Daily Almanac for Sunday, January 20, 2019: Full moon starts 20th & 21st

DAILY ALMANAC WRITTEN BY & COURTESY OF www.almanac.com

Howling Wolf in snow for Full moon of January (courtesy Old Farmer's Almanac)

1800s

• 1809: FIRST MAJOR U.S. GEOLOGY BOOK DEBUTED

1810s

• BORN 1811: SAMUEL KEEFER (FIRST CANADIAN CHIEF ENGINEER OF PUBLIC WORKS)

1890s

• BORN 1896: GEORGE BURNS (COMEDIAN & ACTOR)

1900s

• DIED 1900: JOHN RUSKIN (ART CRITIC)

1920s

• BORN 1926: PATRICIA NEAL (ACTRESS)

1930s

• BORN 1930: EDWIN “BUZZ” ALDRIN (ASTRONAUT)

1950s

• 1953: U.S. PRESIDENT DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER WAS LASSOED BY A COWBOY AT THE INAUGURATION PARADE
• BORN 1956: JOHN NABER (SWIMMER)
• 1956: IN MONTREAL, CENSORS WITHDREW THE WILD ONES FROM CINEMAS CLAIMING IT INSPIRED VIOLENCE AMONG YOUTH

1960s

• 1961: JOHN F. KENNEDY WAS SWORN IN AS THE 35TH U.S. PRESIDENT
• BORN 1963: JAMES DENTON (ACTOR)
• DIED 1965: ALAN FREED (DISC JOCKEY)
• BORN 1968: RAINN WILSON (ACTOR)

1980s

• 1981: RONALD REAGAN WAS SWORN IN AS THE 40TH U.S. PRESIDENT
• 1985: RONALD REAGAN WAS PRIVATELY SWORN IN FOR HIS SECOND TERM AS U.S. PRESIDENT. THE PUBLIC CEREMONY WAS HELD THE FOLLOWING DAY
• 1986: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY WAS CELEBRATED AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME
• 1989: GEORGE H. W. BUSH WAS SWORN IN AS THE 41ST U.S. PRESIDENT

1990s

• DIED 1993: AUDREY HEPBURN (ACTRESS)
• 1994: SOLAR ACTIVITY KNOCKED OUT TELESAT CANADA’S SATELLITES ANIK E-1 AND E-2, AFFECTING TV, RADIO, AND PHONES25 Years Ago

 

• 1995: NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE SEASON BEGAN AFTER 103-DAY LOCKOUT.

2000s

• 2001: GEORGE W. BUSH WAS SWORN IN AS THE 43RD U.S. PRESIDENT
• 2008: BODE MILLER WON HIS 28TH WORLD CUP VICTORY, THE MOST EVER FOR AN AMERICAN ALPINE SKIER
• 2009: BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN U.S. PRESIDENT
• DIED 2009: DAVID “FATHEAD” NEWMAN (JAZZ MUSICIAN)

2010s

• 2010: A 6.1-MAGNITUDE AFTERSHOCK STRUCK HAITI, EIGHT DAYS AFTER A DEVASTATING 7.0-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE
• DIED 2012: ETTA JAMES (SINGER)
• 2012: 74-POUND STRIPED BASS CAUGHT NEAR CAPE HENRY, VIRGINIA
• DIED 2018: NAOMI PARKER FRALEY (INSPIRATION FOR THE 1943 “WE CAN DO IT!” WESTINGHOUSE POSTER)
• 2019: TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON.

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NFL announces 103 players granted special eligibility for upcoming 2019 Draft

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY NFL COMMUNICATIONS; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

103 PLAYERS GRANTED SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR 2019 NFL DRAFT

32 additional players who have graduated also eligible for selection

The National Football League announced today the names of 103 players who have been granted special eligibility for the 2019 NFL Draft and 32 players who have fulfilled their degree requirements with college football eligibility remaining and are also eligible for selection in the April 25-27 draft in Nashville, Tennessee.

The following 32 players have in timely fashion under NFL rules officially notified the league office that they have fulfilled their degree requirements.  Consequently, they are eligible for selection:

Each of the 103 players listed below have met the league’s three-year eligibility rule and have renounced their college football eligibility by submitting written notification to the league office on or before the January 14 deadline.  Consequently, they are eligible for selection:

The players granted special eligibility for the 2019 NFL Draft:

The following players inquired about their draft status and are eligible for selection without the need for special eligibility:​

The number of players granted special eligibility for the NFL Draft the past 10 years:

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NFL, USA Football announces news of Flag Football Championships

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY NFL COMMUNICATIONS; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

MORE THAN 70 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL TEAMS ACROSS 24 STATES TO COMPETE FOR NFL FLAG CHAMPIONSHIPS AT PRO BOWL IN ORLANDO​

More than 70 youth NFL FLAG football teams from 24 states will compete throughout Jan. 25-26 in Orlando, Florida, at the NFL FLAG National Championships at Pro Bowl powered by USA Football.

