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Today is October 10 2015

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

National Angel Food Cake Day: More

Other celebrations/observances today:
  • Home Movie Day: More
    Since 2003 by the Center for Home Movies. On the Second Saturday in October
  • National Costume Swap Day: More
    Second Saturday in October
  • National Motorcycle Ride Day: More
    New this year. Created by Chad Geer of Dunlop Tire N.A. It was in October 1887 that John B. Dunlop developed the first practical pneumatic tire
  • Metric Day: More
    On 10/10 each year.
  • Bonza Bottler Day: More
    When the digit of the day and month are the same. as in 10/10.
  • Hug A Drummer Day: More
  • Handbag Day: More
  • International Stage Management Day: More
    Focus on the work that stage managers do.
  • Universal Music Day: More
  • National Tuxedo Day: More
    First record of a dinner jacket (tuxedo) worn to an autumn ball at Tuxedo Park, N.Y. in 1886.
Awareness / Observance Days on: October 10
  • Health
    • World Mental Health Day: More
      Since 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
  • Animal and Pets
    • Squid Day/Cuttlefish Day: More
      During Cephalopod Awareness Days.
  • Other
    • Veterans’ Health Week: More
      October 10-18 in Australia.
    • World Day Against Death Penalty: More
      Since 2003 by The World Coalition against the Death Penalty.
    • National Tree Planting Day in Mongolia: More
    • Arbor Day in Poland: More
    • World Homeless Day: More
      Since 2010, originally as an online media effort..
    • World Porridge Day: More
      In Scotland, a food for children charity by Mary’s Meals ..
Events in the past on: October 10
  • In 1845, Founding of the U.S. Naval Academy.
    - From Wikipedia (United States Naval Academy):'The United States Naval Academy (also known as USNA, Annapolis, or simply Navy) is a four-year coeducational federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. Established in 1845 under Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, it is the second oldest of the United States' five service academies, and educates officers for commissioning primarily into the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The 338-acre (137 ha) campus is located on the former grounds of Fort Severn at the confluence of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay in Anne Arundel County, 33 miles (53 km) east of Washington, D.C. and 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Baltimore. The entire campus is a National Historic Landmark and home to many historic sites, buildings, and monuments. It replaced Philadelphia Naval Asylum, in Philadelphia, that served as the first United States Naval Academy from 1838 to 1845 when the Naval Academy formed in Annapolis.

    The institution was founded as the Naval School in 1845 by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft. The campus was established at Annapolis on the grounds of the former U.S. Army post Fort Severn. The school opened on 10 October with 50 midshipman students and seven professors. The decision to establish an academy on land may have been in part a result of the Somers Affair, an alleged mutiny involving the Secretary of War's son that resulted in his execution at sea. Commodore Matthew Perry had a considerable interest in naval education, supporting an apprentice system to train new seamen, and helped establish the curriculum for the United States Naval Academy. He was also a vocal proponent of modernization of the navy.

    Originally a course of study for five years was prescribed. Only the first and last were spent at the school with the other three being passed at sea. The present name was adopted when the school was reorganized in 1850 and placed under the supervision of the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. Under the immediate charge of the superintendent, the course of study was extended to seven years with the first two and the last two to be spent at the school and the intervening three years at sea. The four years of study were made consecutive in 1851 and practice cruises were substituted for the three consecutive years at sea. The first class of naval academy students graduated on 10 June 1854.

