02 June-John A Costello

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John A Costello was a politician who served two terms as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland between 1948 and 1957. During his time as Taoiseach Ireland was declared a republic and the economy improved. Bodies such as the Industrial Development Authority and the Board of Trade were established. Projects such as rural electrification was accelerated.

John Aloysius Costello was born in Dublin on June 20^th 1891. Having qualified as a barrister he was appointed Attorney General in 1926. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1932. He was elected at each subsequent election until his retirement from politics in 1969. Following his retirement he resumed his career as a barrister.

John A Costello was elected Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland for a second term in the year 1954 On This Day.

Taoiseach John A Costello (1956)

13 May-Johnny Logan

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Johnny Logan is an award winning singer and composer. He is considered to be the most successful Eurovision Song contestant of all time. Often referred to a ‘Mr Eurovision’, Logan has had a successful career as an entertainer spanning four decades.

Johnny Logan was born Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard in Frankston, Victoria, Australia in 1954. His parents were from Ireland. When he was three years old, Logan moved with his family to Ireland. Interested in music from a young age he was playing the guitar and composing songs by the time he was thirteen years old.

In 1980 Johnny Logan won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘What’s Another Year’. Singing his own composition ‘Hold Me Now’, he won the contest again in 1987. In 1992 he had his third win as the composer of the song ‘Why Me?’ During his career, Logan has released a large number of singles and almost 20 albums. He continues to write songs, perform live and make television appearances.

Johnny Logan, award winning singer and performer who is considered the most successful Eurovision Song contestant of all time, was born in the year 1954 On This Day.

Photo by Thumbling

Johnny Logan

12 April-‘Rock Around the Clock’

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‘Rock Around the Clock’ is a rock and roll song which has been called the The National Anthem of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It was recorded in New York in 1954 by Bill Haley & His Comets. The song became a No 1 hit and recordings sold in their millions around the world.

Bill Haley was a singer, musician and songwriter who was native of the United States. He is considered by many to be the father of ‘Rock and Roll’. Haley’s was a member of a musical family and he was influenced by country music. His musical genres included: Rock and roll, country and rockabilly.

‘Rock Around the Clock’ was written in 1952 by songwriter and lyricist Max C. Freedman and songwriter and music publisher James E. Myers. It was recorded as the B-side of the song ‘Thirteen Women’. It became a hit in 1955 following its use in the film ‘Blackboard Jungle’. The song was No 1 hit and became wildly popular with teenagers around the world. It has featured in several films and has been recorded in over 30 languages.

‘Rock Around the Clock’, a song which has been called the The National Anthem of Rock ‘n’ Roll, was recorded by Bill Hayley & His Comets in the year 1954 On This Day.

Photo by ashleigh louise.

Rock Around The Clock

Photo by IISG

09-01-1956_14052 City Theater

06 May-Roger Bannister

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Roger Bannister is former athlete who is a native of England. In 1954 he became the first person in history to run a mile (1.61km) in less than four minutes. Though it was a feat many believed to be impossible at that time, it now the competition standard for all male middle distance runners.

Roger Bannister was born in Harrow, Middlesex, England on March 23^rd 1929. He studied medicine and graduated from St Mary’s College Medical School in 1954. He continued his medical studies becoming a neurologist in 1964.

A successful athlete during his school years Bannister continued his involved in athletics at University. He competed in the 1,500m in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki where he finished fourth. After the Olympics he resolved to run the mile in less than four minutes. He succeeded in his endeavour two years later at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford when he ran a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds.

Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile in the year 1954 On This Day.

Photo by addedentry

Roger Bannister

15 February-Matt Groening

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Matt Groening is a cartoonist who is a native of the USA. He best known as the creator of the television series The Simpsons. He is also a writer and producer. Groening is the recipient of numerous awards. In 2012 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Matthew Abram Groening was born in Portland, Oregon in 1954. At college he was the editor of the student newspaper. He moved to Los Angeles and at age 19 he sold a comic strip he had created called ‘Life in Hell’ to a newspaper. The comic strip came the attention of producer James L Brooks who asked Groening to create a cartoon for the Tracey Ullman Show. He created The Simpsons

The Simpsons is based on the Simpson family who live in the American town of Springfield. The family consists of nuclear plant employee Homer, his wife Marge and their three children Bart, Lisa and Maggie. The long running comedy is considered to be one of the greatest television series of all time. The Simpsons had its television debut in the year 1989. Groening also co-created Futurama.

Matt Groening, creator of the television series The Simpsons, was born in Portland, Oregon in the year 1954 On This Day.

Photo by Gage Skidmore

Matt Groening

Photo by Gage Skidmore

Matt Groening