William John Clifton Haley was a pioneering American rock and roll musician. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets and million-selling hits such as "Rock Around the Clock", "See You Later, Alligator", "Shake and Roll", "Rocket 88", "Skinny Minnie", "Razzle Dazzle", has sold over 60 million records worldwide. Bill Haley was born July 6, 1925 in Highland Park, Haley was born William John Clifton Haley. In 1929, the four-year-old Haley underwent an inner-ear mastoid operation which accidentally severed an optic nerve, leaving him blind in his left eye for the rest of his life, it is said that he adopted his trademark kiss curl over his right eye to draw attention from his left, but it became his "gimmick", added to his popularity. As a result of the effects of the Great Depression on the Detroit area, his father moved the family to Bethel, when Bill was seven years old. Haley's father William Albert Haley was from Kentucky and played the banjo and mandolin, his mother, Maude Green, from Ulverston in Lancashire, was a technically accomplished keyboardist with classical training.

Haley told the story that when he made a simulated guitar out of cardboard, his parents bought him a real one. One of his first appearances was in 1938 for a Bethel Junior baseball team entertainment event, performing guitar and songs when he was 13 years old; the anonymous sleeve notes accompanying the 1956 Decca album Rock Around The Clock describe Haley's early life and career: "When Bill Haley was fifteen he left home with his guitar and little else and set out on the hard road to fame and fortune. The next few years, continuing this story in a fairy-tale manner, were hard and poverty-stricken, but crammed full of useful experience. Apart from learning how to exist on one meal a day and other artistic exercises, he worked at an open-air park show and yodelled with any band that would have him, worked with a traveling medicine show, he got a job with a popular group known as the "Down Homers" while they were in Hartford, Connecticut. Soon after this he decided, as all successful people must decide at some time or another, to be his own boss again – and he has been that since.'

These notes fail to account for his early band, known as the Four Aces of Western Swing. During the 1940s Haley was considered one of the top cowboy yodelers in America as "Silver Yodeling Bill Haley"; the sleeve notes conclude: "For six years Bill Haley was a musical director of Radio Station WPWA in Chester and led his own band all through this period. It was known as Bill Haley's Saddlemen, indicating their definite leaning toward the tough Western style, they continued playing in clubs as well as over the radio around Philadelphia, in 1951 made their first recordings on Ed Wilson's Keystone Records in Philadelphia." The group subsequently signed with Dave Miller's Holiday Records and, on June 14, 1951 the Saddlemen recorded a cover of "Rocket 88". During the Labor Day weekend in 1952, the Saddlemen were renamed Bill Haley with Haley's Comets, in 1953, Haley's recording of "Crazy Man, Crazy" became the first rock and roll song to hit the American charts, peaking at number 15 on Billboard and number 11 on Cash Box.

Soon after, the band's name was revised to "Bill Haley & His Comets". In 1954, Haley recorded "Rock Around the Clock", it was successful, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard pop singles chart and staying on the charts for a few weeks. On re-release, the record reached #1 on July 9, 1955. Haley soon had another worldwide hit with "Shake and Roll", which went on to sell a million copies and was the first rock'n' roll song to enter the British singles charts in December 1954, becoming a gold record, he retained elements of the original, but sped it up with some country music aspects into the song and changed up the lyrics. Haley and his band were important in launching the music known as "Rock and Roll" to a wider audience after a period of it being considered an underground genre; when "Rock Around the Clock" appeared as the theme song of the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle starring Glenn Ford, it soared to the top of the American Billboard chart for eight weeks. The single is used as a convenient line of demarcation between the "rock era" and the music industry that preceded it.

