Today is National Cranberry Day and also National Cashew Day. Hmmm. Cranberries and Cashews, two of my favorite snacks. Mix them together with some dark chocolate, and a few other ingredients and you have pure perfection. Uh, excuse me..., time to run out to Trader Joe's for some provisions.
Ahh, I'm back.
On this day in 1863 the Battle of Chattanooga began. Perhaps it would be more precise to say that the "Battle of Orchard Knob" began. It was one of many clashes in and around Chattanooga during the months of October and November that included such storied locales as "Lookout Mountain", "Missionary Ridge" and "Rossville Gap". Collectively they are referred to as the "Battle[s] of Chattanooga". Here's the setup: A Union Army under General William Rosecranz had been encircled and beseiged at Chattanooga after a crushing defeat at the hands of Confederate Genearl Braxton Bragg at Chickamauga Creek. Union General U. S. Grant was ordered to break the siege and did so in spectacular fashion. [See an excellent animated overview of the battles here.] As a result of this victory the Union gained control of all of Tennessee; Confederate supply lines and transportation links were disrupted; General William T. Sherman established a base from which to launch his famous "March to the Sea", and probably most important, Grant was elevated to command of all the Union armies.
On this day in 1897 J. L. Love patented the pencil sharpener.
And on this day in 1936 the first edition of Life Magazine hit the stands. Before TV "Life" and its imitators were your window on the world. Today it is a website [here]. Check it out -- there are thousands of amazing photographs to see.
And on this day in 1943 William D. Cox, owner of the Phillies, was barred from baseball for life for betting on games.
And on this day in 1963, while America mourned the assassination of President Kennedy, "Doctor Who" debuted on British TV.
And on this day in 1971 Danny Murtagh, Pirate skipper, retired.
Entering the building:
Franklin Pierce [1804] 14th President of the United States.
William Bonney [1859] AKA "Billy the Kid".
Boris Karloff [1887] Scared the heck out of me when I was a kid.
Adolph Marx [1888] Better known as "Harpo".
Leaving the building:
Merle Oberon [1979] exotically beautiful actress.
Roald Dahl [1990] writer of dark and twisted short stories.
Freddie Mercury [1991] speaking of dark and twisted....
