Today in Nerd History | September 12

Nerd culture is a vibrant tapestry of events, releases, and milestones that have shaped the entertainment landscape. From iconic movies to groundbreaking games and significant literary contributions, this article takes a trip down memory lane to explore the notable nerd culture events that occurred on September 12th in history. Let’s celebrate these cherished moments that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans around the world.

Photo Credit: The Saturday Evening Post

BONANZA!

On September 12, 1959, Bonanza premiered. This long-running and popular American Western TV series followed the adventures of the Cartwright family on their ranch near Virginia City, Nevada, in the 1860s.

Nerdy Fact: The show’s theme song, written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, became a hit single in 1961. It reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold over 500,000 copies.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Let’s Get Cooking

On September 12, 2006, Cooking Mama released in the US. This cookery simulation game for the Nintendo DS features various mini-games and recipes, and uses the touch screen for different kitchen tasks under the guidance of “Mama”.

Nerdy Fact: Cooking Mama was one of the first games to use the Nintendo DS microphone as a gameplay feature. You can blow into the microphone to cool down hot food or fan a fire.

Photo Credit: GQ

Raiding Tombs

On September 12, 2018, Shadow of the Tomb Raider released. This action-adventure game follows Lara Croft’s journey to stop a Mayan apocalypse and become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be, while exploring diverse and challenging environments, tombs, and puzzles.

Nerdy Fact: The game features a hidden Easter egg that references the original Tomb Raider game from 1996. If you enter Lara’s childhood bedroom in Croft Manor, you can find a pair of pistols on a shelf. If you interact with them, Lara will say “A famous explorer once said, ‘The extraordinary is in what we do, not who we are.’ I’d finally set out to make my mark; to find adventure. But instead adventure found me.” This is the same line that Lara says in the opening cinematic of the 2013 reboot.

Today in Nerd History is produced by Radio Matt & Deidra for Rise & Shine, Nerds, LTN’s official Nerdy Morning News Show.