The song “The Twist” became a national sensation after Chubby
Checker (above) performed it on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand
(below).

Chubby Checker (Ernest Evans) will be 76 years old in October.

Amedeo Obici   (July 15, 1877 – May 22, 1947)

In 1906, Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici, along with his
friend and business partner, Mario Peruzzi, founded
Planters Peanut Company in Wilkes-Barre, PA. He
started his career as a bellhop and fruit stand vender
in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Obici later moved to Wilkes-
Barre, opened his own fruit stand, and invested in a
peanut roaster. He turned peddler within a few years,
using a horse and wagon, and calling himself "The
Peanut Specialist". Today, the snack food company
is a division of Kraft Foods.

A 1917 drawing of the company’s brand icon by artist Elmer
Cecil Stoner based upon a contest entry by 14 year old
Antonio Gentile.

    1921

.

CAMILLE  BOHANNON

Christopher Columbus left Palos, Spain with three ships on this
day in 1492. The voyage led him to what is now known as the
Americas. He reached the Bahamas on October 12.

Illustration depicting Christopher Columbus’s fleet
departing from Spain.

On the day in 1914, Germany declared war on France. The next
day World War I began when Britain declared war on Germany.

It was on this day in 1948.

Whittaker Chambers holds a newspaper with the Hiss verdict.

Leo Ferris (second from left) and representatives of the NBL and
BAA shake hands.

Tony Bennett (Anthony Dominick Benedetto) is 91 years old today.

Singer Tony Bennett is known for his renditions of show tunes, jazz, and popular
songs like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "Rags to Riches." He dropped
out of school to work as a copy boy in order to help support his family. Bennett
was a painting and music student at New York’s School of Industrial Art.

American Graffiti premiered on August 2 at the Locarno International Film
Festival in Switzerland and was released on August 11, 1973 in the U.S. The
George Lucas film received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated
for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

A young Harrison Ford is among the cast members of this coming-
of-age comedy/drama film.

Harrison Ford turned 75 July 13.

Paul Albert Anka was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka released hits like "Put Your Head
on my Shoulder" "You Are My Destiny" and "Diana." He wrote music for
Tom Jones, including his biggest hit "She’s a Lady."