Celebration Excuse
Tuesday: Why God Created Happy Hour
1835
The Texas Revolution begins with the Battle of Gonzales. Mexican troops attempt to disarm the militia of Gonzales, Texas. The Lone Star State’s love affair with the Second Amendment officially begins.
1928
The “Prelature of the Holy Cross and the Work of God,” commonly known as Opus Dei, is founded by Saint Josemaria Escriva. Nearly eighty years later the controversial Catholic group becomes known as international supervillans thanks to Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code.
1967
Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African American justice of the United States Supreme Court. Supreme Court desegregates its communal showers.
1996
The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments are signed by former US President Bill Clinton. Unless you’re one of those end of days, apocalypse believers who thinks the dissemination of information is a bad thing, be excited!
2005
The National Football League plays its first regular season game outside the United States. The Arizona Cardinals defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-14 in Mexico City. Viva la Futbol Americana!
Birthday Boys, Girls and Spiritual Leaders
Lawyer, civil dissident, political and spiritual leader, and all around awesome dude, Mohandas Ghandi (1869) His birthday is a national holiday, Gandhi Jayanti, in India, and internationally as “Non-violence Day.”
Legendary American comedian and early film star, Groucho Marx (1890)
Uber-famous American photographer, Annie Leibovitz (1949)
We hate to inflate his ego any further, but the guy doesn’t need an introduction or a full name, Sting (1951)
Co-host of the successful morning talk show that bears her name, Kelly Ripa (1970)
Daybook
CONGRESS
HOUSE
10 AM
Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination
Full committee markup of H.R. 3685, the “Employment Non-Discrimination Act,” legislation that bars employers from discriminating against employees in the workplace based on sexual orientation
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Committee hearing on “Private Security Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan,” focusing on the mission and performance of Blackwater USA and its affiliated companies
2 PM
House (Select) Intelligence Committee
Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and Counterintelligence Subcommittee hearing on “CIA Activity, Part I”
House Financial Services Committee
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on “Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Are They Fair?” The hearing will review the Federal Trade Commission report on “Credit-Based Insurance Scores: Impacts on Consumers of Automobile Insurance,” which focused on Hispanic and African American consumers
4PM
House Administration Committee
Elections Task Force Subcommittee hearing on the status of the Government Accountability Office’s investigation into the Florida 13th Congressional District contested election
SENATE
10 AM
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Full committee hearing with testimony on “Current Mine Safety Disasters: Issues and Challenges”
Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee
Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee hearing on “Preparing the National Capital Region for a Pandemic”
Senate Judiciary Committee
Jack Goldsmith, professor of law at Harvard Law School, testifies during a full committee hearing on “Preserving the Rule of Law in the Fight Against Terrorism”
10:30 AM
Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
Full committee hearing with testimony on “An Examination of the National Flood Insurance Program”
TV
TIVO…
Oprah: Halle Berry’s Having a Baby
The View: House Majority Leader Nancy Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Faith Hill
Regis and Kelly: Jerry O’Connell, Alysa Milano
Ellen: Denis Leary, Dylan and Cole Sprouse
STAY UP FOR…
Letterman: Jude Law, Sarah Silverman, John Fogerty
Leno: Jason Lee, Kristin Chenoweth, Pat Monahan
Late Late Show: Chi McBride, Teri Polo, Steve Bertrand
Conan: Ted Koppel, Jason Schwartzman, Dana Gould
Last Call: Jerry Stiller, Paolo Nutini
Kimmel: Sandra Oh, Mark Ronson
Daily Show: Chris Matthews
Colbert Report: John Mearsheimer
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