Monday, July 25, 2011
On this Date in 1853...
...Joaquin Murietta, the famous Californio bandit known as "Robin Hood of El Dorado", is killed. His death is later avenged by Zorro.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
On this Date in 1814...
...War of 1812: General Phineas Riall advances toward the Niagara River to halt Jacob Brown's American invaders. Apparently, he knew what he was going to be doing that day.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
On this Date in 1929...
Friday, July 22, 2011
On this Date in 1933...
...Wiley Post becomes the first person to fly solo around the world traveling 15,596 miles (25,099 km) in 7 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes. This was because he was a Super Genius.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
On this Date in 1544...
...Italian War of 1542: the first Siege of Boulogne begins. Indicating that it is not easy to conquer sandwich meat.
Monday, July 18, 2011
On this Date in 1870...
...the First Vatican Council declared that the Pope is infallible when he solemnly declares a dogmatic teaching on faith as being contained in divine revelation. Marking the first time in history where a human being can no longer create a byproduct that produces a disagreeable odor.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
On this Date in 1979...
...Nicaraguan president General Anastasio Somoza Debayle resigns and flees to Miami, Florida. Thus prompting the city to change its motto to: "The official refuge for Deposed Latino Political Leaders of the World."
Saturday, July 16, 2011
On this Date in 1054...
...three Roman legates break relations between Western and Eastern Christian Churches through the act of placing an invalidly-issued Papal Bull of Excommunication on the altar of Hagia Sophia during Saturday afternoon divine liturgy. Historians frequently describe the event as the start of the East-West Schism. Rumor has it that this is exactly how the different divisions in Baseball came into being.
Friday, July 15, 2011
On this Date in 1959...
...the steel strike of 1959 begins, leading to significant importation of foreign steel for the first time in United States history. One of the organizers was overheard commenting, "Well, that went as planned."
Thursday, July 14, 2011
On this Date in 1960...
...English primatologist Jane Goodall arrived in Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve, Tanganyika, to begin her groundbreaking study of the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. Interestingly enough, they are not too different than what goes on in the United States Congress during a full session.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
On this Date in 1793...
...journalist and French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat was assassinated in his bathtub by Charlotte Corday, a member of the opposing political faction. Thus making it even less desirable for journalists to take their annual bath, which gave rise to the term "yellow journalism" as many journalists would go years without bathing causing their skin to take on a sickly, yellow hue.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
On this Date in 1862...
...The Medal of Honor is authorized by the United States Congress. It will take almost 140 years for this to be turned into a video game.
Monday, July 11, 2011
On this Date in 1576...
...Martin Frobisher sights Greenland. His first mate is overheard commenting, "Well, one out of two ain't bad."
Sunday, July 10, 2011
On this Date in 1980...
...Alexandra Palace burns down for a second time. Though, one has to wonder at the wisdom of having it built with straw in the first place, considering the building code required it to be built with at least sticks.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
On this Date in 1807...
...the Treaties of Tilsit are signed by Napoleon I of France and Alexander I of Russia. The treaties were only enforceable as long as both parties were standing.
Friday, July 8, 2011
On this Date in 1859...
...King Charles XV & IV accedes to the throne of Sweden-Norway. Thus embarking on the most confusing rule of the two countries in history.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
On this Date in 1456...
...a retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death. So, she has that going for her, which is nice.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
On this Date in 1484...
...Portuguese sea captain Diogo Cão finds the mouth of the Congo River. Upon discovering it Diogo Cão is overheard saying, "Bem o que você sabe, é sempre no último lugar que você olhe."
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
On this Date in 1937...
...the Hormel Foods Corporation introduced Spam, the canned precooked meat product that would eventually enter into pop culture, folklore, and urban legend. It also sparked the decades old debate asking the question: "What exactly is this made of?"
Monday, July 4, 2011
On this Date in 1945...
...the Brazilian cruiser Bahia was accidentally sunk by one of her own crewmen, killing more than 300 and stranding the survivors in shark-infested waters. One has to wonder, however, at the wisdom of building a boat with a drain plug.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
On this Date in 1778...
...American Revolutionary War: British forces kill 360 people in the Wyoming Valley massacre. What they were doing in Wyoming is anyone's guess, considering the war was taking place on the east coast.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
On this Date in 1962...
...The first Wal-Mart store opens for business in Rogers, Arkansas. Thus embarking on the weirdest parade of humanity in history.
Friday, July 1, 2011
On this Date in 1943...
...Tokyo City merges with Tokyo Prefecture and is dissolved. Since then, no city in Japan has had the name "Tokyo" (present-day Tokyo is not officially a city). So basically if you have ever been to Tokyo you have been to a place that no longer exists. Wrap your head around that one.
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