September 10 is an important day. For Americans it is one of those days that marks the end of a cycle of innocence. For most of the nineties, the news was dominated by trivial, non-sensical stories (OJ, Bobbitt, Kerrigan). I am sure we all can recall 24 hour news channels being wall-to-wall Paula Poundstone coverage, or serious men in serious suits seriously discussing Britney Spears use of an albino python in her stage performances. This was considered news. Now, the comedy and absurdity is mixed directly into the serious news, via the likes of Sarah Palin.
September 10, 1989 - Just a few months into the Bush Administration (I felt “The Bush Administration” would be a great band name, right up until November of 2000), the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries really began falling into chaos. After the fall of the Soviet Union, during the time of “The Oligarchs” life expectancy for citizens of the former Soviet Union plummeted by 7 years. On this day, Hungary and Czechoslovakia opened their borders to East Germans who had been rioting for weeks previous (and sneaking across the border). This began the flood of refugees from East to West Germany that culminated in German Reunification.
“Gimme a shot!”
Speaking of breached borders, Jillian Recchi Blyth gave birth to Sanjaya Malakar on this day. Sanjaya emerged as a crowd favorite on the Sixth Season of American Idol due to his infectious optimism. He had the teeth, the hair, but definitely not the voice to win, and was cut in seventh place. By the end, Judge Simon Cowell was openly begging the viewers to cut Sanjaya. It is reported that he is currently working for Pagliacci Pizza in Seattle, a sad, singing clown indeed. Today, he is Old Enough to Drink.
September 10, 1977 - Hamida Djandoubi became the last person to be executed by guillotine on this day. Djandoubi was a Tunisian immigrant to Marseilles who lost his leg in a workplace accident. He decided to become a pimp. In an effort to intimidate two new girls, Djandoubi tortured and murdered his girlfriend in front of them. At his execution, the doctor present reported that Djandoubi was conscious and responsive for up to 30 seconds after the beheading. Outrage over the cruelty of this execution method was only enflamed by this report. Incoming President Francois Mitterand banned the Death Penalty, and there has not been an execution in France since.
Djandoubi and Susan Perkins 
Later that day, Dorothy Benham lost her crown to Susan Perkins in the Miss America Pageant.
September 10, 1968 - Bizarre Twins Guy Ritchie and “Big Daddy Kane” are No Spring Chickens. Guy Ritchie is famed for being Mr. Madonna, and making the odd film here and there. He came by his British accent honestly. “Big Daddy Kane” is widely regarded as one of the finest performers from Rap’s golden era.
Bizarre Twins
September 10, 1960 - Bizarre Triplets: Colin Firth, Alison Bechdel, and David Lowery are Over the Hill. Colin Firth is an Academy Award nominated actor, Alison Bechdel is the author of the comic Dykes to Watch Out For. The comic introduced “The Bechdel Test” for films. A film is said to pass the Bechdel test if (1) it has two or more female characters with speaking roles, (2) two female characters have a conversation with one another (3) about a subject other than men. Once you start looking for it, it’s hard to stop. David Lowery is the former guitarist for Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker.

September 10, 1945 - Jose Feliciano wisely hid out until World War Two was definitively over and done with, as he was born on this day. Feliciano is best known for his song and album “Feliz Navidad”, which you will be hearing in stores over the sound system on a non-stop loop in a few weeks coming up. Meanwhile, in Norway, Vidkun Quisling is sentenced to death for Nazi collaboration (perhaps someone should have taken him bowling instead). His name has since become synonomous with “collaborator”, particularly collaborators installed by foreign powers. For instance, one might say, “Hamid Karzai is a Quisling,” or “Nouri al-Maliki is a Quisling,” if it were the case. Clearly it is not, or we would hear such statements in our free press.

Quisling was sentenced to death on this day, but “Mike”, a five month old Wyandotte Rooster had the sentence carried out. Farmer Lloyd Olsen of Fruita, Colorado, chopped Mike’s head off on this day. The chicken performed according to the old adage, “running around like a chicken with its head cut off” for a while… 18 months, to be exact. That’s right, with his brain stem still intact, Mike was able to behave as a reflexive sort of chicken for 18 months. Olsen fed Mike with an eyedropper… Oh Dear Lord, say it isn’t true! Maybe it’s a prank, maybe not. You decide. Each year there is a festival in Mike’s honor in Colorado. Read more, (how could you resist?) here.
September 10, 1992 - In a campaign speech, President George Bush, nearing the end of his term, “We do not need to raise taxes in this country, I found out the hard way. I’m not going to do it again–never, ever.” He must have temporarily lost his head when he said, “Read my lips: No new taxes,” years before. Lesson learned.
Quickly:
4 - I’m This Many: For Your Consideration released. The film, directed by Christopher Guest, revolves around three actors in a film “Home for Purim” who are nominated for Academy Awards. The film features much of the ensemble cast from This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman and Dogshow.
10 - Too Old for Short Pants: Cats closes on Broadway after 18 years, 7,485 performances.
16 - Old Enough to Drive: Prosecutors to seek life without parole and not death penalty in OJ Trial.
60 - Gettin’ Up There: Joe Perry (guitarist, Aerosmith) born during Hurricane Donna.
Beyond Human Lifespan:
402 years ago today - John Smith assumes Presidency of Jamestown Settlement. Is it possible to discuss his life and accomplishments without mentioning Pocahontas? Oops, I just did…





