Vietnam Vet receives medal from President Johnson - This Day in History – Sept 28th

Back in 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson gave the Congressional Medal of Honor to a Vietnam Veteran under war scrutiny of sending troops into this war. Sgt. David Dolby, a member of the Army's 1^st Cavalry was the recipient of this award.  Mr. Dolby had previously been awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

According to history.com, “While praising Dolby and American troops, Johnson expressed "sorrow" that war was still necessary in the 20th century. He also took the opportunity to respond to criticism of his policy of increasing troop strength in Vietnam since 1964. "No one hates war and killing more than I do," said the president. He continued, "no sane American can greet the news from Vietnam with enthusiasm" but "we recognize...the hard reality that only military power can bar aggression and can make a political solution possible" in Southeast Asia.”

Flu bug invades Philadelphia

Back in 1918, a huge flu outbreak occurred after a Liberty Loan Parade in the city of Philadelphia in which thousands of people were affected.  This epidemic was part of estimated massive deaths of 30 million people worldwide. A total of 12,000 soldiers from Massachusetts came down with the flu after their visit to Philadelphia, which was the hardest-hit city in the U.S.

According to history.com,

“ After the Liberty Loan parade on September 28, thousands of people became infected. The city morgue, built to hold 36 bodies, was now faced with the arrival of hundreds within a few days. The entire city was quarantined and nearly 12,000 city residents died. Overall, in the United States, five out of every thousand people fell victim to the flu. 

In the rest of the world, the death toll was much worse. In Latin America, 10 out of every thousand people died. In Africa, it was 15 per thousand and in Asia it was as high as 35 per thousand. It is estimated that up to 20 million people perished in India alone. Ten percent of the entire population of Tahiti died within three weeks. In Western Samoa, 20 percent of the population died. More people died from the flu than from all of the battles of World War I combined.”

The man behind, “A Really Big Show” is born

Back in 1901, television host and personality, known as “The Master of Variety,” Ed Sullivan was born on this day in NYC.  Mr. Sullivan would become a successful master of ceremonies with his self-titled “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which show ran from 1955 to 1971.  Three years later Mr. Sullivan died due to cancer at the age of 73.

Note:  Mr. Sullivan had previously hosted shows on CBS since 1947; he worked at CBS for 23 years.

This theater is now occupied by comedian’s Dave Lettermen’s late night show.

The Ed Sullivan Show would be a platform to stardom for those artists who appeared on this show.  Famous performers include, Janice Joplin, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and The Jackson 5.

Also, Mr. Sullivan’s demeanor and voice would be mimic by many comedians such as Johnny Carson.

Legendary Jazz Trumpeter, Miles Davis dies

Back in 1991, the legendary jazz trumpeter died at the age of 65.  Born Miles Dewey Davis III in Alton, IL in 1926, he was introduced to his first trumpet at the age of 13.

His career spanned 60 years of music and influencing future musicians with his style of cool jazz music to musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and John Coltrane.

According to biography.com, “Along with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Charlie Parker, Davis is regarded as one of the four most important and influential musicians in jazz history, as well as the music's most eclectic practitioner.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ted-williams-hits-home-run-in-last-major-league-at-bat?catId=10