Today is...

[IceWizard]

27 Jan 2017

National Geographic Day



National Geographic is something we take for granted, which is not surprising considering that it has been around for well over 100 years. The first issue of the magazine was published in 1888, and National Geographic Magazines have been published regularly, once per month, since then. National Geographic Magazine has covered thousands of topics since its inception, from lovely, peaceful Balinese dancers to controversial topics such as the brutal killing of animals by poachers and those convinced of the magical properties of certain animal parts. For almost 130 years, National Geographic magazine has been awakening people’s interest in far away, unknown countries, their foods and customs, and above all, those who live there, both human and not. And this is of course why National Geographic is more than deserving of its own day, and we’ve seen to it that it got one.

The History of National Geographic Day

National Geographic Magazine was created as a text-oriented publication by the National Geographic society in 1888. Due to the popularity of the segments containing numerous pictures, National Geographic magazine quickly switched to extensive pictorial content. National Geographic Magazine became especially famous for its balanced portrayal of North America compared to the countries behind the iron curtain, downplaying politics to focus on culture, and not avoiding the Cold War topic as many publications tended to do at that time. More recently, National Geographic Magazine has been especially outspoken on environmental issues, such as deforestation and endangered species. National Geographic Magazine has also been praised for its beautiful photography and its book-like quality.



And



National Chocolate Cake Day



There before you is the ultimate in birthday confections, a rich and luxurious chocolate cake with rich strawberry filling, you know it’s going to be a good day. Maybe you’re just coming into work, and some thoughtful soul has laid out a tray of chocolate cupcakes, each with their own design and one waiting for your mouth to wrap lovingly around it and fade away on a cocoa fueled holiday. However you like your chocolate cake, Chocolate Cake Day gives you an excuse to indulge as deeply as you’d like!

History of Chocolate Cake Day

Chocolate cake has been with us just over 150 years, having first come on the scene in 1764, when it was discovered that grinding cocoa beans between heavy stones produced cocoa powder, which could then become chocolate. 60 years would pass before Conrad Van Houten discovered a method by which he could mechanically extract fat from the cacao liquor which produced cacao butter. Long story short, this man is the reason that chocolate is actually affordable, and we all have him to thank for it!

From this point forward the types of cake and techniques involved in making them just kept expanding, so there are dozens of kinds of cake on top of the original ‘traditional’ chocolate cake. From the Black Forest cake with its cherries to the German Chocolate Cake with its rich coconut pecan frosting, new types are being invented all the time, and chocolate still reigns as King.

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January 27 Birthdays


Bobby "Blue" Bland - (1930 - 2013)



Elmore James - (1918 - 1963)



Nick Mason - 72



Brian Downey - 65



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - (1756 - 1791) 35



John Witherspoon - 75



Patton Oswalt - 48



Lewis Carroll - (1832 - 1898) 65



Donna Reed - (1921 - 1986) 64



Edward Smith - (1850 - 1912) 62



Mimi Rogers - 61







January 27th


2005: R.E.M. had to cancel a concert for the first time in ten years due to their crew and gear being held up at the Estonia/Russia border. They were scheduled to play the Ice Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia.

1997: Pat Boone made an appearance on the American Music Awards wearing leathers and a studded collar to promote his In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy album which featured cover songs of metal & hard rock songs. Boone, alongside Alice Cooper presented the award for the Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock artist to Metallica. The show also featured performances by Metallica & Motley Crue, performing with Vince Neil for the first time since 1991.

1990: Tom Petty Day was declared in Petty’s birthplace of Gainesville, FL. Petty also peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Free Fallin’” which was Petty’s only top ten single as a solo artist in the U.S.

1990: Eric Clapton peaked at number sixteen on the Billboard 200 Album Chart with Journeyman which went on to sell two million copies in the U.S. & was heralded as a return to form.

1990: Foreigner singer Lou Gramm peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with “Just Between You and Me” which was Gramm’s second and final top ten single as a solo artist in the U.S.

1976: David Bowie sued his former attorney, Michael Lippan for unfair business practices and withholding of funds.

1971: David Bowie arrived in the U.S. for the first time. Bowie couldn’t perform live, but he did gain publicity for wearing a dress during a promotional event.

1967: The Beatles signed a new, nine-year contract with EMI Records.

1964: The Rolling Stones appeared on the U.K. television show Juke Box Jury as panelists. They caused a furor in the British press for their impolite behavior, which included referring to Elvis Presley’s current single as dated.



Birthdays:

Elmore James born in 1918

Bobby Bland born in 1930

Nick Mason - Drummer for Pink Floyd born in 1944

Brian Downey - Drummer for Thin Lizzy born in 1951

Seth Justman - Keyboardist for the J. Geils Band born in 1951