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The FReeper Foxhole Studies Military Bands in America - October 31st, 2003
see educational sources

Posted on 10/31/2003 3:01:59 AM PST by snippy_about_it



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.



...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

A Brief History of Military Bands in America




For over 200 years, military bands have entertained troops and raised the morale of war-weary soldiers.

Pre-Revolutionary War

As far back as 1633, in the Colony of Virginia, drummers performed for marching practice during militia drills. In 1659, the Dutch supplied the militia of their new colony with drums. In 1687, the importance of music to the militia was further demonstrated when Virginia voted to purchase musical instruments for its militia. All free white males were required to serve in these units and supply their own rifles. Drummers received money for their services and public funds furnished their instruments. The first known band in the colonies was a band in New Hampshire in 1653 comprising of 15 hautbois (oboe) and 2 drums.

The elite militia units in the colonies obtained the services of bands. Officers funded these bands. In 1747, the Pennsylvania colonists formed regiments and Colonel Benjamin Franklin was the regimental commander in Philadelphia. In 1756, the Regiment of Artillery Company of Philadelphia, commanded by Franklin, marched with over 1000 men accompanied by "Hautboys and Fifes in Ranks." It is likely that the term "hautboy" did not refer solely to oboes, but to military musicians, and that Franklin had a well-balanced band. This marks the first recorded appearance of an American military band in the colonies.

The Colonies go to War



Musicians in the minuteman companies provided the steady rhythms needed to drill the new militia. On April 19, 1775, William Diamond (in some accounts Dinman), a drummer in Captain John Parker's Lexington militia company, beat To Arms at the Battle of Lexington. Also present was Jonathan Harrington, a fifer. Diamond later went on to march the Lexington militia to Bunker Hill. Some time after Bunker Hill, Diamond set aside his drum in favor of a musket and served throughout the remainder of the Revolution, to include the Battle of Yorktown, as a foot soldier.

Support for independence grew and spread throughout the colonies as the war in New England intensified. The colonists held rallies with patriotic speeches and banners. Militia companies drilled while bands played patriotic melodies.

At least seven regiments were known to have bands. The bands of the 3rd and 4th Regiments of Artillery served until the end of the war. Near the end of the Revolution, both bands gave frequent civilian concerts. One of them continued to exist into the nineteenth century under the name of the "Massachusetts Band."

Musicians were largely young boys from the ages 9 to 14. Congress approved the plan for soldiers no longer enlisting to be only musicians. Drummers and fifers were now picked from the ranks of enlisted personnel. Thus is the first reference to musicians performing soldierly duties.

The War of 1812

During the War of 1812, few changes occurred in the development of Army music. The only exception was the shift from fifes and drums to bugles sounding the signals. The bugler was located at the side of his commander.

Militia bands were a common sight during the War of 1812. The first military band of New York City was organized in 1810 and offered its' services to the 11th Regiment of the New York Militia. It was stationed at Bledsoe's Island in the New York Harbor, the site of the Statue of Liberty. The band served throughout the War of 1812.

Civil War Bands

The number of military bands grew tremendously during the first years of the Civil War (1861-1865) when expenses were assumed by the federal government. In 1862 Congress consolidated over 200 regimental bands into about 60 brigade bands and limited the number of musicians in military bands to sixteen.



Some military bands had a less-than-professional appearance. This band (pictured below) was under the command of General James A. Blunt in Kansas in 1863.



Brigade bands performed concerts for the officers, provided music for marching troops, and aided in kitchen and medical duties at hospitals and in the field.

This over-the-shoulder, or backfire, cornet was played by George Bind of Company C, 7th Kansas Cavalry during the Civil War. These horns were designed to point back behind the musician's shoulder so that troops marching behind the band could better hear the music. This horn was manufactured by Gilmore, Graves & Co. of Boston around 1861.



Military Bands on the Frontier

After the Civil War bands continued to play an important role in the military. Army regulations required bands to be stationed only at those posts serving as regimental headquarters. In Kansas, that meant Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Fort Harker, and Fort Hays.

The regulations also allowed bands to travel around the region to posts occupied by companies of the regiment. Frontier military bands often performed concerts at nearby communities. People traveled great distances to hear military bands play.