    In 1860, the Tripoli Monument was moved to the academy grounds. Later that year in August, the model of the USS Somers experiment was resurrected when the USS Constitution, then 60 years old, was recommissioned as a school ship for the fourth-class midshipmen after a conversion and refitting begun in 1857. She was anchored at the yard, and the plebes lived on board the ship to immediately introduce them to shipboard life and experiences'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1865, John Hyatts patents the billiard ball, made of celluloid (nitrocellulose, guncotton). From Wikipedia: 'Because of its explosive nature, not all applications of nitrocellulose were successful. In 1869, with elephants having been poached to near extinction, the billiards industry offered a $10,000 prize to whomever came up with the best replacement for ivory billiard balls. John Wesley Hyatt created the winning replacement, which he created with a new material he discovered called camphored nitrocellulose—the first thermoplastic, better known as celluloid. The invention enjoyed a brief popularity, but the Hyatt balls were extremely flammable, and sometimes portions of the outer shell would explode upon impac'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - Plastic timeline: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1871, The Great Chicago Fire ends. The fire lasts from October 8 to October 10. From Wikipedia: 'The fire killed up to 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles ( 9 km2) of Chicago, Illinois, and left more than 100,000 residents homeless.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871. The fire killed up to 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles (9 km2) of Chicago, Illinois, and left more than 100,000 residents homeless'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1897, German chemist Felix Hoffmann discovers an improved way of 'synthesizing' acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). In 1763, Edward Stone, at Oxford, isolated the chemical. A French chemist, Charles Frederic Gerhardt, was the first to prepare acetylsalicylic acid in 1853, but at that time it was too hard/expensive to isolate.
    From Wikipedia: 'Felix Hoffmann (January 21, 1868 – February 8, 1946) was a German chemist notable for re-synthesizing diamorphine (independently from C.R. Alder Wright who synthesized it 23 years earlier), which was popularized under the Bayer trade name of "heroin". He is also credited with synthesizing aspirin, though whether he did this under his own initiative or under the instruction of Arthur Eichengrün is highly contested'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1913, United States President Woodrow Wilson triggers the explosion of the Gamboa Dike thus ending construction on the Panama Canal.
    From Wikipedia: 'On October 10, 1913, the dike at Gamboa which had kept the Culebra Cut isolated from Gatun Lake was demolished; the detonation was made telegraphically by President Woodrow Wilson in Washington. On January 7, 1914, the Alexandre La Valley, an old French crane boat, became the first ship to make a complete transit of the Panama Canal under its own steam after working its way across during the final stages of construction.

    As construction wound down, the canal team began to disperse. Thousands of workers were laid off, and entire towns were disassembled or demolished. Chief sanitary officer William C. Gorgas, who left to fight pneumonia in the South African gold mines, became surgeon general of the Army. On April 1, 1914 the Isthmian Canal Commission disbanded, and the zone was governed by a Canal Zone Governor; the first governor was George Washington Goethals.

    Although a large celebration was planned for the canal's opening, the outbreak of World War I forced the cancellation of the main festivities and it became a modest local affair. The Panama Railway steamship SS Ancon, piloted by Captain John A. Constantine (the canal's first pilot), made the first official transit on August 15, 1914. With no international dignitaries in attendance, Goethals followed the Ancon's progress by railroad'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube (silent movie footage): More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1932, The radio soap opera 'Betty and Bob' premieres. It starred Elizabeth Reller, Don Ameche, Edith Davis. It ran for 6 series on three networks from October 10, 1932 to March 15, 1940.
    From Wikipedia: 'Betty and Bob was one of the earliest examples of the radio soap opera. The soap opera followed the lives of Betty and Bob Drake. Betty was a secretary who falls madly in love with her boss, bachelor Bob Drake. The two wed and each day, the subject matter dealt with everything from love to hate, jealousy to divorce, murder to betrayal, and collusion to insanity.

    The program was the first radio program produced by future daytime radio monarchs Frank and Anne Hummert. The program also began a long partnership between the Hummerts and scriptwriter Robert Hardy Andrews.

    The program originally starred Elizabeth Reller and Don Ameche in the title roles of Betty and Bob Drake. The role of Bob Drake is credited as the role that made Ameche the "first radio sex symbol". But during the program's eight year run, four other actresses, including Arlene Francis, portrayed Betty and seven other actors, including Les Tremayne, portrayed Bob.

    According to author John Dunning, ratings for the soap opera plummeted after the addition of the Drake's son Little Bobby. "Raymond William Stedman speculates that listeners refused to accept bickering and jealousy when a child was involved." Little Bobby died of pneumonia and the Drake's divorced. But ratings never did pick up again. The last few years of the program centered on how Betty and Bob grieve over the loss of their son, Bob's relationship with his new girlfriend Pamela Talmadge (portrayed by Ethel Kuhn), and Bob's time in and out of a mental institution.

    The program premiered on the Blue Network on October 10, 1932. The program moved to CBS then to NBC's Red Network where the series finished on March 15, 1940. The program was sponsored by both the Wheaties and Bisquick divisions of the General Mills company'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1933, The first synthetic detergent, 'Dreft' by Procter and Gamble, goes on sale.
    From Wikipedia: 'Dreft is a laundry detergent in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other markets. First produced by Procter and Gamble in 1933, it was the first synthetic detergent made. Dreft does not leave a lime scum deposit and it does not contain harsh chemicals such as bleach. It is suitable for fine washables such as silk or wool as well as flame-resistant fabrics. The Fairy brand of washing-up liquid and Cascade brand of dishwashing detergent are also sold under the name "Dreft" in some countries, including the Netherlands. In Canada, it is called Ivory Snow'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1935, 'Porgy and Bess', the first great American opera, premieres on Broadway.
    From Wikipedia: 'Porgy and Bess is an English-language opera composed in 1934 by George Gershwin, with a libretto written by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin from Heyward's novel Porgy and later play of the same title. Porgy and Bess was first performed in Boston on September 30, 1935, and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers—a daring artistic choice at the time. After suffering from an initially unpopular public reception due in part to its racially charged theme, the Houston Grand Opera production of the opera in 1976 gained it new popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed operas.

    Gershwin read Porgy in 1926 and proposed that he should collaborate with Heyward on Porgy and Bess. In 1934, Gershwin and Heyward began work on the project by visiting the author's native Charleston. Gershwin explained why he called Porgy and Bess a folk opera in a 1935 New York Times article: "Porgy and Bess is a folk tale. Its people naturally would sing folk music. When I first began work in the music I decided against the use of original folk material because I wanted the music to be all of one piece. Therefore I wrote my own spirituals and folksongs. But they are still folk music – and therefore, being in operatic form, Porgy and Bess becomes a folk opera." The libretto of Porgy and Bess tells the story of Porgy, a disabled street-beggar living in the slums of Charleston, South Carolina. It deals with his attempts to rescue Bess from the clutches of Crown, her violent and possessive lover, and Sportin' Life, her drug dealer. Where the earlier novel and stage-play differ, the opera generally follows the stage-play.

    In the years following Gershwin's death, Porgy and Bess was adapted for smaller scale performances and was later adapted into a film in 1959. Some of the songs in the opera, such as "Summertime" became popular and frequently recorded songs. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the trend has been towards reproducing a greater fidelity to Gershwin's original intentions although other smaller-scale productions continued to be mounted. A complete version of the score was released in 1976; since then, it has been recorded several times'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1958, Eddie Cochran recorded 'C'mon Everybody'.
    From Wikipedia: '"C'mon Everybody" is a 1958 song by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capehart, originally released as a B-side. In 1959 it peaked in the UK (where Cochran had major success and where he died in 1960) at No. 6 in the singles chart, and, thirty years later, in 1988, the track was re-issued there and became a No. 14 hit. In the United States the song got to No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. "C'mon Everybody" is ranked No. 403 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

    When Cochran recorded his lead vocal for the song, he also created an alternate version of the song called "Let's Get Together". The only change to the lyrics was exactly that: the phrase "Let's get together" in place of "C'mon everybody". This alternate version was eventually released on a compilation album in the 1970s.

