Today in History 📅

Born March 8, 1921, actor Alan Hale Jr. had a career that spanned over four decades. Hale was born in Los Angeles, CA, to parents Alan Hale, Sr., and Gretchen Hartman. Hale, Sr., was a well-known character actor appearing in several movies and Hartman was a 'silent screen' actress. Having already done several movies and television shows Hale, Jr. landed the role that he would become most well known for, that of the Skipper on Gilligan's Island. Though rarely used, the Skipper's actual name was Captain Jonas Grumby on the CBS show that ran from 1964-1967. The tropical island show was hugely popular and led to multiple cast reunion movies and animated series in the 70's & 80's along. Hale, Jr. embraced his popularity for being...

Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole (pronounced [kəˌmɐkəˌvivoˈʔole]; Hawaiian for '"The Fearless Eyed Man"'; May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997), also called Bruddah Iz or IZ, was a Native Hawaiian singer-songwriter, musician, and Hawaiian sovereignty activist. He achieved commercial success outside Hawaii when his album Facing Future was released in 1993. His medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" was released on his albums Ka ʻAnoʻi and Facing Future. It was subsequently featured in several films, television programs, and television commercials. Along with his ukulele playing and incorporation of other genres, such as jazz and reggae, Kamakawiwoʻole remains influential in Hawaiian music. In 2020 Google honored Iz by...