Epic Idiot's what happened
On This Day

January 16

1992
Dan Quayle: "George Bush will lead us out of this recovery." (source: Fifth 637 Best Things Anybody Ever Said)

1991
Desert Shield becomes Desert Storm: The allies launch a major air offensive against Iraq after the United Nations mandated deadline to withdraw from Kuwait passes.

1980
Paul McCartney: The ex-Beatle is imprisoned in Japan after the discovery of marijuana in his luggage. He was released and extradited nine days later.

1980
Human Interferon: Scientists in Boston announce that the natural virus-fighting substance has been manufactured using gene-splicing techniques.

1974
The book Jaws by Peter Benchley is published.

1920
Prohibition: The 18th amendment goes into effect. It was repealed in 1933.

1920
League of Nations inaugurated.

1919
Prohibition: The 18th amendment is ratified. It went into effect the following year and remained in effect until it was repealed in 1933.

1883
Merit Systems Protection Board is established, protects the integrity of federal merit systems and the rights of federal employees working in the systems.

1959
Sade (Helen Folasade Adu), British singer, Promise (1985) and Stronger Than Pride (1988).

1948
John Carpenter, American Oscar-winning film director. Film: Dark Star (1974), Halloween (1978), The Thing (1982).

1947
Dr. Laura Schlessinger, American radio talk show host. She is known for her non-codling direct approach to her caller's problems.

1944
Ronnie Milsap, American Grammy-winning singer. Music: Stand By My Woman Man (1976, Grammy). He was born blind.

1935
A.J. Foyt, American auto racer, winner of the Indy 500 (1961, 64, 67, 77), Daytona 500 (1972), and 24 Hours of LeMans (1967).

1911     d. 1974
Dizzy Dean (Jay Hanna Dean), American baseball Hall of Famer and sports announcer.

1909     d. 1984
Ethel Merman (Ethel Zimmerman), American singer, actress. For three decades she reigned as "The Queen of Broadway."

1853     d. 1931
André Michelin, French tiremaker, he and his brother founded the Michelin Tire Co. (1888).

1477     d. 1547
Johannes Schoner, German geographer, first to make a globe showing the Americas (1515).

1409     d. 1480
René I, titular King of Naples (1435-80).

1979     b. 1943
Ted Cassidy (Theodore Crawford Cassidy), American actor. TV: The Addams Family (Lurch and Thing) and The Incredible Hulk (opening narrator and voice for Hulk's growls and roars).

1972     b. 1919
Ross Bagdasarianm, American novelty musician. As David Seville, he was the manager of Alvin and the Chipmunks. He co-wrote Come On-a My House, Rosemary Clooney's all-time biggest hit. He bought 220 acres of Thompson seedless grapes near Fresno and named it the Chipmunk Ranch.

1942     b. 1908
Carole Lombard (Jane Alice Peters), American actress. Film: Nothing Sacred (1937) and To Be or Not to Be (1942).

1935     b. 1872
Ma Barker (Arizona Donnie Clark), American outlaw, supposedly headed a gang which included her four sons. She and her youngest son were gunned down by FBI agents.

1920     b. 1861
Reginald De Koven, American operatic composer. Music: The Golden Butterfly and Oh, Promise Me.

1917     b. 1837
George Dewey, American naval officer, noted for his spectacular defeat of the Spanish at Manilla Bay during the Spanish-American War (1898). He was the first U.S. admiral (1899).

1794     b. 1737
Edward Gibbon, English author. Writings: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

1547     b. 1477
Johannes Schoner, German geographer, first to make a globe showing the Americas (1515).

309     b. ????
Saint Marcellus I, Italian religious leader, 30th Pope (308-309).

Please send Corrections and Omissions to epicidiot.com