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Today is September 26 2014

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   I.
Today's Holidays and Historical Events (updated daily)
Today's Food Holiday

National Pancake Day: More
This is a second pancake day and is not the one celebrated around Shrove Tuesday (March 4 in 2014) or the one IHOP celebrates with free cakes.

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • Love Note Day: More
  • JOHNNY APPLESEED DAY: More
  • Shamu the Whale Day: More
  • World Dream Day: More
  • Hug a Vegetarian Day: More
    Last Friday in September
  • Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children: More
  • Save the Koala Day: More
  • Native American Day: More
    In California it is observed on the fourth Friday in September
Events in the past on: September 26
  • In 1914, The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is established.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act. Its principal mission is the promotion of consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices, such as coercive monopoly. The Federal Trade Commission Act was one of President Woodrow Wilson's major acts against trusts. Trusts and trust-busting were significant political concerns during the Progressive Era. Since its inception, the FTC has enforced the provisions of the Clayton Act, a key antitrust statute, as well as the provisions of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 41 et seq. Over time, the FTC has been delegated with the enforcement of additional business regulation statutes and has promulgated a number of regulations (codified in Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations).

    With the 1912 presidential election decided in favor of the Democrats and Woodrow Wilson, Morgan reintroduced a slightly amended version of his bill during the April 1913 special session. The national debate culminated in Wilson's signing of the FTC Act on September 26, with additional tightening of regulations in the Clayton Antitrust Act three weeks later. The new Federal Trade Commission would absorb the staff and duties of Bureau of Corporations, previously established under the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903. The FTC could additionally challenge "unfair methods of competition" and enforce the Clayton Act's more specific prohibitions against certain price discrimination, vertical arrangements, interlocking directorates, and stock acquisitions'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1933, As gangster Machine Gun Kelly surrenders to the FBI, he shouts out, 'Don't shoot, G-Men!', which becomes a nickname for FBI agents.
    From Wikipedia: 'G-Man (short for Government Man) is an American slang term for Special agents of the United States Government. It is specifically used as a term for a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent.

    According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, its first known use in America was in 1928. The earliest citation in the Oxford English Dictionary for the American usage is 1930 from a book on Al Capone by FD Pasley.

    In FBI mythology, the nickname is held to have originated during the arrest of gangster George "Machine Gun" Kelly by agents of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), a forerunner of the FBI, in September 1933. Finding himself unarmed, Kelly supposedly shouted, "Don't shoot, G-Men! Don't shoot, G-Men!" This event is dramatized in the 1959 film The FBI Story and this dramatization is referenced in the 2011 film J. Edgar. The encounter with Kelly is similarly dramatized in the 1973 film Dillinger'.'
    - At Wikipedia: More
  • In 1934, The steamship, Queen Mary, is launched.
    From Wikipedia: 'RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line (known as Cunard-White Star Line when the vessel entered service). Built by John Brown and Company in Clydebank, Scotland, Queen Mary along with her sister ship, RMS Queen Elizabeth, were built as part of Cunard's planned two-ship weekly express service between Southampton, Cherbourg, and New York City. The two ships were a British response to the superliners built by German and French companies in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Queen Mary was the flagship of the Cunard Line from May 1936 until October 1946 when she was replaced in that role by Queen Elizabeth.

    With the outbreak of World War II, she was converted into a troopship and ferried Allied soldiers for the duration of the war.

    Following the war Queen Mary was refitted for passenger service and along with Queen Elizabeth commenced the two-ship transatlantic passenger service for which the two ships were initially built. The two ships dominated the transatlantic passenger transportation market until the dawn of the jet age in the late 1950s. By the mid-1960s, Queen Mary was ageing and, though still among the most popular transatlantic liners, was operating at a loss.

    After several years of decreased profits for Cunard Line, Queen Mary was officially retired from service in 1967'.
    - At FamousDaily: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1964, The TV comedy, Gilligan's Island', debuts on CBS. It starred Bob Denver, Alan Hale, Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells. It ran for 3 seasons and 98 ep. from September 26, 1964 – April 17, 1967.
    From Wikipedia: 'Gilligan's Island is an American sitcom created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz via United Artists Television. The show had an ensemble cast that featured Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Russell Johnson, Tina Louise, and Dawn Wells. It aired for three seasons on the CBS network from September 26, 1964, to April 17, 1967. Originally sponsored by Philip Morris and Co and Procter and Gamble, the show followed the comic adventures of seven castaways as they attempted to survive the island on which they had been shipwrecked. Most episodes revolve around the dissimilar castaways' conflicts and their unsuccessful attempts, for whose failure Gilligan was frequently responsible, to escape their plight.

