There was outrage today in Vienna back in 1928 because of the naughty stage act of Josephine Baker. The forerunner in many ways of Rihanna and Lady Gaga by way of Madonna, 'Hot Jazz' Josephine upset Viennese Nazis because of her skimpy banana skin costume. Apparently, it upset them because it was indecency in public. Actually of course it showed far too much of her dark skin for their liking and must have upset their delicate Aryan sensibilities.
In other news ...
Back in 1861 the greatest nation on earth (according to some definitions) almost destroyed itself by an illegal opt-out clause. On this day, seven of the soon-to-be United States met in Montgomery, Alabama (curiously, named after a British general who hadn't been born yet) and agreed to set up the Confederate States of America. Apart from causing the deaths of more Americans than in any of their conflicts before or since, it produced some worthless currency, rather nice French grey uniforms, a plethora of Southern Belles, some great marching tunes and one of the worst films ever made - Gone With the Wind.
Thanks, guys.
And by the way, the list of girl (and rather mature lady, in the case of Madonna) singers above is courtesy of the boys of Eleven Emm Oh. So please be reassured that the sentence represents their tastes, not mine! I am more an Enya or Hayley Westenra kind of chap.
