September 21 in Pop Culture History

September 21st Facts, Fun Trivia and History

September 21st History Highlights

  • 1937 – The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, was published.
  • 1938 – The Great Hurricane of 1938 made landfall on Long Island in New York, killing almost 700 people.
  • 1970Monday Night Football premiered on ABC.
  • 1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate as the first female Supreme Court justice.
  • 2001 – America: A Tribute to Heroes is broadcast by dozens of network and cable channels, and raised over $200 million for the victims of the September 11 attacks.
  • If you were born on September 21st,
    You were likely conceived the week of… December 29th (prior year)

Texaco Star Theatre

The Texaco Star Theatre was a popular radio show that moved to television in 1948 and featured a series of alternating presenters until comedian Milton Berle took up residence for the 1948/9 television season. In the first year, Milton Berle was the rotating host, in the second year the host of the show, earning host Milton Berle the nickname “Mr. Television.”

The show was an instant hit, dominating an audience, keeping people at home on Tuesday night, and driving the television sales, which was part of the beggir plan. The show was renamed the Milton Berle Show and ran until 1956. Critics said the show became somewhat predictable, and costs for better talent (guest stars) increased the budget to more than sponsors would support.

September 21st is…

Miniature Golf Day
Peace Day
Pecan Cookie Day
World Gratitude Day

September 21st Birthday Quotes

“You can’t force inspiration. It’s like trying to catch a butterfly with a hoop but no net. If you keep your mind open and receptive, though, one day a butterfly will land on your finger.”
– Chuck Jones

“We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and a mystery.”
– H.G. Wells

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
– Leonard Cohen

“People are like music, some speak the truth and others are just noise.”
– Bill Murray

“Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”
– Stephen King

“You have to start at the very bottom and you’ve got to do every job. I did that so I could understand what everybody does. I didn’t become this huge producer overnight. It took many, many years.”
Jerry Bruckheimer

September 21st Birthdays

1866 – H.G. Wells, English novelist, historian, and critic (died in 1946)
1874 – Gustav Holst, English composer (died in 1934)
1912 – Chuck Jones, American animator, producer and screenwriter (died in 2002)
1931 – Larry Hagman, American actor (died in 2012)
1934 – Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter and poet (died in 2016)
1935 – Henry Gibson, American comedic actor (died in 2009)
1943 – Jerry Bruckheimer, American film and television producer
1944 – Fannie Flagg, American comedic actress
1947 – Don Felder, American musician, and songwriter, The Eagles
1947 – Stephen King, American author, and screenwriter
1950 – Bill Murray, American comedic actor, and screenwriter
1957 – Ethan Coen, American director, producer, and screenwriter, Brother
1962 – Rob Morrow, American actor
1968 – Ricki Lake, American actress, and talk show host
1971 – Luke Wilson, American actor
1981 – Nicole Richie, American personality and actress
1983 – Cristian Hidalgo, Spanish footballer

September 21st History

1776 – Nathan Hale was captured by the British and accused of spying.

1897 – The New York Sun published it’s editorial – Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

1937 – J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit was published

1938 – Great Hurricane of 1938, New England Coast

1948 – Texaco Star Theater with Milton ‘Uncle Miltie’ Berle premieres on NBC.

1957 – Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr premiered on CBS.

1959 – #1 Hit September 21, 1959 – October 4, 1959: Santo & Johnny – Sleep Walk

1963 – #1 Hit September 21, 1963 – October 11, 1963: Bobby Vinton – Blue Velvet

1968 – #1 Hit September 21, 1968 – September 27, 1968: Jeannie C. Riley – Harper Valley P.T.A.

1969 – Steve O’Neal of the New York Jets kicked the first 98-yard punt against the Denver Broncos.

1970 – The first game of NFL Monday Night Football was played between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. Cleveland won 31-21.

1974 – #1 Hit September 21, 1974 – September 27, 1974: Barry White – Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe

September 21 Birthday (fictional) Doogie Houser, Doogie Howser M.D., TV

1985 – #1 Hit September 21, 1985 – October 11, 1985: Dire Straits – Money for Nothing

1991 – #1 Hit September 21, 1991 – October 4, 1991: Color Me Badd – I Adore Mi Amor

1996John F. Kennedy, Jr. married Carolyn Bessette.

September 21, 2012 – The Apple iPhone 5 was released.

Today’s Random Trivia and Shower Thoughts

Etibar Elchiyev holds the Guinness World Record for Most spoons on a human body.

The Tarzan Yell is trademarked (officially known as a Sensory Mark). “The mark is a yell consisting of a series of approximately ten sounds…” It takes over 200 words to technically describe how Tarzan yells.

“Houston, we have a problem.” – Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) #moviequotes

US President #18 Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877) Contrary to rumors, Grant is buried in Grant’s Tomb in New York City.

In 1989’s “The Little Mermaid” Scuttle’s name for a fork was “Dinglehopper.”

In 1975, Mattel Toys sold a “sister doll” for Barbie called “Growing Up Skipper.” When her arm was twisted, larger breasts would grow out of Skipper

The only ship that needs two captains is the friend-ship.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, an amusement park ride, holds the record for the longest-running performance in American Theater.

The Capital of Libya is Tripoli

I wonder if Grape Cough Syrup was tested by adults with no tastebuds.

The biggest film of 1931: Frankenstein (Horror) Horror earned ~ $12,000,000

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