March 17, 2014: St. Patricks Day, Kurt Russell, Smashing Pumkins...

March 17: today in history (from Wikipedia)

1780 – "American Revolution: George Washington grants the Continental Army a holiday" as an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for independence." And I thought St. Patrick's Day was invented in the 20th Century as a marketing ploy by American brewers.

1805 – "The Italian Republic, with Napoleon as president, becomes the Kingdom of Italy, with Napoleon as King." Probably made perfect sense to him.

2003 – "Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Robin Cook, resigns from the British Cabinet in disagreement with government plans for the 2003 invasion of Iraq." Nice that somebody did, somewhere.

Notable quotes (From Brainyquote unless otherwise sourced)

"The public! the public! how many fools does it require to make the public?" - Thomas Chalmers
 (17 March 1780 – 31 May 1847)

"The principal factors which influenced my life are 1) nonviolent tactics; 2) constitutional means; 3) democratic procedures; 4) respect for human personality; 5) a belief that all people are one." - Bayard Rustin (March 17, 1912 – August 24, 1987)

"For years the Trio did nothing but play for musicians and other hip people. We practically starved to death." - Nat King Cole (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965) 

"'There are no atheists in foxholes' isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes." - James K. Morrow (born March 17, 1947) SOURCE

"I was brought up by two people who just said, Whatever it is you're interested in, go do it. There is no winning or losing. You find out when you do it what the experience is." - Kurt Russell  (born March 17, 1951)

"Careers, like rockets, don't always take off on time. The trick is to always keep the engine running." - Gary Sinise (born March 17, 1955)

"Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don't settle for them." - Mia Hamm (born March 17, 1972)

Song of the Day

Happy 47th Birthday Billy Corgan!

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