Human Interest

The history of the world in famous people’s lifespans.

All across America, the world in fact, is indescribable beauty often referred to as visions of grandeur. Many such wonders occur naturally while others are man-made. Within those made by the hands of man lies the world of architecture, which is fascinating as it features an artistic flair filled with strange, weird, bizarre, wonderful buildings. Like beauty itself, architecture is observed differently through the eyes of each beholder.

This Day in History: October 21, 1959

The building in the photo below to some might resemble a giant upside down cupcake. Unusual? Yes. Artistic? Most definitely. Not only is the building itself seen as an art form but it is home to one of the world's renown collections of art.

Comedy has been defined by many, from the Ancient Greek Theatre to writings of Aristotle to Shakespearean sonnets and plays to the silent film era of Charlie Chaplin, with one very important aspect in common: laughter. As time progressed from 425 BCE to modern day 21st century, the word came more and more to be associated with any sort of performance that causes one to literally laugh outloud. Today's spotlight is on an American comedy act whose work in radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team in the 40s and 50s.

Today in Comedy History: October 8, 1942

Today we are going to begin our music history with something different. A connection will be made to the yardbirds below and a group that started recording in 1965 under the name The Yardbirds. How cool when history presents itself in an unexpected manner! You might be dating yourself by the number of mugshots you recognize but it is all in the name of fun!

Today in Music History: September 20

I Fought The Law  (but the law won), name the mugshots...

Yes! Life IS music. It is all around us in everything we do. We may not deem it 'music' at the time but listen closely enough and the surrounding sounds will become melodic in their own way. Perception, interpretation and motivation join hands as thoughts revolve around the harmonies of everyday life. Observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest! See your life in terms of music.

Benjamin West’s painting The Death of General Wolfe (shown above) was the popular hit of the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition of 1771. The actor David Garrick delighted exhibition-goers one morning by posing in front of West’s picture and enacting his view of how the general died.

Since its invention in 1816, the stethoscope has become one of the most iconic symbols of the medical profession. Yet there was a time when doctors had to assess the inner sounds of the human body unaided. In 350 B.C., Hippocrates—the ‘Father of Medicine’—suggested gently shaking the patient by the shoulders, while applying one’s ear directly to the chest in order to determine the presence of thoracic empyema, or pus in the lungs. For over a thousand years, medical practitioners would follow in Hippocrates’s footsteps, relying on only their ears to diagnose chest infections in patients.

Elections are over! Whether the results brought about smiles or tears really does not matter at this point. In any kind of competition, one person wins. Another loses. This is the matter of fact way of looking at it only from an individual perspective. What truly matters here is our nation. My America, YOUR America, Our America! A monumental, pivotal point in American history has led us to a new beginning because we live in a country that allows the democratic voting process. Let us stand together as a united nation remaining always thankful for the privileges living in America has to offer...the right to vote being just one!

There are numerous music legends...the icons whose music and lyrics remain at the top of anyone's list having been covered over and over again. Many are recognized for their accomplishments through music awards, nominations and wins. A few are commemorated in other ways, such as US postage stamps.

Today in Music History: October 8

Neil MacGregor, once of British Museum, says Britain has focus on ‘sunny side’ rather than German-like appraisal of past

Amazement sets in when we see images of the past depicting the future, especially when some of the ideas aren't too far off the mark. A set of 19th century postcards has revealed what French artists thought would be happening at the turn of the 21st century. The set of postcards, produced between 1899 and 1910, predict what life might be like in Paris in the year 2000. The year 2000 may now be history (hard to believe it has already been 14 years since the initial celebration of the new millennium) but stepping back in time is always fascinating. There are some fairly bizarre scenes that have not come to fruition—no one has yet invented a flying fireman, or started playing croquet underwater—but whose to say they are not on someone's drawing board somewhere.

Today's History Lesson...memorable photographs

There are numerous photographs that have earned the tag famous: History and Memory: Iwo Jima, Kissing the War Goodbye, The Smiles of Diana, just to name a few. One of the most famous photographs of all time occurred on this day, September 15, 1954. The picture captured the sex appeal and mystique of Marilyn Monroe during the filming of The Seven Year Itch. "The scene infuriated her husband, Joe DiMaggio, who felt she was quite the exhibitionist, and the couple divorced shortly afterward."

This Day in History: September 15, 1954