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1969: Film star stabbed in 'ritualistic' killings

Actress Sharon Tate has been found brutally murdered in her Los Angeles home, along with three high-society friends and a fifth, as yet un-named, victim.

All five died from shooting and multiple stab wounds.

Sharon Tate, 26, was the wife of film director Roman Polanski and was eight months pregnant.

In what police said appeared to be a "ritualistic" murder, she was found tied together with her former fiancé, hair stylist Jay Sebring.

Police said both had nylon nooses around their necks, and Mr Sebring's head was covered with a black hood.

They said both probably died of stab wounds.

Horrific scene

The bodies of Abigail Folger, 25, a member of a wealthy coffee-manufacturing family, and her boyfriend Voyteck Frykowski, 32, were found sprawled on the lawn outside. Both had been shot.

The fifth victim, a man, was found slumped over the wheel of a car with multiple gunshot wounds.

Police described a horrific scene at the hilltop house in the wealthy Bel Air district of the city.

Some of the bodies had been mutilated, with blood smeared everywhere and the word "Pig" scrawled on the front door in blood. Police said the phone and electricity lines had been cut.

It's believed that Miss Folger and Mr Frykowsky, as well as Mr Sebring, had come from San Francisco to spend the weekend at the house.

Isolated area

The bungalow-style property, in an isolated area between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley, is owned by Terry Melcher, son of film star Doris Day.

It was being rented by Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate who had recently returned there to have her baby after working in London.

Mr Polanski was still in Europe directing his latest film, but left immediately for Los Angeles on hearing the news.

Immediately after the discovery of the bodies, police arrested a houseboy, William Garretson, 19, who was living in a guest house behind the house. After five hours of questioning, he was charged with five counts of murder.

Sharon Tate began her acting career in the television series, Beverly Hillbillies. She also had parts in the films Valley of the Dolls, the Americanisation of Emily, and The Sandpiper.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/9/newsid_2998000/2998214.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

1945: Atom bomb hits Nagasaki

American forces have dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki - the second such attack on Japan in three days.

The bomb was dropped by parachute from an American B29 Bomber at 1102 local time.

It exploded about 1,625 ft (500m) above the ground and is believed to have completely destroyed the city, which is situated on the western side of the Japanese island of Kyushu.


In a statement issued from Guam, General Carl A Spaatz, Commander of the US Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific, said: "The second use of the atomic bomb occurred at noon, August 9, at Nagasaki.

"Crew members report good results. No further details will be available until the mission returns."

Important port

American airmen flying many miles from Nagasaki have said smoke from fires in the city was rising 50,000ft (15,240m).

Nagasaki is one of Japan's most important ports providing vital access to and from Shanghai.

Three days ago a similar device was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on Japan's largest island, Honshu.

The extent of the damage caused to Hiroshima is not yet known but Japanese broadcasts indicate that "enormous devastation" has been done.

No reaction to the Nagasaki attack has yet been given by Japan but pressure is growing on the country to surrender. Yesterday the USSR joined forces with the allies and declared war on Japan.

The Americans have also warned the Japanese people that further attacks of a similar nature will be made unless they petition their emperor to surrender.

More than three million leaflets were dropped over the country today from American aeroplanes warning the Japanese people that more atomic weapons would be used "again and again" to destroy the country unless they ended the war forthwith.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/9/newsid_3580000/3580143.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

1974: Ford takes over as Nixon quits

Vice President Gerald Ford has been sworn in as the 38th president of the United States following Richard Nixon's decision to stand down.

The unprecedented transition of power under the 25th amendment officially occurred when Mr Nixon handed a letter of resignation to Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger at 1135 local time (1635 BST).

He announced his departure last night in the face of an imminent impeachment trial - and possible removal from office - over the Watergate affair.

Mr Ford became the first president to come into office without a single vote being cast in his favour.

Speaking only minutes after taking the oath of office in the East Room of the White House, he said: "You have not elected me as your president by your ballots. So I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers."

'Open and candid'

The Republican promised an "open and candid" administration, declaring that at the age of 61 he was too old to "change his habits."

Turning his back on the Watergate era, he said: "Truth is the glue that holds our Government together. Not only our government but civilisation itself.

"That is unbroken at home and abroad. I expect to follow my instincts of openess and candour with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end."

The new president called for an immediate joint session of Congress on Monday evening to discuss the "priority business of the nation."

