Trivia

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 the  date  was  1969   not  1965

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Price Is Right_2

On June 15, 2007, Bob Barker ended his 35-year run as the host of The Price Is Right, the CBS game show where audience members were chosen to guess the prices of various items. Here are five things you didn't know about television's longest-running game show…

Hair Color Proved to Be an Unexpected Boost

Having gray hair on a TV game show doesn't seem so unusual now, but as recently as the 1980s gray hair simply wasn't done. Bob Barker had prematurely gray hair at his temples and used to color his hair, but after a vacation during which he stopped dyeing his hair -- and got compliments -- he decided to stop using hair color for the show. He had to get from the head of daytime programming, but once the change was approved, he didn't look back. Best of all, ratings went up after he left his natural gray hair alone.

One Man Screens Every Single Audience Member for Potential Contestants

The show is known for its super-excited audience and contestants, and that behavior is no coincidence. Before each show, a man named Stan Blits screens every potential audience member for enthusiasm, happiness, and energy. Guests showing the most of these traits have the best chance of being in the studio and getting called onto the stage to become a contestant. But being nice isn't enough. You really have to cheer and be wildly into what's happening. No bribes, though. Blits looks for sincere energy and no funny stuff.

The IRS Knows About Those Prizes

Taxes are one of the facts of life. That means contestants have to pay taxes on prizes as they are considered income. All those nifty items you can win on game shows are subject to taxes even if the items themselves aren't cash. In fact, for The Price Is Right, you have to pay the taxes first before you can get the items. So if you win a $30,000 car, you have to fork out the tax money on $30,000 worth of automobile. Unfortunately, the cash equivalent is offered instead of prizes only in specific circumstances, so contestants are left with a choice of paying tens of thousands of dollars to get their non-cash prizes, or not accepting the prizes at all.

There Was a Wardrobe Malfunction

Was there ever a wardrobe malfunction. In 1977, one woman in the audience was told to “come on down,” she got so excited that her tube top slipped off. “She began jumping up and down and out they came,” Bob Barker told Larry King of “the most talked about single incident in the history of the show.” When Yolanda finally got to her podium, Barker said, “I’ve never had a welcome like this.”

A Camera Knocked Model Janice Pennington Out

Janice Pennington was a model on the show who was among the group known as "Barker's Beauties". In 1988, the game-show model was knocked knocked off the stage into “contestants’ row” by a wayward camera and rendered unconscious. After a 45-minute delay during which Pennington was transferred by stretcher to an ambulance, the show continued without her. The accident was so bad that she broke her collarbone and needed to go through two surgeries. Although she made a full recovery, she could no longer wear swimsuits as her surgeries left some damaging scars and one shoulder shorter than the other. Pennington filed suit against CBS, citing negligence. The case went to trial, and in 1992, a jury awarded her $1.3 million for injuries she sustained on the set of The Price is Right. 

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5 Horrifying Facts About The Movie Psycho

On June 16, 1960,  Alfred Hitchcock‘s legendary movie Psycho had its world premiere at the DeMille Theatre in New York City. Here are five horrifying facts you probably didn't know about Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho"...

There Were Three Norma Bates

Three different people did the voice of Norman's mother: Jeanette Nolan, Paul Jasmin whom Anthony Perkins recommended for the job, and Virginia Gregg. Their recordings were then mixed together until Hitchcock found the right tone of voice for each particular scene.

Hitchcock Used A Melon For The Sound of The Stabbing Scene

When Hitchcock and his sound guy searched for the perfect stabbing sound, they didn’t turn to stock Hollywood effects. They turned to melons. They laid out an epic spread of every kind of melon you can imagine, until they found that perfect sound. Enter: the casaba melon. This melon sounds denser, less hollow. And, as they found, it sounded even more realistic when interspersed with a slab of steak.

