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Post by frankthetriviaman on Aug 24, 2018 16:57:23 GMT -5
February 3, 1959- The Day the Music DiedA small plane crashed in Iowa on this day, killing four people. But the three passengers weren't just any passengers- Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), were three of the most popular music acts of the day and their death sent a shock wave throughout the music world. So much so it would later be referenced in the song American Pie as "The Day the Music Died."
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Aug 24, 2018 17:07:43 GMT -5
July 11, 1960- To Kill a Mockingbird is publishedHarper Lee published her first, and for the longest time, only novel on this day. It received immediate acclaim, even going on to win the Pulitzer Prize. In subsequent years, a film adaption starring Gregory Peck also went on to receive great acclaim
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 16:10:52 GMT -5
January 3, 1961- United States severs diplomatic relations with Cuba
In a move that would define relationships between the United States and it's neighbor 90 miles away for decades, the United States completely severed diplomatic relations with Cuba. A total economic embargo was the most well known effect, but just as famous were the attempts early on by the United States to topple the Communist Regime in Cuba, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion that would follow later that year. United States/Cuba relations would not resume until 2015.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 16:12:56 GMT -5
March 2, 1962- Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point gameWilt Chamberlain made sports history when he scored 100 points in a single basketball game. Unfortunately, because the NBA was not considered a major league at the time, and there were no members of the press present at a game that was only filled to half-capacity, there is no video of this incredible game, and the only audio comes from the last quarter.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 16:17:58 GMT -5
November 22, 1963: John F. Kennedy assassinatedThe Curse of Tippecanoe once again struck. As he passed through Dealy Plaza in Texas, President Kennedy fell victim to a sniper; many believed it was Lee Harvey Oswald, though some remain skeptical to this day. The fourth president to be assassinated while in office, Kennedy's death was a tragedy that resonated across the country, and even today those alive still remember where they were and what they were doing when the president was shot.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 16:42:26 GMT -5
July 2, 1964- Civil Rights Act of 1964 becomes law
After more than a century and a half of racial segregation in the United States, it was finally declared illegal on this day with the passage of this law. Though arguments have been made that we still have much to do, this landmark law stands as one of the most important passed, and made it clear that the government would no longer condone racial segregation.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 16:58:33 GMT -5
September 14, 1965: My Mother the Car DebutsThis show was heavily panned by both critics and adult viewers... yet that is why it was significant. True, the "worst TV show ever" is a matter of taste, but this show often tops many lists. Lasting just one season of 30 episodes, the show was so bad that it set a standard in pop culture for what a bad sitcom was. In defense of the show though- it is remembered fondly by baby boomers who watched the initial run, and it was using a formula that other sitcoms also incorporated: a fantastical element in an otherwise normal world.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 17:07:44 GMT -5
April 8, 1966: Time Magazine asks Is God Dead?In the 1960s, there was a trend among theologians where they appeared to be writing God out of Theology. There was great difficulty at the time; as people in the field struggled making God relevant to an increasingly secular world, and modern science had eliminated the need for religion to explain the natural world. Criticism of the cover came from both the clergy and the General Public, and to this day it is still considered one of the magazine covers that shook the world.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 17:13:57 GMT -5
June 5 - 10, 1967: Six-Day WarA combined assault from Egypt, Jordan and Syria on Israel failed spectacularly as Israel not only managed to hold its own, but suffered less than 1,000 lives lost while the invaders lost over 20,000, and managed to take land from each of the three countries. This would increase Israel's standing in this part of the world, and would impact the relations among the countries of the region for years to come
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 17:34:53 GMT -5
April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King. Jr. assassinatedThe Civil Rights Activist who used nonviolence to make his impact was shot and killed at the Lorraine Motel on this day. His death had enormous impact- riots broke out across the country and some felt that his campaign of nonviolence was no longer effective. But one city was spared from riots- Robert Kennedy planned on making a campaign stop in Indianapolis, but instead of speaking on his run for president, he made remarks on the recent assassination and by some accounts- his speech spared Indianapolis from destructive rioting; and his speech is celebrated as one of the greatest of the 20th century
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 17:42:18 GMT -5
July 20, 1969- Apollo 11 lands on the moonDespite what some nutcase conspiracy theorists will want you to think, on this day Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon, watched by more than 500 million people on television. Despite an ongoing space race between the Soviets and the United States, for a brief moment in the grand fabric of history, humanity stood together as we watched two men do what was long perceived as impossible and make history. Although an unfortunate mistake resulted in the loss of the important moon landing tapes, it's legacy is undeniable and remains an important achievement not just for the United States, but for mankind.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 19:08:45 GMT -5
May 8, 1970- Let it Be is releasedArguably the most iconic band of the 1960s, the Beatles' released their final album on this day, just a few months after their official break up. It was truly the end of an era for music, as one of the bands which arguably shaped rock and roll, and helped launch the British Invasion, drew the curtains on their run. Though not as iconic as some of their other albums, Let It Be went on to achieve commercial success despite reviews being not as strong.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 19:14:10 GMT -5
October 1, 1971: Opening of Walt Disney WorldFollowing the success of Disneyland, Walt's brother Roy Oliver Disney postponed his retirement to oversee the construction of Disney World in Florida. Intended to be a bigger, better park and later renamed Walt Disney World, Roy ensured that Walt's legacy would never be forgotten when he made it clear that the park was to be named for his brother. Today, the park is the most popular vacation resort in the world, and has become an iconic staple of American Culture, serving as the "flagship" to all Disney Parks across the world.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 19:19:18 GMT -5
March 15, 1972: The Godfather premieres
Marlon Brando was already an acting legend; but he was catapulted to iconic status when he portrayed Vito Corleone in The Godfather; a critically acclaimed masterpiece that has gone on to have great influence over movies as a whole, especially the gangster genre.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 20:05:36 GMT -5
December 15, 1973- American Psychological Association removes homosexuality from DSM-II
In a major (but mostly symbolic) victory for the LGBT community, the APA removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In other words- homosexuality was no longer considered a mental disorder. Although the fight ahead would be long and hard for LGBT rights, this victory was an important step towards their acceptance in "normal" society.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 20:14:22 GMT -5
April 5, 1974: Carrie is publishedStephen King secured his spot in the grand scheme of American Literature when he published his first novel on this day. The "King of Horror" has gone on to create some of the most acclaimed, and scariest stories to date.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 20:53:56 GMT -5
April 17, 1975- End of the Cambodian Civil War
The communist Khmer Rouge defeated the combined forces of the Khmer republic and United States on this day; seizing power and setting the stage for one of the worst chapters in human history- the Cambodian genocide. 2 million people... 25 percent of the country's population, would be killed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge and their quite possibly insane leader, Pol Pot
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 21:09:56 GMT -5
April 1, 1976- Apple is foundedSteve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple on this day; what was initially a small computer company grew into one of the largest and most innovative companies in the world; paving the way for some of the greatest technological advances of our time.
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 21:21:05 GMT -5
March 27, 1977- Tenerife Airport DisasterThe deadliest aviation accident in history was the result of, of all things, fog, problematic radio transmissions, and communication issues. When Pam Am flight 1736 tried to taxi off a specific runway, it found itself in the path of KLM flight 4805, which tried to take off. The two planes collided, resulting in 583 deaths; all 248 people aboard the KLM flight, and 335 of the people on the Pan Am flight. The 61 survivors were all from the Pan Am flight. The tragedy left an impact on aviation which is felt even today; it was this tragedy that called for the establishment of standardized communications in air travel that are still used today
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Post by frankthetriviaman on Sept 8, 2018 21:31:17 GMT -5
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