BUFFALO, N.Y. — Taking a look back at Bills fans and more from 10, 20, 30 and so on years ago this week.
10 years ago this week:
Crews began demolishing the Delaware Court building on Delaware and Chippewa. The two story structure, which housed the Bada Bing nightclub on the ground floor, would be razed to make way for a high rise building with offices and a hotel, which is now mostly occupied by the Delaware North corporation.
The United State's Department conducted a review which concluded that it had no environmental concerns surrounding the proposed expansion of the Keystone Pipeline. Known as, "Keystone XL". It would have expanded capacity to bring of the system to bring oil from Canada to US refineries.
The pipeline became a political football. First, President Obama temporarily delayed its construction. After, he became President, Donald Trump took steps to get the project back on track. However, Joe Biden, in one of his first moves as President, signed an executive order to revoke the permits that had been granted for construction. Developers of the pipeline then abandoned their plans to build it.
Interestingly, both Biden and Trump were in the Western New York area during this week in 2014.
Trump was in Buffalo to speak at a GOP fundraiser while in contemplation of running for Governor of New York while Biden, then serving as Vice President, was in Rochester to stump for the Obama administration's education agenda.
Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman died of a drug overdose inside his New York City home at age 46 this week in 2014.
20 years ago this week:
John Kerry was getting closer to securing the democratic nomination for President. Among the local democrats working to support Kerry were State Senator Byron Brown, who later became Mayor of Buffalo, and attorney Mark Poloncarz, who later became the Erie County Executive. Kerry would eventually be defeated by incumbent republican President George W. Bush in the November election.
That year's Super Bowl was marked by controversy when, during a halftime performance by Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson broadcast live to millions of viewers, Timberlake ripped off a section Jackson's clothing exposing her breast. Timberlake would famously refer to the incident as a "wardrobe malfunction", which then became a popular term in the American vernacular.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue referred to the incident as "offensive and embarrassing to us and our fans," while FCC Chairman Michael Powell remarked, "not only was it a sophomoric and crass demonstration, it may be an illegal one."
The FCC eventually levied a record $550,000 fine against Viacom, the parent company of CBS. After an eight year legal battle the fine was successfully appealed.
30 years ago this week:
It was Super Heartbreak IV for the Buffalo Bills and their fans when the team lost its fourth consecutive Super Bowl. The loss to the Dallas Cowboys was particularly stinging, as the Bills led the game at halftime. Two fumbles by all pro running back Thurman Thomas, including one which was returned for a touchdown, punctuated the Bills' collapse.
Following the game, some fans were predicting the Bills would return to the championship game the following year.
"Let's not cry...try for five...we'll be back in '95," exclaimed one fan poetically, when speaking to WGRZ-TV immediately following the game.
However, the team's quest for a Vince Lombardi Trophy remains elusive, and the Bills have yet to return to the Super Bowl since their last appearance in one this week in 1994.
40 years ago this week:
During a day and age when you might pack the kids in a station wagon for a shopping trip to Gold Circle, AM&A's, or the Seneca Mall (all of which non longer exist) you also might have stopped afterward for a coffee and kruller at the once ubiquitous Mister Donut.
At the time, the chain boasted more than 500 locations nationwide including several in Western New York. This week's News 2 You Pop Quiz: How many Mister Donuts are still operating in the US? (for the answer, watch the conclusion of the video attached to this story).
Ozzy Osborne attracted legions of fans to a concert at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.
Mayor James Griffin delivered his seventh State of The City Address, highlighting efforts to redevelop Buffalo's downtown.
Unlike modern day presentations involving a multi media production before thousands inside the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, in those days the Mayor delivered his speech to city lawmakers in the Common Council chambers at City Hall.
Footage from the event shows Common Councilmembers smoking from their seats on the dais, before public health laws were changed to prohibit smoking inside public buildings.