He appointed a well known Washington reporter Jebalf terHorst as his press secretary in place of Ron Ziegler, who left with Mr Nixon.

Mr Ford had publicily indicated that he would not be welcome in his White House.

Earlier the new president announced that Dr Kissinger would retain his position as secretary of state.

He has already begun meeting ambassadors to give assurances of the foreign policy continuity Mr Ford declared in his speech.

The new president stated: "To the peoples and the governments of all friendly nations, and I hope that could encompass the whole world, I pledge an uninterrupted and sincere search for peace."

Mr Ford has been the Republican congressman for the Grand Rapids district of Michigan but was more recently the Republican minority leader in the House of Representatives.

He became vice president under Mr Nixon last November when Spiro Agnew resigned after pleading guilty to tax evasion.

Meanwhile, Mr Nixon has flown to California with his wife, daughter Tricia and her husband following an emotional farewell meeting with the Cabinet and White House staff.

Earlier it was officially announced that he had granted no pardons to anyone before his presidency expired.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/9/newsid_3676000/3676494.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Hahaha! Good old Genes! Always the sentimentalist; always sharing those happy reminiscences...

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Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy imaginary diseases (Psalms 103:3 )

Wait! I am getting there... I am certainly aware lately of the good:bad news ratio on BBC. I am sure as days go by, lots of historical good news are going to pop up... But it is an undeniable fact that papers DO LOVE BLOOD!

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On this day in History, August 9
Written by geri
Wednesday, 09 August 2006

* The Sistine Chapel was opened to the public (1483)
* Lauro Cavazos was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to be secretary of education and the first Hispanic to serve in the executive Cabinet (1988) [could anyhting w/ Regan on it be good news?]

And, on this day in 1936, Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal in track and field competitions at the Summer Olympics in Berlin -- an American first. Adolf Hitler was using the games to show the world a resurgent Nazi Germany. He had high hopes that German athletes would dominate the games with victories, while Nazi propaganda promoted concepts of "Aryan" racial superiority and depicted ethnic Africans (e.g. the Rhineland Bastards) as inferior...



On this day in History, August 8
Written by geri
Tuesday, 08 August 2006

* John McCarthy, the British journalist held hostage in Lebanon for more than five years by Islamic Jihad was freed after more than five years in captivity (1991)
* A cease-fire between Iran and Iraq was announced by The United Nations (1988)

And, on this day in 1942, the Quit India Movement was launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee in response to Gandhi's call for immediate independence of India. In a speech at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, re-named August Revolution Ground, Gandhi urged Indians to follow a course of non-violent civil disobedience to bring the British Govt. to the negotiating table. He told the masses to act as an independent nation and not to follow the orders of the British. His call "to Do or Die" found support among a large number of Indians...

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

1964: Guns fall silent in Cyprus

The United Nations has brokered another ceasefire in Cyprus, defusing the growing crisis between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and heading off the threat of invasion by Turkey.

Fighting on the island has been steadily escalating in recent days.

The Greek-led Cypriot government said Turkish jets had dropped 750lbs (340 kg) of bombs and napalm on their strongholds in north-west Cyprus.

"The whole area is on fire," said a spokesman for the Cypriot government.

"We cannot estimate casualties but there must be hundreds. Whole villages have been wiped out."

They also accused the Turkish government of landing troops on the north-west coast of the island.

Ultimatum

The President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios, a Greek Cypriot, issued an ultimatum to Turkey, threatening to attack every Turkish Cypriot village in Cyprus if the air raids were not stopped.

The raids also brought concern from the Greek government in Athens, which has so far stayed out of the conflict.

The Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, called the air raids "crucial", and said, "This is a purely aggressive action which Greece cannot tolerate."

Later in the day, seven Greek Air Force fighters flew over south Cyprus, including the capital, Nicosia, as a show of force.

Vicious fighting

The air raids were in response to vicious fighting which has been raging for the last three days around the Turkish Cypriot village of Kokkina.

A UN spokesman said that Turkish Cypriots had lost all villages in the area apart from Kokkina to the Greek Cypriots.

Now, he said, there were 200 women and children still in Kokkina and refusing to be moved to safety by the UN.

The UN sent 7,000 troops to Cyprus in March to try to keep the peace between the two sides, after an earlier ceasefire, negotiated in February, broke down.

Diplomatic pressure

The decision by the Turkish government to get involved militarily has caused international consternation.

