Laughs Today In History

Today is Physical Education Day in Japan, culminating tonight with aerobicking in the streets and the famous Breakdance of the Sumo Wrestlers. So don't be alarmed if the Earth tilts a little.

On this day in 1975 Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton. Liz has thrown so many bouquets, she's a candidate for rotator-cuff surgery.

On this date in 1992 HBO paid Michael Jackson $20-million to telecast his "Dangerous" concert from Bucharest. Michael was so thrilled, he ran right out and bought his giraffe a gold necklace. And his monkey a diamond jockstrap.

Guiseppe Verdi was born on this day in 1813. He composed the hit operas "Aida," "Rigoletto," and "La Traviata." Italians loved Verdi so much they awarded him the coveted Golden Adam's Apple. Which he always wore around his neck.

The first direct-dial long-distance telephone service began on this date in 1951. For the first time in history you could dial anywhere in the world, get a wrong number, and have no one to blame but yourself.

Spain's worst bullfighter fought his last bull on this date in 1918. Raphael "El Gallo" Gomez always took longer to dedicate a bull than other matadors took to kill one. But then, El Gallo never killed a bull. He'd dedicate it to a local politician and then run. Which also made El Gallo Spain's smartest bullfighter.