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 -- New Year's Day

19 -- Martin Luther King Day

1 January -- This is "New Year's" Day!

The world's most celebrated holiday, New Year's Day, has been observed on January 1, in most English-speaking countries, since 1751 when the British calendar act was passed. It used to be, folks wished everyone a Happy New Year on March 25, to coincide, approximately, with the beginning of spring.

In many other countries, it is customary to wish everyone a Happy Birthday on January 1st (rather than Happy New Year), since the day is called Everyman's Birthday; the day when everyone gets a year older whether it's their real birthday or not. For some unknown reason, this rule also applies to race horses. No matter when they were born, all race horses become a year older today. So, tell a horse and your friends, "Happy Birthday" today, and don't nag them about their ages.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday (especially to those of you born on this day) -- this could get confusing. We wish you and yours a New Year filled with peace, prosperity and good health.

Word Of The Day: Spate (spayt) n. A massive outpouring; a rush or flood. A spate of invective rushed from the prisoner's lips.

NBC-TV presented the first program in the series of "The Life of Riley", starring William Bendix, on this date in 1953. The program had been on NBC for one season in 1949 with Jackie Gleason in the starring role of Chester Riley. Before that it had a long run on radio where William Bendix created the role. You'll remember Chester Riley as being a big, lovable, galoot who couldn't get anything right. His philosophy when things went wrong: "What a revolting development this is."

Word Of The Day: Raucous (RAH kuhs) adj. Loud, rowdy, shrill. This peaceful protest could turn into a raucous riot.

Oh, hot dog, boys and girls! One of our favorite days is here! On this day in 1888, Marvin C. Stone of Washington, D.C. patented the drinking straw. He was hoping to call it a 'stone'; but that had already be taken. So, instead of having drinking stones to make those gross, slurping noises at the end of our drinks, we use drinking straws. So there.

Word Of The Day: Inadvertent (in uhd VUR tuhnt) adj. Not attentive; heedless. Such an inadvertent remark was inexcusable.

Boy, is nothing sacred around here? On this day in 1970, television history was made when super dog, Lassie was hit by a car while pushing a child away from danger. Lassie was seen on TV, for the next month, suffering from amnesia. Hmmmm. Lassie, incidentally, was always played by a male dog and was the first inductee named to the Animal Hall of Fame in 1969.

The TV series, "Lassie", inspired by Eric Knight's 1940 best-seller, "Lassie Come Home", went through three formats centered around a different master. In 1954, Jeff Miller inherited the dog. In 1957, a 7-year-old, named Timmy, was adopted by a childless couple. The family was named Miller, if memory serves. In 1964, Lassie was given to a forest ranger, named Corey Stuart. There, that's the Lassie news. Now you're up-to-date.

Word Of The Day: Sedulous (SEJ uh luhs) adj. Diligent, industrious. Did you find the natives sedulous, or were they lazy?

Roll the film...

On this day in 1948, Warner Brothers-Pathe showed the very first color newsreel, as pictures of the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl football classic were seen by theatre audiences. Movie news... boy, what a concept! Next thing you know, somebody will have the great idea to put commercials immediately before the feature film! What? They really DO that now? See? What did we tell ya! Time marches on!

Word Of The Day: Substantiate (suhb STAN shee ayt) v. To prove true using evidence; confirm. It won't be difficult to substantiate the experiment.

Dumb title, we know -- but an equally, er, silly, football play, too. The National Collegiate Football Rules Committee abolished the Y formation on this day in 1942 because it led to many linemen shouting, "Get yer butt out of my face, dude!" We don't believe a play in which the center FACES his own backfield would work well today. Someone could get hurt doing this! Please, don't try this at home! Hike!

Word Of The Day: Sultry (SUL tree) adj. Oppressively hot and moist; torrid, inflamed. The first-ever football game was played on a sultry day in August.

On this date in 1924, George Gershwin completed the incomparable score of "Rhapsody in Blue". Incidentally, George was only 26 years old at the time. And, George didn't even have an interest in music until his family got him a piano when he was twelve; nine years later he had his first hit, "Swanee". Just think of the kind of music many 26-year-olds are composing today...

