television series South Park. It originally aired on Comedy Central in
the U.S. on February 4, 1998. In the episode, Damien is sent by his
father Satan to find Jesus and arrange a boxing match between the two.
Most South Park residents bet on the muscular Satan to win, but he
throws the fight to win their money. Directed by Trey Parker (pictured)
and written by Parker, Matt Stone and Dave Polsky, the episode satirizes
religion, commercialism and the cult of celebrity. "Damien" received
generally positive reviews and was the highest rated cable program the
week it aired, viewed by 3.2 million households. The episode marked the
first appearance of Satan, who would become a recurring South Park
character, as well as the character of Damien, inspired by the
antagonist of the 1976 horror film, The Omen. Parker and Stone said the
episode introduced several key characteristics of the Cartman character
that have endured throughout the series. Michael Buffer, the boxing ring
announcer best known for the catchphrase, "Let's get ready to rumble!",
makes a guest appearance in "Damien" as himself.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_(South_Park)>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
960:
Emperor Taizu began his reign in China, initiating the Song
dynasty period that would eventually last for more than three centuries.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_dynasty>
1169:
A strong earthquake struck the eastern coast of Sicily, causing
an estimated 15,000 deaths.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1169_Sicily_earthquake>
1899:
The Philippine–American War opened when an American soldier,
under orders to keep insurgents away from his unit's encampment, fired
upon a Filipino soldier in Manila.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_(1899)>
1969:
Yasser Arafat was elected chairman of the Palestine Liberation
Organization.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasser_Arafat>
1999:
Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old immigrant from Guinea, was shot
and killed by four New York City Police Department plain-clothed
officers, prompting outrage both within and without New York City.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Amadou_Diallo>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
blemish:
1. A small flaw which spoils the appearance of something, a stain, a spot.
2. A moral defect; a character flaw.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/blemish>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
In some future incarnation from our life stream, we may even
understand the reason for our existence in forms of earthly life. The
growing knowledge of science does not refute man's intuition of the
mystical. Whether outwardly or inwardly, whether in space or in time,
the farther we penetrate the unknown, the vaster and more marvelous it
becomes.
--Charles Lindbergh
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_Lindbergh>
_______________________________________________
Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list.
To unsubscribe, visit:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l
Questions or comments? Contact dal-feedback@wikimedia.org