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On This Date - August 13 1907 - The first taxicab took to the streets of New York City on this day, marking the beginning of the love-hate relationship between New Yorkers and their cabbies. Motorized taxicabs had actually begun appearing on the streets of Europe in the late 1890s, and their development closely mirrors that of the automobile. The taxi is named after the taximeter, a device that automatically records the distance traveled or time consumed and used to calculate the fare. The term cab originated from the cabriolet, a one-horse carriage let out for hire. 1924 - The first country music record to sell one million copies reached that point on this day. It was The Prisoner’s Song , recorded by Vernon Dalhart. The Prisoner’s Song and songs like Molly Darling , Death of Floyd Collins and New River Train helped Dalhart outsell all others during his era (about 75 million records). He became a Country Music Hall of Famer in 1981. 1934 - Cartoonist Al Capp began his famous comic strip, Li’l Abner. In those early days, the cartoon strip was carried in eight newspapers. Eventually, it would be in more than 500, and would be the basis for a Broadway play and a Hollywood movie, too. 1935 - The first roller derby match was held at the Coliseum in Chicago, IL. 1942 - The Walt Disney classic Bambi opened at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The company had released its first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , in 1937, the first in a long line of beloved cartoon movies. 1947 - At Sportsman's Park, pinch-hitter Willard Brown of the Browns becomes the first black p_layer_ to hit a home run in the American League. The historic homer, an inside-the-parker off future Hall of Fame hurler Hal Newhouser, helps the Browns beat the Tigers, 6-5. 1951 - Every one who shows up with a musical instrument is admitted free to Ebbets Field. Two thousand _base_ball fans take advantage of the Musical Depreciation Night promotion including a man who brings a piano. 1952 - The original version of Hound Dog was recorded by Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton. It was the first hit for the song-writing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. (Among their other famous hits: Kansas City [Wilbert Harrison], On Broadway [The Drifters], and Stand By Me [Ben E. King]. Four years later, Hound Dog got the world’s attention when it was recorded by Elvis Presley. 1955 - Due to the number of pop hits which are remakes, especially R&B hits, Savoy Records announces that those wanting to record cover versions of songs must obtain permission from the copyright office. 1956 - Filming starts on Rock, Rock, Rock . The movie starred music promoter and disk jockey Alan Freed, who had copyrighted the phrase rock and roll in 1954. Rock, Rock, Rock showcased the new music form with a thin plot adorned by the music of numerous early rock singers, including Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymond and the Teenagers, and The Moonglows. Rock, Rock, Rock was one of a rash of films that came out about rock and roll following the success of Rock Around the Clock (1956). Other such films included Rock, Baby, Rock It (1957) and Rock, Pretty Baby (1956). 1960 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: It's Now or Never, Elvis Presley. The song sells more than 20 million copes worldwide, making it Presley's biggest-selling single. 1961 - The German city of Berlin was divided by a barbed wire fence. The East Berlin government was adamant in its effort to keep those in the eastern sector from moving into the non-Communist western sector. Even regular telephone and postal service between the sectors was stopped. Several days later, the barbed wire was reinforced with a concrete wall between official crossing points. The Berlin Wall stood as a barrier to freedom for the East Germans until November 9, 1989. 1962 - Two Americans, David Healy and Leonard Oeth, skyjack a charter plane heading to Miami, Florida, and force its pilot to fly to Cuba. Apparently unwelcome, they were later returned to the United States and jailed. Over the next few years, skyjacking became relatively common in America. But, in 1968, the trend absolutely exploded: There were at least 10 plane hijackings to Cuba in a six-month period between February and August. (TD: Guess they were in a rush to get to Castro's birthday party! See the birthday listings below) 1964 - Manfred Mann were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', the band's first of three UK No.1’s. 1964 - In a battle of teenagers, 19-year old Met first _base_man Ed Kranepool homers twice off 18-year old Phillie hurler Rick Wise. 1965 - The Jefferson Airplane makes it stage debut at the Matrix Club in San Francisco. Before the year's out, they'll become the first San Francisco rock group to sign a major recording contract. 