Federal Troops Ambushed In Mormon War; Tylenol Killer Strikes

September 30th, 2005

in 1399, Henry Bolingbroke attempts to ascend to the English throne after King Richard II abdicates, but the majority of the nobles refuse to recognize him. Civil war breaks out across the land, and Henry is forced to release former King Richard from prison and reinstate him in order to calm the country.

in 856, the newly-invented printing presses of Baghdad produce the first machine-made copies of the Koran. The faithful need no longer puzzle out mistakes of handwriting; all versions of the holiest book of Islam are invariant from this point on.

in 1890, federal troops arriving in Utah Territory are ambushed by Mormons who had been warned of their arrival by one of their own in Washington. The short battle leaves almost 30 Mormon rebels dead, along with 16 soldiers. The troops under the command of Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson ride on to Salt Lake City; Colonel Jackson intends to arrest the territorial governor there and declare martial law.

in 1924, Truman Persons was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. A flamboyant homosexual activist, he spearheaded homosexual rights movements in the 50’s and 60’s, famously declaring, “I refuse to be labeled a criminal because of who I love.” Persons was lynched by Ku Klux Klansmen in 1968 after he had begun speaking out for the rights of African-Americans throughout the south.

in 1934, future Israeli Prime Minister Elie Wiesel is born in Romania. Like many of Israel’s first leaders, he survived the Holocaust but lost dozens of family members, including his parents. He made his own way to Israel, where he became a staunch Likudnik, taking a hard line against all of Israel’s enemies in his years as Prime Minister in the late 70’s.

in 1960, the first animated series to appear in prime-time, The Flagstones, appeared on this evening on ABC. The show about cavemen leading surprisingly modern lives among dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures was a ratings hit for the network, even if the critics detested it. It lasted 9 seasons and gave birth to a generation of American animation.

in 1962, the University of Mississippi, often a bastion of reaction in what was otherwise a solidly communist soviet, is forced to integrate black students by marshals of the Soviet States of America. The presence of the marshals helps calm a riot that had threatened the lives of many of the young comrades entering the school for the first time. Nowadays, of course, Ole Miss, as it is nicknamed, is a shining example of the virtues of communist education.

in 1982, several bottles of the pain-killer Tylenol are found to be laced with cyanide after a half-dozen people in Chicago die mysteriously. A police investigation into the culprit behind the murders is shut down suddenly when the detectives find that their chief suspect has a business address in Langley, Virginia.

in 4697, a Chinese colonist on Feng-huang sees something crash outside his dome and goes to investigate. The Y’T’T’li debris seizes him and takes control of his body. This poor man’s body is used to establish communication with other Y’T’T’li units and form a front against the Chinese on Feng-huang.

in 2002, after returning from their meeting with the Pentagon, Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas tell the pilots they have been working with that it is time to go someplace where they can put their lessons to a practical use. Everyone of them is issued a space suit, and they are then crowded into the object, which takes off with Professor Thomas at the controls. It leaves earth’s atmosphere in seconds and begins flying away from the solar system.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link not working for now - Forum has been hacked! We're working on getting it back, and will let you know once it's back up.
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

To Dream The Impossible Dream

September 29th, 2005

in 1547, the famous Spanish adventurer Miguel de Cervantes, whose exploits were captured by his brother Roderigo in the epic Don Quixote, was born outside Madrid, Spain. Although barely able to keep more than 2 pesos at a time, de Cervantes’ exploits thrilled the Spanish, and they ate up his brother’s tales.

in 1758, Horatio Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe, United Kingdom. The commander of the infamous Agamemnon was almost single-handedly responsible for the loss of the British navy to France when war broke out between the two nations in 1793. The only thing that saved Nelson from a court-martial was his death when the Agamemnon sank.

in 1829, Scotland Yard is formed, paradoxically, in London. An investigative wing of His Majesty’s police force, the Yard is instrumental in solving many crimes during the middle of the century. After its failure to solve the infamous Jack the Ripper cases, though, it is reorganized as the Royal Ministry of Investigation under Lord Reginald Townshend.

in 1916, capitalist counter-revolutionary John Rockefeller used his vast, ill-gotten wealth to leave the then-United States of America for the United Kingdom. “A businessman can no longer thrive in the communist environment of the United States,” Rockefeller said in the press conference announcing his defection. Socialist President Woodrow Wilson denounced Rockefeller’s reactionary statement and froze all of Rockefeller’s assets still in the U.S.

in 1939, Stalin considers Germany too tempting of a target to stand by his agreement of alliance with them after the partition of Poland. His forces quickly take the other half of Poland and push on into Germany, itself. Faced with a reversal of fortune so soon into his campaign, German leader Adolf Hitler moves the entire German army to the eastern front, where they battle futilely against the coming communist onslaught.

in 1965, North Vietnam announces that it will treat U.S. pilots that have been taken captive as war criminals. An international storm of protest, including condemnation from their close ally, the Soviet Union, makes the communist government rescind that policy before it can be implemented, and captive pilots retain their Geneva Convention protections.

in 1969, scientist Erika Eleniak was born in Glendale, California. The child of a Ukrainian immigrant who had moved to Hollywood to be an actor, Eleniak was saved from a life of drug abuse in high school by a teacher who showed her that science could give her a better high than any drug. After getting degrees in astronomy and physics, she became well-known as a popularizer of science with her television series, How Do They Do That?.

