On This Day

30 BC
Cleopatra poisins herself.
Legend says she is bitten by an Asp.

September 30, 1955

Actor James Dean proves conclusively that a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder is no match for a 1950 Ford coupe head-to-head. The actor died at 5:35pm at a remote intersection near otherwise unremarkable Cholame, CA and became an instant legend.

Did you know that James Dean had been in the company of Alec Guinness and shown him his new car, wereupon Guinness, as soon as he laid hands on the bonnet told him that if he were to keep this car, he would die in it within a very short period? In his book, 'Mixed Blessings', Guinness goes on to say that he had no idea where this somewhat prophetic, yet conversationally killing warning had come from but unfortunately why was borne out less than two weeks later.

On this day in '75, Muhammad Ali wins the 'Thrilla in Manilla'.

Have never heard about that; an amazing feat of prophecy by Sir Alec.

Although, considering the fact that the inexperienced (as a race driver) Dean was tackling a high-powered rear-engined race car with quirky handling characteristics, it was probably not too great a stretch as educated guesses go.

A little 'out of the blue', no matter what though, huh?

Indeed.

In 1950, the comic strip "Peanuts," created by Charles M. Schulz, was first published in nine newspapers

Singer-songwriter Don McLean is 61
Photographer Annie Leibovitz is 57
Rock musician Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike & the Mechanics) is 56
Singer-actor Sting is 55
Rock singer Phil Oakey (The Human League) is 51

1995: OJ Simpson verdict: 'Not guilty'

1990 - German reunification

1984- Indira Gandi assasinated in New Delhi...

1512 - Michelangelo's painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was displayed to public for first time...

1967 - first issue of Rolling Stone hits the stands...

1570 - a tidal wave destroyed the sea walls between Holland and Jutland. More than 1,000 are killed

1755 - Marie Antionette was born.

1507 - Leonardo da Vinci is commisioned to paint Lisa Gherandino (aka Mona Lisa).

1957 - Russia launches Sputnik II with the dog, Laika on board... The 1st animal in space.

1995 - Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.