Vice-President Bush accepts his Republican nomination for President of the United States, August 18th, 1988
Two years ago, America was mourning the death of former President, George H.W. Bush. The president gave his life to public service, beginning in 1942, when he enlisted into the military as a naval aviator. During an attack on the Japanese installation of Chicijima, Bush’s plane was successfully shot down by enemy aircrafts. Bush fortunately survived the crash, upon which he asked himself “Why have I been spared and what did God have for me?” Evidently, George had a lot going for him; he would be one of the co-founders of a successful oil business in the 1950s, he would serve as a representative of Texas in the 1960s, and in the 70s, he held a plethora of jobs, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the RNC, and the director of the CIA. In the 1980s, Bush would serve as President Reagan’s vice-president, after which he would serve as president, himself, for four years. Bush helped mold the United States into what it has become today, a rare achievement not many can take credit for.
The world’s first birth by uterine transplant was reported by a surgical team in Brazil. The team was located at the University of Sao Paulo, and using an organ from a deceased donor, although this was technically still an experiment, it validated that this is possible, and has paved the way for other successful operations like this.
Speaking of history, a notorious 1954 letter written by the late-Albert Einstein was about to be won at an auction – $2.9 million worth. The then-74 year old wrote to German philosopher, Eric Gutkind, in response to his religious book, “Choose Life: The biblical Call to Revolt.” The letter saw Einstein denouncing his faith, while still respecting his Jewish heritage. The letter would be sold at Christie’s New York, a well respected auction house.
The next edition of the Smash Bros. franchise would release, shortly thereafter. Super Smash Ultimate is a popular crossover fighting game that takes characters from all different types of games and has it’s participants fight in an all out brawl. Super Smash Ultimate is the fifth instalment in the series, coming out on the Nintendo Switch. It has gained The Best Fighting Game Award.
In the world of movies, Ralph Breaks the Internet was confirmed to be the number one movie that weekend! A sequel to Wreck it Ralph where Ralph and Vanellope travel to the world wide web in an attempt to “go viral”. This movie gained a 88% review on Rotten Tomatoes, and is currently available on Netflix. Additionally, British artist and filmmaker, Charlotte Prodger would win the 2018 Turner Prize. Her nominated short film, BRIDGIT (2016) was distinct in its technical production, given it was short entirely on an iPhone. The film itself explores deep subjects as gender identity, landscape, and mythology.
In Italy, police arrested an alleged leader of the Sicilian mafia along with 46 other members. 80 year old Settimo Mineo who was thought to be the new leader and kingpin of the Cosa Nostra, the most prominent organized crime group in Sicily. Mineo has already served 11 years in prison after he was arrested and the 46 others faced charges of mafia activity, exportation, illegal possession of weaponry, and more.
In the world of sports, meanwhile, Texas billionaire, Davis Bonderman was unanimously granted an NHL license by the NHL Board of Directors. This license granted the formation of the Seattle Kraken, the first hockey franchise from said-region since the 1970’s. The affiliate is currently set to begin playing during the 2022-2023 NHL season, postponed a year from its original date, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finally, Tavis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” would top the charts for a solid week, during early December. It was a mere blip in the powerhouse single, Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next.” Simultaneously, Scott’s junior LP, Astroworld would top the charts; it would sustain the second-biggest first-week sales of the year, selling over 537,000 units. The album would win the 2019 “Album of the Year” award for the BET Hip Hop Awards.
Writers: Micah Borrelli & Lucas Hydock
Miners Pub 