Bono was born Paul Hewson on this day in 1960 in Dublin, Ireland. He took the stage name of Bono Vox as the lead singer of U2, which rose to fame as one of the biggest rock bands of all time. Beyond rock’n’roll, Bono is an outspoken activist and supporter of many humanitarian causes.
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The retired King of late night television, David Letterman, was born on this day in 1947.
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Danny Gallivan was born on this day in 1917. He was the greatest hockey play-by-play broadcaster in history and a master of the English language. Danny Gallivan was the voice of the Canadiens through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Whether you were a fan of the Montreal Canadiens or not, for those over 40 you cannot help but smile when you hear clips from his calls featuring such greats as Guy Lafleur, Serge Savard and Yvon Cornoyer. Hockey fans who are under 40 should take any opportunity to take in some old audio or video clips featuring Danny and some of his classic “Gallivanisms.” The “Savardian Spin-o-rama,” “cannonading shots” and making saves in “rapier like fashion” are just a few. When Mr. Gallivan died in 1993 the hockey world lost one of the all time greats.
On this day in 1985, the very first WrestleMania took place at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. Professional Wrestling was booming in the 1980’s, and nothing exemplified this more than the World Wrestling Federation and the incredible success of WrestleMania. The main event featured a tag team match. On one side was the Heavyweight Champion, Hulk Hogan, partnered with Mr. T, and supported by Jimmy “Super Fly” Snuka. Their opponents were Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorrf, supported by Cowboy Bob Orton.
15 year old boys everywhere, including Vancouver, were stoked.
One of television’s greatest games shows made its debut on this day in 1964. Jeopardy is quiz show where they give you the answer and you have to come up with the question. The show was originally created by TV guru Merv Griffin, and has gone through several incarnations along the way. The current version hosted by Alex Trebek has been on the air since 1984.
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On this day in 2013 Canada lost one its greatest cultural icons and one of its fiercest patriots. Stompin’ Tom Connors passed away at the age of 77. Best known for “The Hockey Song,” Stompin’ Tom wrote songs about all things Canadian.
Besides “The Hockey Song” which can still be heard in arenas all over Canada, some of his other wonderful country-folk songs include “Bud the Spud,” “Sudbury Saturday Night,” and “Moon Man Newfie.” Tom Connors was born in 1936 in Saint John, New Brunswick. He travelled the country from sea to sea to sea, singing his songs and celebrating Canada and Canadians.
Kurt Cobain was born on this day in 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington. He would become the lead singer of Nirvana and one of the leading figures of the Seattle music scene of the late 90’s. Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden became global superstars at the centre of what some called the “Grunge” movement. Despite his wealth and fame, Cobain was a troubled young man who succumbed to depression and drug addiction. He took his own life in 1994.
Learn more about Kurt Cobain. Check out some of the books we have and some of these links:
Charles Darwin was born on this day in 1809 . Darwin’s work proved to be a major turning point in science. His ideas were the foundation of the Theory of Evolution. The work of Darwin led the world into new ways of thinking that changed how we saw biology and much more.
Reggae legend Bob Marley was born on this day in 1945 in Nine Miles, Jamaica. Sadly, he died far too young, at only 36 in 1981. For more on the life of this amazing artist, take a look at some of the many books we have here in the school library. Online you can also check out:
One of the icons of the US Civil Rights movement looked an unlikely hero but proved to be someone whose strength of character belied her appearance. Rosa Parks was born on this day in 1934. In the face of the overt racism of 1950’s America, Rosa famously refused to give up her seat on the bus, as black people were expected to do for white people. She was arrested, and the resulting Montgomery Bus Boycott proved to be one of foundational events of the Civil Rights Movement. For more on Rosa Parks:
International Civil Rights Walk of Fame
Acclaimed author Shirley Jackson was born on this day in 1916.
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 