    The song was also used by Levi Strauss and Co. to promote their 501 jean range in 1988. The advert, titled "Eddie Cochran" and directed by Syd Macartney, told the story of how the (purported) narrator, songwriter Sharon Sheeley, attracted Eddie Cochran by wearing said jeans. The song was re-released as a promotional single that year'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  • In 1967, The Outer Space Treaty, signed on January 27 by more than sixty nations, comes into force.
    From Wikipedia: 'The Outer Space Treaty, formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law. The treaty was opened for signature in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union on 27 January 1967, and entered into force on 10 October 1967. As of September 2015, 104 countries are parties to the treaty, while another 24 have signed the treaty but have not completed ratification. In addition, the Republic of China (Taiwan), which is currently only recognized by 21 UN member states, ratified the treaty prior to the United Nations General Assembly's vote to transfer China's seat to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1971'.
    - At Wikipedia: More
    - On YouTube: More
  II.
Henry's Heads Up! - previous days social media post (updated daily)

Tomorrow's food holiday will be 'National Angel Food Cake Day'. [The Hankster says] Made with egg whites, flour but with no fats. The earliest known published recipe was in the 1878 'The Home Messenger Book of Tested Recipes,' 2d ed.


Tomorrow is 'Home Movie Day'. Since 2003 by the Center for Home Movies. On the Second Saturday in October [The Hankster says] I guess the old days when you invited the neighbors over, closed and locked the windows and doors (thus cutting off all avenues of escape) and invited them to look at your Super 8 home movies are over. Now the only down side to seeing someone's summer vacation are the advertisements on the video websites. And you don't get any chips and dips.

Halloween coming up soon. think about 'National Costume Swap Day'. Second Saturday in October [The Hankster says] It is a day to have parties and exchange last years costume with a friend. This way you won't have to ruin another bed sheet by cutting eye holes in it.

Tomorrow is 'National Motorcycle Ride Day'. Second Saturday in October'. New this year. Created by Chad Geer of Dunlop Tire N.A. It was in October 1887 that John B. Dunlop developed the first practical pneumatic tire

Think in multiples of 10 for tomorrows 'Metric Day'. On 10/10 each year.

Another 'Bonza Bottler Day' this month. When the digit of the day and month are the same. as in 10/10. There is nothing special to do , but just party.

It's 'Hug A Drummer Day' tomorrow. [The Hankster says] This is best done off stage, after the concert.

Would I leave you out ladies? Tomorrow is 'Handbag Day'.

And guys, here is one for you. Tomorrow is 'National Tuxedo Day'. Celebrating the first record of a dinner jacket (tuxedo) worn to an autumn ball at Tuxedo Park, N.Y. in 1886. [The Hankster says] You need to decide if it means a good day or not.


Awareness / Observance Days on: October 10
o Health
- 'World Mental Health Day'. Since 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).

o Animal and Pets
- 'Squid Day/Cuttlefish Day'. During Cephalopod Awareness Days.

o Other
- 'Veterans’ Health Week'. October 10-18 in Australia.

- 'World Day Against Death Penalty'. Since 2003 by The World Coalition against the Death Penalty.

- 'National Tree Planting Day in Mongolia'. Arbor Day in Poland'.

- 'World Homeless Day'. Since 2010, originally as an online media effort..

- 'World Porridge Day'. In Scotland, a food for children charity by Mary’s Meals ..


Historical events in the past on: October 10

In 1845, Founding of the U.S. Naval Academy.

In 1865, John Hyatts patents the billiard ball, made of celluloid (nitrocellulose, gun cotton).

In 1871, The Great Chicago Fire ends. The fire lasts from October 8 to October 10. From Wikipedia: 'The fire killed up to 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles ( 9 km2) of Chicago, Illinois, and left more than 100,000 residents homeless.

In 1897, German chemist Felix Hoffmann discovers an improved way of synthesizing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

In 1913, United States President Woodrow Wilson triggers the explosion of the Gamboa Dike thus ending construction on the Panama Canal.

In 1932, The radio soap opera 'Betty and Bob' premieres. It starred Elizabeth Reller, Don Ameche, Edith Davis. It ran for 6 series on three networks from October 10, 1932 to March 15, 1940.

In 1933, The first synthetic detergent, 'Dreft' by Procter and Gamble, goes on sale.

In 1935, 'Porgy and Bess', the first great American opera, premieres on Broadway.

In 1967, The Outer Space Treaty, signed on January 27 by more than sixty nations, comes into force.

