It Was 20 Years Ago Today

February 28, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Winter Olympics in Calgary (you can see the logo here) came to an end.  I talk about the Games, and recall one of the most memorable stories to come out of those sixteen days in Calgary.

Today's episode music is from 'Duel Key Dreamer,' by Father Rock. Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

After the show is a promo for Decoder Ring Theatre, one of my favorite audio drama podcasts.  Go check 'em out.

February 24, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case of Hustler Magazine v. Jerry Falwell.  I talk about the case which strengthened the First Amendment's protections in matters of parody and caricature, and offer a few thoughts on why caricature, parody and satire are so important.

Today's episode music is from 'Weapons of Mass SIDduction,' by DJ Topshelf.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For October 6, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the works of Marcel Proust entered the public domain in most of the world.  I talk about the effect this has had on the literary community in the intervening twenty years, and offer a few thoughts about the benefits of allowing copyright to expire.

Today's episode music is from 'Sunlit Harbour,' by Torchomatic.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Today's show marks the beginning of a new push to make 'It Was 20 Years Ago Today' both more frequent and more timely -- the podcast it was always intended to be. There will be a few more shows from the old year coming up, and they will be interspersed with genuine, on the day shows.  I hope you'll find the results worth the wait.

January 22, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Greg Oden was born.  I talk about the Portland Trailblazers top draft pick, and my own experiences with basketball, as a player but not (so much) as a fan.

Today's episode music is from 'Splat the Rat,' by Father Rock.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 18, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the film 'Hellraiser' was released in the United States. I talk about the movie that practically reinvented the horror film genre and has only become more popular since.

Today's episode music is from 'The Warlock,' by Scott Shannon.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 16, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the Montreal Protocol was opened for signature. This is the treaty that banned CFCs, the gases that damage the ozone layer. I explain the treaty, in brief, and compare the success of this treaty with the challenges of another, even more far reaching, environmental problem that we face today.

Today's episode music is 'Overpopulation,' by Flopsy Music.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 13, 2007. Twenty years ago today, the Tifton City Hall and Myon Complex was dedicated in the town of Tifton, Georgia.  It wasn't a new building, but a renovation and restoration of a famous old one. I talk about the re-development of the Myon, as well as my own fascination with old buildings.

McMenamins has an extensive set of websites, which include pictures of many of their historic properties.  Well worth a look -- and a visit, if you're in the neighborhood!

Today's episode music is from 'Fallen Angel,' by DJ Topshelf.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 7, 2007. This episode is a highly personal one for me, marking 20 years since the death of my grandfather, Richard Raymond Valley.  I share several memories of my grampa, and I hope I can convey to you what made him such a special person.

If you can't remember, or never saw, the video for 'Saved By Zero,' you can see it here, on YouTube.

Today's episode music is from 'October,' by the Scottish Guitar Quartet.  Our theme music was composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For September 4, 2007.  Twenty years ago today, film director Richard Marquand died at the age of 49.  He will probably best be remembered as the director of 'Return of the Jedi' in 1983.  I talk about the state of 'Star Wars,' how it's changed over the past twenty years, and what I think about the Special Editions and prequel movies.

Today's episode music is from 'Duel Key Dreamer,' by Father Rock.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, December 7, 2007.  Twenty years ago today, PSA Flight 1771 crashed, killing everyone aboard, in what was not an accident but one of the worst incidents of workplace homicide in American history.  I share some details of the crash and how it happened, along with a discussion of the origins of a phrase which didn't yet exist in 1987 but is now commonly used to describe such incidents.

Today's episode music is 'Terraform,' by Aged Machine.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.