Today in History: Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Television
Sitcom “The Jamie Foxx Show” began its five season run on The WB in 1996…HBO historical drama “Rome,” which was set in the 1st century BC and looked at the rise of the Roman Empire through the eyes of two Roman soldiers, debuted in 2005. Five seasons were planned, but it aired for only two seasons due to high production costs.

Movies
“The Killers”, starring Ava Gardner and Burt Lancaster in his first role had its world premiere in New York City in 1946. It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Film Editing.

News
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech while addressing the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom civil rights march at Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. in 1963. One year later, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended legal segregation and prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

The 15-year marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales ended as a final divorce decree was issued in 1996.

Celebrity Birthdays:
“The Wonder Years” moderator Daniel Stern is 667; actress Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”) is 63; country singer Shania Twain is 59; “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Jason Priestley is 55; actor Jack Black is also 55; “That’s So Raven” star Kyle Massey is 33; “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” tot Alana Thompson is 19.

Did You Know?:
“The Jamie Foxx Show,” which concluded on Jan. 14, 2001, ran for 100 episodes…Fox drama “Fringe,” which starred Joshua Jackson and ran from 2008 to 2013, also produced exactly 100 episodes.

Jason Priestley’s first regularly scheduled series role was an NBC sitcom called “Sister Kate” with “The Colbys” star Stephanie Beacham playing a nun. It aired for one season in 1989-90.