Billboard separated its statistical tabulations into 1890–1954 and 1955–present. After the record rose to number one, Haley became popular by those who had come to embrace the new style of music. With the song's success, the age of rock music began overnight and ended the dominance of the jazz and pop standards performed by Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, others. In the United Kingdom, Haley was supported by former Dankworth Seven lead vocalist Frank Holder among others. "Rock Around the Clock" was the first record to sell over one million copies in both Britain and Germany. On in 1957, Haley became the first major American rock singer to tour Europe. Haley continued to score hits throughout the 1950s such as "See You Later, Alligator" and he starred in the first rock and roll musical films Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock, both in 1956. Haley was 30 years old, he was soon eclipsed in the United States by the younger

Craig George Williams is a Namibian cricketer. Williams made his first-class debut for the Namibian cricket team in 2007, in a Three-Day South African Provincial Challenge match against North West. Williams bowled four overs in the first innings of the match, he scored a half-century in his debut first-class innings. Williams has since played for the Namibia A team, scoring a century against Canada in his first appearance in this side. In January 2018, he was named in Namibia's squad for the 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament. In February 2018, he retired from cricket, after playing for Namibia against Free State in the 2017–18 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge, he was the leading run-scorer in the 2017–18 Sunfoil 3-Day Cup for Namibia, with 687 runs in eight matches. In March 2019, he was named in Namibia's squad for the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament. Namibia finished in the top four places in the tournament, therefore gaining One Day International status.

Williams made his ODI debut for Namibia on 27 April 2019, in the tournament's final. In June 2019, he was one of twenty-five cricketers to be named in Cricket Namibia's Elite Men's Squad ahead of the 2019–20 international season, he made his Twenty20 International debut for Namibia against Botswana on 19 August 2019 during Botswana's tour of Namibia. In September 2019, he was named in Namibia's squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in the United Arab Emirates. On 8 January 2020, in the 2020 Oman Tri-Nation Series match against Oman, Williams scored his first century in an ODI, with an unbeaten 129. Craig Williams at CricketArchive

Zhang Hongnian is a Chinese translator, honored by the Iranian Government. Zhang is one of the foremost translators of Persian Literature. For his contributions to the introduction of Persian Literature to foreign readers, he was honored with the International Persian Literature Award in 1992, 6th Literature and Art Award in 1998 and the Outstanding Award for Chinese and Persian Culture Exchange in 2000. Zhang was born in Yongqing County, Hebei in December 1931. Zhang graduated from Peking University in 1960, where he majored in Persian. In 1986, Zhang studied in Iran. History of Persian Literature Shahnameh Gulistan of Sa'di Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Tehran University - International Persian Literature Award Afshar Foundation - 6th Literature and Art Award Iranian President Mohammad Khatami awarded him the Outstanding Award for Chinese and Persian Culture Exchange Chinese Translation Association - Competent Translator

The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline is an IndyCar Series race held at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. The event was first held as a CART series race from 1997 to 2000 on Memorial Day weekend. From 2001 to 2003, it was held as an Indy Racing League event. After a hiatus of over a decade, the race returned in 2017 as part of the unified IndyCar Series; the next annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 race is scheduled for August 23–24, 2019. Shortly after the oval track was constructed, the inaugural Motorola 300 was held on Saturday May 24, 1997 as part of the CART series, it was scheduled for the day before the Indianapolis 500 of the rival Indy Racing League. Rather than scheduling a race directly opposite the Indy 500, CART scheduled Gateway the day before to serve as their Memorial Day weekend open-wheel alternative without direct conflict. On one instance, a couple of drivers competed in both events in the same weekend; the race was held on Memorial Day weekend for three seasons.

For the 2000 season, the race was scheduled for September. Track management did not want the race to be scheduled the same weekend as the Indy 500, as it was splitting the fanbase and affecting gate attendance. With the two races in neighboring states, fans chose to travel to the Indy 500 for the weekend instead. In addition, CART officials decided to leave Memorial Day weekend open to allow their teams the opportunity to cross over and compete at Indianapolis if they desired. In 2001, the race was dropped from the CART series schedule, switched alliances to the Indy Racing League; the distance was shortened, the race became known as the Gateway Indy 250. The event suffered from continually declining attendance; the event was dropped altogether after 2003. After new management at the facility in 2012, rumors began to circulate about reviving the event with the now-unified IndyCar Series. In 2015, the track was approved as a test facility. In January 2017, a multi-year agreement was designed with Gateway Motorsports Park and the Bommarito Automotive Group.

