Today’s show is a little bit different as, at the constant urging of Missy, we finally allowed ChatGPT to write the show. It goes about the way you’d expect.
Hanukkah, a festival of resilience and hope, unfolds over eight nights like a dance against the winter's darkness. The menorah, a timeless symbol, stands tall, each candle dispelling shadows and symbolizing endurance. Lit one by one, they mirror the miraculous oil that defied expectations. The Shamash, the guiding light, orchestrates this celestial ballet.
The Festival of Lights, beyond a mere dawn, is a metaphorical triumph of light over darkness. Gleaming dreidels invite joy, and families gather beneath the flickering flames to share tales of valor. In this luminous celebration, Hanukkah becomes an ode to resilience, unity, and the belief that light prevails even in the darkest nights.
Now let’s get onto today’s history…
In Government History…
Pearl Harbor Attacked!
On that serene Sunday morning at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, the skies above transformed into a theater of chaos, resonating with the ominous hum of warplanes.
Oahu residents watched as the tranquility of the atmosphere shattered under the unexpected storm of destruction. Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, the steadfast leader and Medal of Honor recipient, stood at the helm, skillfully navigating teh USS Arizona through the tempest of the Japanese attack.
Amidst the mayhem, Ensign Herbert C. Jones, a youthful yet courageous Navy officer at 23, exhibited unwavering dedication to his duty. His ship, the USS West Virginia, under the command of Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, a seasoned veteran of the Great War, bore the brunt of the assault. His leadership echoed through the corridors, a steady hand guiding them through the tumult.
In the heart of the chaos, Radioman Thomas J. Reeves, a Medal of Honor recipient, communicated with unyielding resolve. Each soul lost in that fateful attack left an indelible mark on the USS Arizona, a floating home that was transformed into a battlefield.
Even among adversaries, a somber realization prevailed. Fusata Iida, a Japanese Navy Air Service fighter pilot, who is acknowledged as the first "kamikaze," met his destiny in the skies above Kaneohe Bay.
On December 7, 1941, the skies that were once a canvas of peace turned into a battleground of courage, sacrifice, and, ultimately, tragedy. The echoes of that day continue to reverberate through the corridors of history, a reminder of the profound impact war has on those who serve and those who bear witness.
Other US government history…
In 1754, Jack Jouett fancied himself a superhero, warning Thomas Jefferson of a British attack. Spoiler: Nobody cared.
In 1787, Delaware gets bored of being 'First State' and officially ratifies the US Constitution. Tricorn hats? Mandatory for post ratification party.
In 1804, Alexander von Humboldt discovered that Earth's magnetic field is like an overplayed pop song. Memo to Paris Institute? 'Magnetic fields doing the limbo, who knew?'
In 1808, James Madison became president, as did Martin Van Buren in 1826 – and Van Buren did so while rocking killer mutton chops. Make mutton chops great again.
In 1869, Jesse James pulled off the first bank robbery, the original outlaw laughed into the sunset, but he forgot to stick around for “How to Get Away with Bank Robbery.” He should have robbed Congress as, 1891, the 52nd Congress convened – they went on to drop the first-ever $1B appropriations. Money printers went burrr, Capitol registers went cha-ching, and future generations of American taxpayers wept.
In 1917, the “Rainbow Division" arrived in France under Colonel Douglass MacArthur. His entrance? “I'm here to bring fabulous freedom!” Fabulous apparently means trenches and gas masks.
Rigoberto Alpizar in 2005 claimed a bomb on a plane. Pilot's announcement: “We've got turbulence, and by turbulence, we mean a bomb.” They say laughter is the best medicine, but maybe the pilot should have realized that mid-terror attack is not the time for jokes.
From the NY Times:
“Rigoberto Alpizar of Maitland, Fla., had been wounded 11 times in the chest, abdomen, shoulder, hand, wrist and forearm. It was the first case of an air marshal opening fire since marshals became a common presence on flights after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.Law enforcement officials said at the time that the marshals fired on Mr. Alpizar because he claimed to have a bomb, but refused to provide details. In a report released Tuesday, the state attorney's office said both air marshals heard Mr. Alpizar yell that he had a bomb as he ran onto the jetway…in the words of one marshal, ‘I'm going to blow up this bomb,’ when they opened fire.
‘The shooting death of Mr. Alpizar, while tragic, is legally justified in light of the surrounding circumstances presented to the air marshals,’ wrote Michael E. Gilfarb, an assistant state attorney, in the report.”