in 1994, police arrest Ronald Shamburger as he is attempting to break into his ex-girlfriend’s house. The student at Texas A&M had just robbed a convenience store and a police car had been combing the neighborhood for him; they were fortunate to have stumbled on Shamburger, as his ex-girlfriend was home and he had threatened her on other occasions. Shamburger received 15 years in prison.

in 4697, Admiral Wu’s ships detect new activity happening in the asteroid belt. Unwilling to wait to see what the Y’T’T’li have in store for humanity, Wu orders his ships to begin bombardment of the belt with outlying asteroids. The chaos of the next few days allows some Y’T’T’li ships to escape Wu’s blockade.

in 2002, Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas take up the entire group of pilots they have been working with in the object and make a few runs around the earth. The pilots, none of whom have been in space, are properly awed by the demonstration and even more focused on the lessons now. While they are in earth orbit, though, an instrument on the object’s control panel glows white, which startles both Thomas and Courtney. They hastily return to earth and make arrangements to see their Pentagon liaison.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff!

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Here's another goof for those of you paying attention - oom-maw-maw, a-poppa-oom-maw-maw. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link not working for now - Forum has been hacked! We're working on getting it back, and will let you know once it's back up.
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Pompey Allies With Ptolemy

September 28th, 2005

in 801 AUC, Pompey convinces his old friend King Ptolemy of Egypt to give him shelter from Caesar’s pursuit. With Pompey’s direction, Ptolemy’s armies hold off Caesar and provide a base for Pompey to gather support for his eventual ascension to the dictatorship of Rome.

in 1066, William of Normandy makes his claim for the throne of England through force of arms. He and his forces attempt a landing at Pevensey, but high storms drive him off and damage his ships. This delay allows King Harold to recoup after battling the Norwegians and Scots at Stamford Bridge, and with this rest, is able to defeat William and retain his crown.

in 1634, the Earl of Bridgewater is highly entertained by the comic masque Momus by young John Milton, whom he sponsors afterwards. Milton’s comic writings are a huge hit, but his social pamphlets, including one arguing for the legalization of divorce for reasons of incompatibility, scandalize English society and prove a headache for the Earl.

in 1915, time-traveling neo-Nazi Astrid Pflaume positions several operatives throughout Europe, in strategic positions to prolong the World War. She takes great pains to train them well, so that they will be able to recruit other Jewish people into her Greater Zionist Resistance.

in 1938, rhythm & blues singer Ben Nelson was born in Henderson, North Carolina. After he moved to Harlem, Nelson became a member of a street corner doo-wop group called The Four B’s. The young men became a great success, but their greatest hit was Nelson’s solo Stand By Me on their album There Goes My Baby.

in 1959, Soviet leader Kruschev and U.S. President Eisenhower gave a joint announcement after their summit meeting that hostilities between the two superpowers were going to be set aside; the two men had come to an historic agreement ending the decade-long cold war between them. Soviet society became more open, and socialist reforms were introduced into America. After much initial resistance, some of it violent, both countries became closer and more like each other under the Accord.

in 1964, concert harpist Adolph Marx, a genius that some considered the finest classical musician in the Soviet States of America, died in Los Angeles, California. Marx single-handedly made harp music popular in the Soviet States during the 30’s and 40’s, and continued to fill concert halls up to his death.

in 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani of Belluno uncovered a plot by the Comte de Saint-Germaine to acquire ancient relics of the Church in order to further some strange occult ends of his own. Before he could communicate this information to anyone, he died of a heart attack in his mansion.

in 1988, Canadian police, acting on a tip from someone inside the cult, invaded the home of Roch Theriault and stopped him just as he was about to perform surgery, without anesthetic, on a female member of his cult. Theriault was not taken alive, but most of his cult went quietly, happy to finally be freed from the madman’s grip. This incident led Canada to pass what some deemed draconian anti-cult laws that outlawed even such fairly harmless groups as the Raelians.

in 2002, with Professor Thomas’ and Dr. Courtney’s agreement, the object at Edwards Air Force base is moved to a classified facility in the Nevada desert, and twenty pilots are sent there to train with them. The pilots who have already been trained by the pair begin complaining of strange dreams in which they see hundreds of black birds descending on a field. The Pentagon urges Thomas and Courtney to hurry up their training.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff!

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. And since, no one noticed yesterday's comment, boo-boo-rabooh. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link not working for now - Forum has been hacked! We're working on getting it back, and will let you know once it's back up.
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Society Of Jesus; The Shroud Of Turin

September 27th, 2005

in 3986, an earthquake in the Gulf of Chili is the source of a new set of regulations from the Emperor about housing construction. 100,000 died during that earthquake because so many houses were not built well. After the lesson of this earthquake, fewer buildings collapsed in subsequent ones, saving countless lives.

in 1540, Pope Paul III charters a teaching organization he calls the Society of Jesus, led by Father Soledad de Leon. Ignatius de Loyola, a priest who had once been a soldier, had suggested the idea to His Holiness, but the pope felt that Loyola was too hard a man to lead what he hoped would become the Church’s greatest teachers.

in 1821, Mexico asks for admittance into the North American Confederation. After making a few concessions such as allowing democratic government, they are brought in, doubling the size of the Confederation.

in 1869, James “Wild Bill” Hickok, the sheriff of Hays City, Kansas, is killed after shooting a bar brawler in the head. Instead of calming down the brawl, the brawler’s death inflamed the crowd, who rushed Hickok and tore him to pieces.

in 1935, young entertainer Frances Gumm turns down a contract offer from MGM after being repulsed by Louis B. Mayer, the studio chief she had auditioned for. She eventually ends up with Warner Brothers, and works loyally for them for decades, making over 60 films and personifying the musical star of 1950’s Hollywood.