Chocolate Syrup Was Used For Blood

It's not a secret that the vast majority of food productions mix a viscous liquid like corn syrup with red food coloring to create realistic-looking blood, but things are a little different in black-and-white filmmaking. As a result, Hitchcock instead decided to use Bosco Chocolate Syrup to double for blood, feeling that it created a stronger and more effective contrast on camera. When watching the final film, you'd never know it was actually a desert topping. This famous shower scene was so traumatic, Janet Leigh admitted that she could not shower in a unit with curtains for years after making the movie.

Secrecy Was Key to the Movie’s Shock Value

Hitchcock had been hurt by media leaks in the past. So he beefed up security surrounding the plot and ending of the film. He did not allow film critics to preview the film before its release and withheld the release of movie stills. Because the key murder in the film takes place fairly quickly, Hitchcock knew that anyone arriving very late would end up asking about Janet Leigh and why they didn't see her in the film. To prevent this, he demanded that theaters not let people in after the film started. Hitchcock's requirement that everyone be seated before the film began changed how people treated filmgoing.

Janet Leigh Took Baths For The Rest Of Her Life

Janet Leigh spent a week shooting the shower scene, and although she wasn't affected by the filming itself, she was decidedly more bothered when she saw the final cut of the movie. Leigh later commented that it illustrated to her how vulnerable people are in the shower, and as a result, she only took baths for the remaining 40-plus years of her life where possible. In an interview, Leigh said:"I stopped taking showers and I only take baths. And when I'm someplace where I can only take a shower, I make sure the doors and windows of the house are locked. I also leave the bathroom door open and shower curtain open. I’m always facing the door, watching, no matter where the shower head is."

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I did  not  know  about the  lady that had  a  wardrobe malfunction====

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I did  not  know  that a casaba melon was used for the sound  of the  stabbing  scene ====

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5 Shocking Facts From The O.J. Simpson Police Chase_3

On June 17, 1994, 95 million people tuned in to watch former NFL superstar OJ Simpson as he led police on a low-speed, 60-mile chase across Los Angeles. Here are five shocking facts you might have missed, even if you were glued to your TV set...

June 17, 1994, Was a Big Day in Sports History Even Without OJ.

While over one-third of the U.S. population sat on the edge of their seat waiting to see how the OJ chase would end, several big-name athletes were busy making sports history. June 17, 1994, was Arnold Palmer's final round in a U.S. Open game and was also the day that Ken Griffey Jr. tied Babe Ruth's home run record for hits before June 30th in a single season. On top of that, June 17 was the official kick-off of the World Cup and Game 5 of the 1994 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. The New York Rangers also had their Stanley Cup victory parade that day.

Simpson Had a Fake Mustache With Him in the Bronco.

At 6'1" and well over 200 pounds, Simpson was pretty easy to spot in a crowded room. Then consider the fact that he was one of the most recognizable faces in sports history, and you'll understand why the man thought he needed a disguise. But a fake mustache? You can do better than that, Juice. Despite the fact OJ claims he was not running from police, evidence in the car suggests otherwise. In addition to the infamous gun he carried, the iconic White Ford Bronco had $9,000 cash, makeup, OJ's passport, and some adhesive for the 'stache.

On June 17, 1994, Dominos Sold as Many Pizzas as Super Bowl Sunday.

The chase kicked off around 6:00 pm PST, right at the time most families would be settling down to dinner. But, of course, no one wanted to be stuck in the kitchen that night. So, families across America did what anyone would do in such a situation—they called Dominos. The popular pizza chain had over 10,000 locations in 1994, and on the night of June 17, business was booming. Though the company declined to share actual sales figures, one executive claimed that sales equaled that of a Super Bowl.  

Rosie Greer Said O.J. Confessed to Him

Roosevelt “Rosie” Grier, who played football for the New York Giants and L.A. Rams, said that while Simpson was in jail, he confessed that he had committed the crime. Grier said the prosecution was interested in using this information as evidence. However, because Grier is a Protestant minister, the evidence was not allowed to be presented in court.

Of Course He Drank Some Orange Juice After the Chase Ended.

What? You thought "The Juice" was just a nickname? After the five-hour chase ended in OJ's driveway and a stand-off between Juice and the LAPD, officers were finally able to coax him from the backseat of the Bronco. After exiting the car, OJ went inside his mansion, called his mom and poured himself a tall glass of orange juice. His poor mother was admitted to the hospital shortly after from all the emotional stress suffered during the hours-long chase, stand-off, and arrest.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The War of 1812

On this day in 1812, President James Madison declared war against Great Britain—and the War of 1812 began. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about the War of 1812...

The War of 1812 Went on for 32 Months

Calling it the War of 1812 can be confusing since it went on for 32 months after the United States declared war on Great Britain in 1812.  The War of 1812 lasted longer than the Spanish-American War and the Mexican-American-War. It even lasted longer than America’s involvement in World War I.

Our National Anthem Was Written During the War of 1812.

Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became “The Star-Spangled Banner” while at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. In the poem, he mentiones “bombs bursting in air” and “the rocket’s red glare,” which wasn’t exactly poetic license. The rockets were British missiles called Congreves and looked a bit like giant bottle rockets. The “bombs bursting in air” were 200 pound cannonballs, designed to explode above their target. The British fired about 1500 bombs and rockets at Fort McHenry from ships in Baltimore Harbor.  A few weeks later, the lyrics were printed along with music by John Stafford Smith and our national anthem was born.

Uncle Sam Came From the War Effort

The Star-Spangled Banner isn’t the only patriotic icon that dates to the War of 1812. It’s believed that “Uncle Sam” does, too. In Troy, New York, a military supplier named Sam Wilson packed meat rations in barrels labeled U.S. According to local lore, a soldier was told the initials stood for “Uncle Sam” Wilson, who was feeding the army. The name endured as shorthand for the U.S. government. However, the image of Uncle Sam as a white-bearded recruiter didn’t appear for another century, during World War I.

The War of 1812 Had Its Own "Paul Revere" Character.

You probably know Paul Revere as the guy who rode a horse across a stretch of central Massachusetts to warn American militiamen of oncoming British troops. Well, the War of 1812 had a similar character, albeit on the other side of the battle. Laura Secord was a Massachusetts-born wife to a wounded Canadian Loyalist. She caught wind of an impending ambush by American troops on a British outpost and hiked 20 miles through forests and swamps to warn the  British that the Americans were coming. Because of her early warning, the Americans lost the Battle of Beaver Dams in their attempt to capture the British outpost.

A Violent Storm Saved Washington, D.C.

On August 24, 1814, British troops entered Washington, D.C. and set the U.S. Capitol, White House, and other buildings ablaze, which continued on through the next day. A thunderstorm rolled in and drenched the area for about two hours, which put the flames out and even spawned a tornado that ripped off roofs and lifted several cannons up from the ground. The National Weather Service reported that the debris from the tornado killed more of the British soldiers than the American’s guns did during that incursion.

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I did  not  know  that  his mother  was  entered  in to  a  hospital  after the  chase===

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I did  not  know  that  a  lady walked  20 miles  to  warn the  British Soldiers  that the  Americans  

were  going to  attack a  British  out post

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Sopranos

On this day in 2013, James Gandolfini, the actor best known for his role as New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano, died of a heart attack while on vacation in Rome, Italy.  Here are five interesting facts you'll want to know about The Sopranos. 

The Sopranos Shares 28 Cast Members With The Movie Goodfellas

According to IMDb, six regular Sopranos cast members appeared in Goodfellas (Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Vincent Pastore, Frank Vincent, and Joseph R. Gannascoli). Ten recurring Sopranos characters and 11 one-time guest stars also appeared in the 1990 Martin Scorsese masterpiece.

James Gandolfini Was Not the First Choice To Play Tony

It's hard to imagine anyone but James Gandolfini in the lead role of Tony Soprano, but according to David Chase, he originally envisioned Bruce Springsteen's guitarist, Steve Van Zandt, as the top dog. Chase saw Van Zandt giving a speech at the Rock n" Roll Hall of Fame and found him funny and charming. He also felt Van Zandt looked like a younger Al Pacino. HBO wasn't willing to roll the dice on a first-time actor for such an important role, which is why Gandolfini was cast. But, Chase didn't give up on having Van Zandt as part of the show—he wrote in a character especially for Van Zandt. The character, Silvio Dante, was modeled after a short story written by Van Zandt himself.

