1972: Popeye’s Opens Its Doors for the First Time

Though not well-known in all 50 states, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen is America’s second-largest chicken fast food restaurant chain behind the Colonel’s. The chain has more than 1,800 restaurants in 40 states and also serves in 22 countries. It was established on this day in 1972. Despite what many think, the chain was actually named after Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle from the movie, The French Connection, not the animated Popeye the Sailor. Ironically, the chain later developed a partnership with the more-famous character, but that agreement with King Features Syndicate ended in 2006. It is interesting to note that another restaurant was named after another character from the Popeye cartoons. Wimpy’s began selling burgers in 1954 in the UK.

1981: ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ Enters Movie Theaters

Harrison Ford donned his now trademark hat for the first time on this day in 1981 for the film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. The first of four films directed by Steven Spielberg, Raiders  was an instant hit and soon everyone knew of the character of Indiana Jones. The story pitted Jones against Nazi’s both looking for the Ark of the Covenant and co-starred Karen Allen, Paul Freeman and John Rhys-Davies. Raiders was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won four for Best Art Direction, Film Editing, Sound and Visual Effects.

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