    Gilligan's Island ran for a total of 98 episodes. The first season, consisting of 36 episodes, was filmed in black and white. These episodes were later colorized for syndication. The show's second and third seasons (62 episodes) and the three television movie sequels were filmed in color.

    The show received solid ratings during its original run, then grew in popularity during decades of syndication, especially in the 1970s and 1980s when many markets ran the show in the late afternoon after school. Today, the title character of Gilligan is widely recognized as an American cultural icon'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1962, The TV show 'Beverly Hillbillies' premieres. It starred Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, Max Baer, Jr., Raymond Bailey, Nancy Kulp, Bea Benaderet, Harriet E. MacGibbon. It ran for 9 seasons for 274 ep. from September 26, 1962 – March 23, 1971.
    - At FamousDaily: More
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1969, The TV show 'The Brady Bunch' series premiered on ABC-TV. It starred Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland Susan Olsen. It ran for 5 season and 117 ep. from September 26, 1969 – March 8, 1974.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired from September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, on ABC. The series revolves around a large blended family with six children.

    Considered one of the last of the old-style family sitcoms, the series aired for five seasons and, after its cancellation in 1974, went into syndication in September 1975. While the series was never a critical or ratings success during its original run, it has since become a popular staple in syndication, especially among children and teenage viewers. The Brady Bunch's success in syndication led to several television reunion films and spin-off series: The Brady Kids (1972–73), The Brady Bunch Hour (1976–77), The Brady Girls Get Married (1981), The Brady Brides (1981), A Very Brady Christmas (1988) and The Bradys (1990).

    In 1995, the series was adapted into a satirical comedy theatrical film titled The Brady Bunch Movie, followed by A Very Brady Sequel in 1996. A second sequel, The Brady Bunch in the White House, aired on Fox in November 2002 as a made-for-television film.

    In 1997, "Getting Davy Jones" (season 3, episode 12) was ranked No. 37 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1982, The TV show 'Knight Rider' debuts on NBC. It starred David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, Patricia McPherson (S1,3,4) Rebecca Holden (S2), Peter Parros (S4). It ran for 4 seasons and 90 ep. from September 26, 1982 – April 4, 1986.
    From Wikipedia: 'Knight Rider is an American television series created and produced by Glen A. Larson. The series was originally broadcast on NBC from 1982 to 1986. The show stars David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight, a high-tech modern crime fighter assisted by KITT, an advanced artificially intelligent, self-aware and nearly indestructible car. This was the last series Larson devised at Universal Television before he moved to 20th Century Fox.

    Self-made billionaire Wilton Knight rescues police Detective Lieutenant Michael Arthur Long after a near fatal shot to the face, giving him a new identity (by plastic surgery) and a new name: Michael Knight. Wilton selects Michael to be the primary field agent in the pilot program of his public justice organization, the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG). The other half of this pilot program is the Knight Industries Two Thousand (KITT), a heavily modified, technologically advanced Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with numerous features including an extremely durable shell and frame, controlled by a computer with artificial intelligence. Michael and KITT are brought in during situations where "direct action might provide the only feasible solution".

    Heading FLAG is Devon Miles, who provides Michael with directives and guidance. Dr. Bonnie Barstow is the chief engineer in charge of KITT's care, as well as technical assistant to Devon (April Curtis fills this role in Season 2)'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1983, Soviet military officer Stanislav Petrov averts a likely worldwide nuclear war by correctly identifying a report of an incoming nuclear missile as a computer error and not an American first strike.
    From Wikipedia: 'Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov born 1939 in Vladivostok) is a retired lieutenant colonel of the Soviet Air Defence Forces.

    On September 26, 1983, just three weeks after the Soviet military had shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007, Petrov was the duty officer at the command center for the Oko nuclear early-warning system when the system reported that a missile, followed by another one and then up to five more, were being launched from the United States. Petrov judged the report to be a false alarm, and his decision is credited with having prevented an erroneous retaliatory nuclear attack on the United States and its NATO allies that could have resulted in large-scale nuclear war. Investigation later confirmed that the satellite warning system had indeed malfunctioned'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

This being Better Breakfast Month, any day is good for pancakes. Tomorrow is 'National Pancake Day'. Don't confuse this one with 'Pancake Day' which was on March 4 2014. This is a second pancake day and is not the one celebrated around Shrove which is the one IHOP celebrates with free cakes. No, tomorrow, you will have to make them yourselves.

