Today is...

[IceWizard]

20 May 2017


International Clinical Trials Day



Clinical trials are tests in which certain medications or supplements are tested by monitoring the effects among patients who have received the medication, and patients who have received a smaller dose or none at all.

Trails are conducted in a set timeframe, and the patients picked for them are vetted so that the results would be as accurate as possible.

Clinical Trails Day is about raising awareness for these trails, how they save lives, and how important they are to the medical industry and furthering medical research.

The History of Clinical Trails Day

This day has quite a history attached to it – as it’s celebrating and observing and event that happened centuries ago – way back in the 1700s to be exact!

Back in 1747, one surgeon James Lind was working on the HMS Salisbury, a ship in Britain’s Royal Navy fleet. Patrolling the English channel, the ship’s seamen were working at a time when it was not at all uncommon for them to be struck down by the dreaded scurvy – and, quite often, be killed by it.

Scurvy is an unpleasant disease which comes about mainly due to a lack of vitamin C. Those who pass away due to it usually do so thanks to infection caused by gum disease and bleeding that it causes.

James Lind, a pioneer in naval hygiene, thought he knew how he might be able to treat it – but he needed some proof. So, he got together 12 affected men to run his test on, by giving some citrus fruits and some not. This was the first clinical test.



And




World Fiddle Day



On this day, it’s time to celebrate the music of one of the world’s most favorite string instruments, the violin. Or the fiddle, as it is sometimes affectionately known.

World Fiddle Day happens once a year and is meant to celebrate everything that everyone loves about the chirpy, fun and feisty art of fiddle music. You’ll see it being celebrated on the third Saturday of each May.

Around the world, this day is celebrated with dancing, music, and of course plenty of fiddle playing!

The History of World Fiddle Day

This day was founded in 2012 by one Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, a professional fiddler from Donegal in Ireland. The day was birthed from a deep respect for one of the most expert and revered violin makers in history.

This month was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the death of the Italian violin craftsman Antonio Stradivari’s way back in 1737.

Stradivari is today considered the most significant creator of violins in history, with his surviving instruments today seen as the most prized and finest ever created. Although he also made the larger string instruments cellos and violas, it’s the violins which he lovingly crafted that he is most well-known and remembered for.

Though only a couple of hundred of his works still exist, they have been known to capture some huge prices at auction and are especially sought-after amongst professional violin players.



And




World Whiskey Day



If you’re friends with Jack and Jim and spend your weekends with Jameson and Johnnie, then World Whiskey Day is going to hold a special significance for you. Whiskey is one of the iconic drinks of true lovers of alcohol and is the foundation of some of the most wonderful drinks known to man. But honestly, who needs an excuse to imbibe in these wonderful libations? If you need one, World Whiskey Day is it!

History of World Whiskey Day

One of the most common forms of whiskey that is sought after is Irish Whiskey, and perhaps appropriately so. The origins of the word Whiskey can be found in the Gaelic Language. Uisce Beatha was the original name of whiskey in classical Gaelic, which ultimately became Uisce Beatha in Ireland and Uisge Beatha in Scotland. Both of these names mean “Water of Life” and tells us just how important and vital this particular distillation was to the Gaels. It was later shortened to just Uisce/Uisge, and then anglicized to Whiskey.

So now you know, when someone is concerned about your whiskey consumption, you can just tell them you’re drinking the water of life!

So what, exactly, is whiskey?

Whiskey is what happens when you create take rich flavorful grains and ferment them into a mash, and then take that mash and distill it down into a pure delicious spirit. Distillation takes place in a still, a device whose whole purpose is the purification of the alcohol from the fermented mash. One of the most important secrets of distillation is that it must take place in a copper (Or copper lined) still, as the copper removes the sulfur from the drink that would make this otherwise diving beverage decidedly unpleasant to drink.

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May 20 Birthdays



Cher - 71




Busta Rhymes - 45




James Stewart - (1908 - 1997) (89)




Tony Stewart - 45




Joe Cocker - (1944 - 2014) (70)








May 20th

2007: Rush singer & bassist Geddy Lee made an appearance on Bob and Doug McKenzie Two-Four Anniversary special which aired in Canada. A short film of Bob and Doug would be shown as an intro a song on their tour that year.

1998: Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee was sentenced to six months in jail after being found guilty of spousal abuse.

1995: After a four year courtship, Don Henley of The Eagles married model Sharon Summerall in Malibu, CA. Guests included Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen & Sting.

1993: Aerosmith filmed the video for their single “Cryin’” at the Central Congregational Church in Fall River, MA where Lizzie Borden used to worship.

1989: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were the musical guest on the season finale of Saturday Night Live where they performed “Runnin’ Down a Dream” & “Free Fallin’”.

1971: Chicago bassist Peter Cetera had to undergo five hours of emergency surgery after he lost four teeth in a fight at a Chicago Cubs baseball game at Wrigley Field due to some of the Cubs fans objecting to Cetera’s long hair.

1968: The Who’s guitarist Pete Townshend married Karen Astley, daughter of composer Ted Astley. They would later separate in 1994 & divorce in 2000.

1967: Jimi Hendrix signed a U.S. record deal with Reprise Records.

1966: During a Who concert in Windsor, U.K., Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey performed with the opening acts rhythm section as John Entwistle & Keith Moon were late for the concert. When they arrived as The Who’s set was halfway over, Townshend hit Moon over the head with his guitar. Entwistle & Moon quit the band, but returned a week later.



Birthdays:

Joe Cocker born in 1944