1985: Yul Brynner Becomes King … Again
Actor Yul Brynner first performed on Broadway in a role in Shakespeare’s Twelth Night in 1941. Three years later he appeared in Lute Song with Mary Martin. In 1951, it was Martin who encouraged Brynner to audition for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, The King and I where he starred as King Mongkut alongside Gertrude Lawrence for 4,625 performances. He won his first Tony for that role. He later appeared in the 1956 film version in which he starred with Deborah Kerr (and won an Oscar). In 1972, CBS began airing the short-lived sitcom, Anna and the King in which Brynner starred once again in the king role, this time with Samantha Eggar. Five years later, he reprised the role back on Broadway for a revival and again in 1979 for a London production and then one more time on this day in 1985 where he won yet another Tony. Sadly, he passed away a little over seven months after his last stage performance on October 10, 1985.
1920: The Nazi Party is Founded
On October 16, 1919, Adolf Hitler first spoke to The German Worker’s Party (DAP) which supported national socialism. Praised for his speaking talent, Hitler became the chief of propaganda for the party. His Hofbräuhaus speech given on this day in 1920 led to the name change the “National Socialist German Workers’ Party” or Nazi Party. It was then that the party officially announced that persons of “pure Aryan descent” could become members and their spouses had to be “racially pure” as well.
1868: First Impeached President
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson was initiated on this day in 1868. There were 11 articles of impeachment listed for the 17th president of the United States including the primary charge of violating the Tenure of Office Act which was passed by Congress in 1867. Johnson had removed the secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton, from office and had attempted to replace him with Brevet Major General Lorenzo Thomas. He became impeached a week later. (Image: Wikipedia)
1863: Arizona is organized as a United States Territory
Movies Released
- Act of Valor (2012)
- After the Wedding (2006)
- As You Are (2017)
- Cocaine Bear (2023)
- Get Out (2017)
- Madea’s Family Reunion (2006)
- Rock Dog (2016)
- The Late Shift (1996)
- Wanderlust (2012)
TV Series Debuts
- Four Corners (1998)
- Ginny & Georgia (2021)
- Mama June: From Not to Hot (2017)
- Whiskey Cavalier (2019)
Famous Birthdays
- 1896: Richard Thorpe (film director)
- 1921: Abe Vigoda (actor)
- 1945: Barry Bostwick (actor)
- 1947: Rupert Holmes (singer)
- 1955: Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple)
- 1956: Paula Zahn (jounalist)
- 1966: Billy Zane (actor)
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