in 1962, the rising star of Bob Dylan continued to shoot further into the heavens after a concert at Carnegie Hall. The Rolling Stone magazine declared him to be a “folk singer unlike any other,” and he decided to embrace this moniker. He began incorporating electric guitars, synthesizers and exotic instruments into his increasingly drug-fueled music. Although his musical experimentation was triumphant, his drug experimentation led to his accidental overdose and death in 1965.

in 1988, tests on the infamous Shroud of Turin show that blood is indeed part of the image that is faintly painted on the cloth. That blood does not test as human; indeed, it matches no known animal type on earth. This mixed message is met with confusion by the religious community, and the Catholic Church allows a larger sampling of the cloth to be used by the scientists. After months of testing, the blood is announced to be extraterrestrial in origin. The results are immediately denounced by all Christian organizations.

in 2001, Swiss Member of Parliament Friedrich Leibacher introduced legislation to institute a larger degree of governmental oversight on the public ownership of firearms in this famously gun-friendly nation. Although there is a general outcry among the more conservative elements in the Parliament, the legislation is seen as long-overdue by a majority, and passes with ease.

in 2002, another pilot is taught to control the object in Edwards Air Force base. Professor Thomas then asks for another pilot to train while Dr. Courtney speaks with the Pentagon personnel who have been debriefing their trainees. “We need more pilots,” Dr. Courtney says to these officers. “Many more.”

in 2003, Estelle Gerard resurfaces in Stratford, England, and speaks to hundreds in the village square of the coming day of hope; “I know how hard you’ve worked, and how patient you’ve been, and how you can’t stand the bad men. Remember where you come from, and apologize for your own wrongs, and I and my Father will be with you soon.”


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. No one reads this far, anymore, so blah blah blah, anyway. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link not working for now - Forum has been hacked! We're working on getting it back, and will let you know once it's back up.
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Drake's Poor Reward; Abolition Of Ratings

September 26th, 2005

in 1580, bedraggled and exhausted, Sir Francis Drake arrives back in England after successfully circumnavigating the globe. Although he had claimed new territory in North America for the Queen, she is dissatisfied with the other presents he has brought her, and has him beheaded. Rumor has it that she was jealous of an affair he admitted having with a young native girl along the way.

in 1774, Jonathan Chapman, known by the popular name Johnny Appleseed, was born in Leominster, Massachusetts. Even as a young man, Chapman had a love for growing things, and this served him in good stead when he was made the longest-serving Minister of Agriculture for the North American Confederation. He served from 1811-1836.

in 1888, the poet of the proletariat, T.S. Eliot was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Although he left his comrades in the Soviet States of America behind to work at Oxford in Great Britain, his sensibilities never strayed far from his communist roots. His masterpiece, The Waste Land, decried the effects of capitalist marketing to the youth of Europe.

in 1235, Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, one of the most beautiful writers in the Hindi language, was born in Birsingha in the Caliphate of Midnapore. Although his writings skirted blasphemy of the Prophet, his work was so beautiful that he was not only allowed to keep his head, but the Caliph made him a court poet.

in 1960, Vice-President Richard Nixon and Senator John Kennedy debated in front of national television, the first time a debate between presidential candidates had been televised. Nixon, used to speaking before the media, was calm and collected, where the less-experienced Kennedy stumbled and appeared quite nervous. Most people said afterwards that the debate had been the deciding factor in Nixon’s election win.

in 1975, the gender-bending sendup of 1950’s B-Movies, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, rocketed into American theaters. The outrageous farce blew away American cultural mores and made fish-net stockings very popular. In spite of (or perhaps because of) numerous protests by religious groups across the country, the film made $90 million at the box office.

in 1990, a lawsuit brought by the producers of the film Henry and June abolishes the film rating system used by movies since the 1960’s. Freed of this constraint, studios begin producing a tad riskier fare, but stick with family-friendly themes for the most part. The few that do stray from established norms are used as ammunition by the group Focus on the Family to convince the government to create a federal ratings system in 2002.

in 4697, scanners on the moon Hun-Dun detected ships coming towards them and alerted the Star Fleet and earth. By the end of the day, there were no more transmissions from Hun-Dun. The counter-attack launched by Admiral Wu proved strong enough to push the Y’T’T’li back in the asteroid belt, but they were impossible to dislodge from there. Wu formed a blockade around the asteroids and the Fleet’s command contemplated their next move.

in 2002, Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas ask for yet another pilot; the Edwards Air Force base commander obliges them. Some personnel from the Pentagon arrive at the base to debrief the pair of pilots who have been through the “course” being taught by Courtney and Thomas.

in 2004, Dr. Emilio Carrera and the crew of the ELS-3 begin a mission to the outer solar system. While they are officially going out to monitor for Elder power signatures coming towards earth, the scientists aboard the spaceship are using the trip to satisfy many questions about the outer planets. Dr. Carrera, who is being hailed as the saviour of humanity back on earth, is more content on the ELS-3 to simply be one scientist among many.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link not working for now - Forum has been hacked! We're working on getting it back, and will let you know once it's back up.
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Mormon War Heats Up; Desegregation Defiance

Hurricane Update - we're still here

Much of eastern Texas is in shambles right now, but the Academy was spared the worst of the hurricane. We didn't even lose power, so have been able to keep going throughout the storm - it takes more than bad weather to bring down alternate history! Now, on to today's post...