Teams across four divisions (9-10 Coed, 11-12 Coed, 13-14 Girls and 13-14 Boys) will participate in the annual culmination of the country’s premier youth flag football program. Teams qualified for the Championships by winning regional tournaments hosted by USA Football and twelve (12) NFL team markets. NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments in 2018 were hosted by the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In addition to qualifying at regional tournaments, an additional 21 teams in the Boys 13-14 division were nominated by NFL teams to compete in Orlando. All games will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (700 S. Victory Way, Kissimmee, Fla. 34747).

Championship games for the 9 -10 Coed, 11-12 Coed and 13-14 Girls divisions will be played Saturday, Jan. 26 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports ​Complex and streamed live on ESPN3. NFL Pro Bowl players, Legends, and special guests will serve as guest coaches encouraging teams and engaging with fans. The 13-14 Boys championship game will be played Sunday, Jan. 27 at Camping World Stadium during pregame. Kickoff is 1:15 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ESPN/ABC properties.

More than 450,000 boys and girls age 5-17 played NFL FLAG powered by USA Football in 2018. NFL FLAG is a fun and dynamic non-contact football experience for kids to enjoy the sport’s fun and fitness while developing skills in an exciting team-centered atmosphere. Indianapolis-based USA Football is the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

NFL FLAG players and coaches will not only compete for national titles, but will attend Play Football Opening Night, have an opportunity to view the Play Football Celebrity Flag Game and participate in Youth Football & Community Day. They also will attend the NFL’s Pro Bowl, which will be played Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. ET, telecast by ESPN.

Each of the National Championship teams participating in NFL FLAG Championships at Pro Bowl will wear jerseys of their hometown NFL teams.

Participating teams at the 2019 NFL FLAG Nationals powered by USA Football:

9-10 Coed

11-12 Coed​

13-14 Girls

13-14 Boys

For more information about NFL FLAG powered by USA Football, visit: www.nflflag.com.

About USA Football: USA Football designs and delivers premier educational, developmental and competitive programs to advance and grow the sport. As the sport’s national governing body, member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and organizer of the U.S. National Team for international competition, USA Football partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and athletics to support positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players.​​

About Play Football: Play Football is a year-round initiative celebrating youth and high school football. Play Football works to shape the football experience, advocate for safety, promote football values and connect football communities. For more information, featured football stories, best practices and resources aimed to create a positive playing experience, please visit PlayFootball.com or follow @NFLPlayFootball. Join the conversation on social media using #LetsPlayFootball.

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NFL announces 2019 Pro Bowl Events

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY NFL COMMUNICATIONS; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

Featuring a week-long celebration of football and new gameday experiences that showcase

Pro Bowl players ​

Game Tickets on Sale at ProBowl.com

In the lead up to the 2019 PRO BOWL PRESENTED BY VERIZON at ORLANDO’S CAMPING WORLD STADIUM on January 27, the NFL is hosting a week-long celebration to unite and inspire the entire football community.

Throughout the week, a fan-focused program offers free interactive experiences and youth and high school football competitions. For the third consecutive year, Pro Bowlers from the AFC and NFC will compete in unique competitions at the PRO BOWL SKILLS SHOWDOWN – this year featuring the “40-YARD SPLASH Presented by McDonalds,” where players will race to fill up a dunk tank and attempt to hit the target with a football. The event airs on Thursday, January 24, at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN and Disney XD.

The week also offers opportunity to give back to the community. For the first time at Pro Bowl, the NFL will host PRO BOWL COMMUNITY DAY on Saturday, January 26, when Pro Bowl players will participate in various activities supporting Community Service, Youth Football, Youth Health & Wellness, the Military Community, and Sustainability efforts. Through the NFL FOUNDATION PRO BOWL GIVEBACK, Pro Bowl players on the winning team may apply for a $10,000 NFL Foundation grant to be donated to the high school or youth football program of their choice. Also, during one practice, Pro Bowlers will be wearing special shirts adorned with the NFL PLAYER CARE FOUNDATION logo. The shirts will be auctioned off via NFL Auction, and all money raised will support retired players in need.

