Writer of Pop Culture

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This Day in Pop Culture for March 19

The Oscars were shown on TV for the first time on this day, as was one of the more unique celebrity game shows. And today is World Monopoly Day.

March 19, 2020

2–4 minutes

1935: World Monopoly Day

Though the complete history of who exactly created the game Monopoly and when they did it remain cloudy, Hasbro officially recognizes March 19, 1935 as the game’s anniversary. Today it’s World Monopoly Day.

Some people say that early versions of the game appeared as early as 1903 in the form of a prequel of sorts. In an effort to help explain single-tax theory (that economist Henry George featured in his book, Progress and Poverty) game designer Lizzie Magie created The Landlord’s Game. She self-publish her game in 1906 which inspired similar games.

Since 1953, Numerous editions of Monopoly have been created over the years as well as a few spin-off games that feature the same themes of the original. Today, Monopoly is licensed in 113 countries and printed in over 46 languages.

Monopoly has also inspired other projects like the 1990 summertime TV game show produced by ABC. Believe it or not, Hollywood and Broadway have been trying to make a show based on the game for years now.

The game celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2025 and with it came three brand-new expansion packs: “Free Parking”, “Buy Everything” and “Go to Jail”. (Image: Pixabay)

1953: The First Televised Academy Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was organized in 1927, and the first Academy Awards were given in May of 1929, but the first televised awards special didn’t come about until this day in 1953. Broadcasting live from the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on NBC, comedian and actor, Bob Hope served as the master of ceremonies. (Hope would host the awards 17 more times during his lifetime with his last in 1977.) Actor Fredric March presented the awards.

2013: The Celebrity Game Show That Didn’t Make a ‘Splash’

Developed by Eyeworks, a Dutch Company, ABC aired the first episode of the short-lived celebrity game show, Splash where celebrities would compete diving from extreme heights. Hosted by actor Joey Lawrence and sportscaster Charissa Thompson, 11 celebrities took time out of their busy schedules to learn how to dive, be mentored by Olympic diver Greg Louganis and to be judged by two more Olympic divers – Steve Foley and David Boudia.

The diverse group of competitors included actresses Keshia Knight Pulliam and Nicole Eggert, actors Drake Bell and Chuy Bravo, football star Ndamukong Suh, basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, soccer star Brandi Chastain, skier Rory Bushfield, reality TV star Kendra Wilkinson, Miss Alabama 2012 Katherine Webb and comedian Louie Anderson.

Despite the fact that they were falling into water, almost half of the contestants got hurt during filming. Chastain jumped in after Bravo left due to an injury to his heel, Bushfield ruptured an eardrum, Eggert hurt her back and Bell got a concussion and two black eyes when he performed a move he had not practiced.

Apparently, Splash was all the rage at the time since the U.S. was just one of the dozen countries that give the show a whirl and ended with similar results.