A Brief History On October 11, 1975, television audiences in the United States experienced one of those magic moments when an icon was born, as the comedy skit show, Saturday Night Live (SNL) debuted with George Carlin as host. Digging Deeper Carlin, one of history’s great comedians, and originator of “Seven words you can never say on television,” died in 2008 at age 71 of heart failure. His guests on that epic night included singer Janis Ian, singer Billy Preston, and comedian/actor Andy Kaufman.  Kaufman went on to make a total of 16 SNL appearances, but tragically died in 1984 at…

A Brief History On December 22, 1965, one more bit of personal freedom went the way of the passenger pigeon when a 70 mph speed limit was set on all British rural roads.  Prior to this law, there had been no speed limit in Great Britain, a country that had the most cars per mile of road than any other country in the world. Digging Deeper Before Anglophiles get all upset, this article is not a slam on the island of Great Britain or the country known as the United Kingdom.  It is merely a lamentation of some past glory that seems lost forever. A while…

A Brief History On October 10, 1967, the Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (we will stick to the short version!) went into effect. Digging Deeper The treaty had been signed on January 27, 1967,  by the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, while in the years since over 100 other countries have subsequently signed. The basic idea of the treaty is to declare outer space, the Moon and other celestial bodies (planets,…

A Brief History On March 5, 1953, Joseph Stalin, one of modern history’s most evil world leaders, died.  His relationships with his children were downright disturbing at times.  Indeed, this family is proof that certain people should not reproduce for the safety and betterment of mankind.   At least we can be glad that some of history’s other idiots did not.  Here 10 people who either never reproduced or should not have are listed. (Note: We do not advocate eugenics!) Digging Deeper 10. Joseph Stalin. Stalin, the Soviet dictator who had the longest reign of any Soviet leader,  was a brutal…

A Brief History On October 9, 1966, the war torn nation of South Viet Nam was the scene of not one, but two notable massacres you may never have heard of.  While much scorn has been heaped on alleged massacres and atrocities by Americans, by the forces of South Viet Nam, by the Viet Cong, and by the North Vietnamese Army, these massacres were committed by another entity entirely. Digging Deeper On this fateful day, the Republic of Korea (ROK) forces (aka South Korean) allied with the US and South Viet Nam perpetrated massacres at separate locations, Binh Tai and…