The British Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, cut short his holiday in Scotland to return to London and deal with the crisis. He said during his train journey home that the situation was "very serious".

The United Nations Security council passed an Anglo-American resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, and it is thought that this, as well as strong diplomatic pressure on Turkey to stop the air raids, brought about today's ceasefire agreement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/10/newsid_3037000/3037898.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

On this day in History, August 10
Written by geri
Thursday, 10 August 2006

* Islam's prophet Muhammed began receiving the Qur'an on the first Laylat al-Qadr (610)
* Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female Supreme Court justice (1993)
* $20,000 in payments were issued to Japanese-Americans interred by the U.S. government during World War II (1988)

And, on this day in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was chartered by the U.S. Congress after $500,000 was donated for such a purpose by British scientist James Smithson upon his death (1765–1829). He bequeathed the sum even though he had never visited the United States himself. It would be set up to advance the sciences and the knowledge of mankind administered and funded by the government of the United States. It's 15 museums in Washington DC house a vast collection of 1.43 million items and offer free admission to all.


http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

1999: Millions marvel at total eclipse

Up to 350 million people in Europe and Asia have witnessed the last total solar eclipse of the century.

The phenomenon began over the Atlantic, a few hundred miles east of Boston, North America.

The only part of mainland Britain to witness totality - the full blacking out of the sun by the moon - was Cornwall in south-west England.

Cloudy skies mean spectators there were unable to see the full effect, but the spectacle was still dramatic.

The temperature dropped and darkness fell in Falmouth at 1111 BST (1011 GMT).

TV astronomer Patrick Moore, watching in Falmouth, described it as a "strange, weird experience".

Torrential downpour

Hundreds of people who gathered on the Isles of Scilly were the first to witness the eclipse.

After Britain the eclipse was seen throughout Europe and Asia.

Across the Channel in northern France there were clear skies as there were in Munich, Germany.

But at the moment of totality, a torrential downpour spoiled the view.

The streets of Ramnicu Valcea, the south-central city in Romania -where totality could be seen the longest - were crammed with spectators.

In Egypt, Muslims shut themselves away on the orders of clerics but Jordan and Syria declared a national holiday.

Spectators in Pakistan and Bangladesh suffered the same fate as those in the UK, having their views obscured by clouds.

The eclipse will lead to greater scientific understanding, largely because its track across Europe and south Asia allowed astronomers many vantage points with clear skies.

During an eclipse scientist are able to measure the effect of the sun on the Earth's atmosphere and observe the violent magnetic storms in outer atmosphere of the sun - the corona.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/11/newsid_2494000/2494687.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

1977: Rock and roll 'king' Presley dies

Elvis Presley, whose singing and style revolutionized popular music in the 1950s, has died.

Presley, 42, was discovered slumped in a bathroom at his mansion in Memphis, Tennessee on Tuesday.

He was rushed to the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Tennessee state pathologist, Dr. Jerry Francisco, said a post mortem examination of the singer's body had revealed he died of cardiac arrhythmia - a form of heart attack.

"The precise cause has not yet been determined for the cardiac arrhythmia," Dr Francisco said.

"It may take several days to several weeks to determine that specific cause and in some cases it never is determined."

The three-hour examination uncovered no sign of any other diseases or any drug abuse, Dr Francisco added.

Declining health

Presley was divorced from his wife Priscilla in 1973 but it was rumoured that he had recently become engaged to Ginger Alden, 20.

She was reportedly spotted wearing a $50,000 (£20,315) diamond engagement ring from Presley.

Ms Alden and other members of his entourage were at Graceland when he collapsed.

There had been indications of Elvis Presley's declining health for some time.

Earlier this year the singer had cancelled several performances in Louisiana and returned to Memphis suffering what his doctors termed "exhaustion".

No arrangements have been announced yet for his funeral which is scheduled for Friday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/16/newsid_2496000/2496375.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

1965: Los Angeles riot toll keeps rising - 15 August
At least 28 people have died and hundreds have been injured after a weekend of rioting in Los Angeles.

Armed National Guards have been deployed on the streets of the Californian city, where many of the shops and businesses now lie in smouldering ruins.

About 500 businesses, most of them white-owned, are reported to have been destroyed or damaged in what is a predominantly black neighbourhood.

The trouble began in the Watts area of the city four nights ago when a black man was stopped on suspicion of drunken driving.


