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Today is February 10 2015

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

National Cream Cheese Brownie Day: More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • National Umbrella Day: More
  • Extraterrestrial Culture Day: More
    Second Tuesday in New Mexico due to Roswell event.
  • Plimsoll Day: More
    Samuel Plimsoll: Plimsoll Line on Ships to denote safe cargo capacity.
  • Safer Internet Day: More
Events in the past on: February 10
  • In 1858, The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) is Founded.
    From Wikipedia: 'The YWCA, or World YWCA, is a movement of women working for social and economic change around the world. It advocates for young women’s leadership, peace, justice, human rights and sustainable development, both on a grassroots and global scale. It is the largest women’s organization in the world, and the second oldest organization of its kind, second only to the Relief Society. The organization is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland.

    'The movement that resulted in the World YWCA began in England in 1855 in the midst of the Industrial Revolution and the Crimean War. Founded through the convergence of social activist Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird’s General Female Training Institute, and committed Christian Emma Robarts’ Prayer Union, it sought to be a social and spiritual support system for young English women.'.
    More
  • In 1863, The first U.S. patent is granted to Alanson Crane for a manually operated building fire extinguisher system.
    From Wikipedia: 'Automatic fire suppression systems control and extinguish fires without human intervention. Examples of automatic systems include fire sprinkler system, gaseous fire suppression, and condensed aerosol fire suppression.'

    'The first fire extinguisher patent was issued to Alanson Crane of Virginia on Feb. 10, 1863. The first fire sprinkler system was patented by H.W. Pratt in 1872. But the first practical automatic sprinkler system was invented in 1874 by Henry S. Parmalee of New Haven, CT. He installed the system in a piano factory he owned'.
    More
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1906, HMS Dreadnought, the first of a revolutionary new breed of battleships is christened and launched by King Edward VII.
    From Wikipedia: 'HMS Dreadnought was a battleship of the Royal Navy that revolutionised naval power. Her entry into service in 1906 represented such a paradigm shift in naval technology that her name came to be associated with an entire generation of battleships, the "dreadnoughts", as well as the class of ships named after her. The generation of ships she made obsolete became known as "pre-dreadnoughts" . She was the sixth ship of that name in the Royal Navy.'

    'Dreadnought was the first battleship of her era to have a uniform main battery, rather than having a few large guns complemented by a heavy secondary battery of smaller guns. She was also the first capital ship to be powered by steam turbines, making her the fastest battleship in the world at the time of her completion. Her launch helped spark a naval arms race as navies around the world, particularly the German Imperial Navy, rushed to match her in the build-up to World War I.'

    'She was reduced to reserve in 1919 and sold for scrap two years later'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1940, Tom and Jerry cartoon (Puss Gets the Boot) created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera debuts on MGM.
    From Wikipedia: 'Tom and Jerry is an American animated series of short films created in 1940, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. It centers on a rivalry between its two title characters, Tom Cat and Jerry Mouse, and many recurring characters, based around slapstick comedy.'

    'Puss Gets the Boot is the first animated short subject in the Tom and Jerry series.'

    'In their first discussion for a cartoon, Barbera suggested a cat-and- mouse cartoon titled Puss Gets the Boot. "We knew we needed two characters. We thought we needed conflict, and chase and action. And a cat after a mouse seemed like a good, basic thought", as he recalled in an interview.

    Hanna and other employees complained that the idea wasn't very original; nevertheless, the short was completed in late 1939, and released to theaters on February 10, 1940. Puss Gets The Boot centers on Jasper, a gray tabby cat trying to catch a mouse named Jinx (whose name is not mentioned within the cartoon itself), but after accidentally breaking a houseplant and its stand, the African American housemaid Mammy has threatened to throw Jasper out if he breaks one more thing in the house. Naturally, Jinx uses this to his advantage, and begins tossing any and everything fragile, so that Jasper will be thrown outside. Puss Gets The Boot was previewed and released without fanfare, and Hanna and Barbera went on to direct other non-cat-and-mouse related shorts such as Gallopin' Gals (1940) and Officer Pooch (1941). "After all," remarked many of the MGM staffers, "haven't there been enough cat-and-mouse cartoons already?"'.

    'The pessimistic attitude towards the cat and mouse duo changed when the cartoon became a favorite with theater owners and with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which nominated the film for the Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons of 1941. It lost to another MGM cartoon, Rudolph Ising's The Milky Way.'

    'Producer Fred Quimby, who ran the MGM animation studio, quickly pulled Hanna and Barbera off the other one-shot cartoons they were working on, and commissioned a series featuring the cat and mouse. Hanna and Barbera held an intra-studio contest to give the pair a new name by drawing suggested names out of a hat; animator John Carr won $50 with his suggestion of Tom and Jerry. The Tom and Jerry out of a hat; animator John Carr won $50 with his suggestion of Tom and Jerry. The Tom and Jerry series went into production with The Midnight Snack in 1941, and Hanna and Barbera rarely directed anything but the cat-and-mouse cartoons for the rest of their tenure at MGM. Barbera would create the story for each short while Hanna would supervise production.'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1940, 'In The Mood' by Glenn Miller hits #1. Feb. 4 on some charts.
    From Wikipedia: '"In the Mood" is a big band-era #1 hit recorded by American bandleader Glenn Miller. It topped the charts for 13 straight weeks in 1940 in the U.S. and one year later was featured in the movie Sun Valley Serenade.