Commanding officers had a wide latitude in the uniforms and outfits worn by band members, as is apparent with the band at Fort Hays in 1886.

An event that has long been premeditated . . . came to a successful issue last Wednesday evening: simply the grand ball given by "C" Company, Sixth Cavalry. The intent was to make it stupendous and so it was. Probably no similar event has ever transpired in Western Kansas that can equal it . . . . There was an aggregate of two hundred couples--parties from Wallace, Ellis, Dodge, Victoria, Russell, and Ellsworth graced the fete with their presence. Hays City turned out en masse, and, in fact, the crowd was immense, and good will pervaded the entire affair.
--Junction City Union, April 4, 1874


Spanish-American War

Regimental bands accompanied American troops to Cuba and the Philippines for "The Splendid Little War."

The 20th Kansas Volunteers were commanded by Frederick Funston of Iola. Members of the 20th Kansas Band distinguished themselves in the Philippines, often taking part as stretcher bearers and sometimes in combat. After the war a number of musical compositions, like Funston's Fighting 20th March were written in tribute to Funston and his men.



"The War to End All Wars"

Over 200 American military bands were stationed in Europe during World War I. Because the quality of these bands was fairly low, military bandmasters' schools were established. Many Americans got a musical education while serving in the military, and after the war pursued careers in music education in the public schools.



Corporal Martin G. Miller used this tenor saxophone while in the band of the 130th Field Artillery, 35th Division, from 1917 to 1919. It was manufactured by Frank Holton & Co. of Chicago around 1903.



World War II and Beyond

In 1941, the War Department authorized the organization of over 400 bands for the American military. Smaller ensembles often formed out of the larger concert bands, and popular music such as jazz and big-band music was reflected in the selections performed by these military bands.



As in World War II, bands accompanied combat units into action in Korea. Bands traveled many miles to perform several concerts a day for units close to the front line. One report read, "The closer we play to the front line, and recently we have been within a half-mile of it, the more enthusiastic has been the response to our music."

By 1969, eight bands were stationed in Vietnam. Bands in Vietnam, like those in Korea, often performed in forward areas. They flew into combat areas with instruments and performed pop concerts or military ceremonies when needed.

Desert Storm/Desert Shield

Army Bands played a part in these conflicts by increasing morale for Soldiers and providing music for military ceremonies. Bands' duties were varied. For example, the 3rd Armored Division Band performed on the enemy side of a berm while the 24th Infantry Division advanced into Iraqi territory; and many bandsmen spent countless hours guarding the perimeter.

Members of the 1st Infantry Division Band from Fort Riley, Kansas formed a rock 'n roll band to entertain the troops while stationed in Saudi Arabia in 1991.






FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links





TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: airforceband; armyband; coastguardband; freeperfoxhole; marineband; michaeldobbs; militarybands; navyband; pershingsown; samsdayoff; veterans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
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Brief History of the US ARMY BAND


Pershing's Own




The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" has maintained a tradition of excellence as the premier musical organization of The United States Army. The Band was founded in 1922 by Army Chief of Staff General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing to emulate European military bands he heard during World War I. The Band continues to play an important role in events of national and international significance, staging performances from the battlefields of World War II to our Nation's Capital.

During its early years, The Band became widely known and critically acclaimed for radio broadcasts featured on several networks, including RCA, CBS and the Mutual Broadcasting Network. The Band also completed four national tours between 1928 and 1931 and became highly respected for its performances during a trip to Spain for the Ibero-American Exposition in spring 1929.

In June 1943, The Band was called overseas to perform first in North Africa and then battle-weary Europe, returning to U.S. soil in June 1945. The Band received a battle streamer for their efforts during the Rhineland Campaign and is the only Washington-based military band to have participated in a theater of foreign combat operations.



The period after World War II saw The Band expand in scope and diversity to keep pace with an increased demand for numerous and specialized assignments. The United States Army Ceremonial Band, The United States Army Chorus, The United States Army Herald Trumpets and The United States Army Strings were established as regular performing units during this time.

This period also saw The Band perform with numerous well-known artists and composers, many as part of the very successful Freedom Sings concert series that started in 1950 and continued for several years. Notables include Metropolitan Opera bass Jerome Hines, composers Paul Hindemith and Percy Grainger, and the pianist duo Whittmore and Lowe.