LA Police Chief William Parker

A crowd gathered around the car as the driver and his brother began arguing with the police officers. Their mother then joined the argument. When all three were arrested the trouble began.

The crowd began throwing bricks and bottles. Shop windows were broken and stock looted. Black youths ran through the streets setting fire to churches, offices and other buildings.

The Governor of California, Edmund Brown, who has just flown back from Europe, said: "We are involved in a state of insurrection there."

William Parker, the police chief of Los Angeles, said: "We haven't the slightest idea when this can be brought under control."

Over the weekend, sniping and looting have continued. The cost of repairs is now put at $100m.

Television pictures show black shopkeepers have posted notices on their businesses reading "Blood brother" or "Negro-owned" in an attempt to prevent attacks on the premises.

One National Guard officer was injured when he was hit by a car reportedly driven by a black man. After that incident, officers were authorised to load their rifles and attach bayonets.

Some 18,000 National Guards have been deployed. About 2,000 were flown in from San Francisco.

President Lyndon Johnson, who spent the weekend at his Texas ranch, has called for an end to the violence.

He said: "Killing, rioting and looting are contrary to the best traditions of this country.

"Every person has the responsibility to uphold law and order. I call upon all Americans to fulfil that responsibility."

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King is on his way to Los Angeles. He claims the poor social conditions are the underlying cause for the discontent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/date ... 750939.stm

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

Ahhh the king eh? Sad day (not that I can remember, I was only three years old at the time) but I imagine it was. It was tragic the way he ended up. All fat and bloated in his rhinestone encrusted jumpsuits.
Still, I regard him quite highly and I'll be listening to some of his stuff today I think.
Lets all think of Elvis the Pelvis today and do a wiggly hip dance for him!

Elvis has just left the building --
Those are his footprints, right there
Elvis has just left the building --
To climb up that heavenly stair

He gave away Cadillacs once in a while;
Had sex in his underpants,
Yes, he had style!
Bell-bottom jump-suits?
That's them in a pile,
But he don't need'em now,
'Cause he's makin' Jesus smile!

Elvis has just left the building --
Those are his footprints, right there
Elvis has just left the building --
To climb up that heavenly stair

The Angels all love him,
He brings them relief
With droplets of moisture
From his handkerchief!
Cher'bim 'n ser'phim
Whizz over his head --
Jesus, let him come back!
We don't want Elvis dead.

So what if he looks like a wart-hog in heat?
He knows we all love him --
We'll just watch him eat,
So take down the foil
From his hotel retreat,
And bring back The King
For the man in the street!

Elvis has just left the building --
Those are his footprints, right there
Elvis has just left the building --
To climb up that heavenly stair
He's up there with Jesus, in a big purple chair

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"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

i think elvis is really overrated...... he was just the first one to come along to shake up the young generation. and that was pretty tame all in all.

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''minimart - it's basically a scaled-down supermarket, fits inside a petrol station. sells pies, antifreeze..''

Not at the time it wasn't. It was innovative at the time, there hadn't been anyone like him before. Him and Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly...all greats. Gotta have respect for theses people. Anyway, his shennanigans were considered very risque back in those days, which is why a lot of TV shows would only film him from the waist upwards.

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"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

musically, i think he's very overrated. He just became a cheese(burger? haha)monger after some decent rock n roll tunes.

and the whole sequin jumpsuit thingie with karate sidekicks (?!?) is very dodgy !

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''minimart - it's basically a scaled-down supermarket, fits inside a petrol station. sells pies, antifreeze..''

No way! I love all his early music, you heard The Sun Sessions? Great stuff, but then I suppose you have to have a love of that kind of music to appreciate it. Im a huge fan of all that era anywa, and I think Elvis was top of his league in those days. You only have to hear the likes of Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins (who actually wrote "Blue Suede Shoes" and would have had a hit with it himself, had he not been involved in a near-fatal car accident) talk about the charisma and talent he exuded as a young man. Yeah it got sad at the end, he got bloated and all that but he still had some great tunes, and no-one can deny what a star he was.

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"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

I guess he made a pretty lasting impact on pop culture, after all, he has even influenced your look:

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The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true Art and Science. - Albert Einstein

haha! you think?

i'm not disputing his influence, i just think he's overrated..

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''minimart - it's basically a scaled-down supermarket, fits inside a petrol station. sells pies, antifreeze..''

well, I do really like that era. never said i didn't..