    In 1983, the Glenn Miller recording from 1939 was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

    In 1999, National Public Radio (NPR) included the 1939 Glenn Miller recording on RCA Bluebird on the NPR 100, the list of "The 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century".

    In 2004, the 1939 Glenn Miller recording on RCA Victor was inducted into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry which consists of recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1942, The first gold record is presented. It was given to to Glenn Miller for 'Chattanooga Choo Choo'.
    From Wikipedia: 'The original gold record awards were presented to artists by their own record companies to publicize their sales achievements. The first of these was awarded by RCA Victor to Glenn Miller in February 1942, celebrating the sale of 1.2 million copies of "Chattanooga Choo Choo".

    Another example of a company award is the gold record awarded to Elvis Presley in 1956 for one million units sold of his single "Don't Be Cruel". The first gold record for an LP was awarded by RCA Victor to in 1957 for the album Calypso (1956), the first album to sell over 1,000,000 copies in RCA's reckoning.

    At the industry level, in 1958 the Recording Industry Association of America introduced its gold record award program for records of any kind, albums or singles, which achieved one million dollars in retail sales. These sales were restricted to U.S.-based record companies and did not include exports to other countries. For albums in 1968, this would mean shipping approximately 250,000 units; for singles the number would be higher due to their lower retail price. The platinum certification was introduced in 1976 for the sale of one million units, album or single, with the gold certification redefined to mean sales of 500,000 units, album or single. No album was certified platinum prior to this year. For instance, the recording by Van Cliburn of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto from 1958 would eventually be awarded a platinum citation, but this would not happen for another two decades after its release. In 1999, the diamond certification was introduced for sales of ten million'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1945, 'Rum and Coca Cola' by the Andrews Sisters hits #1.
    From Wikipedia: '“Rum and Coca-Cola” is the title of a popular calypso. Originally composed by Lord Invader and Lionel Belasco, it was copyrighted in the United States by entertainer Morey Amsterdam and became a huge hit in 1945 for the Andrews Sisters, spending ten weeks at the top of Billboard's U.S. Pop Singles chart'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1951 - 'John and Marsha' by Stan Freberg peaks at #21.
    From Wikipedia: 'Freberg began making satirical recordings for Capitol Records, beginning with the February 10, 1951, release of "John and Marsha" (in both 45-rpm and 78-rpm formats), a soap opera parody that consisted of the title characters (both played by Freberg) doing nothing but repeating each other's names (with intonations to match the moods)'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1956, The TV show 'My Friend Flicka' premieres.
    From Wikipedia: 'My Friend Flicka is a 39-episode western television series set at the fictitious Goose Bar Ranch in Wyoming at the turn of the 20th century. The program was filmed in color but initially aired in black and white on CBS at 7:30 p.m. Fridays from February 10, 1956, to February 1, 1957. It was a mid-season replacement for Gene Autry's The Adventures of Champion. Both series, however failed in the ratings against ABC's The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1964, Bob Dylan's famous album 'The Times They Are A-Changin' is released.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Times They Are a-Changin' is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on January 13, 1964 by Columbia Records.

    Produced by Tom Wilson, it is the singer-songwriter's first collection to feature only original compositions. The album consists mostly of stark, sparsely arranged ballads concerning issues such as racism, poverty, and social change. The title track is one of Dylan's most famous; many feel that it captures the spirit of social and political upheaval that characterized the 1960s'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1967, The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. It deals with succession to the Presidency.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Twenty-fifth Amendment (Amendment XXV) to the United States Constitution deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities. It supersedes the ambiguous wording of Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Constitution, which does not expressly state whether the Vice President becomes the President or Acting President if the President dies, resigns, is removed from office or is otherwise unable to discharge the powers of the presidency.[1] The Twenty-fifth Amendment was adopted on February 10, 1967'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1979, 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' by Rod Stewart peaks at #1.
    From Wikipedia: '"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" is a song by the British singer Rod Stewart from his 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun. It was written by Stewart, Carmine Appice and Duane Hitchings, though it incorporates elements of the melody from the song "Taj Mahal" by Jorge Ben Jor'.

    'The song featured on Stewart's album Blondes Have More Fun, and was released as a single in November 1978. It spent one week at the top of the British charts in December 1978 and four weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. Billboard ranked it number four on its Top Singles of 1979 year-end chart. It also topped the charts in Australia for two weeks'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 2009, The communication satellites 'Iridium 33' (U.S. active) and 'Kosmos-2251' (Russian retired) collide in orbit, destroying both.
    From Wikipedia: 'On 10 February 2009, at 16:56 GMT, Kosmos 2251 (a retired Strela satellite) and Iridium 33 collided, resulting in the destruction of both spacecraft. NASA reported that a large amount of space debris was produced by the collision'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

Tomorrow's food holiday will be 'National Cream Cheese Brownie Day'.
[The Hankster says] We have had them with chocolate only, blond (without coco) and now chocolate with cream cheese. I'm looking forward to the next variation.