Word Of The Day: Volition (vo LISH uhn) n. Will-power; choice. You will leave of your own volition or you will be removed by force.

On this day in 1935, the world welcomed a baby who was destined to truly, shake it up! It was on this day that the King of Rock 'n' Roll was born: Elvis Aron Presley (he later changed the spelling of his middle name to Aaron).

There is hardly a soul alive who hasn't heard the name or the voice or seen the swiveling hips of the teen-age idol of millions! From Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee with stops in Hollywood and Las Vegas; Elvis gave those who grew up with him, the musical memories of a life-time. Their parents were brought kicking and screaming into a new generation of music; and their children now sing and dance to music performed by those 'The King' inspired.

From "That's All Right, Mama" and "Mystery Train", recorded for Sam Phillips in 1954 to "Suspicious Minds", his last #1 hit under the control of Colonel Parker; Elvis Presley was an unequaled phenomenon. He became more than a singer to most of America; a symbol of changes in lifestyles, society and culture.

Today, those of us who were there can still sing "Heartbreak Hotel"; the words to "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" will never escape us; "Love Me Tender" will forever tear at our heartstrings; while "Don't Be Cruel" turns us all into karaoke stars; and, of course, "Hound Dog" conjures up a vivid image of the sensuous eyes and trembling lips of a young Elvis.

For those who had the good fortune to see Elvis, in person, in Las Vegas and at other venues; and for those who have visited Graceland; to an entire generation, the 'King' still lives in music and memories.

Relive those moments. Get out your Elvis records, tapes, cassettes, CDs and play some real rock 'n' roll. Play "All Shook Up" and watch a new generation twist their hips to his music.

Long live The King!

Word Of The Day: Glib (glib) adj. Smooth of speech. Salesmen surrounded him offering up their glib pitches.

Jean Pierre Blanchard made the first successful balloon flight in the United States on this day in 1793. Blanchard's balloon, filled with hydrogen, took off from Philadelphia, PA, soared to 5,800 feet and eventually wound up some 15 miles away, in Woodbury, New Jersey.

President George Washington was in Philadelphia for the event, along with Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay, Paul Revere, John Adams and other bigwigs.

Rumor has it that Jean Pierre had a copilot helping him on that historic flight: a little black dog. (No, we don't know the dog's name. Hey, we're good, but not that good...)

Word Of The Day: Germane (juhr MAYN) adj. Helpful, relevant, pertinent. That evidence is germaine to solving the case.

On this day in 1949, the Radio Corporation of America, sometimes known as RCA, announced a new 7-inch, 45 rpm phonograph record. Soon, the 45, the record with the big hole in the middle, would change the pop music business. RCA even manufactured a record player that played only 45s -- with a fat spindle that made "stacking wax" real simple and automatic for those romantic times when hands were just too busy to be flippin' records.

Word Of The Day: Envisage (en VIZ ij) v. To imagine; picture in the mind. I envisage a corporation composed of three separate divisions.

In 1770, the first shipment of rhubarb was sent to the United States from London. Benjamin Franklin sent the plant to his buddy, John Bartram in Philadelphia. So, get some rhubarb pie, or if you're in the vicinity of Knott's Berry Farm, and you're going to have their famous chicken dinner, you'll get stewed rhubarb whether you want it or not! Of course, you can just get into a rhubarb today to celebrate!

Word Of The Day: Mortify (MOR tuh fai) v. To embarrass, humiliate. My own fears of swimming have mortified me for years.

"Sam 'n' Henry" debuted on WGN Radio in Chicago, Illinois. It was 1926. The show's name was soon changed to "Amos 'n' Andy" and the voices of its creators, Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll played to Depression-era audiences; portraying two characters who were constantly looking for extra income. Although the players were white, the characters were supposed to be black. The popular radio show would attract over forty million fans during its radio tenure which ended in 1948. (Gosden and Correll returned to radio with the "Amos 'n' Andy Music Hall" [1954-1960]).