In 2015, TIME named Bernie Sanders “Person of the Year.” Secret to success?
Killer hair. Who knew communism came with salon vouchers?
In World Government Today…
Once upon a time in history, a brave ship named HMS Challenger set sail on a grand adventure in 1872. This wasn't just any voyage; it was the first time anyone dared to explore the mysterious deep sea all around the world. Imagine the excitement of the sailors as they embarked on a 3½ year oceanographic cruise, discovering the wonders hidden beneath the waves.
In 1902, across the vast Atlantic, Britain and Germany gave an ultimatum to Venezuela. They demanded that President Cipriano Castro pay for damages caused during his government takeover in 1899.
As the world continued to allegedly spin, Dutch Minister Romme made a proclamation in 1937, stating that married women were forbidden to work. Were they barefoot and pregnant or were there wooden shoes involved?
In 1953, Israel's Prime Minister Ben-Gurion retired, and in 1958, Romulo Betancourt was elected President of Venezuela. The Ivory Coast claimed freedom from France in 1960 and, as you can see, changes in leadership were common on December 7 – shaping the destiny of nations.
Decades later in 2003, a political landscape changed when the Conservative Party of Canada was officially recognized. Oh, Canada!
In Culture…
In 1817, Mutiny on the Bounty’s mastermind William Bligh, and 18 of his closest friends, met their unexpected demise. From Historic UK:
“The Bounty had orders to collect breadfruit trees from Tahiti, and take them to the West Indies as a food source for the African slaves there. Tahiti was a beautiful place and when the time came to leave the island, the crew were understandably reluctant to say their goodbyes.
For it appears that the crew had been beguiled by the charms of the Tahitian women, (apparently Tahiti is not called the Friendly Island for nothing), which made the harsh conditions of the Bounty doubly difficult to stomach.
In April 1789, a mutiny involving many of the sailors took place; their ringleader was Fletcher Christian. The result of this was that Captain Bligh and eighteen of his loyal crewmembers were put in an open boat, and set adrift in the Pacific by the mutineers.”
In 1972, Apollo 17 launched, treating us to the iconic "blue marble" Earth photo. Only it was an artist’s rendering, and even ChatGPT admits the manipulation:
“The ‘Blue Marble’ photograph, taken by the crew of the Apollo 17 spacecraft, was rotated to align with the typical orientation of maps and images of Earth that we are used to seeing. This means that the North and South poles appear at the top and bottom of the image, respectively, and the continents appear in their expected positions. This rotation was done in order to make the image more familiar and easy to understand for viewers.”
So the first so-called picture of earth was manipulated to appear more in line with man’s understanding of earth before there were pictures? That makes sense.
In 2017, Larry Nassar received a 60-year sentence for abusing the girls entrusted to his care. 60 years continuing to draw breath is too many.
Trust the Science
In 1964, Roberta Close, a Brazilian model, became the first transgender model in the Brazilian edition of Playboy. Her gender reassignment surgery took place in 1989. Triumph or deviation?
Gerard Kuiper, a Dutch-American astronomer, was born in 1905. He complicated science’s understanding of our solar system with his work on the Kuiper Belt, the icy home to Pluto and other dwarf planets.
The loss of Whitcomb Judson in 1909, the zipper inventor, raises skepticism. Was this zipper revolution a ploy?
In 1912, George Darwin died. He was Charles Darwin’s second son, and theorized that the moon was pulled out of the Pacific Ocean. The Darwin’s are undefeated in science.
Alexander Wetmore's 1978 exit, an American ornithologist, raises questions. Did he actually study birds?
Doug Scott, an English mountaineer, died after supposedly conquering Everest's south-west face. A conquest or a tale spun to elevate human achievement?
As we navigate scientific narratives, the skeptic questions foundations. In a subjective reality, who defines scientific fact?
All the World’s a Stage
In the cosmic theater of existence, the script unfolded with births and exits, a cosmic play where each life played a quirky role.
In 1805, Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin was born, the masterful magician who made reality seem like a captivating illusion on life's vast stage.
In 1904, Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck, quacked his way onto the stage, leaving an unforgettable auditory legacy.
Ellen Burstyn, born in 1932, became a leading lady, portraying characters that resonated with the human soul.
C. Thomas Howell lit up the stage with Hollywood lights in 1966, showcasing his versatility from "Red Dawn" to "Soul Man."
