Today in History: Nov. 21

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

Rocky, a film written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by John Avildsen, opened in theaters 40 years ago today. Made for $1 million, it has officially grossed more than $225 million.

At the following year’s Academy Awards, Stallone was nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Actor, and the film won Best Picture and Avildsen won Best Director. Six sequels have followed, including four that were directed by Stallone.
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Today in History: Nov. 20

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

The double CD Beatles Anthology 1 was released 21 years ago today. It included the first new single, “Free as a Bird,” created by The Beatles since “The Long and Winding Road” in 1970. “Free as a Bird” is credited to the four Beatles and producer Jeff Lynne.

On November 19 that year, the first of three parts of a documentary about the group aired on ABC and concluded with a new music video for the new single:
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Shawkan’s Trial Delayed Until 12/10

Posted on by Mark Aldrich

A journalist’s job is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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In a courtroom near Cairo, Egypt, earlier today (November 19), the case of photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid (“Shawkan”) was adjourned once again, this time until Saturday, December 10.

December 10 is also, coincidentally or perversely, International Human Rights Day, celebrated by the United Nations for decades. Shawkan’s story has so far been one of the denial of basic human rights by a nation allied with Western governments, but it also has been a story of many citizens stepping up and making certain that Shawkan’s story is heard.
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