Hello there and welcome to the February 23rd edition of Hangin’ in the Hammer; where we take a brief daily look at some of the people and events from Canadian history, sports and entertainment related to the day’s date.
Thanks for stopping by to check out what we are up to today and you are just in time for Gordie to do his once daily performance of our blog for you.
It is at this time we ask that all patrons refill their coffee cups quickly and find a seat. We would also like to suggest that those sitting closest to Gordie, in what we now refer to as the splash zone to be safe and wear your PPE.
And now please give a warm round of applause to the man with all the daily details, my little brother Gordie Cornforsale.
On this day n 1838, under of cover of darkness, American republican sympathizers occupied Fighting Island in the Detroit River, in preparation to back Canadian rebels in their fight for freedom. They will be joined and led by a former British Army officer and resident of Prescott, ON, David McLeod, who brought along several hundred followers from the Cleveland area. Strong in spirit, they are short on arms and it will become an issue when the Canadian militia arrive on the 25th.
On this day in 1855, the United Canadian Parliament (currently housed in Kingston) granted a 900,000 pound loan guarantee to the Grand Trunk Railway. The cash award flushed the United Canadian economy with cash and the railroad boom began in the Great White North. The Grand Trunk lines included the tunnel under Hunter Street in Hamilton that is now used by Go Transit.
It was on this day in 1909, at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, that J. A. D. McCurdy flew the Alexander Bell designed Silver Dart at an altitude of about 10 metres for nearly one kilometre across the frozen Baddeck Bay. It was the first airplane flight in Canada by a Canadian and the first powered flight in the British Empire.
On this day in 1951, Canadian troops with 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade made first contact with the enemy in Korea overnight and the PPCLI take their first casualties.
From the world of sports, it was on this day in 1906, in San Francisco, California, that Tommy Burns of Hanover, Ontario, defeated the current title holder Marvin Hart, in a grueling 20 rounds to claim the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship. Born in 1881 as Noah Brusso, Burns was the smallest World Heavyweight Champion ever and was known for his blitzing style of attack that left most opponents on the defensive.
On this day in 1992, the games of the XVI Winter Olympiad ended in Albertville. Canada’s 108 athletes managed to secure a total of seven medals; including a gold from Kerrin-Lee Gartner for Downhill Skiing and the other from the Women’s Relay Short Track Speed Skating team.
On this day in 2010, Ashleigh McIvor won the first-ever the gold medal in women’s ski cross at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Some notable Canadians who were born on this day include George Abel, (younger brother of Sid) and a member of the 1952 gold medal Canadian Olympic hockey team; a man who won four cups while playing for the Leafs, Jimmy Thomson and the first Canadian to go into space Marc Garneau.
(What about William Shatner? Didn’t he boldly go where no man has gone before in the 1960’s? And didn’t he seem to stay there too?)
On this day in 1970, the first ever Juno Award ceremonies are held at St Lawrence Hall in Toronto (they were the Gold Leaf Awards at that time) and the first Juno for group of the year went to the Guess Who. Today’s Juno Moldy Oldy is Albert(ville) Flasher (for Kerrin-Lee Gartner.)
Born on this day in 1948, guitarist Steve Priest, a founding member of the band Sweet. When was the last time you heard Ballroom Blitz? (For Tommy Burns.)
Today’s musical title, Livin’ On The Edge was inspired some by Brad Whitford, guitarist for Aerosmith, who was born on this day in 1952.
And that completes my part of the bargain so you and Puck can settle up from here.
(Gord, what was that?) Something is rotten in Denmark, me thinks.
Also born on this day in 1944, legendary guitarist Johnny Winter, who won three Grammy’s while working with another legend, Muddy Waters. As a bonus here’s a track from the Great Muddy Wonder, I’m Ready.
Quite a few of today’s stories could have today’s title applied to them so you decide where that fits best.
It’s always a pleasure serving you. Feel free to drop by again real soon.
Until then, we’ll be just Hangin’ in the Hammer.
Be safe.
We’re livin’ on the edge…