When the show moved to television in 1951, black actors replaced Gosden and Correll; and the show was condemned as a one-sided caricature of black Americans. "Amos 'n' Andy", although not politically correct, made broadcasting history. It was the first TV show to have an all-black cast. After two seasons, Amos, Andy and the Kingfish went into syndication and the show is not being aired anywhere that we know of today.

George Bernard Shaw said, "There are three things I'll never forget about America: The Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, and Amos 'n' Andy."

Word Of The Day: Gaunt (gahnt) adj. Haggard; thin or bony. The old woman's gaunt, hungry appearance saddened me.

This day in 1962 saw singer, Chubby Checker set a record, literally, with the hit, "The Twist". The song reached the #1 position for an unprecedented second time -- in two years. "The Twist" was also number one on September 26, 1960. The Philadelphia boy made good twice!

Chubby's birth name is Ernest Evans, but he changed it for show biz at the urging of Dick Clark's wife. His smash success was also a twist of fate. Hank Ballard was supposed to record the song for Dick Clark's, "American Bandstand". Hank didn't show; Danny and the Juniors, Clark's second choice, couldn't make it in time. Chubby Checker showed up complete with energy and enthusiasm to turn "The Twist" into a hit and a dance craze.

Others followed: "Pony Time", "The Fly", "Limbo Rock", "Slow Twistin'" with Dee Dee Sharp and "Let's Twist Again".

Word Of The Day: Riposte (ri POST) n. A retaliatory maneuver; a retort. Taken aback by his scathing riposte, I stood there, speechless.

This is a most historic day in television. On this cold East Coast morning at 7 a.m., in 1952, NBC-TV opened a broadcast with a shot of Dave Garroway looking outside through the 'Window on the World' in New York City. The program was the first that featured his signature sign-off: hand raised, uttering one word, "Peace".

The show was developed by Pat Weaver, father of actress Sigourney Weaver. Now, 44 years later, the popular show still goes on, starring Bryant Gumbel, Katie Couric, and Willard Scott.

This is "Today"... on NBC.

Word Of The Day: Imperious (im PIR ee uhs) adj. Urgent, pressing; domineering. I could tell by her imperious manner that something was wrong.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on this day in 1929. His lifelong goal was to bring about social, political and economic equality for blacks. In the quest for his ideals, he became one of the greatest civil rights leaders of the 20th century. A Baptist minister (as were his father and grandfather before him), he preached 'nonviolent resistance' to achieve full civil rights for all. Leading the African-American struggle for equality through nonviolent demonstrations was what earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

In spite of King's nonviolent preachings, he was the target of violence on several occasions. His home was bombed in Montgomery, AL.; he was stabbed in New York City, had stones thrown at him in Chicago and, ultimately, was assassinated (age 39) by a hidden rifleman, in Memphis, TN on April 4, 1968.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday has been a public holiday in the United States since 1986, commemorated on the 3rd Monday in January.

King wrote five books espousing his philosophy: "Stride Toward Freedom" [1958], "Strength to Love" [1963], "Why We Can't Wait" [1964], "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?" [1967] and "The Trumpet of Conscience" [1968]. On August 28, 1963 more than 200,000 people marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC and, as millions more watched on television, King addressed the throng saying, "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.'"

Word Of The Day: Perpetuate (puhr PECH yoo ayt) v. To cause to continue. They want to perpetuate the myth that only big businesses have high profits.

This day, January 16, is set aside each year for people to sit around for the entire day and just hang out. No celebrating, observing or honoring anything. Don't even pick up the mail -- it's only holiday bills, anyway. So, please, sit there with your hands folded and no talking. Thank you. Oh, just when did this day come about in history? 1973, and it was created by Harold Pullman Coffin.

Word Of The Day: Iota (ai O tuh) n. A very small amount. Don't give an inch, not one iota!

1871 - Andrew S. Hallidie of San Francisco, California patented the cable car, a public transport vehicle moved by motor-driven cables along city streets. Visitors and commuters alike consider them a true San Francisco treat.

A little known fact is that Mr. Hallidie didn't call them cable cars at first. Originally, one took a trip on 'the endless wire rope way.' True! We don't make aLL of this stuff up, you know...

