This Day in Histor-Bloggery by Michael A. Stusser:

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Let’s start the historical tidbits with deaths on this day, and then we’ll move into folks we wish were dead (see O.J. below…): Janet Leigh died on this day in 2004 (at age 76), and she can take the knowledge to her grave that getting into a shower will never again be a relaxing experience. No worries, I’m a bath guy myself.

Folk singer Woodie Guthrie died today in 1967 at age 55. Woodie wrote songs for the disenfranchised, and, was way ahead of Al Gore on issues such as the environment and free speech. In addition to almost 3000 tunes about truth and justice, the Woodman crafted one of the greatest camp songs of all time: “This Land is Your Land”. Cartoonist William Steig also put his pencil down for the last time on October 3, 2003 – but he had a helluva run, making it to 95 years of age.

Births were plenty on this day, including glam-rocker Gwen Stefani (born in ’69), tatted Tommy Lee in ’62 (lucky bastard), Stevie Ray Vaughan (born in 1954 and taken WAY too soon in ‘90), twistin’ Chubby Checker (1941), Al “Photo Op” Sharpton (1954) and Chinese revolutionary Li Tzu-ch’eng (born in 1605) who dethroned the last Ming emperor, but, more importantly, I wanted to include in my blog so that we could have drugs, sex, rock n’ roll and ancient Chinese history - all in one entry. Gore Vidal (1925) was born today, too, and should be represented here by his own words: “Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.”

One other birthday note: Roy Horn, of Siegfried and Roy fame not only was born on this date in 1944, but got mauled on his 59^th birthday in lovely Las Vegas - and I’ve got something to say about that. Lions – and tigers – and bears, oh my! Stay away from them all – I think I read that in my Boy Scout handbook, somewhere. I’m sorry, but every time I read about someone being chowed by a wild animal (especially if it’s in captivity) – I say kudos to the clawed one. We’ve done enough damage building houses where their forests used to be – the least we can do now is keep a safe distance, eh? It could have been that the seven year old tiger who chomped Roy’s neck (Montecore) was freaked out by some lady in the audience’s bouffant hair-do. It may also have been that the 500 pound kitty was sick of an old man telling him what to do – or perhaps he was just looking for a long vacation. The best news: after the attack, Siegfried and Roy’s show was closed up for good after 5750 performances, and never again do endangered white tigers have to slave under bright lights for polyester-clad blue-hairs.

EVENTS:

I’d be remiss to ignore the day the glove didn’t fit: On October 3^rd in 1995, O.J. was found “not guilty” of the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman (The Juice is still looking for the killer….). I must say, though he was a gem to watch on the football field (perhaps the best running back to ever play the game, and definitely the best murderer). Still, this is one of those times I’m hoping karma is a very real concept, and one that haunts Mr. Simpson till the end of his days and beyond.

Always obnoxious and no-longer Q-ball Sinead O’Connor torn up the pic of Pope John Paul II on SNL on this day in ’92 (seems like yesterday). Better TV history on this day included five great premieres over the years: “Dick Van Dyke Show”and “Mr. Ed” (both in 1961), “Captain Kangaroo” (1955), “Mickey Mouse Club” (1955) and “Father Knows Best” (1954).

Speaking of non-stop entertainment, Elvis Presley made his first public appearance on this day in 1945 – there was less hip-shakin’ (and controversy) – cuz the King was only ten at the time. I would have interviewed Elvis in my book, but he’s not dead yet. (HINT: Eldorado Casino, Reno) – shows are on the hour, and most sightings have been at the all-you-can-eat buffet - only $11.95!

In a bad day for turkeys everywhere, President Abe Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in 1863. The least he could have done was make the wild turkey the national bird, as Ben Franklin had suggested…So much for compromise…

And, finally, here’s some food for thought: On this day in 1913, the Federal Income Tax was signed into law – at 1%! Oh, to be grand-fathered in at that rate, eh? Speaking of death and taxes - this blog’s free, but I would encourage you to buy my book, The Dead Guy Interviews? If ya live in Oregon or Alaska, it’s tax free! If it helps, I’ll give you a money-back guarantee. (Not valid in lower 48 or upper two. Terms of guarantee may vary. Offer only applies to books other than this one. Author is insane and cannot be held accountable for his claims or actions.)

Have a great day – and see ya tomorrow…

Michael A. Stusser (http://myspace.com/michaelstusser)

Michael A. Stusser

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The Dead Guy Interviews, Michael Stusser, Penguin Books, celebrities, interviews, books, history, trivia, famous people, O.J., Gwen Stefani, Woodie Guthrie, Thanksgiving, Al Gore, Sinead O'Connor, Chubby Checker, Elvis Presley, Federal Income Tax, Gore Vidal, Roy Horn