Ebony and Ivory, and Israel and Egypt, come together in perfect harmony.

1982

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder release “Ebony and Ivory” in the U.K. To quote Jack Black in High Fidelity: “Rob, top five musical crimes perpetuated by Stevie Wonder in the ’80s and ’90s. Go. Sub-question: is it in fact unfair to criticize a formerly great artist for his latter day sins, is it better to burn out or fade away?”

1979

A peace treaty between Israel and Egypt is signed at Camp David. Egypt becomes the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel.

1977

Elvis Costello releases his first record, “Less Than Zero.” Elvis Costello is the first hipster, really. Look at his Buddy Holly glasses.

1975

The Who’s rock opera “Tommy” premieres in London. Ten foot tall, pinball playing Elton John? Where do I sign?

1973

Soap Opera “The Young and the Restless” premieres. It’s like the fine wine of daytime TV. Imagine soap’s Casablanca. That is the world of Genoa City, Wisconsin.

1973

Susan Shaw becomes the first woman in 171 years in London’s Stock exchange. Yeah, go breaking down barriers, or something.

1930

Congress appropriates $50,000 for Inter-American highway. Did you know that in Marxist literary theory the automobile is usually a symbol for capitalism? Just putting that out there.

1859

First sighting of Vulcan, a planet thought to orbit inside Mercury. Who knew Spock was that old?

1845

Patent awarded for adhesive medicated plaster, the precusor of the bandaid. No one will ever bleed to death from a paper cut ever again.

1780

The first British Sunday newspaper appears. That means the funnies in color. Thank you, Sunday Monitor.

Cake and ice cream with…

1985 Actress Keira Knightley, who gets skinnier every year.

1944 Singer Diana Ross, whose hair gets bigger every year.

1943 Investigative journalist Bob Woodward. Two words: Deep Throat

1939 Actor James Caan

1930 Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. She’s only the first female Supreme Court Justice. No big.