What events occurred on January 19th?

Today In …

1861 - Georgia becomes the fifth state to officially secede from the Union, joining the Confederate states during the Civil War.

1915 - During World War I, the first zeppelin air raid of Britain occurred.

1920 - Congress opts against the United States’ involvement in the League of Nations.

1937 - Howard Hughes breaks his own transcontinental airspeed record, flying from Los Angeles, CA to New York in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.

1977 - Iva Toguri D’Aquino a.k.a. Tokyo Rose is pardoned by President Gerald Ford for her broadcasting propaganda during World War II.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Ursula Andress was born in 1936. The famed actress was the silver screen’s first Bond girl (“Dr. No”) and also appeared as Aphrodite in “Clash of the Titans”.

Desi Arnaz Jr., son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, was born this day in 1953.

Paula Deen, the popular personality and cook from TV’s “The Food Network” was born in 1947.

Phil Everly makes up half of the legendary Everly Brothers (“When Will I Be Loved” and “Wake Up Little Susie”) with brother Don. He was born in 1938.

Lester Flatt, this legendary musician is behind a number of memorable songs including the “Ballad of Jed Clampett” (written with Earl Scruggs) that was used as the theme song to “The Beverly Hillbillies”. He was born in 1914.

Tippi Hedren, star of such films as “The Birds” (1963) and “Marnie” (1964) and mother of actress Melanie Griffith, was born in 1935.

Patricia Highsmith, the author behind “Strangers on a Train” was born in 1921.

Janis Joplin was born in 1943. The rock legend is behind such songs as “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Piece of My Heart”.

Robert E. Lee famed General of the Confederate forces during the Civil War, was born in 1807.

Robert Palmer, the voice behind such timeless hits as “Addicted to Love” and “Simply Irresistible” was born in 1949.

Dolly Parton was born in 1946. The talented actress/singer/songwriter has appeared in such films as “Nine to Five” and “Steel Magnolias”. She also wrote and sang the mega-hit “I Will Always Love You”.

Edgar Allan Poe infamous author of such tales as “The House of Usher” and “The Tell Tale Heart” was born in 1809.

Dan Reeves, former NFL player and head coach, was born in 1944.

Katey Sagal, who is probably best known as Peg Bundy on the hit TV show “Married with Children” was born in 1954.

Jean Stapleton was born in 1923. The famed actress of stage and screen is probably best known for her role as Edith Bunker on TV’s “All in the Family”.

We Said Goodbye To…

James Dickey, the author of several books including “Deliverance” passed away in 1997.

Hedy Lamarr, the actress who appeared in “Ziegfeld Girl” (1941) and “Samson and Delilah” (1949) was also credited with inventing Spread Spectrum. Lamarr passed away this day in 2000.

Carl Perkins passed away in 1998. The famed musician and singer also penned the infamous song “Blue Suede Shoes”.

Wilson Pickett, the legendary singer behind such hits as “In the Midnight Hour”, “Land of 1000 Dances” and “Mustang Sally” passed away in 2006.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1959 - “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” by the Platters

Memorable Sports Moments In…

1937 - Cy Young becomes a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1972 - Yogi Berra becomes a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1992 - Ric Flair begins his first title run in the (then) WWF after winning the vacant spot at the annual Royal Rumble. Flair was also the first person in the Rumble’s history to enter the tournament at number three and outlast 27 other participates.