Monday, November 24, 2008. One of my favorite TV shows ever, Mystery Science Theater 3000, made its debut on this day twenty years ago.  It first ran on a small independent station, KTMA, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  I share a little about the background of the show, as well as how it resonated for me from the moment I first saw it on the Comedy Channel a few years later.

If you are curious, a number of the KTMA episodes of MST3K are available on YouTube -- a search on "MST3K KTMA" will turn them up.  For more information about MST3K than you could imagine existed, try the official fan site, Satellite News.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Michaela Garecht was abducted near her home in Hayward, California.  She has not been seen since.  The picture at the right is an age progression of Michaela to about age 24; she would be 29 now.  I speak about Michaela's disappearance, my memories of the case (I lived in the Bay Area, about forty miles from Hayward, in 1988), and about Michaela's mother, who has never forgotten her missing daughter.

The MySpace page devoted to Michaela and maintained by her mother, Sharon Murch, can be found here:  Still Missing: Michaela Joy Garecht.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.  I talk about a few of the provisions of this big drug and crime bill, as well as tell the story of how one of those provisions -- regarding pre-employment drug testing -- almost got me into big trouble.

Sunday, November 16, 2008.  Twenty years ago today, serial murderer Dorothea Puente was arrested in Los Angeles.  I talk about the case of this woman, who killed people in her care for their money, and how she gained enduring hatred, among one community in particular.

I'd like to specially thank my husband, Joe Medina, for his insights into how the case of Dorothea Puente resonated in the Hispanic community and his own family.

The TruTV (formerly CourtTV) Crime Library is an excellent resource for information about many historical (and current) criminal cases.  Their entry on Dorothea Puente was quite useful in preparing this show.

Thursday, November 13, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the number one book on the New York Times fiction best seller list was Anne Rice's The Queen of the Damned.  I had been looking forward to reading this book a lot, but when I did, I couldn't finish it.  I talk about why I was looking forward to the third book in the Chronicles of the Vampires, and why I put it down after less than fifty pages.

Saturday, November 8, 2008. Twenty years ago today, George H.W. Bush was elected the 41st president of the United States. I share some facts about that election.  1988 was the first election in which I was able to vote; I share some stories about my history as a voter, and the connections between the 1988 election and the 2008 election.

Friday, October 17, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was signed into law.  This law provided the framework for Native American tribes to run casinos on tribal land, and thus transformed the American landscape.  I talk a little about the Act, its impact, and share some of my own perspectives about gambling.

Saturday, October 11, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the first National Coming Out Day was observed.  I talk about this holiday which promotes awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights and equality.  I also talk about how my belief in the eqality of LGBT folks was first put to the test, just a little over twenty years ago.

The image at the right is a "Safe Space" logo, used in corporate environments to demonstrate a commitment to tolerance and equality for GLBT people.  I'm proud to have had one on my cubicle wall at work for nearly a decade.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, station WNBC in New York signed off for the last time.  I talk about the station which was a pioneer in the world of broadcasting, as well as my own memories of listening to the radio -- particularly AM radio -- when I was growing up.

Monday, October 6, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the president of Chile, Augusto Pinochet, went on television to concede defeat in a plebiscite which was intended to confirm him in power.  The picture here was taken about a month before the plebiscite took place.  I share my thoughts about what happened in Chile 20 years ago, as well as my own efforts in the cause of human rights.

Sunday, October 5, 2008.  Twenty years ago today, Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle met for their vice-presidential debate.  Out of that debate came one of the finest political zingers of all time.  I recall that moment, and my own opinions of it.

In addition to his famous put-down, Bentsen also coined another political term, "astroturfing," to describe what appears to be a grass-roots activism effort that really isn't.

An extra special thanks to Joe Medina, who got the sound clip for me by extracting it from a video file.  It seems that there are plenty of video copies of this moment out on the net, but no standalone audio!

Friday, October 3, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the space shuttle Discovery landed, marking the successful conclusion of mission STS-26. I talk about that mission, which marked the return to flight after the loss of shuttle Columbia over two years before, and share my love for and memories of the space program.

This show also marks the second anniversary of "It Was 20 Years Ago Today."  I want to thank everyone who has made this show possible, especially Joe Medina, who has always been there with research, technical help and motivation.  Marc Rose composed and performs the theme music, and has also given technical help, as has Sam A. Mowry of the Willamette Radio Workshop.  Thank you all so much!

