It Was 20 Years Ago Today
198 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 8 years ago - ★★★★ - 2 ratingsA look at the events and culture of the (relatively) recent past -- twenty, or sometimes thirty, years ago from the day of posting. The 1980s. The 1990s. People. Society. Books, movies, television and video games. Crime and justice. War and disasters. It's all here, seen through the lens of my own memory. Learn or remember about days not so long gone, and see how what happened then affects us today -- all in less than ten minutes per episode.
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Episodes
Episode #142 -- Washington's Farewell Address
February 23, 2009 06:51 - 5 minutes - 5.17 MBSunday, February 22, 2009. Twenty years ago today, Senator Mark Warner read George Washington's Farewell Address on the floor of the Senate, in keeping with a Senate tradition going back to the 19th century. I talk about the traditions of the Senate, both present and past, and my own fascination with those traditions.
Episode #141 -- Total Lunar Eclipse
February 20, 2009 05:30 - 4 minutes - 4.01 MBFriday, February 20, 2009. Twenty years ago today, a total lunar eclipse visible through much of North America occurred. I share some memories of eclipses and other celestial phenomena I've been fortunate enough to witness. The picture at the right is of the last total lunar eclipse that was visible in North America, which took place just over a year ago. I found it on Maryland Weather, a fascinating blog about all sorts of weather and sky phenomena, written by Baltimore Sun reporter Fran...
Episode #140 -- Soviets Leave Afghanistan
February 16, 2009 05:47 - 5 minutes - 4.94 MBSunday, February 15, 2009. Twenty years ago today, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan. It was the end of the occupation, but not of the war. I look at the fighting in Afghanistan, and consider the effects of the Cold War on a country which has been in conflict and turmoil for three decades or more. The historical analysis offered here is strictly my own opinion, based on the sort of material any average American of my age would have access to: newspapers, TV documentaries, and perhaps ...
Episode #139 -- Barbara Clementine Harris
February 11, 2009 08:00 - 5 minutes - 4.95 MBWednesday, February 11, 2009. Twenty years ago today, Barbara Harris became the first woman to be ordained bishop in the Episcopal Church. I talk about the Rt. Rev. Harris, and my own perspectives on Christianity -- I belong to the Episcopal Church also.
Episode #138 -- Osamu Tezuka
February 10, 2009 23:45 - 5 minutes - 4.98 MBFor Monday, February 9, 2009. Twenty years ago today, Dr. Osamu Tezuka died at the age of 60. I talk about the man who is known as one of the greatest comic artists of all time, and about my connections to Japanese comics and animation. The official Osamu Tezuka website can be found here. At the time of posting, the English language portion of the site is listed as still under construction -- for an excellent English language companion, check out Tezuka In English.
Episode #137 -- The Cat Came Back
February 02, 2009 08:37 - 5 minutes - 5.31 MBMonday, February 2, 2009. "It Was 20 Years Ago Today" returns with new episodes, beginning with the final day of the third Los Angeles International Animation Festival, at which "The Cat Came Back" won two awards. I talk about this, one of my favorite cartoons, and about my fondness for animation going back to childhood. It is frequently possible to see "The Cat Came Back" via YouTube; I suggest going to the site and searching the title.
Episode #136 -- Pan Am 103
December 21, 2008 20:59 - 5 minutes - 5.24 MBSunday, December 21, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland. I discuss the story of the most deadly terrorist attack against Americans prior to September 11, 2001, a story that is far from over twenty years later. The podcast will be taking a short hiatus to recharge and get a jump on preparing new episodes. When I return on February 2, I'll be talking about one of the best cartoons ever made.
Episode #135 -- Spitak Earthquake
December 07, 2008 20:06 - 5 minutes - 4.86 MBSunday, December 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a major earthquake struck the city of Spitak, in what was then Soviet Armenia. At least 25,000 people were killed in this disaster. I look at why so many people were killed in this earthquake, and my thoughts about the prospect of being in a natural disaster myself. People from nations all over the world stepped in to help rebuild after the Spitak earthquake. The picture here is a statue that the people of Armenia gave to the United State...
Episode #134 -- The Steel Cloud
December 05, 2008 16:26 - 5 minutes - 4.84 MBFriday, December 5, 2008. Twenty years ago today, plans for a unique monument called the Steel Cloud were unveiled in Los Angeles. I tell a little of the story of this oddity in steel and glass that was never built, and muse about visions of the future and how they stack up to reality.
Episode #133 -- Computer Security Day
November 30, 2008 20:52 - 4 minutes - 4.33 MBSunday, November 30, 2008. Twenty years ago today was the first Computer Security Day, an event held annually to raise awareness of computer security issues. I talk about the observation of Computer Security Day, and about the problem of computer malware such as viruses, which were beginning to become a serious problem in 1988. The image at the right was the first Computer Security Day poster, created for the second CSD in 1989. It, and all the CSD posters from the past 20 years, can be fo...
Episode #132 -- Mystery Science Theater 3000
November 24, 2008 07:53 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MBMonday, 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 ...