The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 was announced at the 2017 St. Louis Auto Show and added to the 2017 IndyCar Series schedule; the partnership was renewed through 2021. CART measured the track length to 1.27 miles. 1997: The inaugural race was held on Saturday May 24, 1997, the day before the IRL's Indy 500. The CART series held the race as their Memorial Day weekend event, replacing the U. S. 500. A crowd of 48,500 was in attendance despite threatening intermittent rain. Series rookie Dario Franchitti dropped out while leading with a broken transmission, putting Patrick Carpentier into the lead on lap 210. Carpentier attempted to stretch his fuel over the final 60 laps, win his first career race, the first win for car owner Tony Bettenhausen, but in the final ten laps, Carpentier had to slow down to conserve fuel. Paul Tracy began charging to the front, passing Alex Zanardi for second with four laps to go, set his sights on the leader. Coming out of turn four on lap 234, Tracy made a slingshot pass to take the lead with two laps to and went on to win.

1998: For the second year in a row, the race was held the day before the Indy 500. CART officials mandated the use of the smaller "speedway" style front wings, in an effort to slow the cars down, but some drivers complained. Rain plagued practice and qualifying on Thursday and Friday, but a large crowd of 49,500 arrived on race day. On the first lap, Dario Franchitti crashed in turn three, his Team Green teammate Paul Tracy became collected in the crash as well. Michael Andretti led 133 laps. A caution on lap 175 sent all of the leaders to the pits for fuel. Alex Zanardi had a faster pit stop. Andretti chased down Zanardi, closing to within 0.2 seconds of the lead, but was unable to make a challenge for the lead. Zanardi won the race, his second career oval win, first victory on a short oval. 1999: For the third and final time, the race was held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the day before the Indy 500. On the final round of pit stops on lap 200, Michael Andretti took on fuel only, vaulting him from fifth place to first place.

Looking for his first career victory, Hélio Castroneves, with fresher tires closed to within 0.37 seconds on lap 207. Andretti, held off the challenge and broke a 23-race winless streak; the win came thirty years after his father Mario won the Indy 500. With the open wheel "split" still ongoing, Andretti was still absent from Indy, the race win on Memorial Day weekend was bittersweet to the younger Andretti. Two drivers, Robby Gordon and Roberto Moreno, did "double duty" for the weekend. Both drivers raced at Gateway on Saturday competed at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Moreno dropped out at Indianapolis with transmission failure. Gordon finished last at Gateway. At Indy the next day, he ran out of fuel. After two years of strong attendance, the crowd estimate for 1999 was down to about 35,000-40,000. 2000: After three years on Memorial Day weekend, the race was moved to September. With only three races remaining in the CART championship, the race results shuffled the points standings. Michael Andretti led 121 laps.

However, Andretti blew his engine on lap 197 handing the win to Montoya. Andretti lost an opportunity to take the points lead. Paul Tracy moved up to second place in the closing laps, but he suffered a broken gearbox

Lieutenant William Thomas Ponder was an American World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. William Thomas Ponder joined the French air service in the fall of 1917, he was assigned to Escadrille SPA 67 Escadrille SPA 163. While with this unit, he used a Spad to down three German planes between 28 May and 11 August 1918. While serving with the French, Ponder was a Corporal; when he transferred to an American unit, the 103rd Aero Squadron, he was commissioned as an officer. He scored three more times in the month of October to become a flying ace. In May 1918, while in Paris, Ponder took a French war bride. A year on 14 May 1919, he was promoted to Captain before returning to America. Upon his return to Mangum, he became city manager for a couple of years. Mangum's first municipal airfield was named Ponder Field in his honor. After departing this job, Ponder would work at a variety of jobs over the ensuing years, he delivered aircraft for Lockheed, worked in a news agency, dealt in petroleum contracts.

During the Prohibition era, Ponder was caught smuggling alcohol into the United States from Mexico. On 25 May 1932, he was chased about 200 miles as he flew into the U. S, he landed at Texas. Caught with either 627 or 1,500 bottles of illicit Mexican beer—accounts differ—he was held on $1,500 bond; the newspapers were at odds over Ponder's wartime victories—one crediting him with 17 victories, the other with only 11. On 18 November 1932, he was caught near Poteet for smuggling 80 gallons of alcohol via airplane. On 8 April 1933, he was sentenced to six months in federal detention. During the war, Ponder worked for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation in Fort Worth, he delivered Globe Swift aircraft from San Angelo. He founded the Ponder Aircraft Sales Company, he was on a sales trip for his company when he died of a heart attack in a hotel room in Amarillo on 27 February 1947. Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William Thomas Ponder, First Lieutenant, U.