Similarly, several well-known entertainers and recording artists were band members during this period. Eddie Fisher, Robert Dini and Steve Lawrence were very popular during the 1950's, as were harpist Lloyd Lindroth, future Metropolitan Opera tenor George Shirley and announcer Charles Osgood.



Throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's, The Band continued to perform and serve with distinction. In 1963, The Band participated in the funeral of President John F. Kennedy with Army Band Bugler Keith Clark performing Taps at the graveside service in Arlington National Cemetery. Brucker Hall, The Band's training and performance facility, was constructed in the mid-1970's. Also during this era, The Army Blues jazz ensemble, The United States Army Chorale and The Unites States Army Brass Band were officially established as regular performing ensembles.



An official Coat of Arms and distinctive uniforms were approved to reflect The Band's increasing visibility at events of national significance, including the visit of Emperor Hirohito to Alaska with President Nixon, the national Bicentennial Celebration, the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, the return of the former U.S. hostages from Iran, the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee and the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The Band has performed in Canada, Japan and Australia as well as in several of the nation's prominent concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and the Guggenheim Band Shell at Lincoln Center in New York, the Hollywood Bowl and the Hatch Shell in Boston. In 1984, The Band recorded and participated in the filming of Francis Ford Coppolla's movie Gardens Of Stone.

Under the leadership of Colonel L. Bryan Shelburne, leader and commander (1990 - 2000), The Band continued its tradition of excellence with performances at the 1990 Economic Summit in Houston, the Desert Storm Victory Parade in New York and Reba McEntire's Christmas Special in Nashville. Col. Shelburne has also led The Band in performances in Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkey, Novia Scotia and Scotland including a concert of International Goodwill with the Soviet Union's Navy Band of Moscow in Stockholm.

In April 2000, Colonel Gary F. Lamb returned to The United States Army Band,( he had been assigned here previously in 1986 at which time he was the Deputy Commander and held positions as Director of The Army Chorale, and Director of The Army Chorus), to become the seventh Leader and Commander.



For the first time since 1945, members of The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" performed in a theater of foreign operations as they journeyed to Southwest Asia with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley on a weeklong tour ending Christmas Eve 2002. A ten-piece pop group from the Army Band accompanied country musician Darryl Worley, comedian Kathy Griffin, actress Karri Turner, wrestler Bradshaw and two cheerleaders from the Jacksonville Jaguars to Uzbekistan, Kuwait and Afghanistan as part of a pre-Christmas tour.



Pershing's Own has also performed in Camp Doha, Kuwait.




Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

www.kshs.org/exhibits/bands/bands1.htm
www.usafband.com
www.marineband.usmc.mil
www.navyband.navy.mil
www.uscg.mil
www.army.mil/armyband/
www2.acc.af.mil
http://memory.loc.gov


1 posted on 10/31/2003 3:01:59 AM PST by snippy_about_it
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To: All
Clic on the links for the websites of our military bands




United States Air Force Band




"The President's Own" United States Marine Band




United States Navy Band




United States Army Band




United States Coast Guard Band



2 posted on 10/31/2003 3:06:25 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: All
Listen to "THE ARMY GOES ROLLING ALONG," OFFICIAL SONG OF THE U.S. ARMY - 'Windows Media Player'

Words of complete version:

Intro: March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
We’re the Army and proud of our name
We’re the Army and proudly proclaim

Verse: First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Refrain: Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

Verse: Valley Forge, Custer’s ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton’s tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
(refrain)

Verse: Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we’re right,
And we’ll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.
(refrain)




Listen to United States Naval Academy Band - Anchors Aweigh - Windows

Revised Lyrics

Stand, Navy, out to sea, Fight our battle cry;
We'll never change our course, So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!

Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more. Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.




Listen to The Air Force Song (Wild Blue Yonder) - Real Player

Lyrics

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Additional verses:

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue;
Hands of men blasted the world asunder;
How they lived God only knew! (God only knew then!)
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before And bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Bridge: "A Toast to the Host"

Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!

Zoom!

Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true;
If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!)
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

Notes: Crawford didn't write "Hey!"; he actually wrote "SHOUT!" without specifying the word to be shouted.
Wherever they appear, the words "U.S. Air Force" have been changed from the original "Army Air Corps." Words in parentheses are spoken, not sung.



Listen to The Marine's Hymn - Real Player

Official Version

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country’s battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

Our flag’s unfurl’d to ev’ry breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev’ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job—
The United States Marines.

Here’s health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we’ve fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

3 posted on 10/31/2003 3:08:29 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: All

Remember Glenn Miller, the noted composer, arranger, trombonist, and Big Band leader? Maj. Alton Glenn Miller, U.S. Army Air Corps has been missing in action since Dec. 15, 1944. Miller was eligible for a memorial headstone in Arlington National Cemetery as a service member who died on active duty whose remains were not recoverable. At his daughter's request, a stone was placed in Memorial Section H, Number 464-A on Wilson Drive in Arlington National Cemetery in April 1992.

In the Mood - Real Player


The first meeting of Colonel C Hubert (The Hub) Zemke and Captain Glenn Miller (Band Leader) at Boxted Aerodrome (Air Base) in early 1943

During World War II, Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Band, forerunner of the Airmen of Note, entertained more than a million troops. Maj. Miller combined military and musical precision to create a band which many say was even better than his civilian band. Considered the father of modern military music, Miller should also be remembered as an American patriot.
4 posted on 10/31/2003 3:12:43 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: All

5 posted on 10/31/2003 3:13:27 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: comwatch; All
Veterans Day 2003
PDN News Desk ^ comwatch

Veterans Day is right around the corner.

It only takes a few minutes to write a letter to the kids and share a story of why you served.

If you aren't a Veteran then share your thoughts on why it is important to remember our Veterans on Veterans Day.
 

It's an opportunity for us to support our troops, our country and show appreciations for our local veterans. It's another way to counter the Anti-Iraq campaign propaganda.  Would you like to help?  Are there any VetsCoR folks on the Left Coast?  We have a school project that everyone can help with too, no matter where you live.  See the end of this post for details.


Three Northern California events have been scheduled and we need help with each:
 
Friday evening - November 7th Veterans in School (An Evening of Living History, A Veterans Day Ice Cream Social)
http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003c.htm
 
Saturday - 11 a.m. November 8th: Veterans Day Parade (PDN & Friends parade entry)
http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003b.htm
 
Sunday November 9, 2003 Noon to 3:00 PM Support our Troops & Veterans Rally prior to Youth Symphony Concert
http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003d.htm
 
Each of the WebPages above have a link to e-mail a confirmation of your interest and desire to volunteer.  These are family events and everyone is welcome to pitch in.  We'd really appreciate hearing from you directly via each these specific links.  This way, we can keep you posted on only those projects you want to participate in.

Veterans in School - How you can help if you're not close enough to participate directly. If you are a veteran, share a story of your own with the children.  If you have family serving in the military, tell them why it's important that we all support them.

Everyone can thank them for having this special event.  Keep in mind that these are elementary school kids. 
Note from snippy: Folks it only takes a few minutes to write a short note thanking these kids for studying about Veterans and why we must never forget.

These living history lessons go a long way to inspire patriotism in our youth.  Lets see if we can rally America and give these youngsters enough to read for may weeks and months ahead.  If we can, we'll help spread it to other schools as well.

  Click this link to send an email to the students.


6 posted on 10/31/2003 3:19:30 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: Matthew Paul; mark502inf; Skylight; The Mayor; Prof Engineer; PsyOp; Samwise; comitatus; ...
.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

.......Good Friday Morning Everyone!


If you would like added to our ping list let us know.
7 posted on 10/31/2003 3:45:02 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Present!
8 posted on 10/31/2003 3:50:34 AM PST by manna
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To: manna
Woo-hoo. First in. Good morning.
9 posted on 10/31/2003 3:53:18 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole. Happy Halloween!!!!!
10 posted on 10/31/2003 4:07:22 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: E.G.C.
Good morning EGC.

We are going to be in the 70's through next week, yippee.
11 posted on 10/31/2003 4:36:16 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it

O Lord, help us to recognize
When we begin to compromise;
And give us strength to follow through
With what we know is right and true.  Sper

Beware—the more you look at temptation, the better it looks!

