Hipstre's History
September 5, 2010, Part 2.

Thanks for visiting history’s birthdays with me. Let’s see how the great events of the past stand up to a human lifespan.


65 - Ready to Retire:

September 5, 1945 - Iva Toguri D'Aquino, commonly known as “Tokyo Rose”–though she never referred to herself as such on her broadcasts–was arrested in Yokohama. In desperate need of money, as she was eager to return to the United States, she responded to a radio announcement offering $2,000 for an interview with “Tokyo Rose”. Upon coming forward, she was instead arrested.

Iva, known as “Orphan Ann” on her broadcasts, had refused to renounce her American citizenship early in the war, and thus was denied a ration card. As the war dragged on, such a denial was akin to a death sentence, as food grew ever more scarce. In fact, D'Aquino spent portions of her weekly earnings on food for Australian and American prisoners of war. She spent most of the war trying to return to the United States (she was born in Los Angeles). She was released from jail in 1946 when MacArthur’s staff could find no evidence that she was guilty of any crime.

Victim of wartime prejudice or American Hero?“Your girlfriend with another man!”

Unfortunately, Iva was shunned in both Japan and the United States. She tried again to make her way to the US in 1948, but was arrested yet again, and this time she was found guilty of treason. It later turned out that many of the witnesses at her trial were lying. She was pardoned by President Ford in 1977. George Takei, himself a victim of tragic and inexcusable wartime prejudice, is currently producing a film based on her wartime experiences.


60 - Gettin’ Up There:

September 5, 1950 - Cathy Guisewite, creator of Cathy is born. The comic strip, still in over 700 newspapers nationwide is set to end this October 3rd. Ack! Never was there a more clearcut case of body dysmorphic disorder than Guisewite who is, was and always will be quite a “hotty”. Let’s take a look at Guisewite at 60 next to how she probably sees herself in the mirror.

Ack! I’m SOOO FAAAT!She's 60 years old... 60!!!


50 - Over the Hill:

September 5, 1960 - On this day, in Rome, an 18 year old Cassius Clay boxed his way to a gold medal. That medal would now be Over the Hill, had Muhammad Ali not thrown the medal into the Ohio river several years later after being refused service in a restaurant. That, and a brief stint in prison, did not stop Ali from becoming the most famous man in the world.

Casssius Clay and two punching bags. Can you imagine a more appropriately 'Olympic' name than 'Cassius Clay'?Stay Gold, Champ!