August 5. A day like all days.

Lots of things happened today, things that have affected our lives in one way or another. Things happen everyday of course, but today has a special helping of those events that most of us will remember. In music alone the list is kind of amazing. For instance, in 1957 today marked the first broadcast of American Bandstand. Well, to some of you that was a non-event but to Dick Clark it was pretty important. The Beatles released their album “Revolver” today in 1966, including songs “Eleanor Rigby” and “Yellow Submarine.” But nobody remembers that this same day in 1964 the Liverpudlian legends also recorded “Leave My Kitten Alone”. Most of us will go all foggy-faced when we realize that the Moody Blues released “Knights in White Satin” today in 1972. (Was it really 35 years ago?) And the rest of us will touch fingers to lips while the familiar guitar strumming fills our reverie when we hear that Bobby Gentry released “Ode to Billie Jo” today in 1967. “It was the third of June..." Today in 1983 we lost singer, actress and comedienne Judy Canova. Juda Canova's daughter Diana starred in the legendary and ground-breaking sitcom “Soap.” Comedienne Selma Diamond best known for her role in Night Court was born today in 1920. One must note she died of lung cancer while in the role and was replaced by Florence Halpop who died of breast cancer after one season and was replaced by Marsha Warfield, “Roz” for the last couple seasons. Marsha’s “Roz” character was then lampooned in the cartoon feature “Monster’s Inc.” by Bob Peterson doing a raspy voice that sounded a great deal like ... Selma Diamond. In 2000 we lost Sir Alec Guinness; in 1989, Ralph Meeker. Richard Burton died today in 1984 at the age of only 58. It is worth note that today in 1944, actress Lonni Anderson was born and in 1962 Marilyn Monroe was found dead. A host of talented people in the acting dodge share birthdays today; too many to list here. Comic Strip Little Orphan Annie debuted today, 1924; Andy Capp in 1957. In 1850 we gained Guy de Maupassant but in 1959 we lost Edgar Guest. And who doesn’t remember Joseph Carey Merrick born today in 1860. You don’t? Hint: Elephant Man…. And there must be something to the fact that born today were astronaut Neil Armstrong (1930) and cosmonaut Leonid Kizim (1941). In sports the first radio broadcast of a baseball game was today in 1921. Baseball players went on strike in 1985. Two no-hit games were pitched today; 1940 and 1973. Pole vault and long jump records were set today, 1991 and 1901. World auto speed record was set in1963. Today the first American man swam the English Channel in 1923 and the first woman reached the summit of Pikes Peak in 1858. The corner stone for the Stature of Liberty was laid today in 1884. The first US traffic light was erected in Cleveland in 1914. President Lincoln signed into law the first US Income Tax today, 1861. In 1963 the UK, US and USSR signed a nuclear test ban treaty. And in 1945, the casualties were estimated as high as 140 thousand in Hiroshima, Japan. (It was tomorrow, August 6th in Japan)

Can anyone identify this painting? Is it Francois Schuiten? Looks like his work but can someone confirm it?? Click for larger version. Yes, I refuse to use Kleenex until THIS stops.