On this day in 1863 the C.S.S. Hunley is sunk during a test run in Charleston harbor, killing its inventor, and captain, Horace Hunley. It would later go on to be the first successful combat submarine when it sunk the U.S.S. Housatanic by diving underneath the ship and sticking a timed torpedo to the side of its hull. BUT, the Hunley would sink once again, this time for good before it could reach the shore. The Confederates saw this ship as a means to break the Union blockade that was crippling their economy. It was raised in the year 2000 and now resides in a museum.
On this day in 1917 one of the most famous female spies, Mata Hari, is executed by the French for being a double agent. Born in Holland, Hari became an exotic dancer in 1903. Ok, she was THAT kind of dancer, but it held a different meaning back then. There weren't a whole lot of strip clubs around. If you wanted to get your jollies, as it were, you'd have to pay you local prostitute, instead of the current situation of paying your local stripper who does the whole whore thing on the side. Hari, was very popular at the time of her capture and was used as a scapegoat by the French to divert attention from their failed military campaigns. In reality, the Germans saw her as a low level spy who didn't give them much useful information.
On this day in 2007 Drew Carey debuted as the new host of "The Price is Right". Great career choice. I've seen more of leatherfaced Bob Barker than I have of Carey the last 5 years, and he's retired! Cleveland rocks!
On this day in 2006 CBGB's, one of the most famous, and influential performance clubs in the world closed its doors for the last time. Many famous acts cut their collective teeth at the venue, such as Talking Heads, Blondie, The Ramones, and the Misfits, along with the first American gig by the Police. It was a shithole, which added to the appeal I guess. That's why there wasn't a big fuss when it closed down.
On this day in 1972 Creedence Clearwater Revival officially split up after in fighting amongst the band over creativity. John Fogarty was the songwriter during their heyday, but decided to allow the other members of the band their chance at singing and writing songs for albums. Yeah, you don't hear much of those particular songs, do you? Fogarty then got in a fight with the record label over his song rights. When the rest of the band inexplicably sided with the label Fogarty cut them out of his life, including his brother Tom, who he didn't even forgive when he was on his death bed. Now that's rock and/or roll!
I wonder if 'Barker's Beauties' are now 'Carey's Beauties?'
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