On this day in in 1968, the first 911 call was placed on the local emergency hotline in Haleyville, Alabama. At the behest of fire fighters nationwide, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved to create a single emergency telephone line in 1967, based on the 999 system that had already been in active in the UK since 1936. The number 911 itself was chosen by AT&T, which controlled most all phone lines in the U.S. at the time, because it was easy to remember and wasn’t already designated as an area code. The service had a slow adoption. By 1987 only 50% of the U.S. was using 911. Today, 98% of the populations of the U.S. and Canada are able to use 911 to contact emergency services.

The first 911 call placed on February 16^th was a test from Representative Rankin Fite, who was the Speaker of the Alabama State House of Representatives. Fite’s call was answered at the Haleyville Police Station by U.S. Congressman Tom Bevill, who simply said, “Hello?”

Haleyville, AL hosts an annual festival to celebrate that first call (although they schedule it in the Summer), complete with art and food vendors, live music, car shows, a cornhole tournament, and the chance to meet local law enforcement and emergency personnel outside of a crisis. Had the two politicians known there would be such a fuss, perhaps they would have had a lengthier conversation during that first call, or even a gripping dramatization that partygoers could re-enact.

Music Du Jour: 9-1-1 series soundtrack

Films Du Jour:

• 9-1-1 Series
• 911 Nightmare (2012)
• Reno 911! (2003)
• Reno 911: Miami (2007)
• Emergency (2022)
• Emergency (2105) reality series
• Emergency Declaration (2022)
• Outrageous 911 (2013)
• Rescue 911 series (1989)
• Emergency (1972) tv series

Snacks du Jour:

• Here are the recommended foods to keep in your pantry in case of an emergency
• Here is a trove of emergency food rations for surviving longer periods of time

Cocktail Du Jour – Emergency Cocktail

A rye Manhattan is Matthew Hooper’s Wonkette Emergency Cocktail. It’s a delicious drink that packs a punch with little preparation and the recipe easy to remember.

• 2 oz Whistlepig 6 Year Rye Whiskey (or rye of choice)
• 1 oz Campari Antico Sweet Vermouth
• 2 shakes Angostura Bitters

Stir together all ingredients over ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 3 Luxardo cherries.

Mocktail Du Jour – Emergency Mocktails

Here’s a good article on quick mocktails you can make during dry months.

 Beer Du Jour

Wild Heaven Emergency Drinking Beer if you can find it, or Real Ale Fireman’s #4.

Wine Du Jour

Galiano wine offers a 15% discount to First Responders. Also, any box wine is appropriate in an emergency.

Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer. 

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Photo credit: “love our new phone” by nate steiner is marked with CC0 1.0.