Word Of The Day: Synergy (SIN uhr jee) n. The action of a group achieving a greater effect than that of which each individual is capable. Our relationship was built on synergy.

The author who wrote the children's classic, "Winnie the Pooh", A.A. Milne, was born on this day in 1882. He developed the character of the fun-loving bear who just couldn't keep his nose out of the beehive.

Pooh, boys and girls, was 'bestest' friends with Christopher Robin and hung out with a donkey named Eor. Remember? Sure you do...

Sterling Holloway was the voice of Winnie in the film and TV shows. Mr. Milne wrote other famous children's books, too, including: "When We Were Very Young" (1924), "Now We Are Six" (1927) and "The House at Pooh Corner" (1927) and the exciting, "Pooh Bear: The Last Hive", starring Sly Stallone. (Not really... but what a great visual!)

Word Of The Day: Droll (drol) adj. Oddly comical or amusing. We all enjoyed the pet chicken's droll antics.

The first film reviews appeared in "Variety" magazine on this day in 1907. The magazine had only been in print two years before it expanded its section covering new vaudeville acts to include reviews of films.

Critics were kind in the days before talkies. Maybe they didn't bother reading the subtitles and just reviewed the action. The first film to receive the critic's praise was a comedy titled, "An Exciting Honeymoon". It was just seven minutes long. The other 'first' "Variety" film review was of the thirteen-minute long movie, "The Life of a Cowboy". The critics gave it two thumbs up, saying it was "so melodramatic in treatment that it acted on the audience like a vivid play". Wonder how many thumbs they would have given to "Diehard: With a Vengeance"?

Word Of The Day: Vestige (VES tij) n. A trace; evidence of past existence. He's merely a vestige of his former talented self.

With cigar in hand, seemingly always accompanied by a young and beautiful woman, George Burns, made millions of us laugh with his quick wit and easy style.

Born Nathan Birnbaum on this day in 1896 in New York City, Burns' show biz career got started with his straight man act for zany Gracie Allen back in 1922. On January 7, 1926 the two were wed and The Burns and Allen team made history from vaudeville to radio (1932) to films and then, TV beginning in 1950. Several generations used Mr. Burns' trademark close, "Say goodnight, Gracie."; whenever someone made a ditzy comment. Hollywood cast the duo with their inspired lunacy in a slew of films in the '30s including: "International House", "We're Not Dressing", "The Big Broadcast", "Damsel in Distress", "College Swing" and "Honolulu".

Three decades passed before George Burns made another movie. This one was a winner. In fact, "The Sunshine Boys" won George Burns his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (1975). Other films followed in rapid succession: "Oh, God!" [1977], "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" [1978], "Going in Style" [1979], "Oh, God! Book 2" [1980], "Two of a Kind" [1982], "Oh, God! You Devil" [1984] and "Radioland Murders" [1994].

At the age of 93, George Burns was making hits with the song, "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again" from his 1988 film, "18 Again!". And he was playing Vegas to rave revues.

The 20th century's premier entertainer, George Burns, continued to show all of us how to live life to its fullest, still singing and story-telling to his 100th birthday. Mr. Burns passed away on March 9, 1996.

Word Of The Day: Sophistry (SAHF uh stree) n. False reasoning, clever but misleading argument. Their sophistry convinced me to go along with them.

It was on this day in 1915, in a little town called Detroit, Michigan (OK, it wasn't such a little town) that the first Kiwanis club was formed. Today, Kiwanis International has over 32,000 members in over 8,000 clubs covering 70 countries worldwide. The men and women of Kiwanis International are committed to volunteer service and charity in each of their communities. They provide many community services and projects and have been doing so for 81 years.

Happy anniversary, Kiwanis -- and keep up the great work!

Word Of The Day: Harbinger (HAHR bin juhr) n. A forerunner; advance notice. Her huge vocabulary was a harbinger of her prolific medical skill.

