Today in History: Friday, July 7, 2023

Television:
Daytime drama “Ryan’s Hope” debuted on ABC in 1975. It aired through January 13, 1989 and initially focused on a large Irish-American family in the Riverside district of New York City…Also premiering in daytime in 1975 was the NBC’s “The Magnificent Marble Machine” hosted by Art James. The game show had celebrities and contestants displaying their pinball abilities for cash and prizes. The debut week featured Florence Henderson and Roddy McDowall. Unfortunately, it was not so magnificent: “Machine” lasted for only eight months…In 2009, cable’s Sci Fi Channel changed its name to Syfy and launched the series “Warehouse 13.” “Warehouse 13” concluded on May 19, 2014 after five seasons.

Sports:
In 2013, tennis star Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to become the first British man to win a Wimbledon singles title since 1936…In 2019, the United States women’s soccer team defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in Paris, France to capture their 4th-ever Women’s World Cup title

Movies:
“The Spy Who Loved Me,“ the 10th James Bond film starring Roger Moore, opened in London in 1977. Barbara Bach co-starred…The sequel “Lethal Weapon 2” starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover premiered in 1989…The baseball comedy ”Rookie of the Year” starring Thomas Ian Nicholas, Gary Busey and Daniel Stern opened in 1993…Science fiction cult classic “Species” starring Natasha Henstridge, Marg Helgenberger, Ben Kingsley, Forest Whitaker, Michael Madsen and Alfred Molina debuted in theaters in 1995…Keenan Ivory Wayans‘ “Scream” spoof “Scary Movie” starring Anna Faris, Shannon Elizabeth, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Carmen Electra premiered in 2000.

Music:
Otis Redding recorded “Respect” in 1965…The Doors‘ “Light My Fire” hit #1 in 1967…Also reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100: “When Doves Cry” by Prince in 1984, and “U Remind Me” by Usher in 2001.

News:
In 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court

Sports:
Martina Navratilova defeated her top rival Chris Evert in three sets to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 1978, the first of Navrátilova’s 18 grand slam tennis titles of her legendary career…

Celebrity Birthdays
“The Tonight Show” bandleader Doc Severinsen is 96; “Beatles” drummer Ringo Starr is 83; actor Joe Spano (“Hill Street Blues”) is 77; singer David Hodo (the construction worker) of The Village People is 76; actress Shelley Duvall (“The Shining”) is 74; actress Roz Ryan (“Amen”) is 72; tabloid figure Jessica Hahn is 64; actor Billy Campbell (“Once and Again”) is also 64; “Ally McBeal” singer Vonda Shepard is 60; British TV talk show host Jeremy Kyle is 58; comedian and sitcom star Jim Gaffigan is 57; “CSI” star Jorja Fox is 55; actress Amy Carlson (“Blue Bloods”) is also 55; actress Cree Summer (“A Different World”) is 54; WNBA legend Lisa Leslie is 51; actress Kirsten Vangsness (“Criminal Minds”) is also 51; actor Hamish Linklater (“The New Adventures of Old Christine”) is 47; champion ice skater Michelle Kwan is 43; singer Ally Hernandez of Fifth Harmony (“The X Factor”) is 30.

Did You Know?
Many primetime stars got their start on “Ryan’s Hope,” including Ana Alicia, Tichina Arnold, Corbin Bersen, Yasmine Bleeth, Nell Carter, Dominic Chianese, Marg Helgenberger, Catherine Hicks, Kate Mulgrew, Grant Show and Christian Slater.