Tomorrow is 'National Umbrella Day'.
[The Hankster says] An important invention. Mary P. could not have gotten aloft without one.

Tomorrow being the second Tuesday in February and if you live in New Mexico, you may celebrate 'Extraterrestrial Culture Day'.
[The Hankster says] Call ET, but be sure to reverse the charges. The long distance charges from Roswell is tremendous.

Tomorrow is 'Plimsoll Day'.
[The Hankster says] Samuel Plimsoll, that is. The horizontal line you see painted along the side of a ship is called the Plimsoll Line. Samuel was instrumental in getting laws passed to required this line to denote safe cargo capacity. Before this, many ships were lost to overloading.

Today, you cleaned out your computer. Now you can celebrate 'Safer Internet Day'.
[The Hankster says] Yep, easier said than done. But, they are out there waiting. Don't help them by being careless. While you try to gain a few seconds, they may gain your bank account.

Trey Parker once said 'Saying goodbye doesn't mean anything. It's the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it.'
[The Hankster says] Each day in history, someone has said goodbye, but, we can see if their farewell was the termination of a meaningful life. Let us go back to February 10 in the past and see how some left it and if they would be proud of what the left behind.

In 1858, The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) is Founded in New York. It's organization is dedicated to social and economic change around the world.

In 1863, The first U.S. fire extinguisher patent was granted to Alanson Crane.

In 1923, Texas Tech University is founded as Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas.

In 1940, The Tom and Jerry cartoon (Puss Gets the Boot) created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera debuts on MGM.

In 1942, The first gold record is presented. It was given to to Glenn Miller for 'Chattanooga Choo Choo'.

In 1940, 'In The Mood' by Glenn Miller hits #1. Feb. 4 on some charts.
[The Hankster says] For me and my friends who went to G.P. High school in Texas, this song has a special meaning.

In 1945, 'Rum and Coca Cola' by the Andrews Sisters hits #1.

In 1951 - 'John and Marsha' by Stan Freberg peaks at #21 More
[The Hankster says] This was a comedy record that had only two words in it. John and Marsha held a very revealing conversation, only repeating each others names with varying emotions.

In 1956, The TV show 'My Friend Flicka' premieres.

In 1964, Bob Dylan's famous album 'The Times They Are A-Changin' is released.

In 1967, The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. It deals with succession to the Presidency.

In 1979, 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' by Rod Stewart peaks at #1.

In 2009, The communication satellites 'Iridium 33' (U.S. active) and 'Kosmos-2251' (Russian retired) collide in orbit, destroying both.

BTW, I always have links for all items above and YouTube links forthe songs mentioned, on the 'Today Is' post for the corresponding day.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today

No. 1 song

  • You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers: More
    'Downtown' has been displaced by 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'', which will hold the no. 1 spot until February 27 1965, when 'This Diamond Ring', takes over.

Top movie

  • My Fair Lady, (returns) More
    Having displaced '36 Hours', it will be there until the weekend box office of February 27, 1965 when, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): February 10
   V.
This month February 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - February 1 2015)

Food Holiday:
Berry Fresh Month Canned Food Month Celebration of Chocolate Month Great American Pie Month National Cherry Month National Grapefruit Month National Fiber Focus Month National Fondue Month National Hot Breakfast Month National Snack Food Month Potato Lover’s Month Sweet Potato Month Other:
American Heart Month An Affair to Remember Month Black History Month Creative Romance Month National Children’s Dental Health Month National Heart Healthy Month National Weddings Month


February is:

February origin (from Wikipedia):
'The Roman month Februarius was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 (full moon) in the old lunar Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 713 BC. February remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the decemvirs (c. 450 BC), when it became the second month. At certain intervals February was truncated to 23 or 24 days, and a 27-day intercalary month, Intercalaris, was inserted immediately after February to realign the year with the seasons. Under the reforms that instituted the Julian calendar, Intercalaris was abolished, leap years occurred regularly every fourth year, and in leap years February gained a 29th day. Thereafter, it remained the second month of the calendar year, meaning the order that months are displayed (January, February, March, ..., December) within a year-at-a-glance calendar. Even during the Middle Ages, when the numbered Anno Domini year began on March 25 or December 25, the second month was February whenever all twelve months were displayed in order. The Gregorian calendar reforms made slight changes to the system for determining which years were leap years and thus contained a 29-day February.'

February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is the shortest month and the only month with fewer than 30 days. The month has 28 days in common years or 29 days in leap years.
February is the third month of meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the third month of summer (the seasonal equivalent of August in the Northern Hemisphere, in meteorological reckoning).

February at Wikipedia: More

  VI.
TV fifty years ago 1965 (updated yearly - last updated Jan. 1 2015)

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 2015)

Best selling books of 1965 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

  • 2015 Postal Holidays More
  • 2015 Official Federal Holidays More

Holidays Worldwide

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