It Was 20 Years Ago Today

Saturday, June 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a copy of Edgar Allan Poe's 'Tamerlane and Other Poems' sold at auction for $198,000.  I talk about the book and the circumstances of its sale, my own fondness for books, and why I probably won't become a rare book collector, as much as I would like to!The image of the 'Tamerlane' cover pictured here, as well as much of the information about the 1988 sale, comes from the website of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, May 8, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Robert A. Heinlein died at the age of eighty.  I share my thoughts on the work of the man who even today is considered the dean of science fiction.  I also offer my excuses for why I haven't read more of his work, and why I now intend to change that.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Winning Colors became the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, and the last filly to date.  I talk a little bit about her, as well as the story of Eight Belles, who very nearly became the next filly to win the Derby this year -- but sadly, did not leave the track alive.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, April 4, 2008. Twenty years ago this week, the magazine Science News reported on ellagic acid, a substance found in berries and nuts, and how it might help prevent cancer. I talk about the article, and about the wide variety of 'superfoods' which have come and gone over the years. Wolfberries, or goji berries, are one of the latest superfoods, pictured here.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, April 3, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the postage rate for a first class letter in the United States went from 22 to 25 cents. The special stamp used at the time of that increase is pictured at the right. I talk about letters and the fast-fading art of letter writing, along with an invitation to become a pen pal!I found a website that chronicles the history of first class postage rates from the nineteenth century to the present day, by Andrew K Dart very helpful in researching this show. Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, March 16, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a poison gas attack was launched over the town of Halabja, in northern Iraq. I take a look at the conflicting versions of events on that dreadful day, and how the truth has been twisted to serve political purposes.The picture at the right is from March 16, 2006, when a group of angry Halabja citizens destroyed a museum memorializing the event.  They too believe the tragedy of their city is being used to score political points.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Saturday, March 15, 2008. For the 100th episode of 'It Was 20 Years Ago Today,' I take a look at one of the areas where our lives have changed most dramatically over the past twenty years -- computer technology. An article in Software Magazine dated twenty years ago today chronicled the difficulties users were having in taking advantage of the full power and capabilities of the Intel386 microprocessor.Today's episode music is from 'Newtecky,' by Father Rock.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.I want to thank all of you for your feedback and support during the first eighteen months and 100 episodes of the show.  On to the next 100!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the state of Wyoming became the last of the 50 United States to raise the legal drinking age to 21. I talk about the Wyoming law, drinking age laws in general, and some of my own personal experiences with alcohol.After the show, there is a promo for Yog Radio, the Cthulhu gaming podcast from the fine folks at Yog-sothoth.com.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, March 9, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the New York Times ran a front-page story about a new trend in women's fashion that fizzled.  I talk about that story, and about my own experiences with clothes and fashion.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Written and recorded for October 13, 2007. Twenty years ago today, George HW Bush (pictured at the right with Margaret Thatcher) declared his candidacy for President of the United States.  I look back at that election, and compare it with the present run for the White House.Just a reminder: I wrote and recorded this show late in 2007.  The situation with the election has developed since then, in ways many of us never expected.  A good reminder that history in the making is dynamic indeed!Today's episode music is from 'Confusion,' by Commander Yo.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.After the show there's a promo for the Icebox Radio Theater, a podcast spotlighting new and original audio drama from International Falls, Minnesota.  Well worth a listen!

March 7, 2008. The issue of Time Magazine dated 20 years ago today (the cover can be seen at the right) carried stories on increasing tensions in two strife-torn areas of the world: South Africa and Northern Ireland. I look at those stories, and take note of how different the situation is in both those places today.Today's episode music is from 'Voyage,' by Victor Stellar.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

February 28, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Winter Olympics in Calgary (you can see the logo here) came to an end.  I talk about the Games, and recall one of the most memorable stories to come out of those sixteen days in Calgary.Today's episode music is from 'Duel Key Dreamer,' by Father Rock. Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.After the show is a promo for Decoder Ring Theatre, one of my favorite audio drama podcasts.  Go check 'em out.

February 24, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case of Hustler Magazine v. Jerry Falwell.  I talk about the case which strengthened the First Amendment's protections in matters of parody and caricature, and offer a few thoughts on why caricature, parody and satire are so important.Today's episode music is from 'Weapons of Mass SIDduction,' by DJ Topshelf.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For October 6, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the works of Marcel Proust entered the public domain in most of the world.  I talk about the effect this has had on the literary community in the intervening twenty years, and offer a few thoughts about the benefits of allowing copyright to expire.Today's episode music is from 'Sunlit Harbour,' by Torchomatic.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.Today's show marks the beginning of a new push to make 'It Was 20 Years Ago Today' both more frequent and more timely -- the podcast it was always intended to be. There will be a few more shows from the old year coming up, and they will be interspersed with genuine, on the day shows.  I hope you'll find the results worth the wait.

January 22, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Greg Oden was born.  I talk about the Portland Trailblazers top draft pick, and my own experiences with basketball, as a player but not (so much) as a fan.Today's episode music is from 'Splat the Rat,' by Father Rock.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 18, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the film 'Hellraiser' was released in the United States. I talk about the movie that practically reinvented the horror film genre and has only become more popular since.Today's episode music is from 'The Warlock,' by Scott Shannon.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 16, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the Montreal Protocol was opened for signature. This is the treaty that banned CFCs, the gases that damage the ozone layer. I explain the treaty, in brief, and compare the success of this treaty with the challenges of another, even more far reaching, environmental problem that we face today.Today's episode music is 'Overpopulation,' by Flopsy Music.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 13, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the Tifton City Hall and Myon Complex was dedicated in the town of Tifton, Georgia.  It wasn't a new building, but a renovation and restoration of a famous old one. I talk about the re-development of the Myon, as well as my own fascination with old buildings.McMenamins has an extensive set of websites, which include pictures of many of their historic properties.  Well worth a look -- and a visit, if you're in the neighborhood!Today's episode music is from 'Fallen Angel,' by DJ Topshelf.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 7, 2007. This episode is a highly personal one for me, marking 20 years since the death of my grandfather, Richard Raymond Valley.  I share several memories of my grampa, and I hope I can convey to you what made him such a special person.If you can't remember, or never saw, the video for 'Saved By Zero,' you can see it here, on YouTube. Today's episode music is from 'October,' by the Scottish Guitar Quartet.  Our theme music was composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 4, 2007.  Twenty years ago today, film director Richard Marquand died at the age of 49.  He will probably best be remembered as the director of 'Return of the Jedi' in 1983.  I talk about the state of 'Star Wars,' how it's changed over the past twenty years, and what I think about the Special Editions and prequel movies.Today's episode music is from 'Duel Key Dreamer,' by Father Rock.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.