The Producers Wanted Lorraine Bracco to Play Tony’s Wife

Instead of Edie Falco, the producers thought Lorraine Bracco would be better playing Carmella Soprano. However, Bracco had a different idea and asked to play Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony’s psychiatrist. She was right because she garnered four Emmy nominations and three for the Golden Globes. Bracco said the role was difficult since it called for her to be reserved, something she was not in real life as she was naturally emotional.

The Mob Wondered If a Connected Mobster Was a Consultant on the Sopranos

Real mobsters loved to talk about The Sopranos after every episode aired, according to the FBI who was listening to their conversations. The wiseguys were convinced that someone on the inside was working on the series. The mobsters were astounded by the exactness of the way mobsters were portrayed on the television show.

James Gandolfini Resolved A Salary Dispute On The Show

Before Season 5, the cast of The Sopranos was involved in a salary dispute among the cast members. According to the actor who portrayed Tony’s wife, the group staged a sit-in, which virtually stopped the show in its tracks. To help quell tensions, Gandolfini split his bonus among all the regular cast members, giving them each $33,333.

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I  did  not  know  about  the  strike that  stop the  production====

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5 Facts You Didn't Know About The Movie Jaws_3

What's the first film to gross over $100 million at the box office? If you're good at trivia (or at reading titles), you probably know the answer is Jaws, which debuted at the box office on June 20, 1975. We decided to celebrate its anniversary with these five fascinating facts about the blockbuster film...

The Shark Was Called Bruce

The film’s director, Steven Spielberg, named the large mechanical shark Bruce after his attorney, Bruce Ramer, who represented a number of big Hollywood celebrities. The mechanical shark cost $250,000 to build, but Steven Spielberg wasn’t impressed. It didn’t function correctly, had teeth that didn’t look real, and a mouth didn’t close correctly. It sank the first day, ending up at the bottom of Nantucket Sound. It needed retrofitting and was high-maintenance, which is why viewers don’t see the shark until 1 hour and 21 minutes into the 2-hour film.

Spielberg Thought the Musical Score Was a Joke

The terrifying score for the movie kept viewers on the edge of their seats and was composed by John Williams, who has won five Academy Awards and 22 Grammys for his work. Spielberg acknowledges that the music was a large part of the success of the movie but was skeptical when he first heard it. He said when he heard it the first time, he laughed and thought it was a joke. But after listening to it several more times, it seemed right for the movie.

The Original Director of the Movie Was Fired

Dick Richards, who went on to direct Tootsie in the 1980s, was originally hired by the studio’s executives to direct Jaws. However, he ran into trouble when he kept referring to the shark as a whale instead, apparently not realizing the difference between a man-eating fish and a large mammal. The execs at the studio became irritated that he didn’t know the difference and that he was downplaying how terrifying an attack by a large shark would be on a beachside town, so he was removed as the director and replaced by Steven Spielberg.

The Filming of Jaws Was Far Over Budget

The budget to make Jaws was $3.5 million, but because of difficulties with the shark, script scenes that were written only the night before shooting, difficulties with casting and other problems, it ended up being closer to $9 million to produce. Instead of being shot in 55 days, it ended up taking 159 days to make the movie. They needn’t have worried because the reaction of moviegoers was phenomenal, and Jaws brought in more than $471 million worldwide.

A Food Fight Helped Ease the Tension of Filming

Filming the movie took 159 days, which was so long Spielberg thought his job as a director was over. Moreover, it wasn’t helped by all the problems with the mechanical shark, so everyone working on the set was tense. During a buffet dinner at Martha’s Vineyard, actor Roy Scheider threw a handful of mashed potatoes with gravy into the face of Spielberg, starting a food fight. Richard Dreyfuss hurled his dessert at Scheider, and the entire crew joined in, including the people who had been hired to serve. It ended with Spielberg, Scheider, and Dreyfuss jumping into the swimming pool to wash the mess off.