 III.
Top Song & Movie 50 years ago today (last updated Oct 10 2015 next Oct 17 2015

No. 1 song

  • Yesterday - The Beatle: More
    'Hang on Sloopy' has been displaced by 'Yesterday', which will hold the no. 1 spot until October 23 1965, when 'A Lover's Concerto - The toys', takes over.

Top movie

  • The Agony and the Ecstasy More
    Having displaced 'Mickey One', it will be there until the weekend box office of Oct 17 1965 when, 'The Cincinnati Ki', takes over.
  IV.
Today in the Past (reference sites): October 10
   V.
This month October 2015 (updated once a month - last updated - October 1 2015)

Monthly holiday / awareness days in October

Adopt a Dog Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
American Cheese Month
American Magazine Month
American Pharmacists Month
Antidepressant Death Awareness Month
Bat Appreciation Month
Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month
Campaign for Healthier Babies Month
Car Care Month
Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Celiac Sprue Awareness Month
Child Health Month
Children's Magazine Month
Christmas Seal Campaign Church Library Month
Church Safety and Security Month
Class Reunion Month
Clergy Appreciation Month
Computer Learning Month
Consumer Information Month
Cookbook Month
Co-op Awareness Month
Country Music Month
Crime Prevention Month
Cut Out Dissection Month
Dollhouse and Miniatures Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Eat Country Ham Month
Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Employee Ownership Month
Energy Awareness Month
Energy Management is a Family Affair - Improve Your Home Month
Eye Injury Prevention Month
Fair Trade Month
Family Health Month
Feral Hog Month
or Hog Out Month
Financial Planning Month
Fire Prevention Month
Gay and Lesbian History Month
German-American Heritage Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month
Go Hog Wild-Eat Country Ham Month
Halloween Safety Month
Head Start Awareness Month
Health Literacy Month
Healthy Lung Month
Home Eye Safety Month
Hunger Awareness Month
International Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) International Starman Month
International Strategic Planning Month
Long-Term Care Planning Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month
Mental Illness Awareness Month
Month
of Freethought National AIDS Awareness Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Apple Month
National Applejack Month
National Audiology Awareness Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Book Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Chiropractic Health Month
National Cookie Month
National Crime Prevention Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Depression Education and Awareness Month
National Dessert Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
National Ergonomics Month
National Family Sexuality Education Month
- Let's Talk National Farm to School Month
National Gain the Inside Advantage Month
National Go on a Field Trip Month
National Kitchen and Bath Month
National Liver Awareness Month
National Medical Librarians Month
National Orthodontic Health Month
National Pasta Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Physical Therapy Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pit Bull Awareness Month
National Pizza Month
National Popcorn Month
National Popcorn Poppin' Month
National Pork Month
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
National Pretzel Month
National Protect Your Hearing Month
National Reading Group Month
National Roller Skating Month
National RSV Awareness Month
National Sarcastic Awareness Month
National Seafood Month
National Service Dog Month
National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
National Spinning and Weaving Month
National Stamp Collecting Month
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
National Window Covering Safety Month
National Work and Family Month
Organize Your Medical Information Month
Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month
Pear and Pineapple Month
Persimmons Month
Photographer Appreciation Month
Polish-American Heritage Month
Positive Attitude Month
Quality Month
Raptor Month
Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
Rhizomes Month
Right Brainers Rule Month
Sausage Month
Self-Promotion Month
Sexuality Education Month
SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Prevention Month
Spinach Lovers Month
Spinal Health Month
Squirrel Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Month
Tackling Hunger Month
Talk about Prescriptions Month
UNICEF Month
Vegetarian Awareness Month
Vegetarian Month
Wishbones for Pets Month
Workplace Politics Awareness Month
World Animal Month
World Blindness Awareness Month
World Menopause Month
Youth Against Tobacco Month



October is:

October origin (from Wikipedia): October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old Roman calendar, October retained its name (from the Greek meaning 'eight') after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the Romans. "
October is commonly associated with the season of autumn in the Northern hemisphere and spring in the Southern hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to April in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa.

October 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
Contact: If you wish to make comment, please do so by writing to this: Email address