September 25th, 2005

in 1066, at Stamford Bridge, Norwegians expecting Norman reinforcement from the continent are instead betrayed as Saxon King Harold’s army is reinforced by the Normans. Although it cost Harold several choice coastal territories, Norman aid allowed him and his successors to keep invaders from Saxon shores for centuries.

in 1890, Mormons seize a shipment of arms going to Salt Lake City to reinforce the federal troops there and use them to slaughter the men who had been sent there to see to the Utah Territory’s compliance with U.S. law. When a few survivors make it to Fort Laramie in Wyoming, word is dispatched to Washington and more troops are sent in.

in 1919, President Woodrow Wilson, complaining of a headache, goes to his personal car on the train he is using to take him on a speaking tour of the U.S. to promote the League of Nations. When the headache turns into a stroke, Wilson is taken to a doctor, but it is too late. Vice-President Thomas Marshall is sworn in as Wilson’s successor, and he forges ahead with the League of Nations, saying, “This great man’s dying actions were to bring the world together as one; let us be as one in fulfilling his last wishes.”

in 1942, the Greater Zionist Resistance manages to turn the tide temporarily against the German Underground. Hitler’s men are defeated soundly in Norway and the GZR keeps them out of the country for 6 months; long enough for many Jewish families to escape the clutches of the GU.

in 1952, quintessential action hero Christopher Reeve was born in New York City. Although classically trained at the prestigious Julliard School of Performing Arts, he made his name mainly in popular hero movies, such as 1978’s Superman and its sequels, 1987’s The Running Man, and Rambo, and 1990’s Total Recall.

in 1957, with President Eisenhower unwilling to take federal control of the Arkansas National Guard, the state’s governor, Orval Faubus, successfully defies the Supreme Court order to integrate the school system in Little Rock. Other southern states follow suit, prompting cries for action from Congress. The nation stands at the brink of another civil war.

in 1981, the first woman justice took her seat on the People’s Supreme Court of the Soviet States of America. Comrade Justice Shirley Chisholm had long been a champion of the people in her native New York, and continues the fight on the people’s highest court.

in 4697, the Star Fleet was forced to retreat from the asteroid belt. Although they had inflicted immense casualties on the Y’T’T’li, over half of their own vessels were destroyed in the conflict. Colonists on the outer planets and moons began to assemble what defenses they could, and the entire system prayed to the gods for assistance.

in 2002, Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas ask for another pilot to train; they say that the first pilot is ready to fly the object they have summoned to Edwards Air Force base in California. The base’s commander sends another in right away and speaks with the first pilot. “It’s weird,” he tells the commander. “I got maybe 10 hours in that thing, but I feel like I spent a week in it.”

in 2004, ELS-2 sets up orbit around earth and begins what will be its permanent task – monitoring for Elder power signatures. On the planet below, the U.N. begins to reach out to people whose governments have fallen or been destroyed by the aliens, and starts to forge itself into a true world government. In the United States, Vice-President Lieberman, who had been in California when both Washington D.C. and his home state of Connecticut were destroyed, is sworn in as President at the old capitol in Philadelphia.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Muhammed Flees Mecca; The Mormon War Begins

Hurricane Coming - weekend posting may be delayed

Although the Alternate History Academy is 150 miles inland, a hurricane due to hit the coast of Texas this weekend is probably going to at least cause power outages here. Posting this weekend may be delayed while that is going on, but never fear - the Academy will return.

September 24th, 2005

in 1375 AUC, the religious leader Muhammed fled from his home in Mecca before Roman troops could break up his cult. The local governor had been concerned, as this “prophet” had been teaching that all other gods were false, and such intolerance didn’t sit well with official Roman policy. Unfortunately, the attack only made him more popular among the people of Arabia, and the governor was officially reprimanded by Rome.

in 1789, the standardized electronic mailing system is born in North America, when Mlosh messaging technology is married to the human postal system. Electric Letters, or ELs, become a common part of life throughout North America, and the system reaches around the world by the end of the 18th century.

in 1890, the Church of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons as they are popularly known, refuses to give up its practice of polygamy just to gain statehood for Utah. The federal government responds by sending troops in to take over Mormon temples, and the Mormon War officially begins.

in 1896, war hero F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He volunteered for the Army during World War I, and was sent to France in 1916, where he single-handedly held off a German battalion and a German tank while his own unit was cut down around him. Although he was wounded mortally, he refused attention until the rest of his men were treated; a fatal mistake, but one that earned him the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

in 1946, Albert Einstein, noted scientist, published an article in the New York Times about supposed incidents where people from parallel universes had allegedly appeared in ours. “While theoretically possible, there is no proof of parallel universes, in spite of the insistence of the Tolman crowd,” Einstein wrote, dismissively. In spite of this high-level dismissal, many of the followers of Richard Tolman’s parallel universe theories continued to watch for breaks in the universal fabric.

in 1953, Secretary of State Comrade David Rossovich announces that the Soviet States of America “will not cringe or become panicky” in the face of the newly-developed European nuclear weapons. This showed the world that the policy of capitalist containment that the S.S.A. had begun in South America would continue, unabated.

in 1955, President Eisenhower suffers a near-fatal heart attack while on vacation in Denver, and a minor constitutional crisis ensues. Vice-President Nixon insists that he should be given presidential authority until Ike recovers, but Congress says that nothing in the Constitution provides for that contingency; the confusion casts a cloud over Eisenhower’s presidency, and even though he recovers from the heart attack, he is defeated by Adlai Stevenson the next year in the presidential election.

