Startling Stories was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published by Standard Magazines from 1939 to 1955. Its first editor was Mort Weisinger, who also edited Thrilling Wonder Stories, Standard's other science fiction title. Startling ran a lead novel in every issue; the first was The Black Flame by Stanley G. Weinbaum. The magazine focused on younger readers, and, when Weisinger was replaced by Oscar J. Friend in 1941, the magazine became even more juvenile in focus. Sam Merwin, Jr., Friend's successor, was able to improve the quality of the fiction substantially, publishing Arthur C. Clarke's Against the Fall of Night and other well-received stories. Earle K. Bergey painted almost every cover between 1942 and 1952, equipping his heroines with brass bras and implausible costumes; the public image of science fiction in his day was partly created by his work. In later years, competition affected the magazine's ability to acquire quality material. In mid-1952, Standard attempted to change Startling's image by adopting a more sober title typeface and reducing the covers' sensationalism, but the pulp magazine market was collapsing and publication ceased in 1955.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Startling_Stories

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1792:

French composer Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle wrote "La Marseillaise", now the national anthem of France. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Marseillaise

1864:

American Civil War: Confederate troops overwhelmed a small Union detachment, leading to Union abandonment of their position in Camden, Arkansas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marks%27_Mills

1915:

First World War: Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Anzac Cove while British and French troops landed at Cape Helles to begin the Allied invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula in the Ottoman Empire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_Campaign

1960:

The U.S. Navy submarine USS Triton (SSRN-586) completed the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Sandblast

1986:

Mswati III was crowned King of Swaziland, succeeding his father Sobhuza II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mswati_III

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

paint the town red: To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/paint_the_town_red

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

No one man can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices.   --Edward R. Murrow https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_R._Murrow