On this day in 1998, the FDA approved the anti-impotence drug Viagra. Sales exploded thanks in part to a TV ad by Sen. Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican presidential nominee, who promised users they would be “hung like a GOP elephant.”
(Videos: The original Bob Dole Viagra ad, SNL comic Norm McDonald’s hilarious impression of Dole and – our feature presentation – a satire campaign video about Bob Dole announcing his third-party candidacy in the 2008 “presidential erection.”)
On this day in 1912, Japanese cherry trees, a gift from Japan, were planted along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Fortunately, former President George Washington was not around to chop them down, and then not lie about it.
On this day in 1929, Herbert Hoover had the first telephone installed in the Oval Office. Soon the line to the president’s desk was overwhelmed with prank callers asking if his refrigerator was running and whether he had Prince Albert in a can.
On this day in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon first sighted the coast of present-day Florida in his quest to discover the mythically intoxicating “Fountain of Vermouth.”
On this day in 1794, Congress authorized creation of the U.S. Navy, as well as a zany auxiliary force called McHale’s Navy.
Today’s Birthdays:
Quentin Tarantino, 61: filmmaker, best known for his comically violent film about a notorious orange juice cartel, “Pulp Fiction.”
Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen (1845-1923): Nobel prize scientist, discovered the X-ray, also invented the Q-Tip, the T-shirt and the G-thang.
Fergie, 49: singer, joined the Black Eyed Peas in 2002 after leaving her previous group the Deep Purple Beets.
Gloria Swanson (1899–1983): actress, best known for her 1950 Oscar-nominated turn as Norma in “Sunset Boulevard” and her spooky closing line, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”