Day Tripping: April 8

Money, Monoliths, and More Cowbell

Inspiring Heist

In 1967, Air France was contracted to transport US currency used in South East Asia back to the United States for redistribution. In the early hours of the morning, the stone-walled holding cell for the cash bags at JFK Airport in New York was robbed of over $420,000, equivalent today to about $3million.

The heist was carried out without injury or notice when the cargo terminal security guard responsible for the locked door to the room, was befriended by gang member Robert McMahon who introduced the guard to a beautiful escort. The guard eventually became friendly enough with the escort so that the thieves were able to snatch the key and make a copy without his knowledge.

The gang was led by Henry Hill of the infamous Lucchese mob family. Hill is famous for turning state’s evidence years later and providing information for the true-crime book Wiseguys, which then became the Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas.

Mysterious Vanishing

While a live audience watched 200 feet away, famed illusionist David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear in 1983. He accomplished the feat on live television by erecting two giant scaffolds that used to raise a sheet, obscuring the view of the sculpture from the onlookers’ view.

The group of tourists that made up the stage audience were stunned when Copperfield lowered the curtain and the statue was gone. Vanishing the 300-foot statue was in part done as a fundraiser for the structure’s restoration, and as a statement, David wished to make about the value of freedom and how fleeting it can be.

The simple solution for his trick has been widely publicized in the last four decades since he performed the feat.

Comical Legacy

It is perhaps the most remembered Saturday Night Live sketch ever. In 2000, the rock band Blue Öyster Cult were musical guests on the show with guest host, Christopher Walken. In the skit, the band is recording their hit song Don’t Fear the Reaper with Walken playing their manager. The SNL cast including Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon, who just can’t keep it together, are members of the band.

If you have never seen the Cowbell sketch, take a look now. Pure iconic comedy. Walken half-jokingly remarked to Ferrell later, this skit ruined his life. The real band members feel much the same as they can’t seem to distance themselves from this incredibly funny sendup.

Musical Milestones

Steve Miller is no fan of awards ceremonies and he’s not afraid to voice his opinion. During his induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Steve was heard backstage ranting the Hall is like “a private boys club.” Then he told everyone what he thought of the organizers. “It’s a bunch of jackasses and jerks and f — king gangsters and crooks.”

Can’t say I disagree.

Narratives

In 1966, Time Magazine published its first-ever addition without a cover image. Instead, the traditional front with a red border shows a black background and red lettering with the words, Is God Dead?

Remembrance

A founding member of the Cubist movement and prolific artist, Pablo Picasso died in 1973.

It was a Russian journalist who initially dubbed Margaret Thatcher The Iron Lady. As Prime Minister of Britain during one of the country’s worst economic periods, Mrs. Thatcher had to be made of iron to withstand the barrage of negative news flung her way. She passed away in 2013.

Notable Births

1892 — Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born silent screen actress who became a co-founder of Universal Artists Studios with Charlie Chaplin and DW Griffith.

1963 — The eldest son of John, Julian Lennon was the inspiration for Beatles songs, Hey Jude and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, and he enjoyed a brief career later as a musician.

1966 — Princess Buttercup, Forrest Gump’s love interest, and very scary First Lady, it’s safe to say Robin Wright has enjoyed a varied career as an actor.

K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster

The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present