Welcome to the Mine of Useless Information on Friday 3 September 2010

A random quote from our archives...

"Mr. that boy couldn't hit the ground if he fell out of an airplane."
Casey Stengel

...more quotes

A random fact...

Ernestine Williams of Florida, an arthritic grandmother, allegedly ran a family pickpocket ring from her wheelchair for ten years. Ernestine taught her children and teenage grandson the tricks of the trade, and took in as much as $50,000 per day. Following a two-year investigation, they were all arrested in November 2000 on racketeering charges.

...more trivia

Five random people born today...

• Tami Tyler, Santa Clara California, dance skater, & Jonathan Nichols (1977)
• Zine al-Abidine Ben Ami, general/president of Tunisia, 1987- (1936)
• Glenn Joyner, Ferntree Gully VIC, Australasia golfer (1964)
• Kjell Magne Bondevik, Norwegian Statesman (1947)
• Michael D Barnes, Rep-D-MD, 1979-86 (1943)

Five random people who died on this day...

• Ferdinand AR Cabrera, Spanish/German of emperor Wilhelm II, dies at 58 (1914)
• Otto V Ekelund, Swedish poet and writer (Hafvets Stjarna), dies at 59 (1940)
• George Lillo, English dramatist (Fatal Curiosity), dies at 46 (1739)
• Jacob of Orleans, Rabbi, killed in anti Jewish riot in London England (1189)
• Vince Lombardi, football coach (Packers), dies in Washington D.C. at 57 (1970)

Five random things that happened on this day...

• Longest game in Fenway Park, suspended in 19, Mariners-7, Red Sox-7 (1981)
• L Stallings and M Anderson's "What Price Glory?," premieres in New York City (1924)
• Beth Daniel wins LPGA Rail Charity Golf Classic (1990)
• Army commander in South Carolina orders Freedmen's Bureau to stop seizing land (1865)
• Steve Garvey begins his NL record 1,207 consecutive game streak (1975)

Number One Single this time last year...

UK: -
US: Charts not yet in existence
Australia: Charts not yet in existence

Number One Single five years ago...

UK: Oasis - The Importance Of Being Idle
US: Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
Australia: The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha

Number One Single ten years ago...

UK: Madonna - Music
US: Janet Jackson - Doesn't Really Matter
Australia: Madonna - Music

Number One Single 25 years ago...

UK: David Bowie & Mick Jagger - Dancing In The Street
US: John Parr - St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)
Australia: Tina Turner - We Don't Need Another Hero

Number One Single 50 years ago...

UK: The Shadows - Apache
US: Elvis Presley - It's Now Or Never
Australia: The Ventures - Walk Don't Run

...more number one singles