Carl Perkins.. Honey Don't? great song. those other artists you mentioned above, i think they're great, but with Elvis I like some of his stuff...the Sun Sessions is early stuff right? but then he just made crap films in the 60s and did cheesy ballads mostly.

that whole 'comeback special' thing he nicked the leather look from Jim Morrison!

btw did he actually write any of the songs he sung?

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''minimart - it's basically a scaled-down supermarket, fits inside a petrol station. sells pies, antifreeze..''

I know, I meant the kind of stuff he did, he didn't just do rock n roll. He performed many Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and pop songs as well as the Rock n Roll ones he was more famed for recording.



Yep, The Sun Sessions is his early stuff. He wasn't the best actor, I agree and Im personally, not a huge fan of his films, but no way were his songs "mostly" cheesy ballads in the 60's. None of these were ballads and they were all released from 1960 onwards...

Stuck On You 1960
Fame and Fortune 1960
It's Now Or Never 1960
I Gotta Know 1960
Surrender 1961
Wooden Heart 1961
I Fell So Bad 1961
(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame 1961
Little Sister 1961
Good Luck Charm 1962
She's Not You 1962

to name a few, and the list goes and on and on....a few of his tunes then were ballads, but the majority were upbeat.


Hahaha no he didn't!! Jim didn't have exclusive rights to leather pants then you know. Anyway, I don't recall Jim Morrison ever wearing an all-in-one leather suit on stage...


Most of the songs he sang and performed in his early career were old Country, Bluegrass, Blues, or Gospel songs. A lot were written for him, but most artists in those days recycled older songs, especially ones influenced by black music. To be honest I'm not too sure what he wrote himself, I'm a fan but don't know specifically what he wrote and didn't write. I seem to recall reading somewhere that he hired a songwriter for a while, although I'm pretty sure he wrote some himelf, or at least co-wrote.

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"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

Jim Morrison starts wearing leather '67/'68, it was his look then, and the Doors were pretty much the biggest group in America at that time.... then Elvis turns up in '68 with leathers.... smells fishy to me!



Elvis was a twat though for being in with Nixon and wanting the Beatles kicked out of America.

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''minimart - it's basically a scaled-down supermarket, fits inside a petrol station. sells pies, antifreeze..''

I never understood what he did that wasn't already being done anyway. I remember hearing it when he died and couldn't understand all the world-wide mourning.
Maybe it was the way he cozied right up to Richard Nixon and thought pop music had become a danger to the nation.
Well, he did represent the childhoods of a whole lot of people. There were Presley records around the house but I never felt the need to put any on my lo-fi stereo more than once. It was all very boring to me and I actually dug up a Benny Goodman 10" album and played that a lot for a quite while.

--Batchain

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<------PhotoArtWerk by debutante_daisy http://www.facebook.com/BatchainTheMovie

17 August 1948

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is arrested for bad checks in San Luis Obispo, California. In court a fortnight later, Hubbard pays the $25 fine.

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"If Frank Zappa cut a fart and mixed it to stereo, I'd buy it!" - jimmie d

Thats not an all-in-one leather suit timmo, thats leather pnats and a leather jacket, with a shirt underneath. Elvis wore an all in one leather suit for his 68 comeback special.

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"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

I understand what you're sayin batty, but a lot of what was being done, was initially classed as "black music" or to coin a phrase from that time "darkie music". A lot of stations would not play his music when he fist came onto the scene, as it was considered improper due to the fact that many of them were covers of old songs, written by black artists. Elvis was a massive BB King and Little Richard fan, and if Im not mistaken, wasn't it Little Richard who actually said that Elvis helped to put Black Music on the map?
Im personally not interested in his political persuasions, I just enjoy his tunes, and thought he was entertaining. I have a book here that I'm about to read, so maybe I'll have more of an opinion on his political stance when I've finished. Always loved Elvis, even from when I was a kid (I don't remember how it all was when he died, I was too young) but he is an artist that I haven't read too much about, apart from info on his music. I think it'll be intersting to learn more about him.

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"Listen to that noise! It's like Barry White eating wasps."

when did i say jimbo wore an all-in-one.. i just think elvis might have appropriated the leather look from him.

pedant!

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''minimart - it's basically a scaled-down supermarket, fits inside a petrol station. sells pies, antifreeze..''