in 4697, within the asteroid belt, Star Fleet ships find a veritable Y’T’T’li colony; hundreds of ships and strange metal beings have been created from the raw material of the belt. Most of them are not of a military nature, and the Fleet destroys them quickly. After this initial success, though, they encountered the Y’T’T’li military vessels, and the worst battle in the Fleet’s history begins.

in 2002, the base commander at Edwards recognizes the two men, in spite of the hair covering most of their faces; they are Dr. Melvin Courtney and Professor Malcolm Thomas. He asks them where they’ve been for the past few years, but they refuse to answer that question. Instead, they bring him into the object and tell him that he should begin instructing pilots in the use of this machine. He immediately orders one in and they begin training him.

in 2004, muted celebrations break out across earth after the Elders leave. Dr. Emilio Carrera, drinking champaigne with the captain of the ELS-1, says, “Perhaps this is why the Lalandians never heard from a race that successfully fought them off – the Elders extracted this type of bargain from each race able to fight them off.”


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight

Hurricane Coming - weekend posting may be delayed

Although the Alternate History Academy is 150 miles inland, a hurricane due to hit the coast of Texas this weekend is probably going to at least cause power outages here. Posting this weekend may be delayed while that is going on, but never fear - the Academy will return.

September 23rd, 2005

in Hellenic Year 3281, the statesman/warrior Euripides was born in Salamis, during the great battle in which the Hellenes defeated the Persians. The event proved to be destiny for Euripides, for he followed the path of war throughout his life, rising to lead Athens in battle against Sparta during its wars for freedom.

in 1122, the Concordat of Cornwall established that the Pope or his representatives would name the clergy in any Christian country. Pope Henry I of the Holy British Empire and Prince Callistus of Italy had been in a struggle over this issue for years, and Henry finally beat the prince down.

in 1779, the Scottish pirate John Paul Jones, operating under the rebellious American flag, is encountered and sunk by two of His Majesty’s ships, the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough. His bravery became something of a legend, though – when his ship was disabled and the captain of the Serapis called for his surrender, Jones shouted back, “I have not yet begun to fight”. His ship disappeared beneath the waves shortly afterward.

in 1780, British spy John Andre narrowly avoided capture by the rebellious colonials of America, this preserving the secret he carried. After Andre reached Lord Cornwallis with the terms under which rebel General Benedict Arnold would surrender West Point, an agreement was reached, Arnold went over to the King’s men, and the rebellion was crushed.

in 1952, Senator Richard Nixon of California, in an unprecedented move, confesses to accepting mildly inappropriate gifts from people seeking his assistance with business issues. His forthrightness impresses the country, and “Honest Rich” becomes a symbol of the new Republican Party as he serves two terms as Eisenhower’s vice-president before two of his own as president from 1961-1969.

in 1966, a Gathering Moss concert has to be halted when a small mob of teenage girls attacks singer Mick Jagger at the Royal Albert Hall. Jagger had several scratches and bruises, and his famously large lips were even puffier from bruising, but he and the Moss vowed to return Royal Albert Hall and finish the concert as soon as he healed up.

in 1986, Congress declared the rose, long a symbol of socialism, to be the official flower of the Soviet States of America. Hundreds of bouquets were sent to Comrade Vice-President Ann Richards at a campaign stop in Illinois; the picture of her surrounded by roses was used in one of her most successful commercials, featuring the so-called gardener speech.

in 4697, asteroid gatherers in the asteroid belt near Feng-huang send out a distress signal. Admiral Wu orders all Star Fleet vessels within the system to descend on the asteroid belt and prepare for battle.

in 2002, at Edwards Air Force base in California, two men walk into the room that previously held a large circular object and discuss bringing the object back. During this discussion, guards attempting to remove them fall mysteriously asleep. The pair finally decide to allow the object’s return, and the larg circular object appears in front of them.

in 2004, the Elders offer earth a bargain – they will leave humans alone, if humans will limit the use of the disruptor technology to themselves. After much debate, the U.N. speaks for humanity and agrees to this bargain; but warns the Elders that any of their kind caught in the earth’s solar system will feel the weapon’s effects. The Elders withdraw from our solar system.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Coronado And The Lost City Of Gold

Hurricane Coming - weekend posting may be delayed

Although the Alternate History Academy is 150 miles inland, a hurricane due to hit the coast of Texas this weekend is probably going to at least cause power outages here. Posting this weekend may be delayed while that is going on, but never fear - the Academy will return.

September 22nd, 2005

in 1554, Spanish explorer Francisco Coronado, lost and cut off from his people, wanders into a jungle; in the center of that jungle, he is taken captive by natives, who take him to their city; Coronado is amazed and excited to see that gold is used as if it was as cheap as the dirt itself in this city, and his heart swells with pride that he has finally found the city of gold. His execution at its native’s hands moments later brings that swelling down a little.

in 1692, the last 8 witches were to be executed after the infamous trials in Salem, Massachusetts. One of their number, though, turned out to be a real witch, and escaped from her captors with a mighty spell that turned half of the township into toads.

in 1828, Shaka, the crazed founder and leader of the Zulu nation, accuses his brothers Dingane and Mhlangana of plotting against him and has them killed. The sight of their lifeless bodies seems to snap something inside him, and he returns to sanity. He repents the actions he had taken against pregnant women and farmers, and vows to the Zulu that he will lead them back to greatness.