12 posted on 10/31/2003 4:38:11 AM PST by The Mayor (Through prayer, finite man draws upon the power of the infinite God.)
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To: snippy_about_it; All
DEVON HEROES WIN IRAQ WAR MEDALS
Exeter Express, UK - 5 minutes ago
Four Royal Marines officers from Devon are among hundreds of servicemen
to be decorated for their service in the Gulf War in Iraq today. ...

13 posted on 10/31/2003 4:42:25 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer (The democRATS are near the tipping point.)
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To: The Mayor
Good morning Mayor.
14 posted on 10/31/2003 4:56:06 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Good morning and thanks for the link. God Bless the Brits!










15 posted on 10/31/2003 5:08:06 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf
Good morning everyone!!

I hope this does not double post!!
16 posted on 10/31/2003 5:51:40 AM PST by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Rock the Boat~)
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To: bentfeather
Good morning feather. No double here.
17 posted on 10/31/2003 6:02:38 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Too funny in The Lair!!
18 posted on 10/31/2003 6:04:03 AM PST by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Rock the Boat~)
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To: snippy_about_it
On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on October 31:
1620 John Evelyn British diarist (Life of Mrs Godolphin)
1632 Jan Vermeer Holland, painter (Procuress, The Astronomer)
1795 John Keats London, England, romantic poet (Ode to a Grecian Urn)
1815 Karl Weierstrass Germany, mathematician (theory of functions)
1860 Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout founder
1887 Chiang Kai-shek Chekiang Province, China, pres of Nationalist China
1887 Edouard Lalonde Canada, NHLer (Mont Candiens)/lacrosse player
1888 Sir George Hubert Wilkins Aust, polar explorer (Flying the Arctic)
1893 Sara Allgood Dublin Ireland, actress (Jane Eyre, Spiral Staircase)
1896 Ethel Waters Chester Pa, actress (Beulah)/singer (Stormy Weather)
1897 Wilbur (Pete) Henry NFL tackle (Canton, NY Giants, Pottsville)
1902 Eduard Franz Milwaukee Wisc, actor (Zorro)
1902 Willie Shaw race car driver (Indy 500-1937, 39, 40)
1906 Louise Talma Arcachon France, composer (Summer Sounds)
1912 Dale Evans Uvalde Tx, cowgirl (Roy Rogers Show)
1920 Dick Francis Wales, jockey/novelist (Whip Hand, High Stakes)
1922 Barbara Bel Geddes NYC, actress (Vertigo, Miss Ellie-Dallas, Caught)
1923 Hicks B Waldron Amsterdam NY, CEO (Avon)
1926 Shirley Dinsdale SF Calif, ventriloquist (Judy Splinters)
1927 Lee Grant [Lyova Haskell Rosenthal], NYC, actress (Shampoo, Landlord)
1928 Andrew Sarris movie critic (Village Voice)
1930 Michael Collins Rome, Mjr Gen USAF/astronaut (Gemini 10, Apollo 11)
1931 Dan Rather Wharton Tx, news anchor (CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes)
1937 Michael Landon Forest Hills NY, actor (Bonanza, Highway to Heaven)
1937 Tom Paxton Chicago, folk singer/songwriter (Forest Lawn)
1942 David Ogden Stiers Peoria Ill, actor (Winchester-M*A*S*H, Doc)
1944 Kinky Friedman Palestine Tx, country rocker (Ride 'em Jewboy)
1944 Sally Kirkland NYC, actress (Anna, Sting, Pvt Benjamin, Big Bad Mama)
1947 Deidre Hall Milwaukee, actress (Days of our Life, Our House)
1947 Frank Shorter US, marathon runner (Olympic-gold-1972)
1949 Terrence W Wilcutt Russellville Ky, Major USMC/astronaut
1950 Jane Pauley Indianapolis Indiana, newscaster (Today, NBC Weekend)
1950 John Candy Ontario Canada, comedian (SCTV, Uncle Buck)
1953 John Lucas NBA guard (Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks)
1960 Reza Pahlavi Iran, son of Shah of Iran
1961 Larry Mullen Jr drummer (U2-I Will Follow)
1963 Johnny Marr rocker (The Smiths-Ask, Girl Afraid)
1964 Amanda Sandrelli Rome Italy, actress (The Key)
1966 Ad-Rock [Adam Horowitz], rocker (Beastie Boys-You Gotta Fight)
1968 Vanilla Ice [Robert Van Winkle], rapper (Ice Ice Baby)