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I did  not  know that  there  was  a  food  fight  to  ease  the  tension===

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5 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, folks! Today the country will be celebrating Father's Day, which was officially designated a national holiday in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. Here are five surprising facts you probably didn't know about Father's Day.

The Idea for Father’s Day Was Conceived by a Mother

Sonora Smart Dodd first recognized a special day for fathers to celebrate her own dad, who had raised six children as a single parent. The idea came to her in 1909 as she listened to a church sermon on Mother’s Day. She decided she wanted to designate a day for her dad , William Jackson Smart. The following year, Dodd wanted to celebrate Father's Day on June 5th, her father's birthday, and petitioned for the holiday to be recognized in her city. Needing more time to arrange the festivities, Spokane’s mayor pushed the date back by two weeks, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, according to the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau. But it wasn’t for many years that it became an officially recognized holiday. 

The Oldest Father’s Day Card Is 4,000 Years Old

Father’s Day cards go farther back than Hallmark. A clay tablet from ancient Babylon that is 4,000 years old is the world’s earliest “Father’s Day” card and was written by a young boy whose name was Elmesu. On it, Elmesu wished his father "good health and long life".

Father’s Day Wasn't Officially Recognized as a National Holiday Until 1972

The road to declaring a nationally-honored Father’s Day was a long one, spanning over 60 years. President Calvin Coolidge supported the holiday but did not make a proclamation. President Woodrow Wilson spoke at a Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington, but Congress resisted making the holiday official out of fear it would become commercialized. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the one who declared the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day, though it was not yet made a permanent national holiday.  It wasn't until President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 92-278 that Father's Day was permanently recognized by the federal government.

There Was a Movement to Combine Father’s and Mother’s Day

There was a movement to combine both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day to create one holiday called Parents’ Day during the ‘20s and ‘30s, complete with rallies in support of the idea. Advertisers and retail merchants objected to combining the days because it might affect sales, and the idea was dropped with the Great Depression. Instead of combining the two holidays, Parents’ Day was added as an additional day to honor both mothers and fathers in 1994 by President Bill Clinton.

Americans Are Expected To Spend $15 Billion On Gifts

Father’s Day is the fourth most popular card-sending holiday in the U.S. behind Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. Over 72 million cards are sent out on this special holiday to say “I love you!” This year, Americans are expected to spend over $15 billion on Father’s Day gifts, approximately $133 per person. The National Retail Foundation reports this money will be spent mostly on clothing ($2.2 billion), gift cards ($2.1 billion), and electronics (1.8 billion).

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I did  not  know that Father's Day is the 4th most  holiday  that  sends  cards===

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Murder of John Lennon_4

On June 22, 1981, over the objections of his lawyer, Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to the murder of John Lennon on what he said were instructions from God. Here are 5 things you didn't know about the murder of John Lennon.

This Wasn't the First Time Chapman Thought About Killing Lennon

Chapman's act wasn't spontaneous, even though it did involve some last-minute decisions. According to Chapman's wife, he almost tried to kill Lennon a couple of months earlier but stopped because of his wife. Chapman expressed to his wife that he "needed to grow up as an adult and husband, and needed time to think about his life," so he decided against the plan. Unfortunately, his urge to kill Lennon won over his wish to move on, much to the dismay of his wife. She knew he had gone on a trip to New York in December but didn't realize that he was planning to go through with his original intentions.

Yes, There's a CIA Conspiracy Theory

Because Chapman decided to plead guilty, at least one writer decided that meant there was more to Chapman's story than wanting fame. Someone wanting fame would want to go through with a huge public trial so pleading guilty must have meant that Chapman was actually a CIA hitman. The CIA connection supposedly sprang from the fact that Chapman had previously traveled to Beirut - known for CIA activity - when he did not have a lot of money. These claims, however, were never confirmed. 

