[Apologies for the delay in getting this episode posted -- I'm running a bit behind the curve this week.]

October 31, 1986 was the 60th anniversary of the passing of arguably the greatest magician and escape artist of all time, Harry Houdini.  I take a look at the history of the Houdini seances, as well as some of the continuing developments of the Houdini legend.

Today's episode music is "8 Track SupaStar," by KCentric.  I found it at PodsafeAudio.com.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

This marks the end of the first month of "It Was 20 Years Ago Today."  I've gotten great feedback on the podcast so far.  If you're enjoying the show and would like to see it continue, please let me know!

I share the story of my first novel, and the fate which it met somewhere around this day, twenty years ago.

Today's episode music is "Oh Manyo," by Father Rock.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

The House Science Committee published the report of their investigations into the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on this day, 20 years ago.  I take a look at the committee's report, as compared with the better-remembered Rogers Commission report.  I also share some of my recollections of the disaster.

This episode's music is "Melodisturbed Remix," by J. Marie Anderson.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Doctor Who actor and writer Ian Marter died on this day, 20 years ago.  I look at his contributions to the series.  In addition, I discuss some of the ways I've expressed my fondness for the show.

This episode's music includes "Woo Who," by KCentric.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act (ADAA) of 1986 was signed into law twenty years ago today.  It was one of the most sweeping changes to the drug laws in decades, and many of its provisions are still affecting us today.

Today's music is "Splat the Rat," by Father Rock.  Theme music composed and conducted by Marc Rose.

The US Government took several actions twenty years ago today pertaining to regulating tobacco and researching how best to educate young people about the dangers of smoking.  I take a look at these, the 19th Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health, and my own experiences with smokers among my friends and family.

I also wanted to share a good web page of tips on how to quit, from MSNBC news anchor Keith Olbermann and his viewers. 

The Tobacco Timeline by Gene Borio was very useful to me as I prepared this podcast. 

The music for this episode is "Allmost There," by Father Rock.  Theme music was composed and performed by Marc Rose.

The RMS Titanic Maritime Memorial Act (link is to a pdf document), an attempt to regulate salvage of the wreck of the Titanic, was signed into law twenty years ago today.  The debate over whether to salvage artifacts from the wreck, or to leave it as a memorial to those who died when she went down in 1912, had been going on since the wreck was found, and continue to this day.

Today's music is from "House of the Dead," by Scott Shannon.  I found it at PodSafe Audio.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.

The first draft script of Batman (the first Tim Burton movie) was written twenty years ago today.  I share some thoughts about the movie, and the comics that inspired it.

Steve Kinser, "King of the Outlaws," won a race 20 years ago today.  It was one of many in a career that continues to this day.  I take a look at Kinser and of my own enjoyment of motor sports through the years.

Today's episode music is "Reasontanker," by Father Rock.  Theme music was composed and performed by Marc Rose.

A young woman lost her life to the infamous Green River killer 20 years ago today.  I take a look at that case, and my own interest in true crime.

Today's music is "Over Under," by Father Rock.  I found it at PodSafe Audio.  Theme music composed and performed by Marc Rose.