50th Anniversary of Oregon's Exploding Whale

It's been half a century since that fateful day now etched into the psyche of Oregonians and many others around the world.

Half. A. Century. 50 years.

Happy 50th Exploding Whale Day!

Sadly, an explosion of another kind –  Covid-19 – is having a dampening effect on celebrations around this momentous occasion.

Some notable events:

• On Thursday, November 12, the Oregon Historical Society will host a conversation with Paul Linnman, the television reporter whose hilarious, deadpan report is now famous around the world. The virtual program is free and open to the public, though registration is required. See The 50th Anniversary of Blasted Blubber: A Conversation with Paul Linnman for more information.
• In addition, there will be small, physically-distanced gathering at a brewpub in Florence on November 14. See Oregon Coast's Exploding Whale 50th Celebrated in Florence, Online for details.
• There will be a virtual gathering on Facebook where you can show your support and post a tribute to the Exploding Whale. See 50th Anniversary of Oregon's Exploding Whale to join.

KATU has put together the definitive 50th anniversary page here:

• The Exploding Whale remastered: 50th anniversary of legendary Oregon event - KATU

The Register-Guard in Eugene also has a big feature:

• After 50 years, the exploding whale still lives as the oddest moment in the history of Florence - Register-Guard
  

OregonLive has a page listing 10 ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary:

• Oregon’s exploding whale, 50 years later: 10 ways to celebrate the big blast of blubber - OregonLive

And there are countless other articles and tributes from other media outlets:

• Oregon Coast's Exploding Whale 50th Celebrated in Florence, Online - Oregon Coast Beach Connection
  
• 50 years of Florence’s (in)famous ‘whale tale’ - Siuslaw News
  
• Exploding whale turns 50: 'Should a whale ever wash ashore in Lane County again ...' - KVAL
  
• Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the EXPLODING WHALE! - KFI AM 640
• @GaryAndShannon - Paul Linnman on 50th anniversary of 'The Exploding Whale' - KFI AM 640
  
• The Exploding Whale: 'This strange event blasted both blubber, and their careers, skyward' - KVAL
  
• Beached Whale Blow-Up: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Florence Exploding Whale - Oregon Historical Society
  
• Watch Remastered Footage of Oregon Whale Exploding 50 Years After the Event - Newsweek
  
• Oregon Historical Society marks 50th anniversary of infamous ‘exploding whale’ - KTVZ
  
• Oregon Historical Society Has Released Newly Restored Footage of That Time State Officials Blew Up a Dead Whale - Willamette Week
  
• An Extended Conversation With Paul Linnman On The Legacy Of Blown-Up Whales - KLCC
  
• Everyone remembers Paul Linnman as ‘guy who blew up that whale.’ The Portland TV news veteran is OK with that - OregonLive
• Infamous tale of the exploding whale: 'Grew its own legend after a time, like things do' - KVAL
  
• New Footage Marks Anniversary Of Oregon's Infamous Exploding Whale Incident Of 1970 - IFLScience
  
• 50 Years Ago Today, Oregon Blew Up a Dead Whale. With Dynamite. On Live TV. - Popular Mechanics
  
• The 50th Anniversary of the Iconic Exploding Whale - Kottke.org
  
• Fifty years ago, Oregon exploded a whale in a burst that ‘blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds’ - Washington Post
  
• Veteran newsman recalls infamous Oregon whale explosion on 50th anniversary - New York Post
  
• Infamous Exploding Whale Video Gets a 4K Remaster - Nerdist
  
• Exploding whale will be remembered like men on the moon, says humorist Dave Barry - KATU
  
• Florence locals celebrate 50th anniversary of 'exploding whale'
  
• Remembering one of history’s greatest whale explosions - Popular Science

Congratulations and many thanks to Paul Linnman on the 50th anniversary of Oregon's Exploding Whale. The incident would have almost certainly been lost to history were it not for his epic story!