Jan 7, 1912. The prolific cartoonist with a macabre sense of humor was born at Westfield, NJ. He became a full-time staff member of The New Yorker in 1935 and stayed there for his entire career, producing some 1,300 cartoons. His most famous creation was the ghoulish “Addams Family,” who escaped print into television and film. Author of numerous bestselling cartoon collections and the Charles Addams Mother Goose (1967), Addams died Sept 29, 1988, at New York, NY.
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On 7 January, 1927, basketball promoter Abe Saperstein’s “New York Globetrotters” took the floor on this date at Hinckley, Illinois. Despite the “New York” in their name, the Globetrotters (who included Inman Jackson, Lester Johnson and Walter Wright) hailed from Chicago’s South Side. The talented African-American players— unable to play in white professional leagues— barnstormed the nation in serious basketball promotional events. They changed to “Harlem Globetrotters” in the 1930s and added humor to their games in the 1940s.
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A day to fight back and take control of all events that happen in one’s life. Stand up for your rights— it’s so easy to walk away.
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A day to recognize and thank programmers for their contributions to our lives. Programmers are ultimately responsible for many of the conveniences we enjoy such as DVRs, direct deposit, Web surfing, online bill paying, cell phones, etc. Behind most modern-day conveniences, there’s a computer programmer! Annually, Jan 7.
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7 January is Christmas as observed by those churches using the Julian calendar.
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8 January 2017 is the 9th Annual Argyle Day. Bring some brightness to winter by wearing an argyle print— not just socks: anything with the diagonal diamond pattern. The more argyle, the better!
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On 8 January 1982, in the most significant antitrust suit since the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911, American Telephone and Telegraph agreed to give up its 22 local Bell System companies (“ Baby Bells”). These companies represented 80 percent of AT& T’s assets. This ended the corporation’s virtual monopoly on US telephone service.
On 8 January 1815, British forces suffered crushing losses (more than 2,000 casualties) in an attack on New Orleans, Louisiana. Defending US troops were led by General Andrew Jackson, who became a popular hero as a result of the victory. Neither side knew that the War of 1812 had ended two weeks previously with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, 24 December 1814.
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Jan 8, 1935. Popular American rock singer, born at Tupelo, MS. Although his middle name was spelled incorrectly as “Aron” on his birth certificate, Elvis had it legally changed to “Aaron,” which is how it is spelled on his gravestone. Died at Memphis, TN, Aug 16, 1977.
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Midwife’s Day or Women’s Day is celebrated 8 January each year to honor midwives and all women. “On this day women stop their housework and spend their time in cafés, while the men do all the housework chores and look after the children.” In some villages, men caught outside “will be stripped… and drenched with cold water.”
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On 8 January 1964, President Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty in his State of the Union address. He stressed improved education as one of the cornerstones of the program. The following Aug 20, he signed a $ 947.5 million antipoverty bill designed to assist more than 30 million citizens.
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On 9 January 1793, A Frenchman, Jean-Pierre François Blanchard, made the first manned free-balloon flight in America’s history at Philadelphia, PA. The event was watched by President George Washington and many other high government officials. The hydrogen-filled balloon rose to a height of about 5,800 feet, traveled some 15 miles and landed 46 minutes later in New Jersey. Reportedly Blanchard had one passenger on the flight— a little black dog.
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Plough Monday is the first Monday after Twelfth Day (Epiphany) when work is resumed on the farm after the 12 Days of Christmas.
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On 9 January 1905, guards at St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace opened fire on some 150,000 unarmed protesting workers, killing at least 200. This event was the major catalyst for revolution in Russia that year, prompting more strikes and uprisings.
Image, public domain via wikipedia.org, photographer unknown, crowd facing armed soldiers in Moscow, an event that led to the Revolution of 1905.
Logo for Masterpiece Theatre, located via Wikipedia.org. Fair Use.
Jan 10, 1971. Television at its best, PBS’s long-running anthology series consists of many highly acclaimed original and adapted dramatizations. Many are produced by the BBC. Alistair Cooke, Russell Baker and Laura Linney have hosted the program. The first presentation was “The First Churchills.” Other notable programs include “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” and “Elizabeth R” (1972); “Upstairs Downstairs” (1974– 77); “I, Claudius” (1978); “The Jewel in the Crown” (1984); “The Buccaneers” (1995); and “White Teeth” (2002). The title of the series is now “Masterpiece.”
