Nadal Ends Federer’s Wimbledon Streak
The streak is over. Roger Federer had won five straight Wimbledon championships… until today, when Rafael Nadal beat him in a five-set thriller to claim the 2008 men’s singles title.
Biographies
Rush Limbaugh in the New York Times
“My father expected me to be a professional man. The problem was, I hated school. I hated being told what to do. In the Boy Scouts I never got a single merit badge. In school my grades were terrible. I just didn’t want to be there. I just wanted to be on the radio.”–Rush Limbaugh, in a detailed new profile from The New York Times Magazine.
George Bush Loves Birth-Mate Sylvester Stallone
Turns out George W. Bush and Sylvester Stallone were born on the exact same day: 6 July 1946.Stallone was born in New York City, Bush in Connecticut.The Internet Movie Database claims that Stallone is one of Bush’s two favorite actors. The other? Chuck Norris.
Joey Chestnut Is Your ‘Sudden Death’ Hot Dog Champ
Eating expert Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest in extra-horrifying fashion on Friday, beating former champ Takeru Kobayashi in a five dog eat-off.Both men finished the regular 10-minute competition with a total of 59 dogs. That led to extra franks, with Chestnut barely beating Kobayashi to the gullet.
Thurgood Marshall +100
Happy 100th birthday to Thurgood Marshall. The first black justice of the U.S. Supreme Court was born on this day in 1908.(Why is he not on the Maryland state quarter?)
Did Josephus Mention Jesus?
Religion and Romans editor Paul Hehn has posted a new profile of Flavius Josephus, the Jewish leader who was conquered by the Roman general Vespasian but then became pals with him anyway. (Conquerors were open-minded in those days.)
Here’s the ‘Quantum of Solace’ Trailer
The trailer is out for the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace.[July update: The trailer was available on YouTube, but it’s been taken down. Now you can find it on the film’s official site.]
Aykroyd and Bucky
Comedian Dan Aykroyd turns 56 today, and it’s been 25 years since philosopher Buckminster Fuller died.
McCain’s Sweet Ride!
John McCain has a new campaign plane.
Tim McGraw Boots Rowdy Fan
Country singer Tim McGraw threw a drunk fan out of a concert last week, and footage of McGraw rousting the guy is now a hit on YouTube. McGraw was singing “Indian Outlaw” at a concert in Washington state when he paused mid-song, called security to “get rid of this guy,” and then helped haul the cowboy-hatted fan onstage by his belt.