March 9, 2014: Barbie, Mickey Spillane, Kicks...

March 9: today in history (from Wikipedia)

1009 – "First known mention of Lithuania, in the annals of the monastery of Quedlinburg." Probably in reference to a mysterious race of talented basketball players?

1500 – "The fleet of Pedro Álvares Cabral leaves Lisbon for the Indies. The fleet will discover Brazil which lies within boundaries granted to Portugal in the Treaty of Tordesillas." I'd like to visit there someday, for purely educational reasons, of course.

1959 – "The Barbie doll makes its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York." Greatest day ever! I mean, who cares. What, you think I'm into Barbie dolls? Do you think I'm a collector? Ha ha. Don't be silly! 

Notable quotes (from BrainyQuote unless otherwise sourced)

"Nobody reads a mystery to get to the middle. They read it to get to the end. If it's a letdown, they won't buy anymore. The first page sells that book. The last page sells your next book."

"I'm a commercial writer, not an author. Margaret Mitchell was an author. She wrote one book."

"Authors want their names down in history; I want to keep the smoke coming out of the chimney."

- Mickey Spillane  (March 9, 1918 – July 17, 2006

"What people fail to appreciate is that the currency of corruption in elective office is, not money, but votes." - James L. Buckley (born March 9, 1923)
   
"Every interpersonal situation has a solution in which everyone wins." --Del Close (March 9, 1934 – March 4, 1999)    Source

"A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth." - Michael Kinsley (born March 9, 1951)

Song of the Day
Happy 72nd to Mark Linday, lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders! Tremendous bounce and hooks in this song, which sends its message and gets out: