Shares of Microsoft Corporation became available 30 years ago today when that company executed its initial public offering. The price was $21 per share, and it was so successful that Bill Gates was suddenly worth approximately $350 million. If you had purchased 100 shares that day and held onto them, 25 years later you would have been the owner of 28,800 shares worth $750,000 after nine stock splits. At top is its logo from the era.

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“At Fillmore East,” the live album by the Allman Brothers Band, was recorded 45 years ago tonight at that New York City venue. “Whipping Post” from that album (below the fold):

 
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The musical “Brigadoon,” with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Broadway on this date in 1947. “Almost Like Being in Love,” from 1954’s film version:

 
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The Great Blizzard of 1993 formed over the Gulf of Mexico on this date that year. By the time it dissipated, three days later, the storm had dumped snow over 26 states and eastern Canada—40% of the United States population was affected and more than 300 individuals lost their lives. Thundersnow, that weather phenomenon so beloved by personalities on The Weather Channel, was reported from Pennsylvania through Texas, and snow totals were extraordinary from north to south: Syracuse, New York, received 43 inches of snow, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, got 30 inches, and Birmingham, Alabama, received 13 inches.

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Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, was elected by the 2013 papal conclave to replace the retiring Pope Benedict XVI three years ago today. The cardinal took the name Pope Francis.

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Maureen Stapleton died 10 years ago today. Owsley Stanley died five years ago today.

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L. Ron Hubbard was born 105 years ago today.

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Jacque Fresco is 100 today. He continues to lecture at his creation, The Venus Project, to this day. He is a utopianist, and as such, remains controversial (even with fans like myself, who is no follower of the “Zeitgeist” projects that introduced some of Fresco’s teachings).

 
Neil Sedaka is 77 today. Julia Migenes is 67. William H. Macy is 66. Charles Krauthammer is 66. Dana Delany is 60 today.

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