Day Tripping: May 19
Circuses, Sex Appeal, and Ceremony
The Big Show
The setting was Omaha, Nebraska for the opening of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in 1883. Afterwards, William F. Cody and his sharpshooting partner, dentist W.F. Carver took their travelling Rocky Mountain and Prairie Exhibition across the United States, using poster advertising in advance of the show’s arrival in each town. Bill Cody was already a seasoned entertainer by this time, having produced a successful run of what he called border dramas in Niagara Falls for a decade.
Utilizing his gift for the narrative, Buffalo Bill created a cohesive package that featured wagon trains, the recreation of the Pony Express ride, and exhibitions of cowboy prowess. With a narrator to read a scripted dialogue accompanied by background music, Buffalo Bill’ Wild West show was a successful travelling circus act for more than three decades.
The Blond Bombshell
Less than three months before her death in 1962, Marylin Monroe sang her famous version of Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy. Though it was ten days before the actual date, Monroe took the stage in a skintight dress to sing lyrics she had written to the tune Thanks For the Memory.
Thanks, Mr. President For all the things you’ve done The battles that you’ve won The way you deal with U.S. Steel And our problems by the ton We thank you so much
A giant cake was then brought out to honour the President who was there without the First Lady. It was one of Marylin’s last public appearances. She died of an apparent drug overdose in August of the same year. The dress she was wearing sold for over $1 million at auction.
The Last Royal Wedding
Prince Harry and former actress Meghan Markle were married at a ceremony in Windsor Castle in 2018. On the same day. Queen Elizabeth II bestowed them the title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which the couple since relinquished when they moved to the United States. Meghan, who had also been previously married, was the first woman of colour to marry into the Royal Family.
Harry’s story is oddly reminiscent of Harry’s Great Uncle David, better known as King Edward VII who abdicated the throne to marry American divorcee Wallace Simpson. Like the former King, Harry has also been forced to give up his Royal title.
Musical Milestones
Peter Gabriel released his first solo album, So in 1986. The record features his hit song Sledgehammer which replaced Invisible Touch by his former band Genesis at the top of the charts.
Narratives
Spike Lee’s widely acclaimed and controversial film Do The Right Thing premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1989.
Remembrance
Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence was an instrumental figure in the fight to defeat the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East. True to the film that depicts his legendary life. Lawrence of Arabia died in a motorcycle accident in 1935. He was forty-six years old.
Notable Births
1925 — Human rights activist and civil rights leader, Malcolm X
1945 — Composer and lead guitarist of The Who, Pete Townshend
1946 — At seven and a half feet tall, André the Giant was often called the Eighth Wonder of the World
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 Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca
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