Why not leave an affectionate note beside the breakfast plate, for your loved one. Tomorrow will be 'Love Note Day'. If that is too mushy, then at least a thank you note for the one who made you the cakes. After all you still owe them for the mess you made when you tried it last, right guys..

You might have some baked apples with those pancakes. Tomorrow will be 'Johnny Appleseed Day'. And, yes he was a real person and did plant apple trees as he traveled.

If you lay-off that bacon tomorrow at breakfast, you could also give yourself a big hug and celebrate 'Hug A Vegetarian Day' at the same time.

Another family day tomorrow. This one is specific, in that it wants to bring back the family meal. It will be 'Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children'.

In California, you can celebrate 'Native American Day' tomorrow.

You may not find your way home, but follow those apple seeds you dropped, back to September 26:

In 1914, The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is established.

In 1933, Gangster Machine Gun Kelly first uses the phrase G-Men!', which becomes a nickname for FBI agents.

In 1934, The steamship, Queen Mary, is launched.

In 1962, The TV show 'Beverly Hillbillies' premieres.

In 1968, The TV show 'Hawaii Five-O' premieres.

In 1973, Concorde makes its first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in record-breaking time.

In 1983, Soviet military officer Stanislav Petrov averts a likely worldwide nuclear war by correctly identifying a report of an incoming nuclear missile as a computer error and not an American first strike. This was a close one, folks.

Fifty years ago, today, Roy Orbison, had a number one hit with 'Oh, Pretty Woman'. According to Wikipedia: "Thee title was inspired by Orbison's wife Claudette interrupting a conversation to announce she was going out; when Orbison asked if she was okay for cash, his co-writer Bill Dis interjected "A pretty woman never needs any money.".

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today

No. 1 song

  • Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison: More
    'The House of the Rising Sun' has been displaced by 'Oh, Pretty Woman', which will hold the no. 1 spot until October 17 2014, when 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', takes over.

Top movie

  • Mary Poppins More
    Having displaced 'A Hard Day's Night', it will be there until the weekend box office of October 4 1964 when, 'Cheyenne Autumn', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): September 26
   V.
This month September 2014 (updated once a month - last updated - September 1 2014)

Baby Safety Month, Better Breakfast Month, Classical Music Month, Fall Hat Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, International Square Dancing Monthk Little League Month, National Biscuit Month, National Blueberry Popsicle Month, National Chicken Month, National Cholesterol Education Month, National Courtesy Month, National Honey Month, National Mushroom Month, National Organic Harvest Month, National Papaya Month, National Piano Month, National Potato Month, National Rice Month, Self Improvement Month


September is:

September origin (from Wikipedia): Originally September (Latin septem, "seven") was the seventh of ten months on the oldest known Roman calendar.
September in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of March in the Southern Hemisphere.
After the calendar reform that added January and February to the beginning of the year, September became the ninth month, but retained its name. It had 29 days until the Julian reform, which added a day.

September at Wikipedia: More

  VI.
TV fifty years ago 1964 (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2014)

If you couldn't afford 90 cents for a movie ticket, 50 years ago, or your 45 RPM record player was broke, you might watch one of these shows on TV.
From this Wikipedia article: More

 VII.
Best selling books fifty years ago (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2014)

Best selling books of 1964 More

VIII.
Fun (Last link added October 1 2014, but content on each site may change daily)
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day: More
  • NOAA: - National Hurricane Center - Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook: More
  • Listen to Old Radio Shows: (streaming mp3 with schedule) More
  • NASA TV: (video feed) More
    NASA TV schedule: More
  • Public Domain eBook Links

    Sites for downloading or reading free Public Domain eBooks. Available in various formats. More

  • Podcast: A Moment of Science. Approximately 1 minute general science facts.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Podcast: The Naked Scientists. Current science, medicine, space and other science
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Podcast: Quirks & Quarks. Current science news.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Articles and videos: Universe Today. Current space and astronomy news.
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  • Old Picture of the Day - "Each day we bring you one stunning little glimpse of history in the form of a historical photograph."
    Home page: More
    RSS: More
  IX.
Other Holiday Sites (Last link added October 1 2014. Link content changes yearly)

Below, are listed several holiday sites that I reference in addition to other holiday researches.


US Government Holidays

  • 2014 Postal Holidays More
  • 2014 Official Federal Holidays More

Holidays Worldwide

  • List of holidays by country More
  • Holidays and Observances around the World More
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