in 1903, Italo Marchiony patents his Gelato Cone, a thin cone used to hold the Italian iced dessert. The next year, Charles Menches uses a waffle-like variant of it to try to sell his ice cream, but the cone proved more popular than the filling. The same fate befell Marchiony’s own gelato shop; Americans just didn’t like creamy ice desserts.

in 1956, punk singer Debby Boone was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, to white-bread crooner Pat Boone. A rebel against her father’s wholesome image at an early age, she recorded the tribute to marijuana, You Light Up My Life, in 1977, and spiraled downward into a life of drugs and meaningless sex. She committed suicide in 1989 after breaking up with her boyfriend, Sid Vicious.

in 1961Comrade President Joel Rosenburg signs into existence his Peace Corps, a government program devoted to sending out small groups of dedicated young American Communists to the more impoverished areas of the world in order to bring hope and the light of socialism to these people. Although denounced by the capitalist world as a publicity stunt, the Corps did much good over the next few decades.

in 1973, for the first time in U.S. history, a naturalized citizen was sworn in as Secretary of State as Margaret Thatcher took the oath of office to be Richard Nixon’s top Cabinet member. Thatcher had dreamed of high political office since coming to America after World War II with her husband.

in 1975, Sarah Jane Moore shoots and kills President Ford while he is visiting San Francisco, California. Moore, a middle-aged dropout who had once been a member of the WAC, had decided to kill the president on a whim, thinking it would really impress her radical friends.

in 2002, the two men who have been guests of Andrews Air Force base walk into the base commander’s office and inform him that they are heading to California. Realizing that he will be unable to stop them, he simply asks where they are headed. “Edwards Air Force base,” one of them says, to the nodding agreement of the other. They then vanish.

in 2004, Elders who were on their way to the sun in order to induce it to nova are surprised by the ELS-3, which also has a functioning disruptor; the crews of the 3 Lalandian-style spacecraft had managed to keep their tactics secret, and the ELS-3 took the Elders completely unaware. They drove off the aliens, turning the majority of them into the grey goo that the disruptor left behind.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Wells Born In England; Ford Seized By Government

September 21st, 2005

in 1348, the Jewish population of Zurich is accused of poisoning the town’s wells. In 1921, Astrid Pflaume uses this legend to terrorize the Swiss population into surrender to her Greater Zionist Resistance. The ease with which she bullies these fellow “Aryans” is one of many events that causes the neo-Nazi time traveler to switch her allegiance to those she leads, but has vowed to destroy.

in 1792, the French Revolution reaches a crossroads as the Revolutionary Council is deadlocked on abolishing the monarchy. King Louis XVI uses this confusion to insert himself as a compromise between the nobles who want to retain a monarchy and the commoners who want to abolish the aristocracy altogether; walking this tightrope, he manages to lead France through the chaos of the revolution, displaying diplomatic talents no one ever expected him to have.

in 1823, the angel Moroni appears to a farmer in America and reveals the location of golden tablets that reveal a secret history of the continent, and its connection to God’s favored people of Israel. This farmer, John Brown of Ohio, founded the Church of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormons. The Mormons aided many blacks to escape slavery in the dark days before the civil war, and stood strong for their civil rights after.

in 1866, Herbert George Wells was born in Bromley, England. Wells is most famous for his creation of the role-playing game genre with his famous game Little Warriors. On the side, Wells also wrote novels.

in 1904, Himmahtooyahlatkekt, the first Nez Pierce elected to Congress, dies in Washington, D.C. The great leader often attributed his wisdom in leadership to the lessons he learned from his ancestors; “Our fathers gave us many laws, which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good. They told us to treat all people as they treated us; that we should never be the first to break a bargain; that is was a disgrace to tell a lie; that we should speak only the truth; that it was a shame for one man to take from another his wife or his property without paying for it.” His leadership was responsible for the lack of reservations in Washington State, and the more equitable blending of Native Americans in with the general population there.

in 1942, the Ford Motor Corporation is seized by the U.S. government because of its pro-Nazi activities. The founder of the company, Henry Ford, had long been suspected of Nazi ties after being favorably mentioned by Hitler in Mein Kampf, and the company newsletter had gone so far as to publish the anti-semitic tract The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The workers at the company weren’t made idle – Ford’s assets were used to build the U.S. war machine.

in 1983, a young paperboy in Bellevue, Nebraska stumbles back into town after having been abducted and tortured by a strange man. He is able to describe John Joubert, a military radar technician, to the police, who arrest Joubert just as another boy’s body is found in the woods. The young man who escaped Joubert is given a medal by President Reagan for his heroism.

in 4697, Captain Wu reports to the Emperor and the Imperial Council and formally reports that Yang Gao has been overrun by the Y’T’T’li. Emperor Xiao Yang tells Wu that he has done well, and promotes him to Admiral. “You must now devise a way to protect us from this enemy, Admiral Wu,” Xiao tells his officer. Wu draws on the top minds of the empire to study the information about the Y’T’T’li he has brought back.

in 2002, the Air Force command at Andrews wants to get rid of its two visitors, but is told to keep them there by the White House. All that they seem able to do is keep track of where the two “men” visit on their excursions through the base’s classified areas.

in 2004, after noting a few Elder power signatures still on earth, the ELS-1 blasts them into goo with its weapon. The Elders who have evacuated the planet protest mildly, but seemingly take no further action. The ELS-2, which is monitoring the inner solar, detects the approach of several Elder power signatures and alerts the ELS-1.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Journey Of Faith; You'll Never Be Rich

