Writer of Pop Culture

Cool and refreshing news about pop culture and entertainment.

This Day in Pop Culture for March 20

The first woman Iditarod winner was crowned, a Legoland opened in America, Colonel Sanders opened his first restaurant, and the first newspaper was purchased from a vending machine.

March 20, 2020

2–4 minutes

1985: First Woman to Win the Iditarod

Who doesn’t love a Husky dog? When she was still a teen, Libby Riddles saw her first dog race in Alaska. In 1978, she competed in the Clines Mini Mart Sprint Race and won first place. Two years later, she raced in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and 18th place. The next year, she came in 20th. Then on this day in 1985, she became the first women ever to win the famed race! (Image: Pixabay)

1930: Why the Colonel’s Chicken Crossed the Road

A portrait of Col. Harland Sanders, painted by Norman Rockwell. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

With over 24,000 locations found in about 145 countries around the world, it’s hard to believe that Kentucky Fried Chicken got its start within a Shell service station. Forty-year-old Harland Sanders (aka Colonel Sanders) began his “finger lickin’ good” business on this day in North Corbin, Kentucky. According to the KFC website, it took Sanders nine years and 11 secret herbs and spices to develop his iconic “original recipe”.

In the early days, the restaurant held one table. The menu also served steaks and ham, but it was the chicken that travelers going across the Appalachian Mountains would continue to talk about. After four years, Sanders purchased another service station (right across the street) and in 1937 he purchased a motel and 142-seat restaurant renaming it Sanders Court & Café. He later franchised his secret recipe to various restaurants who would pay a five-cent franchise fee for each chicken. The classic “buckets” came about in 1957.

Sanders Court & Cafe in 1937. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

In 1964, Sanders sold the business to a group of investors for $2 million dollars and a lifetime salary as long as the Colonel continued to serve as a quality controller and his image used as a trademark not to mention numerous promotional appearances.

Sanders passed away in 1980 at the age of 90 but his likeness (and original recipe) continues today.

1999: Legoland Opens in California

“Miniland USA” featured at California’s Legoland. *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Legoland California opened its gates for the first time on this day in 1999. At 128 acres, this is the third Legoland built and the first to be built outside of Europe. (A second Legoland was built in 2011 in Florida.) Since its opening, the Carlsbad location has extended to include a Lego-themed Sea Life Aquarium (2008), a Chima-themed water park (2010) and a hotel (2013).

Legoland California includes more than 60 rides and attractions located in various sections of the park including Dino Valley, Pirate Shores and Land of Adventure. One of the more popular sections of the park that all ages appreciate is Miniland USA. It includes numerous famous architecture buildings at a 1:20 scale. Lego Galaxy, a space-themed land, opened at the park on March 6, 2026.

1954: The First American Newspaper Vending Machine

In 1947, George Thiemeyer Hemmeter invented the first newspaper vending machine. However, it wasn’t until this day in 1954 that the first American newspaper was bought from such a machine. The grand event took place in Columbia, Pennsylvania, but it is unclear which newspaper was the first one sold! By 1987, over one million machines were in use.