We know that you may be feeling the 'sugar blues' after all that junk you ate over the holidays; but this is different, as we remember Clyde McCoy and his Orchestra, who recorded "Sugar Blues" on this date in 1931. The tune became McCoy's theme song, thanks to its popularity on Columbia Records, and later on Decca, selling over a million copies. McCoy, said to be related to the feudin' and a-fightin' McCoys of Hatfield and McCoy fame, is still asked, wherever he goes, to play that trumpet and those "Sugar Blues". Wah-wah-wah!

Word Of The Day: Penchant (PEN chuhnt) n. A strong liking, fetish; an inclination. He had a penchant for fast cars.

John Hancock is honored this day as the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Hancock, of Boston, was born on January 23, 1737. The day in his honor promotes legible handwriting. Do you have any idea, why? Well, because at the signing, Mr. Hancock reportedly said, "I'll sign it in letters bold enough so the King of England can see it without his spectacles on!" And he did. Now you know where the phrase, "put your John Hancock on it", comes from. And we're signing off...

Word Of The Day: Guise (gaiz) n. Manner, appearance; a false appearance. Under the guise of romance, she was able to obtain the top-secret information.

The lights dimmed, the crowd was hushed, the stage was laden with floral gifts, and the music played, "do you hear it babe"? It was Neil. It was a "Beautiful Noise". It made me feel good, "If You Know What I Mean".

He sang, "Yesterday's Songs", with the words that say the songs just don't stay around long. Not true when it comes to Neil Diamond songs. Neil Diamond started singing and writing songs while a young premed student. He was born on this date in 1941. A song titled, "Sunday & Me", was his first hit [1965]. He wrote it for Jay and The Americans; then "I'm a Believer", and "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" followed for the Monkees [1966].

Then Neil wrote and wrote and sang and sang... 36 hits for you and me to remember from 1966 through 1983; the first, "Cherry, Cherry"; three #1 smash hits, "Cracklin' Rosie" [1970], "Song Sung Blue" [1972], and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Barbra Streisand [1978]. By 1973, Neil Diamond had moved from a poor premed student to composing soundtracks for seven figures ("Jonathan Livingston Seagull", "The Jazz Singer" -- in which he also starred -- and which also yielded three hits: "America", "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello, Again").

The music of Neil Diamond is everlasting poetry, "Longfellow Serenade". The concert ended but it will continue, "Forever in Blue Jeans". "I Am, I Said", sang Neil. And, we sing to you, Neil Diamond: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".

Word Of The Day: Quandary (Kwahn dree) n. A state of doubt; a dilemma. I was in a quandary over the marriage proposal.

For 110 years, the folks in St. Paul, MN have been honoring winter on this date with the start of a ten day celebration. The first Saint Paul Winter Carnival was held in on this day in 1886; and that's when this little folklore prediction began: "If the sun should shine on this day, a good year will follow."

This tradition started a year earlier than the similar tradition, Groundhog Day. Put that in your stovepipe hat and smoke it, Punxsutawney Phil!

Word Of The Day: Pragmatic (prag MAT ik) adj. Practical, workable, based on experience. That might be the most pragmatic solution.

Oh, boy... without a doubt, one of our favorite days of the year. In 1875, George F. Green of Kalamazoo, Michigan, patented the electric dental drill for sawing, filing, dressing and polishing teeth. Considering what they used before George came up with his invention (hammer, pliers, pipe wrench, chain saw (Yeeeeeeow!), the thought of that spiffy electric drill is kind of comforting...

Word Of The Day: Blasé (blah ZAY) adj. Bored, indifferent. This blasé young student leads an empty life.

On this day in 1870, Kappa Alpha Theta, the first women's Greek letter society, or sorority, was founded at Indiana Asbury University -- now DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Their secret greeting was... We're not Zeta telling Eta because Sigma it Upsilon wouldn't Gamma be Iota a Lambda secret Rho then, would Tau it?

Word Of The Day: Wreak (reek) v. To inflict; vent, express, or gratify. "Wreak destruction on the aliens!" shouted Captain Kirk.

