Seven years ago – In 2014, New York’s One World Trade Center opened for business, more than 13 years after the terrorist attacks that took down the twin towers. The Freedom Tower stands a very patriotic 1776 feet tall, with its height matching the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
12 years ago – In 2009, Carrie Underwood released her third album, “Play On”, featuring “Cowboy Casanova“ and “Mama’s Song“.
23 years ago – In 1998, Jesse Ventura was elected Minnesota’s governor. He only served one term.
25 years ago – In 1996, Kobe Bryant made his NBA debut at 18 years old.
29 years ago – In 1992, Billy Clinton was elected 42nd president of the United States, defeating President Bush the Elder.
31 years ago – In 1990, “Ice, Ice Baby“ by Vanilla Ice hit #1 on the pop singles chart, the first rap single EVER to top the pop chart. (How do you think guys like Chuck D and Mos Def feel about that? Discuss.)
33 years ago – In 1988, Geraldo Rivera’s gorgeous nose was broken with a chair when Skinheads brawled on his show. But I believe there were good people on both sides. (???)
43 years ago – In 1978, “Diff’rent Strokes”, starring The Late, Great Gary Coleman, debuted on NBC.
57 years ago – In 1964, Washington D.C. was allowed to vote in a presidential election for the first time. They earned the right in 1961 with the 23rd Amendment.
60 years ago – In 1961, the Country Music Association inducted Jimmy Rodgers, Fred Rose and Hank Williams as its first class into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
64 years ago – In 1957, the First Dog Was Shot Into Space. The Russians launched the 2nd man-made satellite, Sputnik 2, into orbit with a dog named Laika as its passenger . . . with a one-way ticket.
(Is Sputnik 2 still floating around somewhere in space with poor Laika’s bones inside? Discuss.)
65 years ago – In 1956, little Liza Minnelli introduced the first televised presentation of “The Wizard of Oz”. She was only 10 years old . . . and not yet a Creature of Drunken Rage.
73 years ago – In 1948, the “Chicago Tribune” mistakenly called the presidential election for the wrong candidate . . . which allowed an amused Harry S. Truman to claim victory while holding the headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.”
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