It seems that Ezra Pound, a talented poet, was also a pro-Fascist, and had been charged with treason for broadcasting his political beliefs in Italy during WWII. Pound was still given the award.

The Bollingen prize was presented annually through 1963 when Robert Frost was the recipient, after which it became a biennial award. The $5,000 award was upped to $10,000 in 1989 when Edgar Bowers was the prize winner, and to $25,000 in 1995. The $25,000 award went to poet, Kenneth Koch.

Keep writing those odes, rhymes and stanzas. You may be the next winner of the Bollingen Prize in Poetry. And maybe, just maybe, the award will receive another cost-of-living adjustment.

Word Of The Day: Adamant (AD uh muhnt) adj. Inflexible, unyielding. Our neighborhood is adamant about having a crosswalk at that intersection.

20 Feb -- Today is Pancake Day!

It was forty-seven years ago, in 1949, when the first International Pancake Race was held in Liberal, Kansas. The annual event, scheduled each year on Shrove Tuesday, pits the women of Liberal against the women of Olney, Bucks, England. Wearing dresses and aprons, their heads covered in scarfs, the women run a 415-yard, "S" shaped course. Each woman also carries a pancake in a skillet and must toss the pancake three times. The fastest pancake carrier ran the race in 58.5 seconds in 1975. This record was set by Liberal's Sheila Turner. Pass the syrup, please!

Word Of The Day: Evince (i VINS) v. To show plainly, make clear. You evince a lack of interest in the trade.

21 Feb -- Today is Washington Monument Day!

On this day in 1855, the official dedication of the Washington Monument took place in Washington, D.C., although the monument wasn't completed for another thirty-three years. In fact, the structure took a total of forty-eight years to finish.

The stone obelisk honoring the 1st President of the United States was designed by Robert Mills who died in this, the year of the dedication.

A major visitor attraction, one can see the entire city of Washington D.C. plus parts of the surrounding states of Virginia and Maryland from the top of the 555-foot monument. If you visit the city when the cherry trees are in blossom, you will be treated to a spectacular view from ground level too, as images of the blossoms and monument shimmer in the rectangular pool facing the Washington Monument. Now, that's something to reflect on...

Word Of The Day: Schism (SKIZ uhm) n. A split. A great schism occurred between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

22 Feb -- This is "Five & Dime Store" Day!

We won't try to nickel and dime you with this nugget, but it is a fact that Frank W. Woolworth opened his first 5 and 10-cent store on this day in 1879. Woolworth's opened in Utica, New York. Sales at the first store were disappointing ... until Mr. Woolworth moved his operation to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later, to the entire U.S.A. We remember the lunch counter at Woolworth's as a kid. We used to get a burger and a real vanilla soda or a lime rickey there for about a buck. Those Were the Days...

Word Of The Day: Assiduous (uh SIJ oo uhs) adj. Diligent, perservering; careful. She conducted an assiduous campaign for the mayoral post.

23 Feb -- This is "Stars, Stripes & Marines" Forever Day!

It was February 23, 1945 and four days of bitter battle had taken its toll on the 28th Regiment of the Fifth Marine Division of the U.S. Marines. Their task had been to neutralize the defenses and scale the heavily fortified Mount Surabachi. The volcanic peak, at the southern tip of the Japanese Island of Iwo Jima, was one of the first objectives of the Marines' invasion of this small, strategic island, 750 miles south of Tokyo.

Although losses were heavy, the Marine platoon succeeded in its mission and reached the top of Mount Surabachi on this day. Victory was triumphant -- as the famous photograph of these Marines raising the American flag portrayed.

The photograph inspired the Marine Corps Memorial, Iwo Jima Statue which now stands at Arlington National Cemetery, the largest cast bronze statue in the world. This monument is dedicated to all U.S. Marines (since 1775) who have given their lives for their country.

As the flag was being raised, Navy Secretary Forrestal was standing on the beachhead below. When he saw Old Glory waving in the breeze, he told Lt. General Holland M. Smith, "The raising of that flag on Surabachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."

Word Of The Day: Apposite (AP uh zit) adj. Suitable; appropriate. Where is the most apposite spot to display the collection?

24 Feb -- Today is "Voice of America" Day!

It was an historic day in radio broadcasting, as the Voice of America (VOA) signed on for the first time on this date in 1942. The worldwide, shortwave radio service, a department of the United States Government, continues to beam a variety of programming around the globe under the auspices of the United States Information Agency (USIA).

