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Today is March 9 2015

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

National Crabmeat Day: More
National Meatball Day: More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • National Barbie Day: More
    Barbie Doll's debut at the 1959 American International Toy Fair.
  • National Get Over it Day: More
  • National Napping Day: More
    Day after Return of Daylight Savings Day
  • National Workplace Napping Day: More
    First Monday after Daylight Savings Time
  • Panic Day: More
    An international panic day is on June 19.
  • False Teeth Day: More
  • Canberra Day: More
    In Australia (Australian Capital Territory ) on the second Monday in March. Canberra's official founding in 1913.
  • National Brain Awareness Week: More
    In Irealand, the first day of week long 9-15 event to raise awareness of neurological conditions.
Events in the past on: March 9
  • In 1454, Amerigo Vespucci was born.
    From Wikipedia: Amerigo Vespucci (Italian March 9, 1454 – February 22, 1512) was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer who first demonstrated that Brazil and the West Indies did not represent Asia's eastern outskirts as initially conjectured from Columbus' voyages, but instead constituted an entirely separate ' landmass hitherto unknown to Afro-Eurasians. Colloquially referred to as the New World, this second super continent came to be termed "America", deriving its name from Americus, the Latin version of Vespucci"s first name".
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1862, The ironclads Monitor and Virginia (formerly Merrimack) clashed for five hours to a draw at Hampton Roads, Va., during the Civil War.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Battle of Hampton Roads, often referred to as either the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack (or Virginia) or the Battle of Ironclads, was the most noted and arguably most important naval battle of the American Civil War from the standpoint of the development of navies. It was fought over two days, March 8–9, 1862, in Hampton Roads, a roadstead in Virginia where the Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers meet the James River just before it enters Chesapeake Bay adjacent to the city of Norfolk. The battle was a part of the effort of the Confederacy to break the Union blockade, which had cut off Virginia's largest cities, Norfolk and Richmond, from international trade.

    The major significance of the battle is that it was the first meeting in combat of ironclad warships, i.e. the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia. The Confederate fleet consisted of the ironclad ram Virginia (built from the remnants of the USS Merrimack) and several supporting vessels. On the first day of battle, they were opposed by several conventional, wooden-hulled ships of the Union Navy. On that day, Virginia was able to destroy two ships of the Federal flotilla, USS Congress and USS Cumberland, and was about to attack a third, USS Minnesota, which had run aground. However, the action was halted by darknes and falling tide, so Virginia retired to take care of her few wounded — which included her captain, Flag Officer Franklin Buchanan — and repair her minimal battle damage.

    'Determined to complete the destruction of the Minnesota, Catesby ap Roger Jones, acting as captain in Buchanan's absence, returned the ship to the fray the next morning, March 9. During the night, however, the ironclad Monitor had arrived and had taken a position to defend Minnesota. When Virginia approached, Monitor intercepted her. The two ironclads fought for about three hours, with neither being able to inflict significant damage on the other. The duel ended indecisively, Virginia returning to her home at the Gosport Navy Yard for repairs and strengthening, and Monitor to her station defending Minnesota. The ships did not fight again, and the blockade remained in place'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1961, The Supremes released their first single, 'I Want A Guy'.
    From Wikipedia: '"I Want a Guy" is a song written by Freddie Gorman, Berry Gordy and Brian Holland and was the debuting single for Motown girl group The Supremes in 1961. It was also recorded by The Marvelettes. Featuring Diana Ross, going by her given name, Diane Ross, in lead, the song was a doo-wop ballad similar to what the Supremes had been recording since forming as "The Primettes" two years earlier.

    The songs lyrics tell about a lonely woman who wants a new lover who won't mistreat her and always be loyal to her'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1964, The first Ford Mustang is produced.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Ford Mustang is an American automobile manufactured by Ford. It was originally based on the platform of the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. The original 1962 Ford Mustang I two-seater concept car had evolved into the 1963 Mustang II four-seater concept car which Ford used to pretest how the public would take interest in the first production Mustang.