James Taylor Met Chapman The Day Before The Murder

The day before Chapman shot Lennon, he encountered another famous musician in a train station - folk legend James Taylor. The singer later said of his encounter with the gunman "His assassin had buttonholed me in the tube station... He pinned me to the wall, glistening with maniacal sweat, and tried to talk in some freak speech about what he was gonna do... how John was interested and how he was gonna get in touch with John Lennon. It was surreal to actually have contact with the guy 24 hours before he shot John". At the time, Taylor was living in a building near the Dakota and recalled hearing the incident place just down the street.

"Monday Night Football" Interrupted Its Broadcast To Break The News

In a now-famous moment, Howard Cosell announced Lennon's death on that evening's Monday Night Football during a game between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. The announcers, Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford, had briefly debated about cutting away from the game to announce the news. "Fellas, I just don't know. I'd like your opinion, I can't see this game situation allowing for this news flash," he said to his team just before announcing the murder. "If we know it, we've got to do it," his broadcast partner, Frank Gifford, replied. "It's a tragic moment, this is going to shake up the whole world."

Chapman Has Repeatedly Been Denied Parole, and August 2020 Is His Next Hearing

Chapman was given 20 years to life and has been up for parole several times since his sentencing. He has been denied each time. His latest hearing was in 2018, when he was denied and kept in prison for the safety of society. His tenth parole hearing will be in August 2020, although there's no word on how the coronavirus pandemic may affect scheduling.

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5 Shocking Facts You Didn't Know About John Gotti_2

On June 23, 1992, John Gotti, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on 14 accounts of conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering.  Here are 5 shocking facts that you probably didn't know about the “Teflon Don”...

He Once Threatened Sinatra

Frank Sinatra once declined to dine with Gotti. In response, Gotti reportedly sent one of his men to threaten Sinatra. This sounds like a classic mob boss demanding he get his way, but as you can guess, there's more. Sinatra was supposed to dine with Gotti after one of Sinatra's shows. He had sent tickets to Gotti, and he and Gotti were supposed to meet afterward, but Sinatra had to bow out of the dinner because he was feeling ill -- or at least, that's the story that Gotti received. Unfortunately, Sinatra was spotted at another club later that evening looking rather healthy which made Gotti angry. One of Gotti's associates reportedly told Sinatra that if he ever stood up Gotti again, his would be the last face Sinatra would see on this earth.  

The Man Who Ultimately Got Gotti Convicted Was None Other Than Robert Mueller

The FBI credited Sammy Gravano with supplying the evidence for Gotti’s conviction in 1992 on 13 counts, including racketeering and murder. Gravano testified against Gotti, saying that 10 of the 18 murders he had committed had been approved by Gotti and that Gotti had been behind the murder of Paul Castellano. The man who managed to convince Gravano to turn on his old boss was none other than Robert Mueller, the same man who completed the investigation against President Donald Trump. Mueller managed to get Gravano to change sides by offering him a reduced sentence for the 19 murders he had been accused of.

His Conviction Caused a Riot

You'd think a guy responsible for brutal murders, bringing drugs into the neighborhood, and promoting illegal gambling might not have too many fans among the general public. But, the truth is, he was a beloved character in New York during his time with the Gambino family. When he was finally convicted in 1992, a crowd of his fans outside the court went into riot mode. In fact, they stormed the courthouse and damaged cars both by smashing them and overturning them.

He Waked With a Noticeable Limp

John Gotti was involved with the New York City Mafia from the age of 12 years old, starting out as an errand boy for an underground club, which was run my Carmine Fatico – a captain in the Gambino family. At the age of just 14 years old, he attempted to steal a cement mixer from a construction site; however, all did not go to plan, as the it toppled over and crushed his toes. The accident resulted in Gotti permanently walking with his trademark limp.

