On this day in history.

[scifan57]

Scopes Monkey Trial Began Today in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925!

Dayton, Tennessee is just north of Chattanooga (we made a trip to the area a while back and returned via I-75 to Knoxville - should have visited the town - see map) and was the site of the famous 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial (opening quote below - check link for much more, if interested). Clarence Darrow defended John Scopes while William Jennings Bryan (the three time Democratic Presidential Candidate) assisted the prosecution.

One of my favorite movies is Inherit the Wind (1960) w/ Spencer Tracy as Darrow and Fredric March as Bryan; Gene Kelly played H.L. Mencken (of course all names fictionalized for the film) - earlier this year, I replaced my DVD of the movie w/ the BD version shown below which is a wonderful restoration. Dave


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I've watched the movie version several times. It's one of Spencer Tracy's best movies.

 

[giradman]

I've watched the movie version several times. It's one of Spencer Tracy's best movies.

Agree - one of my favorite Tracy portrayals! Just looking on IMDB, he made nearly 80 films over 37 years, including Guess Who's Coming to Dinner in 1967, the year of his death. Inherit the Wind was one of his 9 Oscar nominations for 'Best Actor' - lost out to Burt Lancaster (chart below from Wiki) - Dave
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[scifan57]

July 10, 1941;

Early Jazz great Jelly Roll Morton dies. Jelly Roll Morton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[giradman]

July 10, 1941;

Early Jazz great Jelly Roll Morton dies. Jelly Roll Morton - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (1890-1941), a.k.a. Jelly Roll Morton - New Orleans creole, pianist, composer, band leader and quite a braggadocio (see quote below from link above); but, he certainly was an important early jazz figure and put together one of the first jazz bands, Red Hot Peppers - over the decades, I've read pleny of chapters in jazz books devoted to him and one or two bios - also, I've owned a variety of CDs of his music, but a number of years ago wanting a 'consolidated collection' purchased the Proper Box shown below - 4 full CDs w/ just over a hundred tracks, plus a superb nearly 50-page booklet w/ plenty of pics - AND not an expensive purchase - recommended, if interested. Dave

Notorious for his arrogance and self-promotion as often as recognized in his day for his musical talents, Morton claimed to have invented jazz outright in 1902—much to the derision of later musicians and critics.[3] The jazz historian, musician, and composer Gunther Schuller says of Morton's "hyperbolic assertions" that there is "no proof to the contrary" and that Morton's "considerable accomplishments in themselves provide reasonable substantiation".[4] However, the scholar Katy Martin has argued that Morton's bragging was exaggerated by Alan Lomax in the book Mister Jelly Roll, and this portrayal has influenced public opinion and scholarship on Morton since.[5]

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[J. A.]

July 11, 1960:
"To Kill a Mockingbird", written by Harper Lee, is first published, in the USA. The book wins the Pulitzer Prize, and is a classic of modern American literature.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The book was made into a film in 1962, with Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, and won three Oscars.

 

[scifan57]

July 14, 1914;

George Herman "Babe" Ruth makes his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox, pitching 7 strong innings to lead the Red Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Babe Ruth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[giradman]

Aaron Burr Slays Alexander Hamilton in Duel This Day in 1804

Alexander Hamilton (1755/7 - 1804) was shot in a duel by Aaron Burr this day in 1804 - his story in part quoted below - Dave

In a duel held in Weehawken, New Jersey, Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shoots his long-time political antagonist Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton, a leading Federalist and the chief architect of America’s political economy, died the following day (Source).

Alexander Hamilton, born on the Caribbean island of Nevis, came to the American colonies in 1773 as a poor immigrant. In 1776, he joined the Continental Army in the American Revolution, and his relentless energy and remarkable intelligence brought him to the attention of General George Washington, who took him on as an aid. Ten years later, Hamilton served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and he led the fight to win ratification of the final document, which created the kind of strong, centralized government that he favored. In 1789, he was appointed the first secretary of the treasury by President Washington, and during the next six years he crafted a sophisticated monetary policy that saved the young U.S. government from collapse. With the emergence of political parties, Hamilton was regarded as a leader of the Federalists (Source).

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[scifan57]

July 12, 1933;

The first Dymaxion car is produced in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was designed by Buckminster Fuller. Dymaxion car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A total of three prototypes were built, only one of which remains.

 

[J. A.]

July 13, 100 BC:
Gaius Julius Caesar, Roman politician, general and author, considered one of the greatest military commanders in history, was born in Rome.

Julius Caesar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[J. A.]

July 14, 1912:
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie, known as Woody Guthrie, American singer, songwriter and musician, was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, USA. He's best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land".

Woody Guthrie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[giradman]

July 14, 1912:
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie, known as Woody Guthrie, American singer, songwriter and musician, was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, USA. He's best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land".
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Woody Guthrie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A little 'off subject', but I just finished the book below (on my iPad) about John Hammond, the famous music producer, promoter, and discoverer of new talent - in the 1930s, some of his 'discoveries and/or promotions' were Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, & Benny Goodman (his future brother in-law), then later in the 60s-80s, were Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

So, a relationship there - huh? Well, Pete Seeger use to travel w/ Woody Guthrie, who was also a hero to Bob Dylan - the book is an excellent read if the subject is of interest. Dave
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[J. A.]

July 15, 1799:
French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard found the Rosetta Stone, a fragment of a larger stele, in Rosetta, an Egyptian village. The stone is exhibited in the British Museum.

Rosetta Stone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[giradman]

July 15, 1799:
French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard found the Rosetta Stone, a fragment of a larger stele, in Rosetta, an Egyptian village. The stone is exhibited in the British Museum.
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Rosetta Stone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Believe that I've seen that stone three times and still cannot read a word! An amazing and astounding discovery - Dave

 

[scifan57]

Believe that I've seen that stone three times and still cannot read a word! An amazing and astounding discovery - Dave

When I was at the British Museum I found it almost impossible to get a good photo of the Rosetta Stone as there were always so many people crowded around it. It's the single most viewed artifact in the British Museum.

 

[scifan57]

Here's a photo of what the Rosetta Stone would have looked like when intact.
Unfortunately, archaeologists do not know where the Rosetta Stone was originally erected as the dedication inscription would have been on the missing top piece. It would be pure luck if the missing pieces were ever discovered.