    'The Ford Mustang was brought out five months before the normal start of the 1965 production year. The early production versions are often referred to as "1964½ models" but all Mustangs were advertised, VIN coded and titled by Ford as 1965 models, though minor design updates for fall 1965 contribute to tracking 1964½ production data separately from 1965 data (see data below). with production beginning in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9, 1964; the new car was introduced to the public on April 17, 1964 at the New York World's Fair'
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1964, The Supreme Court issues the 'New York Times Co. v. Sullivan' decision that public officials must prove malice to claim libel and recover damages.
    From Wikipedia: 'New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), was a landmark United States Supreme Court case that established the actual malice standard, which has to be met before press reports about public officials can be considered to be defamation and libel; and hence allowed free reporting of the civil rights campaigns in the southern United States. It is one of the key decisions supporting the freedom of the press. The actual malice standard requires that the plaintiff in a defamation or libel case prove that the publisher of the statement in question knew that the statement was false or acted in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity. Because of the extremely high burden of proof on the plaintiff, and the difficulty of proving the defendant's knowledge and intentions, such cases—when they involve public figures—rarely prevail'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1966, The Beach Boys recorded 'God Only Knows'.
    From Wikipedia: '"God Only Knows" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher for American rock band The Beach Boys, released in May 1966 as the eighth track on the group's album Pet Sounds. Two months later, it was released as the B-side of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" in the United States. In other countries, "God Only Knows" was the single's A-side. According to historian John Robert Greene, "God Only Knows" led to the reinvention of the popular love song'.
    More
    On YouTube: More
  • In 1974, The last Japanese soldier (Hiroo Onoda), a guerrilla operating in Philippines, surrenders, 29 years after World War II ended when his old commander returns and relieves him of command fulfilling the parting promise 'whatever happens we'll come back for you'.
    From Wikipedia: 'Hiro Onoda (??? ?? Onoda Hiro?, March 19, 1922 – January 16, 2014) was an Imperial Japanese Army intelligence officer who fought in World War II and a Japanese holdout who did not surrender in 1945. After Onoda spent nearly 30 years holding out in the Philippines, his former commander traveled from Japan to personally issue orders relieving him from duty in 1974. He held the rank of second lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army'.
    More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1981, At the 7th People's Choice Awards:
    -- Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer is Carol Burnett.
    -- Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer is Alan Alda.
    -- Favorite Female Musical Performer is Pat Benatar.
    -- Favorite Male Musical Performer is Kenny Rogers.
    -- Favorite New Song 'Lady'.
    -- Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program is Diana Canova.
    -- Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program is Tom Selleck.
    -- Favorite Female TV Performer is Carol Burnett.
    -- Favorite Male TV Performer is Alan Alda.
    -- Favorite New TV Comedy Program is 'Too Close for Comfort'.
    -- Favorite New TV Dramatic Program is 'Magnum P.I.'.
    -- Favorite TV Comedy Program is 'M*A*S*H'.
    -- Favorite TV Dramatic Program is'Dallas'.
    -- Favorite TV Mini-Series is 'Shogun'.
    -- >Favorite Young TV Performer is Gary Coleman.
    -- >Favorite Motion Picture is 'The Empire Strikes Back'.
    -- Favorite Motion Picture Actor is Clint Eastwood.
    -- >Favorite Motion Picture Actress is Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn.
    -- >Favorite Young Motion Picture Performer is Brooke Shields.
    - At PeoplesChoice.com: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

We have two food holidays tomorrow.
First is 'National Crabmeat Day'.
[The Hankster says] My favorite way to eat crabmeat is in fried crab cakes.
Second is 'National Meatball Day'.
[The Hankster says] I'll take a meatball over a crab cake any time.

Ladies, ask your mom to get your old toy box from the attic, tomorrow is 'National Barbie Day'.
[The Hankster says Celebrates the Barbie Doll's debut at the 1959 American International Toy Fair.

I see several holidays tomorrow that just might be related to the time change.
First is 'National Get Over it Day'.
[The Hankster says] You lost an hour, git over it.
Second is 'Panic Day'. An international panic day is on June 19.
[The Hankster says] Ditto.
Third 'National Napping Day'. Day after Return of Daylight Savings Day
[The Hankster says] Does a body good. Catch up on that lost hour.
Forth is 'National Workplace Napping Day'. First Monday after Daylight Savings Time
[The Hankster says] Disclaimer. A nap is good, when is your choice.

Tomorrow is 'False Teeth Day'. Anniversary of the US patent for false teeth in 1822.

For you Aussie's. Tomorrow is 'Canberra Day'. In Australia (Australian Capital Territory ) on the second Monday in March. Canberra's official founding in 1913.

