Browsing: December

A Brief History On December 4, 1956, Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee was the location of an impromptu jam session by four of the rising stars of the Rock and Roll Era.  Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis got together and made music in an unplanned moment of musical serendipity, bringing together for the one and only time these future legends.  Lucky for us, the recordings still exist! Digging Deeper At the time of the jam session, Elvis had already hit the big time and had moved from Sun Records to RCA, and had just…

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A Brief History On December 3, 1997, a conference of countries of the world decided on conditions to draft a treaty banning the use of anti-personnel land mines.  Although 121 nations signed the so called Ottawa Treaty (because it was signed in Ottawa, Canada), the United States, along with China, India, Israel, Iran and Russia refused to sign the humanitarian pact.  When the largest or most powerful countries refuse to sign a treaty, what good is the treaty?  Here we list some of the treaties the US has refused to join, despite nearly universal acceptance by other countries. Digging Deeper…

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A Brief History On December 2, 2017, we celebrate National Mutt Day, that day when we acknowledge the union of pure-bred and non-pure-bred dogs that produce the most common type of canine of all, the humble but wonderful “mutt.”  We are not talking about “designer” breed mixes here, either!  No “labradoodles” or “puggles” need apply.  In fact, we are not even talking about dogs at all!!!  We are discussing the marriage of royalty and commoners, especially in light of the recent engagement of Britain’s Prince Harry to American divorcee and actress Meghan Markle. Digging Deeper Prince Harry is the son…

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A Brief History On December 1, 1768, the Danish ship Fredensborg sank in a storm off the coast of Norway on her return trip from a death filled delivery of slaves to St. Croix in the Caribbean.  Today we list 10 Infamous Ships that either served an evil purpose or were particularly unlucky, and are remembered today with less than fond memories.  (Note: the RMS Titanic and SS Edmund Fitzgerald are TOO obvious!) Digging Deeper 1. Fredensborg, Denmark/Norway. Originally named Cron Prindz Christian after the heir apparent to the throne of Norway/Denmark, her last cargo of slaves was picked up at…

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A Brief History On December 1, 2017, the new feature film directed by and starring James Franco, The Disaster Artist: My Life in The Room, The Greatest Bad Film Ever Made, will premier across the United States.  Although this reviewer was unfamiliar with the cult classic film, The Room (2003), there is apparently a cult following of this comically bad movie that is seen by adoring, laughing fans at midnight viewings in theaters across the country.  The Disaster Artist is a film about the people and the making of that comically bad movie so many have come to love.  Right…

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