MONDAY ALMANAC – July 7
Sept. 1, Monday – Labor Day
Sept. 11, Thursday – Patriot Day
Sept. 22, Monday – Fall begins (Autumn Equinox is 2:19 p.m. EDT)
BIRTHDAYS
Kirsten Vangsness (actress, “Criminal Minds”) … 53
Jorja Fox (actress, “CSI: Vegas,” “CSI”) … 57
Jim Gaffigan (comedian, actor, author) … 59
David Hodo (original member of The Village People – the construction worker) … 78
Ringo Starr (drummer, The Beatles, real name Richard Starkey) … 85
Today’s Birthdays grade: An original Beatle! An original Village Person! Who could ask for more? Grade: A-plus.
[Want to try something different with the daily birthdays? Try grading them! Some days have “good” celebs, some have “great” celebs, some have “lousy” celebs. For fun, give the group an arbitrary grade: A-plus through F-minus. Sidekick will give you our take on it; you can to take the concept and run with it.]
BIRTHDAY QUOTE QUIZ – Ask your listeners “Who said it?” HINT: Today’s their birthday!
“I am about peace and love. I am about non-violence. And so I’ve just got to express that every chance I get.”
(A) Vladimir Putin
(B) Simon Cowell
(C) Ringo Starr
ANSWER: (C) Ringo Starr
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1999 – In the first class-action lawsuit by smokers to go to trial, a jury in Miami held cigarette makers liable for making a defective product that causes emphysema, lung cancer and other illnesses.
* The next step: make the cigarette companies cough up some cash.
1980 – The “Solar Challenger” became the first solar-powered aircraft to cross the English Channel.
* But solar aircraft never caught on so they ended up digging a tunnel under it.
1957 – The first package of “Sweet’N Low” sugar substitute was served at a restaurant.
* Over 50 years of sugar substitutes and Americans are more obese than ever.
1930 – Construction began on what is now the Hoover Dam. It was originally named Boulder Dam.
* Then the vacuum cleaner company made an offer for naming rights.
1802 – The first comic book, “The Wasp,” was published in Hudson, NY.
* Parents thought comic books would lead to juvenile delinquency. Actually, the real problems start when kids move on to the hard stuff – video games!
THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY
2010 – Paul McCartney joined Ringo Starr onstage at a concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall to help celebrate the former Beatle drummer’s 70th birthday. With Ringo’s All Starr Band joined by Yoko Ono, Joe Walsh, Angus Young and Steven Van Zandt, Paul belted out “Birthday” and Ringo delivered “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
2009 – Michael Jackson’s family and fans said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service.
2007 – The Live Earth concerts took place around the world with The Police closing the days events in New Jersey. The concerts were organized by former US Vice-President Al Gore, as part of his campaign to “heal the planet.”
2006 – Syd Barrett died from complications arising from diabetes at age 60. The singer, songwriter, guitarist was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, active as a rock musician for only about seven years before he went into seclusion.
2000 – Eminem’s wife, Kimberly Mathers, was hospitalized after she slit her wrists following her husband’s show in Detroit which was part of the Up in Smoke Tour at Joe Louis Arena.
1984 – Bruce Springsteen went to No.1 on the U.S. album chart with “Born In The USA.” The album went on to spend a total of 139 weeks on the U.S. chart. Also reaching No.1 in the UK, Australia, and Canada, among many other territories, it became Springsteen’s most successful release and one of the world’s best-selling LPs of all time.
1984 – Prince started a five week run at No.1 on the U.S. singles chart with “When Doves Cry,” his first U.S. No.1 which went on to sell over 2 million copies.