Episode #131 -- Michaela Garecht
November 19, 2008 06:00 - 4 minutes - 4.12 MBWednesday, 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 a...
Episode #130 -- Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988
November 18, 2008 06:59 - 4 minutes - 4.06 MBTuesday, 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.
Episode #129 -- Dorothea Puente
November 16, 2008 18:23 - 4 minutes - 4.36 MBSunday, 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 resou...
Episode #128 -- The Queen of the Damned
November 13, 2008 16:54 - 4 minutes - 4.37 MBThursday, 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.
Episode #127 -- Election Day 1988
November 08, 2008 19:52 - 4 minutes - 4.57 MBSaturday, 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.
Episode #126 -- Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
October 17, 2008 16:56 - 4 minutes - 4.44 MBFriday, 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.
Episode #125 -- First National Coming Out Day
October 11, 2008 18:37 - 5 minutes - 4.78 MBSaturday, 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 p...
Episode #124 -- WNBC Signs Off
October 07, 2008 07:24 - 6 minutes - 5.69 MBTuesday, 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.
Episode #123 -- Pinochet Concedes Defeat
October 06, 2008 07:24 - 5 minutes - 5.12 MBMonday, 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.
Episode #122 -- Bentsen/Quayle Debate
October 05, 2008 21:42 - 5 minutes - 4.73 MBSunday, 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 m...
Episode #121 -- STS-26 Returns to Earth
October 03, 2008 05:39 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MBFriday, 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 ther...
Episode #120 -- Charles Addams
September 29, 2008 04:45 - 4 minutes - 4.12 MBMonday, 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.
Episode #119 -- Japanese Canadian Redress
September 22, 2008 05:40 - 4 minutes - 4.5 MBMonday, 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.
Episode #118 -- A Fish Called Wanda
September 18, 2008 07:38 - 4 minutes - 4.25 MBThursday, 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.
2008 People's Choice Podcast Awards -- Please Nominate Us!
September 15, 2008 02:55Nominations 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!
Episode #117 -- Hurricane Gilbert
September 13, 2008 05:11 - 5 minutes - 4.78 MBSaturday, 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 th...
Episode #116 -- Aline Chat Service
September 07, 2008 19:54 - 5 minutes - 4.99 MBSunday, 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 a...
Episode #115 -- Channel Tunnel
August 29, 2008 05:01 - 4 minutes - 4.54 MBFor 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.
Episode #114 -- Ramstein Air Show Disaster
August 28, 2008 19:46 - 5 minutes - 4.74 MBThursday, 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 lyri...
Episode #113 -- Wayne Gretzky trade
August 22, 2008 07:06 - 5 minutes - 4.64 MBFriday, 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.
Episode #112 -- Cesar Chavez Ends Fast
August 21, 2008 04:47 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MBThursday, 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.
Episode #111 -- Iran-Iraq War Ends
August 20, 2008 07:18 - 5 minutes - 5 MBWednesday, 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.
Episode #110 -- Minoxidil Approved by FDA
August 18, 2008 05:01 - 5 minutes - 5.07 MBMonday, 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.
Episode #109 -- Rhyme Pays
July 12, 2008 23:56 - 5 minutes - 4.83 MBFor 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.
Episode #108 -- Robert Bork
June 09, 2008 16:01 - 6 minutes - 5.78 MBFor 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.
Episode #107 -- James Frey's First DUI
June 09, 2008 02:30 - 5 minutes - 5.1 MBSunday, 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 Fr...
Episode #106 -- Poe's Tamerlane
June 07, 2008 22:49 - 5 minutes - 5.24 MBSaturday, 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 ...
Episode #105 -- Robert A. Heinlein
May 08, 2008 04:52 - 5 minutes - 5.09 MBThursday, 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.
Episode #104 -- Winning Colors
May 07, 2008 03:42 - 4 minutes - 4.49 MBWednesday, 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.
Episode #103 -- Superfoods
April 04, 2008 05:40 - 4 minutes - 4.43 MBFriday, 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.
Episode #102 -- E Stamps
April 03, 2008 04:41 - 5 minutes - 5.03 MBThursday, 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 th...
Episode #101 -- Halabja Gas Attack
March 17, 2008 02:42 - 6 minutes - 5.87 MBSunday, 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...
Episode #100 -- 386 Chip
March 15, 2008 17:38 - 6 minutes - 5.72 MBSaturday, 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...
Episode #99 -- Drinking Age
March 11, 2008 06:35 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBTuesday, 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.
Episode #98 -- Minis Aren't Back After All
March 09, 2008 17:30 - 5 minutes - 4.81 MBSunday, 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.
Episode #97 -- George HW Bush
March 08, 2008 07:05 - 6 minutes - 5.49 MBWritten 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! ...
Episode #96 -- South Africa & Northern Ireland
March 07, 2008 06:59 - 5 minutes - 5.18 MBMarch 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.
Episode #95 -- Calgary Olympics
February 28, 2008 06:18 - 5 minutes - 5.36 MBFebruary 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.
Episode #94 -- Hustler Magazine v. Jerry Falwell
February 24, 2008 22:21 - 5 minutes - 4.7 MBFebruary 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.