Today in History 11/23/16

Today in History
(1888) The jukebox debuts in a San Francisco saloon
1888 The Palais Royale Saloon rolls out a device that will be an overnight success and will eventually drum player pianos out of drinking establishments: the jukebox. This initial version, a nickel-and-slot player, is a phonograph with stethoscope-like tubes..

A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron’s selection from self-contained media. The classic jukebox has buttons with letters and numbers on them that, when entered in combination, are used to play a specific selection.

— Source: wiki/Jukebox
(1936) Blues singer Robert Johnson makes his first recording
In a makeshift studio, Robert Johnson lays down tracks that will influence music for generations. These and later recordings will be considered so powerful that a legend arises purporting that Johnson sold his soul to the devil to achieve success. The blues legend will nevertheless die in poverty at just 27.. 1936

Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson’s shadowy and poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend. One Faustian myth says that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads of Mississippi highways to achieve success. As an itinerant performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime.

Born: May 08, 1911 · Hazlehurst, MS
Died: Aug 16, 1938 · Greenwood, MS
Spouse: Caletta Craft (m. 1931 – 1938) · Virginia Travis (m. 1929 – 1930)
Siblings: Carrie Thompson (Sister)
Parents: Noah Johnson (Father) · Julia Major Dodds (Mother)
Awards: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2006) · Grammy Hall of Fame (2014, 1998)

— Source: wiki/Robert_Johnson
— IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm0426101/
(1936) ‘Life’ publishes its first issue as a photo magazine
1936 Vivid images bring ‘Life’ magazine to life. Originally a humor magazine, ‘Life’ is reconceived by new owner Henry Luce, founder of Time, as a magazine focused on photojournalism. ‘Life’ will be huge commercial success, with a circulation of 8 million at the peak of its popularity..

Life was an American magazine that ran weekly from 1883 to 1972, published initially as a humor and general interest magazine. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936, solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name, and shifted it to a role as a weekly news magazine with a strong emphasis on photojournalism. Life was published weekly until 1972, as an intermittent “special” until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 to 2002.

Founded: 1936
Website: www.life.com

— Source: wiki/Life_(magazine)
(1980) Southern Italy rocked by devastating quake
Nearly 3,000 people are killed and many more are injured after a massive earthquake strikes southern Italy. Many of the victims are at evening mass when the 6.89-magnitude quake hits. Towns in the province of Avellino suffer the greatest damage and causalities.. 1980

The 1980 Irpinia earthquake took place in Southern Italy on November 23 with a moment magnitude of 6.9 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X. The shock was centered on the village of Conza and left at least 2,483 people dead, at least 7,700 injured, and left 250,000 homeless.

Date: Nov 23, 1980

— Source: wiki/1980_Irpinia_earthquake
DIH v2.9.o16

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