Welcome to the Mine of Useless Information on Wednesday 31 May 2023

A random quote from our archives...

"I don't think the federation has a head; its neck has just grown up and haired over."
John L. Lewis

...more quotes

A random fact...

In the 1760s, macaroni was a slang term for a fashionable English dandy. The Macaroni Club's members were known for having affected manners, and long, curled hair. The song “Yankee Doodle” was invented by the British to insult American colonists. The section where Doodle puts a feather in his cap and calls it macaroni is slap at the ragged bands of American troops.

...more trivia

Five random people born today...

• Billy Mayerl, composer (1902)
• Eileen Richetelli, Milford Conn, diver 1996 Olympics (1972)
• DMC, rocker (1964)
• Roshan Mahanama, cricketer, Sri Lankan opening batsman (1966)
• Gary George Hallberg, Berwyn, Illinois, PGA golfer, 1983 Andy Williams (1958)

Five random people who died on this day...

• Vatroslav Lisinski, composer, dies at 34 (1854)
• Peter Gordon Dorrell, archaeologist/photographer, dies at 68 (1996)
• King Alfonso XIII, assassinated in Madrid (1906)
• Horace Hood, British spy (Battle of Jutland), dies in battle (1916)
• H N "Swanie" Swanson, literary agent, dies at 91 of a stroke (1991)

Five random things that happened on this day...

• Bradman gets his 1,000th run of the English Cricket season (1930)
• Great Britain performs nuclear test at Christmas Island (atmospheric) (1957)
• Babe Ruth grounds out in his final at bat (1935)
• "Best Little Whorehouse in Tx" opens at Eugene O'Neill New York City for 63 perf (1982)
• Fred Newman makes 12,874 baskets in a one-day exhibition (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: -
US: Charts not yet in existence
Australia: Charts not yet in existence

Number One Single ten years ago...

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

Number One Single 25 years ago...

UK: The Tamperer featuring Maya - Feel It
US: Next - Too Close
Australia: Shania Twain - You're Still The One

Number One Single 50 years ago...

UK: Wizzard - See My Baby Jive
US: Paul McCartney & Wings - My Love
Australia: Dawn featuring Tony Orlando - Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree

...more number one singles