September 20th, 2005

in 1204 AUC, Roman General Aetius routes the Huns at the river Marne in Gaul. Their leader, Attila, managed to escape and soon raised another army to bring against the Empire. Barbarians outside the Empire rallied to him as the only alternative to the Romans, and he soon built a kingdom that rivaled Rome itself.

in 1, Muhammed began his hijra from the pagan believers of Mecca. His journey of faith began the religion that now all the earth now embraces as the one true faith; Allah be praised.

in 1565, the French Huegenot settlement of Fort Caroline in the Floridas was attacked by Spanish commander Pedro Menendez de Avilas. He considered the French Protestants as little more than animals, and intended to slaughter them all. The Huegenots managed to beat back his soldiers with heavy losses. Their valor on this day bought them new respect in the French court; King Charles even gave them funds to rebuild their fort.

in 1946, overly optimistic film promoters in the south of France attempt to revive a film festival they had originally planned to start in 1939. The Cannes Film Festival, while it drew a few bedraggled French and Itallian celebrities, never gained any prominence and was shut down after two years.

in 1955, the show You’ll Never Be Rich began its long run on CBS. Starring The King of Chutzpah, Philip Silversmith, the show ran until 1960 and still makes millions laugh in reruns today.

in 1963, President John Kennedy of the U.S. proposes to his Soviet counterpart that the great super-powers combine their resources and launch a joint effort to land men on the moon and build a permanent presence their for humanity. “Why,” he asked Soviet Premier Kruschev, “should man’s first flight to the moon be a matter of national competition?” The Soviets agreed, leading eventually to the International Lunar Settlement, which now boasts 413 year-round residents.

in 1972, Paul McCartney, former bandmate of superstar Pete Best, was arrested for growing marijuana on his small farm in rural Wales. He is able to get off with a light sentence, but the experience focuses McCartney, and he begins working on music of a more classical vein.

in 4697, after 2 days of scanning, Captain Wu and the rest of the Star Fleet are unable to find any trace of the Y’T’T’li. The entire system remains on high alert, but Wu and his ships return to earth to inform the Fleet’s commanders.

in 2002, when the two visitors at Andrews Air Force base slip out of their quarters for another late-night trip around the classified areas of the base, they are shot at by a pair of MPs. The bullets seem to go right through them, and the MPs fall into a deep sleep afterwards.

in 2004, an Elder asks to speak with Captain Marcus of the ELS-1. Captain Marcus agrees to a video-conference, and the two of them sit down to discuss matters. “We cannot allow you to challenge us,” the Elder tells Marcus. “It would disrupt our existence.” Captain Marcus replies, “I can disrupt your existence pretty handily with our weapon; this is non-negotiable. Leave my planet.” The Elders agree to a temporary withdrawal from earth, and the ELS ships monitor them closely.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Bowie Guts Banker; Simon Stabbed By 'Fan'

September 19th, 2005

in 1827, after gutting a banker in Alexandria, Louisiana, Jim Bowie is arrested and hung by a lynch mob. The eponymous knife he used, although actually designed by his brother, became infamous throughout the west, and was often used in similar brawls for similar purposes.

in 1881, President James Garfield died of blood poisoning after being shot almost 3 months before. Vice President Chester Arthur, who had almost been impeached under a cloud of suspicion that he was attempting to steal the presidency, called for a special election rather than succeed Garfield. In the election, Arthur was defeated by J. Warren Keifer, a Republican from Garfield’s home state of Ohio.

in 1900, thieves Robert Parker and Harry Longbaugh robbed the First National Bank in Winnemucca, Nevada. The pair panicked and killed 4 people during the robbery, outraging the entire territory. A lynch mob hunted them down and hung them outside Reno, Nevada.

in 1934, Bruno Hauptman was captured and charged with the murder of Charles Lindbergh’s infant son. Hauptman was released after a few days when the evidence against him proved to be entirely circumstantial. The kidnapping is unsolved to this day.

in 1955, just as she had saved him before, Evita Peron leads Argentina’s workers in a general strike against the military leaders who have attempted to depose her husband, President Juan Peron. Evita’s saint-like image among the working poor of Argentina has only been enhanced by her recovery from cancer, and the workers call for her to take control of the country, rather than her husband. She reluctantly agrees; most historians believe that her husband truly ran the country while she remained a beautiful figurehead.

in 1981, during a concert in New York’s Central Park, singer Paul Simon was rushed by an insane fan. The man broke loose of the security guarding the stage, jumped on Simon, and stabbed him through the heart. Simon died that night at New York’s Mercy Hospital.

in 1995, the Washington Post newspaper published The Unabomber’s Manifesto, a rambling, incoherent document produced by the terrorist known as the Unabomber. Authorities are stunned when several aides to Strom Thurmond step forward to say that the document was produced by the archconservative senator himself!

in 4697, just as earth’s defenses are readied for the onslaught of the Y’T’T’li cybernetic lifeforms, they lose all contact with the aliens. Captain Wu has also lost the ships he was tracking. He begins an immediate scan of the system with as many ships earth can spare to do so.

in 2002, the pair of visitors at Andrews Air Force base, this time with guards in their room, spend another night examining the ins and outs of the base’s more secure areas. The commander of the base visits them personally to ask that these late night excursions be stopped, but they tell him, “We go where we have to go. We cannot stop it; neither can you.”

in 2004, everyone in the state of Connecticut suddenly dies; the Elders inform the country that more will follow unless the ELS-1 surrenders to them. The ELS-1 responds by finding the main mass of Elders in America located in Kansas and reducing them to a grey goo; Captain Marcus then tells his crew to begin tracking Elder movement around the globe and putting those coordinates into the tracking computer.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can see the one I did at http://www.marktreitel.com

