Happy birthday to 1 percenter John Hancock. He was born in 1737, inherited a bunch of money, and got even more by smuggling. And gasp, didn't believe in taxation without representation either. And he favored a limited government. Can you imagine how he'd be treated in the press today?
Next is William Stephenson. He was a WWI Canadian vet, who learned to fly and became a World War I Flying (double) Ace, with a total of 12 kills. Between the War, he tried to run a business in Canada, but failed. In England, however, he was a gigantic success. Among other things, the former telegraph operator created a system that allowed photos to be transmitted wirelessly. So think of him whenever you see a photo from overseas in a newspaper. Or use a fax, I guess. Because he had contacts in Germany, he was able to get information from them about events in Germany... which he passed along to Churchill, who warned people against Hitler's military buildup. After becoming Prime Minister, Churchill sent him to the US to run an intelligence agency covering the Western Hemisphere, and also to be his personal contact with Roosevelt, where he suggested his friend "Wild Bill" Donovan as the head of US intelligence operations. Think about that one: The brilliant, successful, and completely loyal creator of the CIA was suggested (essentially) for the job by a foreign national. Oh, and he also did it all with no salary, and often using his own money. The camp he ran for agents allegedly trained a chap named Ian Fleming. The plot thickens, no? And yes, Fleming stated that Stephenson was one of the sources for You-Know-Who. And guess what he was sometimes referred to as? Intrepid! So he was an interesting guy.
Do you like jazz music? If so, then you'll be glad to know that it was this date in 1910 that Django Reinhardt was born. He was quite influential, and founded the Hot Club of Paris, which is significant to me mostly because the name obviously influenced The Hot Club of Cowtown, which I personally prefer.
I bet Jerry Kramer is kinda bummed these days. Or not. Born in 1936, he was one of the premiere offensive linemen of his day. He was one of the guys leading the way in the famous Packer Sweep that Lombardi ran for so many years. He also wrote a couple books, the first called Instant Replay, which told the story of one of their championship seasons- I believe it was 1967, but don't quote me. Then, years later, he wrote Distant Replay, in which he talked to some of his teammates about their lives, both in football and later. So I suspect he's a Packers fan through and through.
Are you a fan of Cheap Trick? If you aren't what's wrong with you? It was this date in 1953 that Robin Zander popped out. I really like them, though I still think they don't get their due. Their very first album is still, IMHO one of the best albums of all time! I've loved it ever since my cousin Tim bought it with the proceeds of our hay-hauling money from the time we spent on our Grandparents' farm one summer. In my mind, it was 1978, but it was more likely '77. By the way, I bought the album "The Greatest of the Guess Who" with my money. And a few years later, Tim gave me the CT album, which I still have someplace. Hopefully, it's worth millions! As for Robin, he's apparently still married to his (second?) wife, Pam Stein, who is a former Playboy centerfold. And obviously, quite yummy.
Brendan Shanahan was born on this date in 1969. He's now a big shot in the NHL Offices, but for many years he played in Detroit. Which of course makes him really cool! He is one of the many present or future Hall of Famers who were on the Detroit team when they won their... third...??? Stanley Cup of the Yzerman era, but he was on the team for most of them.
And speaking of Detroit Red Wings, Stanley Cups, and future Hall of Famers, today is also the birthday of Tomas Holmstrom, born in 1973. He has been part of the Team for like a thousand years, and is one of the core players who led them to 4 Stanley Cups. Obviously he's cool.
Well hey, there are worse things than ending with a Red Wings theme.
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