TODAY IN HISTORY AUGUST 6

THE HISTORY OF AUGUST 6

WORLD EVENTS

Today is National Root Beer Float Day

1787  The Continental Congress began in Philadelphia – debated the articles contained in the U.S. Constitution

1890  The electric chair was used in the U.S. for the first time at Auburn State Prison in NY – William Kemmler for murder

1911  Comedian Lucille Ball was born

1926  Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel – 14 hours 39 minutes – broke record set in 1875

1928  Artist Andy Warhol was born

1945  The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima – 9,600 pounds

1960  Chubby Checker debuts his version of “The Twist” on Dick Clark’s show

1960  The nationalization of U.S. and foreign property began in Cuba

1965  The Voting Right Act was signed by President Johnson

1978  Pope Paul VI died after leading the Catholic Church for 15 years

1986  Timothy Dalton was named the 4^th actor to play James Bond

1989  “Oh, Calcutta” closed in NYC after 5,959 performances

1990  Jon Benet Ramsey was born – murdered young beauty queen

1991  TV Newsman Hary Reasoner died at age 68

1998  Monica Lewinsky testified for over 8 hours before a grand jury regarding her affair with President Clinton

1998  Country singer Tammy Wynette died at age 55

2003  Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on “The Tonight Show” that he was going to run for Governor of California

2004  Funk legend Rick James died at age 56 – 1981 hit “Super Freak”

2009  The U.S. Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomajor to be a Supreme Court Justice by a 68-31 vote

SPORTS HISTORY on AUGUST 6

2001  Red Sox catcher Scott Hattenberg hit into a triple play in the 4^th vs. Rays – in the 6^th he hit a grand slam to give Boston the lead and the win

1999  San Diego’s Tony Gwynn gets his 3,000^th hit – ends with 3,141

1996  Darryl Strawberry hits 3 HRs in a win over the White Sox – only 8^th player to hit 3 in a game in both leagues

1994  Joe Carter of Toronto steals a base – only 10^th player in MLB history to have 300 HRs and 200 stolen bases

1992  Nolan Ryan is ejected from the game – 1^st time in his 26 year career

1989  Red Sox retire Carl Yastrzemski’s #8 - .285/452/1,844

1988  Jose Canseco steals his 30^th base – 11^th in MLB history to have 30 steals and 30 HRs in a season – will end the season as the first 40-40 member

1988  Rich Gossage gets his 300^th save – 2^nd ever to do so – ends with 310

1986  Baltimore and Toronto combine for a record 3 grand slams in the game

1984  Carl Lewis wins his 2^nd gold medal at the Olympics

1983  Mets pitcher Walt Terrel hits 2 HRs – 1^st time in 5 years a pitcher has done so

1975  Mets fire Yogi Berra

1973  Roberto Clemente and Warren Spahn are inducted into the Hall of Fame

1967  Brooks Robinson of Baltimore sets a MLB record – hit into his 4^th triple play of his career

1952  Satchel Paige (46) becomes the oldest to win a complete game shutout

1890  Cy Young makes his debut and gets the win – ends career with 511

#1 SONGS on AUGUST 6

1962  Breaking Up Is Hard to Do – Neil Sadaka

1964  A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles

1965  I’m Henry VIII, I Am – Herman’s Hermits

1966  Wild Thing – The Troggs

1967  Light My Fire – The Doors

1968  Hello, I Love You – The Doors

1969  In the Year 2525 – Zager & Evans

1970  (They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters

1971  How Can You Mend a Broken Heart – The Bee Gees

1972  Alone Again Naturally – Gilbert O’ Sullivan

1973  The Morning After – Maureen McGovern

1975  Jive Talkin’ – The Bee Gees

1976  Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John & Kiki Dee

1977  I Just Want to Be Your Everything – Andy Gibb

1978  Three Times a Lady – The Commodores

1979  Bad Girls – Donna Summer

1980  Magic – Olivia Newton-John

1981  Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield

1982  Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

1983  Every Breathe You Take – The Police

1984  Ghostbusters – Ray Parker Jr.

1985  Shout – Tears for Fears

1986  Glory of Love – Peter Cetera

1987  I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2

1989  Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx

1990  Vision of Love – Mariah Carey

1991  Every Thing I Do – Bryan Adams

1992  This Used to Be My Playground - Madonna

1996  Macarena – Los Del Rio

1998  The Boy Is Mine – Brandy & Monica

1999  Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera