On This Day: March 11th
The World Health Organization (WHO) declares the COVID-19 virus epidemic a pandemic.
2020
Most buildings from the 1904 World's Fair, originally named the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, were razed in this city.
St. Louis, Missouri
Queen of Soul:
"Respect", "Think", "I Say a Little Prayer"
Aretha Franklin
This condition occurs due to prolonged exposure to cold, damp, and often unsanitary conditions... usually in World War I, but this time Portland.
Trench Foot
The red coat of a small girl is one of the few instances of color used in this predominantly black and white film.
Schindler's List
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act into law, allowing American-built war supplies to be shipped to the Allies on loan.
1941
Despite being the first in the world to install telegraph-based fire alarm boxes, this city had its largest fire in 1872 only a year after Chicago.
Boston, Massachusetts
Queen of Pop:
"Like a Virgin", "Vogue", "Material Girl"
Madonna
This is the permanent removal or banning of a student from a school or district due to violation of rules, or in extreme cases, for a single severe offense... in this case alcohol as well as breaking and entering.
Expulsion
The opening title scene features drops of blood, though not as distressing as the red splatter while Patrick listens to Huey Lewis and the News.
American Psycho
Mikhail Gorbachev was elected to the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, making him the USSR's de facto, and last, head of state.
1985
Although this city has more trees than just about any city in the world, the nickname "City of Trees" has been phased out in favor of "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital" ... not quite as catchy.
Sacramento, California
Queen of Jazz:
"Dream a Little Dream of Me", "Cheek to Cheek", "It Don't Mean a Thing"
Ella Fitzgerald
This device used for aligning and straightening contains brackets, wires, and elastic which can cause aches and pains... if you're really unlucky, your tongue might get stuck.
Braces
Hope is a dangerous thing, but when Ellis "Red" Redding smuggles Rita Hayworth into prison, it becomes more of a reality for Andy in this film.
The Shawshank Redemption
The Constitution of the Confederate States of America was created on this day, about a month before the official start of the American Civil War.
1861
Home to the second college in the U.S. founded as a coeducational institution, this city is consistently ranked one of the drunkest in America.
Appleton, Wisconsin
Queen of Rock 'n' Roll:
"What's Love Got to Do with It", "Goldeneye", "Proud Mary"
Tina Turner
Coming from the Ancient Greek word for "forgetfulness", this is a deficit in memory brought on by damage or disease.
Amnesia
If you think the red really pops in the bathroom at the Overlook Hotel, just wait until you see the blood rush out of the elevator in this 1980 film.
The Shining
An earthquake measuring 9.0 in magnitude strikes off the eastern coast of Japan triggering a tsunami and the second largest nuclear accident in history.
2011
The name of the city comes from the French word meaning "sluice" or "flagstone", referring to the columnar basalt rocks carved by the nearby Columbia River.
The Dalles, Oregon
Queen of Funk:
"Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "Through the Fire"
Chaka Khan
Watch out! Weather, rockfall, and slips. Climbing accidents have killed 73 people on Mt. Hood since 1883. Avoiding the "Bergschrund", a name given to this glacial feature, will help put your mind at ease.
Crevasse
The crimson red circle of the Japanese flag isn't seen in the 89 minute runtime, but the red shades of the film follow Seita and Setsuko everywhere as they evade starvation.
Grave of the Fireflies