In 1963, the instant replay machine was deployed in a football game between the Army and Navy.
On this cosmic stage, players took their turns, leaving an enduring imprint on the audience's collective memory. The cosmic drama continued, with actors waiting in the wings for their cue in the perpetual performance called life.
Ink-stained History
On this significant date in history, December 7, we explore the impactful moments within the realm of print and prose. Noam Chomsky, a linguistic luminary, entered the narrative in 1928, destined to become a formidable force in academia.
Amidst the printed symphony, the melancholy note of 1902 witnessed the passing of Thomas Nast, not to the inkwell but to Yellow Fever.
In 1996, the mysterious final chapter unfolded for Eugene Izzi, a mystery writer who chose the darkest of denouements by hanging himself at 43.
From Historic Mysteries:
“December 7, 1996, was a busy Saturday in the run-up to Christmas. Just before noon, a man that was walking down Michigan Avenue happened to glance upwards and became embroiled in a mystery that has yet to be satisfactorily solved. 14 floors above street-level a man was dangling outside of a window.
When the Police arrived several minutes later, they breached the door and discovered a puzzling scene. The victim was identified as Eugene Izzi and the surly man had asphyxiated by the noose around his neck. The other end of the rope was tied to a steel desk. A fully loaded handgun was found on the floor but had not been used.”
Thus, on this date, the ink of birth and demise has imprinted itself on the timeless parchment of literary history.
Teach the World to Sing
In the timeline of existence, the melodies of births and milestones unfold. In 1931, Bobby Osborne, a skilled American mandolin player, entered the world, adding his notes to the rhythm of life.
Harry Chapin was born in 1932, an American folk singer whose voice resonated through the corridors of his era.
Tom Waits, the American singer-songwriter, made his entrance in 1949, contributing his unique tunes to the composition of existence.
Other births and deaths in music today:
1966: Louise Post Born (American Guitarist)
1974: Nicole Appleton Born (English-Canadian Singer)
2004: Jerry Scoggins Died (American Country Singer)
1980: Darby Crash Died (American Punk Rocker)
The musical journey continued in 1967 with Otis Redding's recording of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," a soulful masterpiece that lingered in hearts. The Rolling Stones, in 1968, gifted the world "Beggar's Banquet," an album etched in rock history.
And in 1995, The Grateful Dead broke up, after Jerry’s death on August 5. The music never died.
In 2015, David Bowie took his final bow with a poignant appearance at the opening of "Lazarus," leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of music. The chronicles of these moments echo in the corridors of musical history.
Death & Destruction
Yo, listen up, let me drop a tale,
'Bout the struggles and the pain, we set sail.
1946, Winecoff ablaze,
119 gone, lost in a maze.
In '66, barracks blaze bright,
68 vanished into the night.
Dos Erres, '82, Guatemala's cry,
Alonzo, damn, make ‘dem angels fly.
Back in '82, the injections debut,
Charles Brooks, Jr.’s final rendezvous.
Madrid '83, two jets in strife,
93 gone, cut short, no life.
Long Island '93, Ferguson's wrath,
Six lives gone, down a treacherous path.
Hagupit in ‘14, typhoon's reign,
Millions fleeing, nature's dark campaign.
Beijing '15, red alert high,
Smog be gripping, reach for the sky.
Quake in '16, seismic wail,
97 gone, caught in nature's trail.
Pakistan crash,
'16’s toll,
48 gone,
Farewell sad souls.
Through the streets of history,
we walk and we weep,
A gangster life,
Where the memories creep.
The dates used to make this song:
1946: 119 killed in fire at Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta
1966: 68 killed in a fire at an army barracks in Turkey
1982: 171 killed in Dos Erres massacre in Guatemala
1982: Charles Brooks, Jr., first person in US executed by lethal injection
1983: 93 killed when two jets collided at Madrid Airport
1993: 6 killed, 19 injured during the Long Island Rail Road massacre
2014: Millions displaced by Typhoon Hagupit in central Philippines
2015: Beijing’s first ever red alert for pollution
2016: 97 killed in 6.5 earthquake in Indonesia
2016: 48 killed in Pakistan International Airways plane crash north of Islamabad
On This Day is published Monday through Friday. Watch the Today’s History podcast weekdays at 12PM ET! Don’t forget to visit bootlegproducts.com and use coupon code MYAMERICA!