An awareness day tomorrow. It will be the first day of 'National Brain Awareness Week'. In Ireland, the first day of week long 9-15 event to raise awareness of neurological conditions.

William Blake once said 'In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.'.
[The Hankster says] If we sowed well yesterday, harvested that yield today and partake of it tomorrow, we have done well. History can help us decide when to sow and when to harvest. Let us see if on March 9 in the past the crops we planted allow us to enjoy or regret.

In 1454, Amerigo Vespucci was born in Florence, Italy. The German mapmaker Matthias Ringmann named the American continent in his honor. Amerigo was an explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer who was the first to demonstrate that the 'New World' was not the eastern shores of Asia.

In 1862, The ironclads Monitor and Virginia (formerly Merrimac) clashed for five hours to a draw at Hampton Roads, Va., during the Civil War.

In 1961, The first animal (a dog named Chernushka or Blackie, returns from space, aboard Sputnik 9.

In 1961, The Supremes released their first single, 'I Want A Guy'.

In 1964, The first Ford Mustang is produced.

In 1964, The Supreme Court issues the 'New York Times Co. v. Sullivan' decision that public officials must prove malice to claim libel and recover damages.

In 1966, The Beach Boys recorded 'God Only Knows'.

In 1974, The last Japanese soldier (Hiroo Onoda), a guerrilla operating in the Philippines, surrenders, 29 years after World War II ended when his old commander returns and relieves him of command fulfilling the parting promise 'whatever happens we'll come back for you'.

In 1981, At the 7th People's Choice Awards,
Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer is Carol Burnett.
Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer is Alan Alda.
Favorite Female Musical Performer is Pat Benatar.
Favorite Male Musical Performer is Kenny Rogers.
Favorite New Song 'Lady'.
Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program is Diana Canova.
Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program is Tom Selleck.
Favorite Female TV Performer is Carol Burnett.
Favorite Male TV Performer is Alan Alda.
Favorite New TV Comedy Program is 'Too Close for Comfort'.
Favorite New TV Dramatic Program is 'Magnum P.I.'.
Favorite TV Comedy Program is 'M*A*S*H'.
Favorite TV Dramatic Program is'Dallas'.
Favorite TV Mini-Series is 'Shogun'.
Favorite Young TV Performer is Gary Coleman.
Favorite Motion Picture is 'The Empire Strikes Back'.
Favorite Motion Picture Actor is Clint Eastwood.
Favorite Motion Picture Actress is Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn.
Favorite Young Motion Picture Performer is Brooke Shields.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today (last updated Mar 6 2015 next Mar 27 2015

No. 1 song

  • Eight Days a Week - The Beatles: More
    'This Diamond Ring' has been displaced by 'Eight Days a Week', which will hold the no. 1 spot until March 27 1965, when 'Stop! In the Name of Love', takes over.

Top movie

  • The Sound of Music More
    Having displaced 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', it will be there until the weekend box office of April 11 1965 when, 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VadngOGKlP0', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): March 9
   V.
This month March 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - March 1 2015)

Food Holiday:
Bell Peppers and Broccoli Month
Berries and Cherries Month
Exotic Winter Fruit and Leeks and Green Onions Month
National Celery Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month

Other:
American Diabetes Alert Month
American Red Cross Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Child Life Month
Colic Awareness Month
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
Dolphin Awareness Month
Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
Hemophilia Month
Honor Society Awareness Month
Humorists are Artists Month
International Listening Awareness Month
International Mirth Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
Kidney Month
Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month
Music in our Schools Month
National Athletic Trainers Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Essential Tremor Awareness Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
National Eye Donor Month
National Flower Month
National Kidney Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
National Poison Prevention Awareness Month
National Problem Gambling Awareness Month
National Professional Social Worker's Month
National Social Work Month
National Women's History Month
Red Cross Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Save Your Vision Month
Trisomy Awareness Month


March is:

March origin (from Wikipedia):
'The name of March comes from Latin Martius, the first month of the earliest Roman calendar. It was named for Mars, the Roman god of war who was also regarded as a guardian of agriculture and an ancestor of the Roman people through his sons Romulus and Remus. '

March 'is the third month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is one of seven months that are 31 days long. In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. The March equinox on the 20th or 21st marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, where September is the seasonal equivalent of the Northern Hemisphere's March. '

March 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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