This Day in Pop Culture for November 30
2004: Ken Jennings Finally Loses at Jeopardy
The longest running winning streak for the U.S. TV game show, Jeopardy! came to an end on this day in 2004. Software engineer Ken Jennings won 74 games in a row and won more than $2.5 million. The event gave Jennings more than 15 minutes of fame that year. Barbara Walters named him on of the “10 most fascinating people of the year,” he was a guest on Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Sesame Street. (Image: Wikimedia)
1858: The Mason Jar is Invented
While home canning jars using wax sealers had been used since the late 1830s, it was on this day in 1858 that John Landis Mason patented his design known today as the Mason Jar. Up until then, home canners had to pour sealing wax into a channel around the lip of a tin lid which wasn’t easy or reliable. Mason invented and patented a screw finish glass that is still used by many today.
Birthdays
- 1898: C.S. Lewis (author)
- 1919: Joe Weider (weightlifter)
- 1928: Paul Simon (singer)
- 1935: Diane Ladd (actress)
- 1939: Meco (musician)
- 1949: Garry Shandling (comedian)
- 1952: Jeff Fahey (actor)
- 1954: Joel Coen (film director)
- 1955: Howie Mandel (comedian)
- 1960: Cathy Moriarty (actress)
- 1964: Don Cheadle (actor)
- 1976: Anna Faris (actress)
- 1988: Russell Wilson (football player)
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Jeffrey Totey View All
I write about pop culture, arts and entertainment in the greater Seattle area.