Deaths which occurred on October 31:
1448 Johannes VIII Palaeologus, Emperor of Byzantine, dies
1723 Cosimo III de' Medici, monarch of Florence (1670-1723), dies at 81
1765 Duke of Cumberland, English politician/general (butchered Scots at Culloden)
1865 William Parson 3rd Earl of Rosse & maker of large telescopes, dies
1918 Count Stephen Tisza Hungarian PM assassinated by soldiers
1926 Erich Weiss better known as magician Harry Houdini, dies in Detroit
1963 Henry Daniell actor (Camille, Body Snatchers), dies at 69
1964 Theodore C Freeman astronaut, dies at 34 in a T-38 jet air crash
1965 Rita Johnson actress (All Mine to Give), dies at 53
1975 Joseph Calleia actor (Jungle Book, Gilda), dies at 78
1983 George Halas NFLer, dies at 88
1984 Indira Gandhi PM of India assassinated by 2 of her Sikh bodyguards
1987 Joseph Campbell mythologist (Mythic Image), dies at 83
1993 Federico Fellini, director (La Dolce Vita), dies of stroke at 73
2000 Oscar-winning screenwriter Ring Lardner Jr. at age 85


Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 ADAMS SAMUEL---GOLDENROD FL.
1965 DUSING CHARLES G.---CHARLESTON SC.
1965 MOORE THOMAS---BATON ROUGE LA.
1965 POWERS TRENT R.---MINNEAPOLIS MN.
[EJECTED SAFELY / REMAINS RETURNED 09/25/87]
1967 FANNING HUGH M.---FORT WORTH TX.
[REMAINS RECOVERED 07/17/84, ID RECINDED]
1967 KOTT STEPHEN J.---GREENVILLE SC.
[REMAINS RECOVERED 07/17/84 - FAM DOES NOT ACCEPT]
1968 SWANSON ROGER W.---ST PAUL MN.
1969 GAUTHIER DENNIS L.---ROCHESTER MI.

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.


On this day...
0802 Empress Irene of Byzantium driven out
0834 1st All Hallows Eve (Halloween) observed to honor the saints
1517 Luther posts 95 theses on Wittenberg church-Protestant Reformation
1759 Earthquake in Safed Palestine kills hundred
1793 Execution of the Girondins at Paris, during the Reign of Terror
1803 Congress ratifies the purchase of the entire Louisiana area in North America, adding territory to the U.S. which will eventually become 13 more states.
1815 Sir Humphrey Davy of London patents miner's safety lamp
1838 A mob of about 200 attacks a Mormon camp in Missouri, killing 20 men, women and children.
1864 Nevada admitted as 36th state
1908 4th Olympic games end in London
1922 Benito Mussolini (Il Duce) becomes premier of Italy
1940 Deadline for Warsaw Jews to move into the Warsaw Ghetto
1943 Wash Redskin Sammy Baugh passes for 6 touchdowns vs Brooklyn (48-10)
1950 Collazo & Torresola attempt to kill Truman in Washington, DC
1952 1st thermonuclear bomb detonated-Marshall Islands
1954 Algerian Revolution against French begins
1956 1st American to land an airplane at South Pole-Rear Adm GJ Dufek
1956 Britain & France begin to bomb Egypt to reopen the Suez Canal
1956 Brooklyn, NY ends streetcar service
1959 Lee Harvey Oswald announces in Moscow he will never return to US
1963 Ed Sullivan witnesses the Beatles & their fans at London Airport
1963 Leaking propane gas explodes, kills 64 at "Holiday on Ice" (Indiana)
1964 Barbra Streisand's "People," album goes #1 for 5 weeks
1967 Nguyen Van Thieu took oath of office as 1st pres of S Vietnam 2nd Rep
1968 Linda Eastman moves to UK permanently
1968 Milwaukee Bucks win their 1st game beating Detroit 138-118 (6th game)
1968 - President Johnson ordered a halt to all U.S. bombing of North Vietnam, saying he hoped for fruitful peace negotiations.
1969 George Harrison's "Something" is released in UK
1969 Race riot in Jacksonville Florida
1974 Bundy victim (?) Laura Aime disappears in Utah
1980 Julian Nott sets world hot-air balloon altitude record (16,806 m)
1982 Pope John Paul II becomes 1st pontiff to visit Spain
1983 Paul McCartney releases "Pipes of Peace" album
1983 Ron Grant completes a 217 day, 8,316 mile run around Australia
1984 Puerto Rican tanker, San Francisco explodes spilling 2 million gallons of oil as the ship caught fire
1987 1st jockey to win 9 races in 1 day (Chris Antley at Belmont)
1987 A pair in Coventry, England ties the world record for the longest singles tennis match at 80 hrs 21 minutes
1988 1st Monday Night NFL game in Indianapolis, Colts beat Denver 55-23
1988 Journalists demand greater press freedom in Yugoslavia
1992 Roman Catholic church rehabiltates (un-condemns) Galileo Galilei after 359 years.
2001 U.S.-led forces resumed air strikes in Afghanistan, hitting Taliban positions in the northern part of the country and targets outside the capital, Kabul. The Taliban clamed 1,500 people killed in the attacks.


Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Iran : Crown Prince's Birthday
Mass : Youth Honor Day
Nevada : Admission Day (1864)
St Lucia, St Vincent : Thanksgiving Day
US : All Hallows Eve (you know, Halloween)
World : National UNICEF Day
New Zealand : Labour Day-last Monday in October (Monday)
National Magic Week Ends
Nevada Day.
Snap Apple Night (Victorian celebration).
Turnip Night (Ireland).
National Liver Awareness Month



Religious Observances
C : Vigil of All Saints, Feast of St Wolfgang, Benedictine bishop
France : All Saints Day Eve
Witch : Samhain, sabbat
RC : Commemoration of St Quintin, martyr




Religious History
_451 At the 15th Session of the Council of Chalcedon, Canon 28 was adopted, granting Constantinole a patriarchate extending over the civil dioceses of Pontus, Asia, and Thrace.
1517 German Augustinian monk Martin Luther, 31, nailed to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg a list of 95 theological points he wished to debate ... and touched off the Protestant Reformation!
1832 American Episcopal scholar George Washington Doane, 33, was consecrated as second Bishop of the Diocese of NJ. Doane is better remembered today as author of the hymn, "Softly Now the Light of Day."
1852 Swiss moral philosopher Henry F. Amiel wrote in his journal: 'Every landscape is, as it were, a state of the soul, and whoever penetrates into both is astonished to find how much likeness there is in each detail.'
1870 Birth of Hugh Ross Mackintosh, Scottish theologian. Teaching systematics at Edinburgh 1904-35, Mackintosh had a firm grasp of the German theological writers of his day and sought to make their teachings known in Britain, for which he was unfairly judged a liberal.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.


Thought for the day :
From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!


Make sure you know the lingo this Halloween ...
Boogieman: The guy who passes time at a stoplight picking his nose.
Coffin: What you do when you get a piece of popcorn stuck in your throat.
Frankenstein: Hot dog and a mug of beer.
Full Moon: What your repairman reveals when he bends over to fix your fridge.
Goblin: How you eat the snickers bars you got for Halloween.
Invisible Man: What a guy becomes when there's housework to be done. Also, see "Mr. Hyde."
Jack O' Lantern: An Irish Pumpkin.
Jack the Ripper: What Jack does to his lottery tickets after losing each week.
Mummy: The person who kisses the boo-boo after you scrape your knee.
Pumpkin Patch: What a pumpkin wears when trying to quit smoking.
Skeleton: Any supermodel.
Vampire Bat: What Dracula hits a baseball with.
Witch: See "Mother-in-Law."
Zombie: What you look like before that first cup of morning coffee


Murphys Law of the day...(Woods's Laws of Procrastination)
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.


Astounding fact #1,031...
The legbones of a bat are so thin that no bat can walk.
19 posted on 10/31/2003 6:23:46 AM PST by Valin (A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Valin
Zombie: What you I look like before that first third cup of morning coffee
20 posted on 10/31/2003 6:46:39 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


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