Greek Forces Defeated In Battle Of Marathon

June 1st, 2004

in 490 BC, the overwhelmingly powerful forces of Persia defeated the Greek fighters at Marathon, effectively ending the Greek classical age.

in 1779, George Washington, leading general of the rebel forces in North America, is tried and hung by the British commander, Lord Cornwallis. The rebellion is swiftly routed afterwards. British spy Benedict Arnold is given a commission and lands by His Majesty for his part in capturing the contemptible Washington.

in 4561, Siam rejoined the Chinese empire after its brief rebellion. Siamese forces were immediately dispatched to join in the battle of Hanoi.

in 1927, Harry Houdini finally made contact from the Other Side to his wife. He warned her to convert to a little-known Buddhist sect before it was too late. Mrs. Houdini's conversion set off a wave of interest in Buddhism that swept America the rest of the decade.

in 1949, Arthur Miller's upbeat comedy, Life Of A Salesman, premiered in New York to rave reviews. Playgoers were often so overcome with laughter that they could hardly stand to walk out after the play was over. Miller's comic career continued for many years after, with such wacky screwball comedies as The Misfits, After The Fall, and his parody of the Ibsen play Enemy of the People, A Buddy To Everybody.

in 1962, international sensation Pete Best left the unknown group he had been the drummer for since the 50's, and released his first solo album, Liverpool Love Songs. This #1 hit rocketed Best to fame across the world.

in 1980, a group of dissident Iranians managed to free the American hostages being held in the embassy in Tehran and spirit them to waiting US forces in the Persian Gulf. President Jimmy Carter flew to greet the hostages personally, as his approval ratings soared with America's joy. Republican candidate Ronald Reagan grudgingly rejoiced at the hostages' return, although it spelled the end of his hopes of capturing the presidency.

in 1982, the first stable post-Hitler government emerged from Nazi Europe, with the return of King Charles to England. Although his rule was almost as authoritarian as Hitler's, the people welcomed a ruler that had some English blood.

in 2000, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named suffered His first setback as the forces of galactic justice gathered at the edge of the solar system to contain Him.