When John Travolta Made a Movie About Gotti, He Wore Gotti's Actual Clothes and Cologne

After Gotti went to jail, his son took over the family for a few years but then left the "family business" after being sentenced to a few years in jail for racketeering. Post-release, John Gotti Jr. received an offer from Sylvester Stallone to make a biopic of Gotti Sr., but he turned that down. Instead, Gotti Jr. met with John Travolta, who made the film into an almost-personal project. During filming, Travolta really got into character by wearing Gotti's clothes, and cologne. Kelly Preston, who is Travolta's wife,  played Victoria Gotti in the film and wore the wedding ring and other jewelry owned by the real Victoria.

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5 Facts You Didn't Know About the Roswell Incident_2

On this day in 1997, U.S. Air Force officials released a 231-page report dismissing long-standing claims of an alien spacecraft crash in Roswell, New Mexico, almost exactly 50 years earlier. The truth is out there, and perhaps these five fascinating facts will help you decide where you stand…

Strange Flying Object Crashes Near Roswell

During the middle of 1947, debris from a strange object was found by a rancher named William Brazel and his son near Roswell, New Mexico. Brazel collected the pieces of wreckage and took them to the local sheriff’s office.  Some people in the area believed that the wreckage was from an alien spacecraft and that alien bodies were removed from the site to be studied, either at Area 51 in Nevada or in Roswell.  It was admitted by the government that the object was part of Project Mogul, high altitude balloons that were capable of detecting nuclear testing by the Soviets.

It Wasn't Just the Aircraft That Crashed.

According to several eyewitness accounts, troops removed several bodies from the scene that were far from human. All accounts claimed to see the same short, 3-to-4-foot tall bodies carted away. Each had a large head, big eyes, and a single hole for a nose. The Air Force claimed that the "bodies" were, in fact, crash dummies used on the weather balloon. However, believers are quick to call the bluff on that excuse.

A Future President Saw What Might Have Been a UFO

Sightings of UFOs were common during the 1970s, and the governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, reported seeing one a few years before he was elected president. He was so convinced that he said he would publicize the government’s knowledge of UFOs and the mysterious crash at Roswell if he was elected president. After Carter was elected in 1977, he stated that if the information related to UFOs was released, it could be a risk to national security.

Some Claim Area 51 is Famous for More Than Just Aliens.

As if one conspiracy theory wasn't enough for this famed government test site, some believe that Area 51 was home to the staged lunar landing video, too. Though just 6 percent of Americans are still skeptical about the Apollo 11 mission, those who do are pretty vocal about it and have some interesting theories. The idea that Area 51 was involved actually isn't too far from the truth—the government used the site for testing several vehicles used by the astronauts.

UFOs are Everywhere in Roswell Today

The alien culture and celebration in Roswell lives on, even as the story was debunked. Every year, Roswell is home to a large festival to commemorate and celebrate the crash landing with costume parades for people and pets, live entertainment, guest speakers, and family-friendly activities. This year, the festival celebrated the 70th anniversary of the UFO incident. Further up the road in Roswell, you can find a flying saucer-shaped McDonald’s restaurant, an international UFO museum and research center, and UFO tours to the Project Mogul balloon crash site.

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5 "Thrilling" Facts You Didn't Know About Michael Jackson

On this day in 2009, Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 after suffering from cardiac arrest caused by a fatal combination of drugs given to him by his personal doctor.  Here are 5 "thrilling" facts you probably didn't know about "The King of Pop"...

Jackson Did Not Invent The “Moonwalk”

The moonwalk became popular around the world following Michael Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean" on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.  While Jackson may have perfected the move, he certainly did not invent it. The earliest footage that portrays someone doing something nearly identical to Jackson's fancy footwork belongs to dancer Bill Bailey who used the move in Showtime at the Apollo in 1955. Marcel Marceau, a French mime, used “Moonwalk” movements in his sketch when walking against the wind, and singer James Brown also made similar dance moves throughout his career. The great Cab Calloway even performed the move in films back in the early 1930s. In 1985, Calloway said that the move was called "The Buzz" when he and others performed it in the 1930s.

