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March 23, 1972

Today In History

Evel Knievel breaks 93 bones after successfully clearing 35 cars

Born Robert Craig Knievel, he changed his name to suit his personality and dangerous profession. Evel Kneivel was an American daredevil, entertainer, and international icon. Getting his start as the leader of a motorcycle stunt troupe called “Evel Kneivel’s Motorcycle Daredevils” in the 1960’s, Kneivel went out on his own, becoming famous for his death-defying motorcycle stunts. Between 1965-1980, Kneivel attempted over 75 spectacular ramp-to-ramp jumps, leaping his motorcycle over dangerous obstacles like snakes, sharks, and Greyhound buses. While his successful jumps were exciting to his thrill-seeking fans, his failed attempts and crashes were also record setting. The Guinness Book of World Records gave Evel Kneivel the distinction of surviving the ‘most broken bones in a lifetime’. On New Year’s Eve, 1967, crowds gathered to witness Kneivel’s motorcycle jump over the fountains of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which earned him recognition worldwide and a great amount of broken bones. The riskier the stunts, the more his legendary popularity grew. Grabbing the attention of millions of fans, Kevel attempted increasingly dangerous jumps including a famous failed try to jump across Idaho’s Snake River Canyon in 1974 in a rocket powered motorcycle. A great showman with a sense of style often compared to Elvis Presley, Evel Kneivel was known for his spectacular red, white and blue leather jumpsuits. The image of watching Kneivel roar his motorcycle up a ramp and catapult over impressive obstacles including 20 parked cars, earned him recognition as ‘America’s Daredevil’ - an international icon and a folk hero for the ages. Knievel was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

Remember When

AD - Baby Ruth Candy
A short 4 minute video that documents pitching great Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige Satchel Paige is often referred to as the “Babe Ruth” of the Negro League. He played for over 20 years on several teams in the Negro League and was widely considered to be the league’s greatest ever pitcher. In 1948, Paige became Major League Baseball’s oldest ever rookie when he signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians. At 42 years of age, he went 6-1 for the Indians and helped led the Tribe to a World Series victory. Satchel Paige continued pitching for several more seasons in the majors, including making All Star Game appearances in 1952 and 1953 as a St. Louis Brown, at the ages of 46 and 47. He even made a brief cameo appearance at age 59 for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965. Satchel Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first ever inductee from the Negro League.
Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson - A rivalry and friendship for the ages
Two future basketball legends met on the court for the first time on March 26, 1979 in Salt Lake City, Utah when Earvin “Magic” Johnson led his Michigan State Spartans to a 75-64 victory over Larry Bird’s previously undefeated Indiana State Sycamores in a game that drew the highest television ratings in college basketball history. Everyone watching that game saw more than just a title game; they saw the birth of one of the all-time great basketball rivalries. The rivalry between Magic and “Larry Legend” carried into the NBA as both players entered the league in 1979. From 1980-1989, 10 consecutive NBA finals would feature at least one of these two superstars as Magic’s Lakers won 5 titles and Bird’s Celtics won 3. They faced off against each other in 3 NBA Finals, with Magic’s Lakers winning two of them. Both players played 13 seasons in the NBA, each for just one team. Both players won 3 NBA MVP awards and both have been elected into the NBA’s Hall of Fame. But while they each individually had an extraordinary career, they will forever be linked to each other in a rivalry that brought interest in the NBA to new heights.
Song of the Day
Jackson 5 | Never Can Say Goodbye
Top 10 Best Broadway Musicals of All Time
Explore America
CARMEL, CALIFORNIA - The Carmel Mission

CLASSIC VOICES

Robert Goulet

Tom Jones

Stevie Wonder

Tony Bennett

Ray Charles

Robert Goulet

Tom Jones

Stevie Wonder

Tony Bennett

Ray Charles

TV Show of the Day
The Newlywed Game
Tony Randall & Jack Klugman on The Mike Douglas Show
NCAA basketball finals 1967 Lew Alcindor UCLA vs Dayton
Interview of the Day
Arlo Guthrie interviewed by Tom Brokaw about the 1960s, Vietnam, anti-war movements, music and more
Home overlooking the coast

CLASSIC SCENES AROUND AMERICA

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City

The Black Out in New York City - 1965

Wall Street – The Crash of 1929

Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand in Coney Island

Workers head out to play after work

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City

The Black Out in New York City - 1965

Wall Street – The Crash of 1929

Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand in Coney Island

Workers head out to play after work

Classic Sports Images

The New York Football Giants in Yankee Stadium

Bob Feller

Cassius Clay

Don Larsen's Perfect Game

George Brett - The Pine Tar Incident

The New York Football Giants in Yankee Stadium

Bob Feller

Cassius Clay

Don Larsen's Perfect Game

George Brett - The Pine Tar Incident

Collectible Editions

You have a choice of three versions of our collectible edition to select from. 52-pages, 100-pages (special oversized edition) and our 104-page version (hard cover). Enjoy your stroll down memory lane!



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