S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Fontaines, October 23, 1918. Having been separated from, his patrol, Lieutenant Ponder observed and went to the assistance of an allied plane, being attacked by 30 of the enemy. Lieutenant Ponder destroyed one enemy plane.and so demoralized the remaining that both he and his comrade were able to return to their lines. General Orders No. 46, W. D. 1919 He was bequeathed the French Croix de guerre with four palms. Lafayette Flying Corps List of World War I flying aces from the United States Franks, Norman. American Aces of World War 1. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, ISBN 978-1-84176-375-0.—, Frank. Over the Front: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the United States and French Air Services, 1914–1918. Grub Street. ISBN 0-948817-54-2, ISBN 978-0-948817-54-0. William Thomas Ponder at Find a Grave

White Nights 3.98 is a 1998 South Korean television series based on the novel of the same title by Han Tae-hoon. It aired on SBS. Choi Min-soo as Kwon Taek-hyeong, major in the Korean People's Army Kim Jung-woo as young Taek-hyeong Kim Min-sung as teenage Taek-hyeong Shim Eun-ha as Anastasia Jang Kwon Hae-kwang as young Anastasia Lee Eun-ju as teenage Anastasia Lee Byung-hun as Min Gyeong-bin, Korean Central Intelligence agent and former Air Force first lieutenant Shin Joo-ho as young Gyeong-bin Lee Jong-soo as teenage Gyeong-bin Lee Jung-jae as Lee Young-jun Jin Hee-kyung as Oh Seong-shim Wang Hee-ji as Hong Jung-yeon Song Hye-kyo as teenage Jung-yeon Yoo Jun-sang as Kim Jin-seok, ANSP intelligence agent Kim Jung-ho as teenage Jin-seok Jung Hyung-ki as General Kwon Ki-wook, Taek-hyeong's father and member of Unit 124 Kim Eun-sook as Ki-wook's wife Lee Seok as General Kwon Dong-wook, Ki-wook's brother Park Woong as Anatoly Jang, father of Anastasia, Soviet nuclear physicist, deputy director of the Irkutsk Atomic Energy Institute Jo Kyung-hwan as Yuri Kim, Chechen mafia boss Shin Hyun-joon as Peter Kim, son of Yuri Im Hyeok-ju as Min Se-yoon, father of Gyeong-bin and captain of the Jongno Police Station Park Soon-cheon as Se-yoon's wife Kim Young-ae as Hong Young-sook, Agency for National Security Planning and Consul General to Russia, aunt of Jung-yeon Park Sang-won as Air Force major Choi Sang-gyu Kim Ye-ryeong as Sang-gyu's wife Park Eun-bin as Choi So-young, Sang-gyu's daughter Nam Sung-hoon as ANSP personnel Jo Hyung-ki as Park Seon-bae, ANSP agent sent to Russia Lee Seung-hyung as ANSP agent sent to Russia Lee Hee-do as ANSP agent sent to Kazakhstan Choi Jong-hwan as Major Lee Young-hu, Young-jun's older brother and commanding officer of Jang Baek-ho troop Nam Na-kyung as Yoon Sook-kyung, Young-hu's wife Kwak Jung-wook as Lee Min-ki, Young-hu's son Son Ho-gyun as Yasuda, Pyongyang gangster boss Yoon Yong-hyun as Yasuda's underling Kim Ki-beom as "Crocodile," Yasuda's underling Jung Ui-gap as "Crayfish," Yasuda's underling Kim Byung-ki as Oh Geuk-chul, father of Seong-shim and lieutenant general of the Korean People's Army Song Kwi-hyun as Geuk-chul's deputy Shim Yang-hong as Chairman of Wildcat crash investigation committee Jung Dong-hwan as Colonel Woo Lee Ki-young as Choi Deuk-gu, Jang Baek-ho troop Kim Se-jun as Oh Dae-gyu, army doctor of Jang Baek-ho troop Jung Woong-in as Baek Seung-je, signaller of Jang Baek-ho troop Jung Sung-mo as Kim Il-gu, former Air Force first lieutenant Official website White Nights 3.98 at SBS Collection White Nights 3.98 review at SPCNET