The auto racing family of Mario Andretti was profiled 25 years ago - Almanac May 19, 2012

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/entertainment-general/index.ssf/2012/05/the_auto_racing_family_of_mari.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Today: is the 140th day of 2012. There are 226 days left in the year. On this date ^ In 1962, actress Marilyn Monroe sang a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" to guest-of-honor President John F. Kennedy during a star-studded Democratic fundraiser at New York's Madison Square Garden. Today's birthdays Rock singer-composer Pete Townshend (The Who) is 67. Rock singer-musician Dusty Hill (ZZ Top) is 63. Singer-actress Grace Jones is 60. Rock musician Phil Rudd (AC-DC) is 58. The sun sets 8:15 p.m. today, rises 5:39 a.m. Sunday. The moon sets 7:18 p.m. today, rises 5:18 a.m. Sunday. It is eight days after the last quarter. 100 years ago today 1912: Bang the drum slowly: "Members of the Salvation Army were before (Easton) Mayor Nevin this morning on a charge of creating a nuisance, especially on Sundays, by beating a bass drum at the open-air services held in Centre Square. The Mayor took occasion to say that, while it could hardly be considered a nuisance, it added nothing to the impressiveness of the service or fear to the hearts of sinners to have a loudly beaten drum as a part of the orchestra and told the Salvationists that they must try to get along without making so much noise — not pound the drum so hard." 50 years ago today 1962: Armed Forces Week: "The three-day observance kicked off today at ABE Airport. Features of the event include a parachute drop by U.S. Army 'Sky Divers' and a performance by the U.S. Air Force jet Thunderbird acrobatic team. Displays include Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules missiles, self-propelled guns, radar equipment, Pennsylvania Air National Guard aircraft, U.S. Army fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, model aircraft, navy equipment and Civil Defense exhibits. The Lt. E.C. Baker Post, VFW, Easton, will have a flag display. School children from Lehigh and Northampton counties will be brought to the display by school bus and private transportation. The 'Sky Divers' is a group of five U.S. Army parachutists from the 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C." 25 years ago today 1987: Notes from Indianapolis: "When Mario Andretti and his twin brother Aldo came to this country at age 15 from Lucca, Italy, they already knew they wanted to drive race cars. Aldo was fast and good, competing until an accident helped him decide to quit. Mario went on alone, winning the 1967 Daytona 500, the 1969 Indianapolis 500, the 1978 Formula One World Championship and numerous other races and honors. Slim, muscular and looking younger than his 47 years, Mario still is racing, and he still is winning. But he is no longer alone. Now there is son Michael, 24, a charger on the Indy circuit in his father's image, and Jeff, 23, who is on his way up. Mario will start from the pole position on May 24 in the 71st Indianapolis 500, while Michael will race from the outside of the third row. And if he wants it badly enough, Jeff will soon join father and older brother on the Indy-car circuit." Quote of the day "Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either." — Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (born 1929, died this date in 1994).