It was on this night in 1940 that "Beat the Band" made its debut on NBC. The 'band' was that of Ted Weems and his 14 piece orchestra, who were joined by Elmo 'The Whistling Troubadour' Tanner; emcee, Thomas Garrison Morfit aka Garry Moore; and a couple of noted singers. One was Marvel Maxwell. The other, a barber from Pittsburgh, PA (nearby Canonsburg, actually) who would record many hits for RCA Victor from 1943 right through the dawn of the '70s. His name was Perry Como.

"Beat the Band" was a funky show where listeners' questions were selected in the hopes of stumping the band. If a listener's question was chosen, he or she received $10.

The questions were posed as riddles -- Question: What song title tells you what Cinderella might have said if she awoke one morning and found that her foot had grown too large for her glass slipper? If the band played the correct answer: "Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?", the listener lost.

If the listener beat the band, he/she won twenty bucks and a CASE of Kix cereal. Crunch. Crunch.

Word Of The Day: Solicitous (suh LIS I tuhs) adj. Concerned; attentive; eager. Solicitous youths are the most likely to be hired.

"Ah, yes..." In 1880, William Claude Dukenfield was born. He became one of the most celebrated comics and actors in the U.S., starting his career as a vaudeville juggler, then spending several decades on the musical stage before turning to films.

W.C. Fields (he shortened his name for stage and screen) made his first short, "Pool Sharks", in 1915. After silent movies, he performed in many comedy classics like, "My Little Chicadee" with Mae West (1940), "The Bank Dick" (1940) and "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break" (1941).

W.C.'s famous lines became subject matter for nightclub impersonators and comedians. "Doctors say don't worry about your heart -- it will last as long as you live.", "Californians talk so much about their climate, it makes their weather vane.", "I am very humble and proud of it.", and "It was a woman who drove me to drink and I never even thanked her."

A filmfest is held in Lompoc, California each year to commemorate their favorite son, who spoke of the town in several movies... calling it, "Lom-POCK". He despised children and babies and requested that his headstone read, "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."

Word Of The Day: Blunt (blunt) v. To deter, disincline; desensitize; dull. I hat to blunt your enthusiasm, but your plan simply will not work.

On this day in 1933, "The Lone Ranger", famous radio western, was heard for the first time. The program ran for 2,956 episodes and came to an end on radio in 1954. Jack Deeds was the first voice of the Lone Ranger. George Seaton, Earle Graser and Brace Beemer were also very popular in the role. The part of Indian scout, Tonto, on the radio, was played for almost the entire run by a bald-headed Irishman named John Todd.

Clayton Moore (1949-1952 & 1954-1957) and John Hart (1952-1954) as The Lone Ranger (Texas Ranger John Reid), and Jay Silverheels, as his faithful Indian companion, Tonto ("Ummm, kemo sabe"), took to the TV airwaves for years. (Moore and Silverheels would also make 1956 and 1958 film versions of "The Lone Ranger".)

The "William Tell Overture" always started the show, with the voice of announcer, Fred Foy, saying, "The Lone Ranger rides again!" Hi-yo Silver, away! (Get 'um up Scout!)

Word Of The Day: Pugnacious (puhg NAY shuhs) adj. Quarrelsome, eager to fight. Fido is an extremely pugnacious poodle.

"Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz ..." OK, so we can't type the theme song as fast as they can buzz it.

It was on this day, the last day of January, 1936, that the radio show, "The Green Hornet", was introduced by its famous theme song, "The Flight of the Bumble Bee". The show was first heard on WXYZ Radio in Detroit, MI, owned today and for many years by ABC. The show stayed on the air for 16 years.

"The Green Hornet" originated in the very radio station where "The Lone Ranger" was performed. For trivia buffs, you may remember that the character in "The Green Hornet" was really named Britt Reid. He was, in fact, supposed to be, the great-great-nephew of John Reid ... "The Lone Ranger". If "The Green Hornet" sounded somewhat similar to "The Lone Ranger", it was intentional. Both popular series were created by George Trendle and both were written by Fran Striker.

Word Of The Day: Regale (ruh GAYL) v. To entertain, delight. For three hours she regaled us with her adventurous life.

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

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