Today, the VOA transmits from modern studios in Washington, DC and beams much of its programming via satellite to transmitters worldwide. In addition, the VOA maintains huge transmitters in the U.S. and around the world in order to provide distinctly American information, culture and entertainment, in dozens of languages, to every corner of the globe. For years, the tune, "Yankee Doodle", has opened each sign-on broadcast.

More than 40 years after the VOA was launched, the USIA started "Radio Marti", an immensely powerful radio transmitter tethered from a huge blimp in the Florida Keys. The controversial station broadcast to Cuba, irritating Cuban Premier Fidel Castro enough for him to jam the signals of U.S. broadcasters. The Radio Marti blimp crashed after deflating while airborne a few years ago. The station is back on the air today and has been joined by "TV Marti" as well.

Word Of The Day: Proffer (PRAHF uhr) v. To present for acceptance; tender, offer. Thje umpire proffered her the right to serve or receive at the onset of the match.

25 Feb -- This is "Mr. Magoo" Day!

Mr. Magoo was born on this day in 1913 ... well, not really. It's the birthday of Mr. Magoo's voice, actor Jim Backus. The actor, who bore no resemblance to the extremely nearsighted, Rutgers pennant- waving, elderly gentleman, brought him to life once John Hubley created him in 1949. Backus' raspy, Mr. Magoo voice is immediately recognizable to 'toon aficionados the world over.

Mr. Backus entire persona is also immediately recognizable to "Gilligan's Island" fans. From 1964 to 1967 (with reruns, it seems much longer than 4 seasons), Jim Backus played the role of Thurston Howell III in CBS-TV's popular "Gilligan's Island" series; and returned for several sequels, the first, "Rescue from Gilligan's Island" aired in 1978 and was a big hit. (Later versions did not fare as well; although one can catch them in reruns on late night TV.)

He starred in "I Married Joan" from 1952 through 1955; was the first host of "Talent Scouts" in 1962 and played the role of Dagwood's boss, Mr. Dithers in the 1968 version of "Blondie". Jim Backus appeared in many films including: "The Great Lover" in 1949, "Rebel Without a Cause" in 1955, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" in 1963, "Angel's Brigade" in 1979 and "Slapstick of Another Kind" in 1984.

This is just a sampling of the entertainment brought to us by the man whose career spanned several decades of radio, film and TV until his death in 1989. We miss you, Mr. Quincy Magoo.

Word Of The Day: Cataclysmic (kat uh KLIZ mik) adj. Violent and sudden. Such a cataclysmic act of aggression will not be tolerated.

26 Feb -- This is "Red Light" Day!

Seven years after Garrett A. Morgan invented traffic lights, New York City decided it might be a good idea to install some of the newfangled contraptions. The city fathers had been studying traffic plans in other cities and had rejected the wide use of amber lights being used to slow motorists down before they came to a red light. The New York Board ruled that the yellow lights were ineffective.

So on this date in 1930, after too many complaints had been received from drivers complaining about pedestrians straying into their paths, the first red and green signal lights were placed at Manhattan street corners.

They didn't like amber lights in Pittsburgh, PA, either. Even today, Pittsburghers ONLY have red lights. Just ask someone there for directions. They'll say something like, "Turn left at the third red light."

Word Of The Day: Curtail (kur TAYL) v. To cut short, reduce. In an effort to curtail crime, the police posted a curfew.

27 Feb -- This is "T Formation" Day!

Gather 'round the monitor, sports fans, it's time to turn the football clock back to this day in 1942. Notre Dame football coach Frank Leahy announced his intention to concentrate on the "T" formation instead of the famous Knute Rockne "Notre Dame shift" in South Bend, Indiana. Go, Fighting Irish! Rah!

Word Of The Day: Conjecture (kuhn JEK choohr) n. A guess, theory. Though it was only conjecture, I felt I was on the right track.

28 Feb -- This is "Red Bullet" Day!

So, you thought there was only a silver bullet, eh, kemo sabe? Think again. It was on this day in 1959 that "Cash Box" magazine, a trade publication for the music industry, began using a red 'bullet' on its record charts to indicate those records that have the strongest upward movement each week. It is a practice that continues today in most all music related periodicals.

The same designation also appears on charts for movie videos, CDs, records, computer software, books, TV show ratings, Internet web sites, etc. The phrase, "Number one with a bullet" designates those hits that have reached the pinnacle of statistical chartdom. To be so means to be at the top of the list and still climbing higher. I'm Casey Kasem in Hollywood. Keep your feet on the ground. Keep reaching for the stars.

Word Of The Day: Poignant (POYN yuhnt) adj. Affecting the feelings; moving, emotional. It is a poignant time for the recent widow.

George R. Self
E-mail me at: grself@c2i2.com

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