I also want to thank all of you who take the time to download and listen to the show, whether it be every episode or just a few.  Two years is nearly forever in the world of podcasting, but I hope to keep this show going for a long time still.  The best is yet to come!

Monday, September 29, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Charles Addams died at the age of 76.  I take a look at the life and career of the celebrated cartoonist of the creepy and the influence he had on my life.

If by some chance you have not seen the Addams Family commercial for M&Ms Dark Chocolate, you can find it on the M&Ms website.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Monday, September 22, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Canadian Government announced an act of redress toward Japanese Canadians who had been interned during World War II.  I talk about the Canadian act, as well as the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, its United States counterpart, which had been signed into law just six weeks earlier.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, September 18, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the number one movie at the USA box office was "A Fish Called Wanda."  I talk about why this is one of my favorite movies of all time, as well as offering a few observations about the difference between the box office charts then and now.  For both the number one and two movies to have been in release for two months is something just about impossible today.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Nominations are opening shortly for the 2008 People's Choice Podcast Awards, presented by the fine folks at Podcast Connect, home to Geek News Central.  Please take a few minutes and nominate "It Was 20 Years Ago Today" by clicking on the Podcast Awards banner at the right, or by visiting the PodCastAwards website.

Thanks for the support!

Saturday, September 13, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Gilbert became the most intense hurricane ever measured in the western hemisphere.  I talk about Gilbert, its intensity, path, and effects.  I also add some thoughts of my own about the people who live and work in the paths of tropical cyclones.

As this podcast goes out, Hurricane Ike is wreaking havoc on the coast of Texas and Louisiana.  If you can spare a few dollars to help the many thousands of people gravely affected by this storm, I'd encourage you to take a few minutes and make a donation to the American Red Cross or other disaster relief agency of your choice.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, September 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the New York Times featured an article about a new computer chat service called Aline. I talk about that long-gone service and also about another computer chat protocol invented twenty years ago and still going strong, IRC.  I also discuss how the revolution in online communications has affected the world of science fiction fandom.

If you happen to be a Doctor Who fan and would be interested in seeing that last fanzine, I have it available as a PDF.  Just email me.  For more fan fiction online, you can check out the site fanfiction.net, a clearinghouse of creative efforts from fans of more TV shows and movies than you can possibly imagine.  I do have one story there myself, in the Babylon 5 section, and a fragment in the Crusade section.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For December 15, 2007. Twenty years ago on this day, digging began on the tunnel beneath the English Channel.  I describe a little about the Channel Tunnel (also known as Eurotunnel or the Chunnel), a concept drawing of which is seen here.  I also talk about why I find large engineering and construction projects like the Chunnel so fascinating.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, August 28, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a mid-air collision during an airshow at Ramstein Air Base in West Germany killed three pilots and 67 people on the ground.  I talk about how this event, possibly the worst airshow disaster in history, took place, and about the emotional reaction I had to it.

Witnesses and survivors of the Ramstein airshow disaster can be found in a number of places on the Internet -- a principal one is at the site www.flugtag88.com.  The translation of lyrics for the song 'Ramstein,' along with many other Rammstein songs, can be found at the fan site Herzeleid.com.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, August 22, 2008. The feature article in Sports Illustrated twenty years ago today (the cover of the magazine is pictured here) was all about a history-making trade of a history-making player, Wayne Gretzky.  I talk about the trade, Gretzky's career, and how his being traded to the Los Angeles Kings influenced the development of the National Hockey League in the years after.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, August 21, 2008.  Twenty years ago today, farm labor leader Cesar Chavez ended a water-only fast after 36 days.  I take a look at Chavez, his fast, and his legacy, as well as several issues that were part of his life's work -- the plight of farm workers and the ongoing controversy over immigration.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a cease-fire began which ended the Iran-Iraq War.  I take a look at some of the effects of a war that lasted nearly eight years, but is still having a direct effect on us, twenty years after it ended.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Monday, August 18, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the drug minoxidil was approved by the FDA as a treatment for male pattern baldness.  It is still sold today, most often under the brand name Rogaine.  I talk about minoxidil and male pattern baldness -- an issue which is every bit as important to those who have to deal with it today as it was twenty years ago.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For November 11, 2007.  It was twenty years ago that the major label debut of rap artist Ice-T, 'Rhyme Pays,' was released.  There's no explicit lyrics in this podcast, but I do talk about the record and its influence on the genre.  I also offer some thoughts on the nature of soul, art, and pop culture.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For October 23, 2007. Twenty years ago on this day, the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court was rejected by the U.S. Senate. I talk about the Bork nomination, how I listened to the hearings, and offer my interpretation of some of the catchphrases that fly around whenever there's a Supreme Court nomination on the table.

This is the first of a number of "backlog" episodes which I'll be posting along with current date ones. 

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, June 8, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a young man named James Frey was arrested for drunk driving.  This would have been an event of little import except for the fact that Frey wrote about it fifteen years later, in a book that purported to be a memoir but turned out to have little to do with reality.  I take a look at the story of 'A Million Little Pieces,' and also compare the sort of memoirs which were on the bestseller list twenty years ago and today.

The full version of James Frey's June 8, 1998 mugshot, and much of the information about the lies in 'A Million Little Pieces,' can be found at The Smoking Gun website.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Saturday, June 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a copy of Edgar Allan Poe's 'Tamerlane and Other Poems' sold at auction for $198,000.  I talk about the book and the circumstances of its sale, my own fondness for books, and why I probably won't become a rare book collector, as much as I would like to!

The image of the 'Tamerlane' cover pictured here, as well as much of the information about the 1988 sale, comes from the website of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, May 8, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Robert A. Heinlein died at the age of eighty.  I share my thoughts on the work of the man who even today is considered the dean of science fiction.  I also offer my excuses for why I haven't read more of his work, and why I now intend to change that.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Winning Colors became the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, and the last filly to date.  I talk a little bit about her, as well as the story of Eight Belles, who very nearly became the next filly to win the Derby this year -- but sadly, did not leave the track alive.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, April 4, 2008. Twenty years ago this week, the magazine Science News reported on ellagic acid, a substance found in berries and nuts, and how it might help prevent cancer. I talk about the article, and about the wide variety of 'superfoods' which have come and gone over the years. Wolfberries, or goji berries, are one of the latest superfoods, pictured here.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, April 3, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the postage rate for a first class letter in the United States went from 22 to 25 cents. The special stamp used at the time of that increase is pictured at the right. I talk about letters and the fast-fading art of letter writing, along with an invitation to become a pen pal!

I found a website that chronicles the history of first class postage rates from the nineteenth century to the present day, by Andrew K Dart very helpful in researching this show. Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, March 16, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a poison gas attack was launched over the town of Halabja, in northern Iraq. I take a look at the conflicting versions of events on that dreadful day, and how the truth has been twisted to serve political purposes.

The picture at the right is from March 16, 2006, when a group of angry Halabja citizens destroyed a museum memorializing the event.  They too believe the tragedy of their city is being used to score political points.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Saturday, March 15, 2008. For the 100th episode of 'It Was 20 Years Ago Today,' I take a look at one of the areas where our lives have changed most dramatically over the past twenty years -- computer technology. An article in Software Magazine dated twenty years ago today chronicled the difficulties users were having in taking advantage of the full power and capabilities of the Intel386 microprocessor.

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

I want to thank all of you for your feedback and support during the first eighteen months and 100 episodes of the show.  On to the next 100!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the state of Wyoming became the last of the 50 United States to raise the legal drinking age to 21. I talk about the Wyoming law, drinking age laws in general, and some of my own personal experiences with alcohol.

After the show, there is a promo for Yog Radio, the Cthulhu gaming podcast from the fine folks at Yog-sothoth.com.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, March 9, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the New York Times ran a front-page story about a new trend in women's fashion that fizzled.  I talk about that story, and about my own experiences with clothes and fashion.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Written and recorded for October 13, 2007. Twenty years ago today, George HW Bush (pictured at the right with Margaret Thatcher) declared his candidacy for President of the United States.  I look back at that election, and compare it with the present run for the White House.

Just a reminder: I wrote and recorded this show late in 2007.  The situation with the election has developed since then, in ways many of us never expected.  A good reminder that history in the making is dynamic indeed!

Today's episode music is from 'Confusion,' by Commander Yo.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

After the show there's a promo for the Icebox Radio Theater, a podcast spotlighting new and original audio drama from International Falls, Minnesota.  Well worth a listen!

March 7, 2008. The issue of Time Magazine dated 20 years ago today (the cover can be seen at the right) carried stories on increasing tensions in two strife-torn areas of the world: South Africa and Northern Ireland. I look at those stories, and take note of how different the situation is in both those places today.

Today's episode music is from 'Voyage,' by Victor Stellar.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

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.