By Cassie Lee
Jackie Jackson, the founding member of “The Jacksons”, is 74 today.
FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Sigmund Esco “Jackie” Jackson (born May 4, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Jackson is the second child of the Jackson family, and the oldest Jackson brother.
Sigmund Esco Jackson was born at St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana, on his mother Katherine‘s (May 4, 1930) 21st birthday in 1951. He was given the nickname Jackie by his grandfather, Samuel Jackson. He and his siblings (Michael, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, Randy, Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet) were brought up in a two-bedroom house in Gary, Indiana, an industrial steel city south of Chicago. His father, Joseph “Joe” Jackson (July 26, 1928 – June 27, 2018), worked at a steel mill, and at night he played in an R&B band called the Falcons with his brother, Luther. Their mother, Katherine, a Jehovah’s Witness, played the clarinet and piano. His father formed the Jackson Brothers singing group, which included Jackie and his brothers Tito and Jermaine. Younger brothers Marlon and Michael played assorted percussive instruments.
By 1964, Joe made Michael the lead singer forming the Jackson 5, after Katherine discovered that Michael could sing. The brothers rehearsed every day after school under Joe’s lead, keeping themselves busy and out of trouble. Joe saw that their talent could get them out of Gary. Jackie gives his mother credit saying “there wouldn’t have been The Jackson 5 without her”. Katherine used to sing harmonies with the brothers. Within two years, the group emerged professionally, signing with Motown in 1968. Before the group signed with Motown, Jackie wanted to pursue a career in professional baseball.
TODAY’S ALMANAC
Question of the Day
Every year, my zucchini plants are killed by squash borers. Is there any way to prevent this?
Advice of the Day
Home Hint of the Day
Word of the Day
Wallop
Puzzle of the Day
Which chef in the kitchen wears the largest hat?
In 1494, on his second expedition to the New World, Columbus explored the Caribbean island of Jamaica.
In 1886, four police officers were killed when a bomb was thrown during a meeting of anarchists in Chicago’s Haymarket Square protesting labor unrest. Four leaders of the demonstration, which became known as the Haymarket Square Riot, were convicted and hanged.
In 1904, construction began on the Panama Canal. Panama celebrated the 100th anniversary of the canal’s completion in 2014.
In 1926, the Trade Union Congress called a general strike in response to government plans to change the working conditions for coal miners. More than 2 million workers went on strike all across Britain.
In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea began. It was the turning point for the Allies in World War II.
In 1945, French author Marcel Conversy wrote of the 15 months he spent as a prisoner at Buchenwald concentration camp, “said it was a living hell.”
In 1953, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.
In 1959, the first Grammy Awards were given out. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)” by Domenico Modugno won the awards for Record and Song of the Year.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the singing Jackson family, in 1930 (age 95)
musician Dick Dale in 1937
writer Robin Cook in 1940 (age 85)
political commentator George Will in 1941 (age 84)
actor Richard Jenkins in 1947 (age 78)
musician Jackie Jackson (Jackson 5) in 1951 (age 74)
musician Oleta Adams in 1953 (age 72)
actor Pia Zadora in 1954 (age 71)
musician Randy Travis in 1959 (age 66)
comedian/actor Ana Gasteyer in 1967 (age 58)
comedian/actor Will Arnett in 1970 (age 55)
musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) in 1972 (age 53)
model/fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons in 1975 (age 50)
sports reporter Erin Andrews in 1978 (age 47)
musician Lance Bass (NSYNC) in 1979 (age 46)
actor Ruth Negga in 1981 (age 44)
golfer Rory McIlroy in 1989 (age 36)
actor Grace Phipps in 1992 (age 33)
actor Alexander Gould in 1994 (age 31)
actor Alex Lawther in 1995 (age 30)
actor/musician Shameik Moore in 1995 (age 30)
actor Nicholas Hamilton in 2000 (age 25)
actor Brooklynn Prince in 2010 (age 15).
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