1965 - Mike Smith of the Dave Clark Five was pulled off stage by fans at a concert in Chicago, breaking two ribs. 1965 - The Beatles Help! single is released as they arrive in New York to start their third U.S. tour. 1966 - Lovin' Spoonful started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Summer In The City', it made No.8 in the UK. 1966 - 'Revolver', The Beatles' seventh album release in three years started a seven week run at No.1 on the UK charts. 1966 - The Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love is released. 1967 - The Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Joan Baez to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. because of her opposition to the Vietnam War. 1967 - Bonnie and Clyde opened in US theatres, making an international star of Faye Dunaway. Her slim dresses and sleek berets revolutionized the decade's fashions, and Faye herself graced the covers of Newsweek, Look, and Life magazines. 1969 - Bowie Kuhn, who had been the acting commissioner of major-league _base_ball since February, started this day expecting his term to come to an end. He ended the day having signed a seven-year contract. He stayed on for almost a decade after that contract expired. 1969 - In a 6-4 defeat to the Reds, Bobby Bonds becomes the fourth p_layer_ in major league history steal at least 30 _base_s and hit at least thirty home runs in the same season. The other members of the 30/30 club include Ken Williams (1922-Browns) , Willie Mays (1956 & 1957-Giants) and Hank Aaron (1963-Braves). 1969 - Oriole Jim Palmer hurls a no-hitter against the A's, the 8-0 victory gives Baltimore a comfortable 14 and a half game lead in the first American League East Division race ever. 1969 - Actress Sharon Tate, murdered by the Manson Family, was buried wearing a blue Pucci miniskirt. 1971 - John Lennon flew from Heathrow Airport to New York, he never set foot on British soil again. 1971 - Paul and Linda McCartney released The Back Seat of My Car in the US. 1971 - Legendary saxophonist King Curtis Ousley was stabbed to death by a vagrant on the front steps of his New York home. Ousley had worked with John Lennon and appeared on many hits in the 50's and 60's, including the Coasters hit, Yakety Yak. He was 37. 1975 - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band start a five night, two show an evening run at New York's showcase club at the Bottom Line. The performances, just before the release of Born to Run, are instrumental in spreading the gospel of rock's purported future and hype of the Boss. Columbia Records supposedly papers the place each night with influential industry people. 1976 - The Clash give a private show at a rehearsal hall in the Calk Farm suburb of London, revealing themselves to both the invited press and to the world at large. 1977 - Bachman Turner Overdrive split up. 1977 - Yes scored their second UK No.1 album with 'Going For The One'. 1978 - Although the Yankees score five runs in the top of the 7th inning, the Bronx Bombers lose to the Orioles, 3-0 because the score reverted to the last completed inning after the game is rained out. This rule will be changed in 1980, and the game today would have been suspended. 1979 - Cheap Trick has the biggest hit of their career, I Want You to Want Me. The tune was originally on their second L.P., In Color, which came out in 1977. However the song took off when it was included on the Live at Budokan album. The record goes gold on this date. 1979 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: Good Times, Chic. The song was written by band members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, who between them have written No. 1 songs for Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Duran Duran and Madonna. 1979 - St. Louis outfielder Lou Brock reaches the 3000 hits milestone as his line drive caroms off Dennis Lamp's pitching hand in the 3-2 Cardinal victory over the Cubs. 1980 - Todd Rundgren's home in Woodstock, New York is invaded by four masked men. Rundgren, his girlfriend and three houseguests are bound and gagged while the masked men strip the house of valuables. Reportedly, one of the thieves hummed Rundgren's I Saw the Light during the heist. 1980 - President Carter was nominated for a second term by the Democratic National Convention in New York and picked Vice President Mondale as his running mate. They lost in November to Ronald Reagan and George Bush. 1982 - R&B soul singer Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington Jr.) dies of a heart attack in Navasota, Texas. His biggest chart hit was I Gotcha, which made it up to Number Two in 1972. He was 49. 1982 - Dodger second _base_man Steve Sax steals his 41st _base_ to set a team record for rookies. 1983 - KC & The Sunshine Band were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Give It Up'. 1986 - After 22 seasons, Tony Perez of the Cincinnati Reds announced his plan to retire at the end of the 1986 season. That would leave Pete Rose and George Foster as the only remaining, active p_layer_s from the original Big Red Machine of the 1970s. 1987 - The Cubs retire Hall of Famer Billy Williams' uniform number (26). 1990 - Soul
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