On 10 January 1946, on the 26th anniversary of the establishment of the unsuccessful League of Nations, delegates from 51 nations met at London, 
England, for the first meeting of the UN General Assembly.
On 10 January 1878, Senator A.A. Sargent of California, a close friend of Susan B. Anthony, introduced into the US Senate a women’s suffrage amendment known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. It wasn’t until 26 August 1920, 42 years later, that the amendment was signed into law.
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Jan 11, 1755. American statesman, an author of The Federalist papers, first secretary of the Treasury, born at British West Indies. Engaged in a duel with Aaron Burr the morning of July 11, 1804, at Weehawken, NJ. Mortally wounded there and died July 12, 1804.
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Jan 11, 1815. Canadian statesman, first prime minister of Canada. Born at Glasgow, Scotland, he died June 6, 1891, at Ottawa. His birth anniversary is observed in Canada.
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On 11 January 1964, the US Surgeon General issued its landmark report about the dangers of cigarettes.
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Jan 12, 1971. Based on the success of the British comedy “Till Death Us Do Part,” Norman Lear created CBS’s controversial sitcom “All in the Family.”
The series was the first of its kind to realistically portray the prevailing issues and taboos of its time with a wickedly humorous bent. From bigotry to birth control, few topics were considered too sacred to discuss on air. Ultraconservative Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O’Connor) held court from his recliner, spewing invective at any who disagreed with him. Jean Stapleton portrayed Archie’s dutiful wife, Edith. Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner rounded out the cast as Archie’s liberal daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Mike “Meathead” Stivic.
The series had a 12-year run.
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an 12, 1966. ABC’s crime-fighting show gained a place in Nielsen’s top 10 ratings in its first season. The series was based on the DC Comics characters created by Bob Kane in 1939. Adam West starred as millionaire Bruce Wayne and his superhero alter ego, Batman. Burt Ward costarred as Dick Grayson/ Robin, the Boy Wonder. An assortment of villains guest-starred each week, including Cesar Romero as the Joker, Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar as Catwoman, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler. Other stars making memorable appearances included Liberace, Vincent Price, Milton Berle, Tallulah Bankhead and Ethel Merman. The series played up its comic-strip roots with innovative and sharply skewed camera angles, bright bold colors and wild graphics.
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Jan 12, 1981. The popular ABC prime-time serial focused on the high-flying exploits of the Denver-based Carrington family. The series had a weekly wardrobe budget of $ 10,000, with many elegant costumes designed by Nolan Miller. In addition to following the juicy story lines, many people tuned in worldwide to view the palatial mansions and lavish sets. John Forsythe played patriarch Blake Carrington, with Linda Evans as his wife, Krystle. Joan Collins played Alexis, Blake’s scheming ex-wife and arch business rival.
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Jan 12, 1932. Hattie W. Caraway, a Democrat from Arkansas, was the first woman elected to the US Senate. Born in 1878, Caraway was appointed to the Senate on Nov 13, 1931, to fill out the term of her husband, Senator Thaddeus Caraway, who had died a few days earlier. On Jan 12, 1932, she won a special election to fill the remaining months of his term. Subsequently elected to two more terms, she served in the Senate until January 1945. She was an adept and tireless legislator (once introducing 43 bills on the same day) who worked for women’s rights (once cosponsoring an equal rights amendment) and supported New Deal policies. She died Dec 21, 1950, at Falls Church, VA.
Jan 12, 1876. American author of more than 50 books: short stories, novels and travel stories of the sea and of the far north, many marked by brutal realism. His most widely known work is The Call of the Wild, the great dog story published in 1903. London was born at San Francisco, CA. He died of gastrointestinal uremia on Nov 22, 1916, near Santa Rosa, CA. Read more at http://london.sonoma.edu/.
Image: Public Domain, originally published by L C Page and Company Boston 1903 – http://www.archive.org/details/littlepilgrimage00harkuoft located via Wikipedia.org.
