Guest Author - Tammy Cordani

We take a look at some of the events that occurred on February 18th.

Today In …

1861 - Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

1901 - Winston Churchill gave his first speech to Parliament.

1930 - The (former) planet Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Hans Asperger the renowned pediatrician who identified Asperger’s Syndrome was born in 1906.

Dennis DeYoung former lead singer of the rock band Styx who penned some of the band’s hit tunes such as “Lady” and “Mr. Roboto” was born in 1947.

Matt Dillon who starred in “There’s Something About Mary” and “Crash” was born in 1964.

Dr. Dre the rapper/actor who worked on “Training Day” was born in 1965.

George Gipp a.k.a. “The Gipper” who gained notoriety not only as a football player for Notre Dame but when he was portrayed by Ronald Reagan in the movie “Knute Rockne, All American”.

John Hughes the writer/producer/director of such films as “Sixteen Candles” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” was born in 1950.

George Kennedy who starred in such films as “Cool Hand Luke” and “Airport” was born in 1925.

Queen Mary I the daughter of England’s King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon was born in 1516.

Juice Newton the singer behind such tunes as “Queen of Hearts”, “Angel of the Morning” and “Hurt” was born in 1952.

Yoko Ono the singer/songwriter and wife of Beatle John Lennon was born in 1933.

Jack Palance the Academy Award winning actor who starred in such films as “City Slickers” and “Batman” was born in 1919.

Molly Ringwald who starred in “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club” was born in 1968.

Cybi.l Shepherd the star of TV’s “Moonlighting” and “Cybill” was born in 1950.

John Travolta the star of such films as “Saturday Night Fever”, “Pulp Fiction” and “Face/Off” was born in 1954.

Vanna White best known for her work on the TV game show “Wheel of Fortune” was born in 1957.

We Said Goodbye To…

Harry Caray the renowned baseball broadcaster passed away in 1998 at the age of 83.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. the infamous race car driver was killed in a racing accident on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardt was 49.

Frank James brother of legendary outlaw Jesse James passed away in 1915 at the age of 72.

Kublai Khan the Mongolian leader passed away in 1294 at the age of 79.

Martin Luther the 16th century religious leader passed away in 1546 at the age of 62.

Michelangelo the famed artist who created such sculptures as David and the Pieta and whose works are a part of the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica passed away in 1564 at the age of 88.

Kerry Von Erich best known as the Texas Tornado in the wrestling world passed away in 1993 at the age of 33.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1956 - “Great Pretender” by the Platters
1995 -On The Country Charts – “My Kind Of Girl” by Collin Raye

In Print In…

1885 - “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain was first published.

Movie Moments In...

1953 - Although it may be a little known movie these days, “Bwana Devil” premiered in New York City. The movie was responsible for the 3-D craze!

2000 - “The Whole Nine Yards” starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry debuted today!

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