Happy birthday, astronaut William Pailes!

William Pailes, born June 26, 1952 in Hackensack, New Jersey, went into space once aboard Atlantis (STS-51-J) as payload specialist in October 1985. He spent four days in space before returning to Earth.

Happy birthday, Qui-Gon Jinn!

Liam Neeson, born June 7, 1952 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, is an Oscar nominated actor and played Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (my favorite role of his). He has continued to voice Qui-Gon Jinn in other Star Wars productions.

He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his work in Schindler's List. He's been nominated for 3 Saturn Awards and 3 Golden Globe Awards. He received a Grammy nomination in 2001 for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for The Polar Express. He has also been nominated for two Tony Awards.

He appeared in Excalibur where he met Helen Mirren and began a relationship with her.  He later appeared in Krull in 1983 with Robbie Coltrane. He starred in Suspect with Cher in 1987.  Neeson appeared in Wrath of the Titans with Ralph Feinnes 

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" wins Golden Globe 1952

One of the most beloved and iconic science-fiction movies of all time, The Day the Earth Stood Still, released in 1951 barely got a nod from the Golden Globe awards ceremony held February 21, 1952.  Many great movies were released that year but few of them have had the staying power of Robert Wise's masterpiece.

It won a Golden Globe for Promoting International Understanding.  Huh?  That's not a category any more.  It received a nomination for Best Music, Original Score for Bernard Herrmann, but lost to September Affair. Herrmann's music is eerie and perfect for an alien encounter.  

The Day the Earth Stood Still was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry in 1995. 

Happy birthday, actress C.C.H. Pounder!

I love actress C.C.H. Pounder, born December 25, 1952 in Guyana.  I liked her in Millennium but really became a fan of hers when she appeared in Warehouse 13.  She starred in an episode of The X-Files, Duane Barry, for which she earned a Primetime Emmy nomination.  

She also received numerous awards and nominations for her work on The Shield. I enjoy watching her in NCIS: New Orleans, and most recently her cameo in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. 

Happy birthday, Atlantis astronaut Thomas J. Hennen!

Thomas John Hennen, born August 17, 1952 in Albany, Georgia, went into space aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-44), a Department of Defense mission in November 1991.  Hennen is the first Warrant Officer within the US Army and Department of Defense to have been selected as a member of a Space Shuttle crew.

He spent almost 7 days in space and completed 10 orbits.  He retired from the Army in December 1995 and lives in Houston, Texas.

Happy birthday, Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai, first Asian woman in space

Chiaki Mukai, born May 6, 1952 in Japan, is the first Japanese woman in space, the first Asian woman, and the first Japanese citizen go to into space twice.

Her first mission was aboard Columbia (STS-65) as payload specialist in July 1994.  She carried out experiments sponsored by NASDA, the precursor to the Japanese Space Exploration Agency.

Her second and final mission was aboard Discovery (STS-95) as payload specialist in October-November 1998. It was the final flight for astronaut John Glenn as well.

"The Man in the White Suit" premieres 1952

The Man in the White Suit, starring Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) as a chemist, made its premiere in New York City March 31, 1952.  It would be released to the rest of the US in April.

Guinness plays a man who develops an indestructible material, that won't even take a dye.  Hence, the white suit.  Hilarity ensues.

I love this film!  It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.  It did win National Board Review award for Best Foreign Film.

Happy birthday, Mexican Space Shuttle astronaut Rodolfo Neri Vela!

Rodolfo Neri Vela, born in Chilpancingo, Mexico February 19, 1952, is the first astronaut from Mexico and the second Latin-American in space.  He traveled aboard Atlantis (STS-61-B) as a payload specialist in November-December 1985.  

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Blaine Hammond!

Blaine Hammond, born January 16, 1952 in Savannah, Georgia, has been in space twice.  He became a pilot and an instructor in the US Air Force.

His first mission was aboard Discovery (STS-39) as pilot in April-May 1991.  Its main purpose was dedicated to the Department of Defense.

His second and last flight was aboard Discovery (STS-64) as pilot in September 1994.  The mission was the first untethered EVA in 10 years.

He spent over 19 days in space.

"Invasion, USA" released 1952

Invasion, U.S.A, released December 10, 1952, is a kinda creepy movie, as people in a bar watching TV observe an invasion by the Soviet Union.  I was introduced to this movie via Mystery Science Theater 3000.  A lot of the movie is stock footage of airplanes, and the ending is an interesting twist, although a bit of a cop-out.

One scene has Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill working as airline ticket agents.  Both women played Lois Lane opposite George Reeve as Superman.  

The film is considered a success, bringing in a profit of over $1.2M.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut James Wetherbee!

James Wetherbee, born November 27, 1952 in Flushing, New York, has been in space six times.

His first mission was aboard Columbia (STS-32) as pilot in January 1990.  It was the third night landing of the space shuttle program.

