Interrogatories
If we had to let one state secede, if only to show them how bad things would be for them, which state would you choose?
Do you ever go caroling? Do you get carolers where you live?
How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you need any more?
If you could have back one attribute of your youth, what would it be?
The Twitter Emitter
On This Day
In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was finalized during a ceremony held in New Orleans. We haven’t taken very good care of our purchase lately.
In 1860, South Carolina was the first of the Southern states to attempt to secede from the United States.
In 1946, It’s a Wonderful Life premiered in New York City. It was not initially a success, and lost money on its first release, though it did receive several Oscar nominations, and the Mr. Potter character became the role model for a young Dick Cheney.
In 1957, Elvis Presley received his draft notice.
In 1975, Joe Walsh replaced Bernie Leadon in the Eagles.
In 1989, the United States invaded Panama to overthrow government of Manuel Noriega.
In 2005, US District Court Judge John E. Jones III ruled against mandating the teaching of "intelligent design" in the case of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District.
Born on This Day
1532 - Orazio Samacchini, Italian painter (d. 1577)
1629 – Pieter de Hooch, Dutch painter (d. 1684)
1792 – Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, French painter (d. 1845)
1814 - Kazimierz Alchimowicz, Polish painter (d. 1916)
1833 – Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, American physician (d. 1883)
1858 - Jan Theodoor Toorop, Dutch Symbolist painter (d. 1928)
1861 – Ivana Kobilca, Slovenian painter (d. 1926)
1865 – Elsie de Wolfe, American socialite and interior decorator (d. 1950)
1898 – Irene Dunne, American actress (d. 1990)
1908 – Dennis Morgan, American actor (d. 1994)
1918 – Audrey Totter, American actress, who just died last Friday (12/13/13) (See Tipple Jar)
1933 – Jean Carnahan, former U.S. Senator
1948 – Alan Parsons, British music producer and artist
1952 – Jenny Agutter, English actress
1955 – Ed Kuepper, German-born Australian musician (The Saints, Laughing Clowns)
1957 – Billy Bragg, English singer-songwriter
1957 – Mike Watt, American bassist
1966 – Chris Robinson, American singer (Black Crowes)
Died on This Day
1656 - David Beck, Dutch painter (b. 1621)
1817 - Lié-Louis Périn-Salbreux, French painter (b. 1753)
1900 - Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker, German historical painter (b. 1820)
1900 - Frederick Richard Pickersgill, British painter and illustrator (b. 1820)
1929 - Paolo Sala, Italian painter (b. 1859)
1954 – James Hilton, British author (b. 1900)
1961 – Moss Hart, American dramatist (b. 1904)
1968 – John Steinbeck, American writer, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1902)
1973 – Bobby Darin, American singer (b. 1936)
1976 – Richard J. Daley, American politician (b. 1902)
1997 – Dawn Steel, American film producer (b. 1946)
1998 – Irene Hervey, American actress (b. 1909)
2010 – Steve Landesberg, American actor and comedian (b. 1936)
Today is
International Human Solidarity Day
Go Caroling Day
Mudd Day
National Sangria Day
National Fried Shrimp Day