He Held a Patent For His Boots

Jackson showcased some new dance moves in “Smooth Criminal,” including when he leaned forward at a 45-degree angle; the video used wires to achieve the effect. However, he wanted to use this dance move during his live performances, so he developed a shoe that would do the job. He and two other inventors placed a slot in the heel that used a peg that could be raised, which allowed the performer to lean forward. Jackson, along with his co-inventors, patented this invention.

Jackson Almost Scrapped the Video for “Thriller”

Now, Thriller is quite possibly the most iconic music video to have ever graced our screens - but it nearly didn't make the cut. Michael demanded the whole thing to be scrapped when Jehovah's Witnesses threatened to banish him when they found out about the video idea. Michael Jackson later agreed for filming to continue but added a disclaimer at the start to say, "Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult."

Costumes Used for “Thriller” Came From a Surprising Place

All of the costumes used for the zombies in the dazzling music video “Thriller” were purchased at the Salvation Army. Jackson’s costume was specially made for him, of course, and the jacket sold at auction for $1.8 million in 2011 to a rock and roll memorabilia collector. Deborah Nadoolman Landis designed the jacket for Jackson as well as the one worn by Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The Illusion of Hair

Michael Jackson was a master of illusion. It infiltrated every aspect of his life, down to his hair. Known for well-coiffed locks, few fans knew that he wore a wig after his accident while filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984 when his face and scalp were badly burned. To compensate for the damage, Jackson tattooed his hairline permanently on his scalp and had wigs attached to the sparse hair that remained after the pyrotechnics accident.

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PHKRAUSE

I did  not  know that  there  was  a   conspiracy  theory ====

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PHKRAUSE

I did  not  know  that riots  were  after  the  trail===

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PHKRAUSE

 I did  not  know  that there  have been  celebrations  in  ROSWELL  for  the  last  70  years===

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PHKRAUSE

I did  not  know  about  the  wigs that  he  wore  after and  accident in  1984 Pepsi commercial ===

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Sonny And Cher

On June 26, 1975, after 13 years as a couple, and 6 years of marriage, the famous singing duo of Sonny and Cher were legally divorced.  Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about this legendary couple in Hollywood history...

Sonny Didn’t Find Cher Attractive

Cher says Sonny told her he didn't find her "particularly attractive when when they first met and was more interested in her roommate. This was in 1964, when Cher was only 16 and was being kicked out of her room by her roommates for not having rent and needed somewhere to stay. Sonny let her live in his apartment if she agreed to cook and clean for him.

They Performed Using the Names Caesar and Cleo

Sonny and Cher started performing together in Los Angeles in 1963 and played mainly record hops and bowling alleys. They used the name Caesar and Cleo after seeing the big-budget film of the day Cleopatra. Little did anyone know that by 1965 they would evolve into the famous performing duo, Sonny and Cher.

Cher Sang Backup in a Number of Songs

Before they became famous, both Sonny and Cher worked for record producer Phil Spector and sometimes did backup vocals. Sonny said he did whatever work was needed. Cher’s voice can be heard in many of the hits of the day such as the Righteous Brothers' “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes.

Their Divorce Was Unusual

Cher filed for divorce in 1974, citing “involuntary servitude” as the reason for the split. The divorce proceedings were ugly; she accused Sonny of withholding her fair share of earnings and Sonny countered by taking her took her to court for custody of Chastity.  Another bone of contention was their home in Beverly Hills, a fight that was settled when Dave Geffen, Cher’s boyfriend, took matters into his own hands and enlisted two security guards to help him round up all Sonny’s things and put them out on the curb.

Both Married Again

Cher married musician Greg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band only three days after her divorce to Sonny Bono was finalized. The union lasted nine days before Cher filed for divorce. The two eventually reconciled, had a son, and even made a duet album before divorcing in 1979. Bono married Mary Whitaker in 1986 and moved to Washington, D.C. when he was elected to Congress in 1994. Bono died four years later in a skiing accident.

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PHKRAUSE

I did  not  know that they  preformed  under the  names  of  Caesar and  Cleo in 1963====

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