His second flight was aboard Columbia (STS-52) as commander in October-November 1992.  The mission involved projects with the Italian Space Agency and National Centre for Space Studies (France).   

His third flight was aboard Discovery (STS-63) as commander in February 1995.  It was the second mission of the Space Shuttle/Mir program.  It was the first rendezvous of NASA's shuttle and the Mir space station.

His fourth flight was aboard Atlantis (STS-86) as commander to Mir in September-October 1997. It was the seventh Mir docking mission.

His fifth flight was aboard Discovery (STS-102) as commander to the International Space Station in March 2001.  The flight rotated Expeditions 1 and 2 and resupplied the ISS.

His sixth and final flight was aboard Endeavour (STS-113) as commander to the ISS in November-December 2002.  The mission rotated Expeditions 5 and 6. 

He left NASA in 2005.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Valeri Tokarev!

Valeri Tokarev, born October 29, 1952 in the former Soviet Union, is a veteran of two space flights.

His first flight was aboard Discovery (STS-96) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in May-June 1999. He stayed in space for 9 days 19 hours.

His second trip was aboard Soyuz TMA-7 as commander to the International Space Station launched in October 2005. He participated in Expedition 12 while on board the ISS.  He performed two EVAs during the mission.

He has stayed in space over 199 days total.

"Charlotte's Web" published 1952

One of the most beloved children's books, Charlotte's Web, was published October 15, 1952, written by E. B. White and Illustrated by Garth Williams.  It is a story about a pig, Wilbur, who is in danger of being slaughtered, but a barn spider, Charlotte, writes messages in her webs, praising Wilbur.  The farmer decides to spare Wilbur's life. 

Charlotte's Web won a Newbery Honor Book, a recognition given by the Association for Library Service to Children, in 1953.  The Newbery Medal is given to the best book, which was given to Ann Nolan Clark's Secret of the Andes. Whatever.

 Charlotte's Web won more awards.  It has been made into two movies and a musical.

The National Education Association listed it as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children".  It has been named one of the "Top 100 Chapter Books" of all time by the School Library Journal.

"Adventures of Superman" premieres 1952

Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves in the title role, first appeared on television September 19, 1952.  It ran for six seasons and ended after Reeves' passing in 1959.  Phyllis Coates played Lois Lane in the first season and, after she left the show, Noel Neill replaced her for the rest of the series.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Donald McMonagle!

Donald McMonagle, born May 14, 1952 in Flint, Michigan, is a veteran of three space flights. 

His first flight was aboard Discovery (STS-39) as mission specialist in April-May 1991.  The mission carried a payload of experiments for the Department of Defense.

His second flight was as pilot on Endeavour (STS-54) in January 1993. 

His third and final flight was aboard Atlantis (STS-66) as commander in November 1994. 

He spent more than 25 days total in space.

Happy birthday, Rom!

Actor Max Grodenchik, born November 12, 1952 in Queens, New York, is best known as Quark's goofy but brilliant brother Rom on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.  Grodenchik actually auditioned for the role of Quark, but lost to Armin Shimerman.  He also appeared twice in different roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Happy birthday, Ronalda Douglas!

Actress Ronalda Douglas, born October 12, 1952 in Northridge, California, starred in Saturday morning TV show the Secrets of Isis as Rennie Carol with the beautiful Joanna Cameron and Brian Cutler.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Lee Morin!

Lee Morin, born September 9, 1952 in Manchester, New Hampshire, went into space once aboard Atlantis (STS-110) as mission specialist in April 2002.  He conducted 2 EVAs with fellow astronaut Jerry Ross which lasted about 14 hours total, installing equipment on the International Space Station.

Glücklich Geburtstag, cosmonaut Klaus Dietrich Flade!

Klaus-Dietrich Flade, born August 23, 1952 in Germany, visited the Mir space station in March 1992.  His mission started aboard Soyuz TM-14 on March 17 and returned aboard Soyuz TM-13 on March 25.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Kathryn Thornton!

Kathryn Thornton, born August 17, 1952 in Montgomery, Alabama is a veteran of four space shuttle flights.  She obtained her PhD in physics from the University of Virginia in 1979.

Her first flight was aboard Discovery (STS-33) as mission specialist in November 1989.  It carried a classified payload from the Department of Defense into space.

Her second flight was aboard Endeavour (STS-49) as mission specialist in May 1992.  It was the maiden voyage of the Endeavour.  She performed an EVA with fellow astronaut Thomas Akers which lasted 7 hours 44 minutes.

Her third flight was back on Endeavour (STS-61) as mission specialist in December 1993.  She and Akers performed two EVAs lasting over 13 hours total.

Her fourth and final mission was aboard Columbia (STS-73) as mission specialist in October-November 1995.  It was the second mission of the US Microgravity Laboratory which studied the effects of the microgravity environment in space.