On gameday, fans can cheer on Pro Bowl players along the RED CARPET as they enter the stadium from 12:00-1:00 PM ET, and during the game there will be dedicated AFC AND NFC SEATING sections, enabling fans of rival teams to join forces and cheer on their conference as well as KIDZONE, a kid friendly play area in the North Plaza of the stadium where families can take their children during the game. NFL Network’s DAN HELLIE will be the stadium host and engage with fans throughout the game.

The Pro Bowl will be televised live Sunday, January 27 at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Disney XD and ABC. Game streaming is available on ESPN digital platforms, Yahoo Sports on mobile, and the NFL app on mobile. Audio of the game will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One, and carried on SiriusXM and the TuneIn App. ESPN will also provide live coverage of many of the events during Pro Bowl Week across the ESPN, ABC and Disney platforms, in addition to NFL Media.

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NFL announces that Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight to sing National Anthem at Super Bowl LIII

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN  BY NFL COMMUNICATIONS; NFL: Elena Bakar; CBS: Jen Sabatalle; Gladys Knight: Laura Herlovich; COURTESY NFLmedia.com

Gladys Knight in 1997 By Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, https commons.wikimedia.org

Seven-time Grammy Award-winner and “Empress of Soul” GLADYS KNIGHT will sing the National Anthem as part of Super Bowl LIII pregame festivities at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, February 3, the NFL and CBS announced today. The performance will be televised live on CBS prior to kickoff.

“I am proud to use my voice to unite and represent our country in my hometown of Atlanta,” said GLADYS KNIGHT. “The NFL recently announced their new social justice platform Inspire Change, and I am honored to be a part of its inaugural year.”

Click HERE to watch an interview with Gladys Knight about her upcoming performance at Super Bowl LIII.

Gladys Knight has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary, and has triumphed in film, television and live performance. Knight has recorded two number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles (“Midnight Train to Georgia” and “That’s What Friends Are For”), eleven number-one R&B singles, and six number-one R&B albums. She has won seven Grammy Awards and is an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with The Pips. Fall of 2015 marked the release of Knight’s first mainstream dance record, “Just A Little” in nearly twenty years. The song serves as lead single from her twelfth studio album that she is currently on. The year of 2011 was a year of much recognition as Knight was both honoring and being honored, first at a Michael Jackson tribute concert, and then at the 2011 Soul Train Awards.

Gladys Knight joins the ranks of many great performers who have sung the Super Bowl National Anthem including: Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Mariah Carey, Cher, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr., Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Idina Menzel, Aaron Neville, P!NK, Jordin Sparks, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, and many more. (A complete list of National Anthem performers from past Super Bowls is listed below.)

In addition, on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), performer and deaf activist AARRON LOGGINS will sign in American Sign Language both the National Anthem and “America The Beautiful”.

The pregame and halftime shows are an NFL NETWORK PRODUCTION and will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSHNER.​

SUPER BOWL NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMERS

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ABOUT GLADYS KNIGHT:

Gladys Knight’s career started when at 7 years old she came to prominence on Ted Mack’s The Original Amateur Hour TV show in 1952.  Still performing over six decades in an ever-changing industry, she provides inspiration to those in and out of the arts both on and off the stage.  Few have matched her unassailable artistry.  The seven-time Grammy winner has had #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R & B and Adult Contemporary while excelling in film, television and live performances.  She has won the NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Gospel Album” and recorded over 38 albums over her career including four solo albums over the past decade.  In addition to her musical endeavors and performing accomplishments, Gladys was honored in 2015 when a portion of Atlanta’s State Route 9 from Peachtree Street to 14th Street was named Gladys Knight Highway.  In 2017, she and her husband, William McDowell, founded the Reynolds High School Community Foundation to benefit the renovation of the former high school into a community center for the Canton, NC community.

ABOUT AARRON LOGGINS:

Aarron Loggins is an accomplished dancer, performer, advocate, and actor. He is currently performing on series including The C-Word and Shock Nation, and can be seen in a short film, Warriors of the Red Ribbon. He was the Mister Deaf International of 2014 and was profiled on Fashion News Live. He has danced with performance groups as the Wild Zappers and Da Jump Back, and has performed with the National Theater of the Deaf. In addition, he has acted in several theater productions including Who’s Tommy, and Sense-Able. His talent includes creating visually compelling American Sign Language (ASL) performances of music.

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