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Anne Hutchinson In Massachusetts; Donner Party Is Saved

September 18th, 2005

in 1634, heretic Anne Hutchinson arrives in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Ignoring scriptural bans against women taking authority in the church, she organized meetings of other women and so-called “free-thinkers” who were willing to listen to her prattle on about how faith was all that was necessary for salvation, and church law was superfluous to one’s relationship to G_d. She was killed by an irate Puritan in 1637 at the height of her popularity.

in 1846, the Donner Party of settlers sends 2 men ahead of them to get supplies, since they realize they may run out before they are able to leave the Sierra Nevadas. The pair fortuitously run into a supply caravan, who are able to help out the travelers and keep them from starving.

in 1863, the British Terrorism Unit engages in its most controversial act; a band of Mlosh vigilantes had taken a building full of hostages in Edinburgh, and was going to kill one of them an hour unless the Human League surrendered to the authorities. The B.T.U. stormed the building, which resulted in the death of all the Mlosh vigilantes, as well as 17 of the 148 hostages.

in 1914, Astrid Pflaume, neo-Nazi conspirator from the future, takes advantage of the war to organize a unit of Jewish Germans and begin drilling them. She carefully brainwashes them into following her commands, pretending to be Jewish, promising them that their people can soon live in a Europe that will not persecute them at every turn.

in 1956, Omar Knedlik, franchise owner of a Dairy Queen in Kansas, throws some soda bottles into his freezer after his drink machine breaks. When some of them partially freeze, he discovers that he likes the flavor, but customers he tries to sell on the idea complain of a headache when they drink the concoctions too quickly. Knedlik keeps them as a special treat for himself, but gives up the idea of marketing them to the general public.

in 1961, League of Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammerskjyld was killed in a plane crash. Suspicion immediately fell on the Soviet States of America, since Hammerskjyld had opposed the Chilean War and had been favoring sending European troops to aid the South Chilean guerillos.

in 1970, Jimi Hendrix, guitar god, was found in a coma in his London apartment. Hendrix had apparently overdosed on sleeping pills, but not enough to kill himself. When he recovered 6 months later, he claimed to have visited another plane of existence. The music he produced after this could not have been more different from his previous, blues-inspired rock; his post-coma music was almost entirely instrumental, and had an ethereal quality that went above the heads of most of his rock fans. At concerts, Hendrix would speak of the peace of the other plane; a small cult developed around him because of this.

in 4697, the Y’T’T’li ships reach the orbit of Feng-huang, where Star Fleet vessels are waiting to ambush them. After a brief struggle, a majority of the Y’T’T’li ships advance on earth, and the defenses of Feng-huang are debris in space, being reassembled into Y’T’T’li ships. Captain Wu, coming up behind them, manages to obliterate them before they can be turned back on earth. Wu orders his ships to gather asteroids together to use as weaponry against their metal enemy.

in 2002, after spending a day at Andrews Air Force base, the two hairy visitors are given quarters and asked to stick to them. Somehow, in spite of video evidence showing them in the room all night, they are also spotted investigating Andrews’ various aircraft, as well as some very classified area of the base.

in 2004, the Elders on earth threaten a mass wave of killing if the crew of the ELS-1 uses their weapon again. Captain Marcus of the ELS-1 broadcasts back, “We’ve already seen you kill three other planets; I’m more than willing to sacrifice a few of our number if I can get rid of you. I’ll give you 24 hours to leave.”


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can make up your own mind by seeing the pilots at http://aol.com/situationcomedy

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Peace In The Middle East

September 17th, 2005

in 1656, the state of Massachusetts enacts several laws to contain the violent Quaker cult due to the murders committed by recent Quaker immigrants Ann Austin and Mary Fisher. The Catholic government of the state declared anyone belonging to the sect a heretic, subject to execution.

in 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania shatters as northern delegates are unwilling to enshrine slavery in a document about freedom, and southern delegates will agree to nothing less. The north forms its own small nation in the coming years, while the southern states, unable to agree on a common government even among themselves, are gobbled up by Spain and France.

in 12-12-13-11-10, Oriquetcho, a priest of knowledge in the Oueztecan Empire, begins work on his theory of the origin of species; his controversial teaching that species evolved naturally is met with disfavor from the powerful priestly class in the Empire, but time and further experimentation bear his theories out.

in 1899, Samantha Williams-Hurst of the United Kingdom was elevated to the office of First Minister of the Congress of Nations, following the assassination of former First Minister Tiri’Kema. Her first act is to eulogize her predecessor; her second is to mobilize all the police forces available to the C.N. to find the killers.

in 1923, gospel singer Hiram Williams was born in Mount Olive West, Alabama. While his youth was somewhat misspent, he turned to the Lord in 1943 when he was nearly killed in Italy during World War II. He wrote and sang such beautiful songs as I Saw The Light and Are You Building A Temple In Heaven.

in 1967, the Doors, scheduled to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, are asked by a censor to tone down the somewhat drug-laced lyrics of some of their hit songs. When Jim Morrison tells the censor to perform a biologically impossible act on himself, the censor forbids their appearance on the show, incensing both the band and Ed Sullivan, who until this point had been somewhat friendly towards censorship. His work against censorship over the next few years loosens television up to the point where the Doors are considered quite mild in comparison.

in 1978, President Jimmy Carter’s greatest accomplishment, peace in the Middle East, takes its first steps as Egypt and Israel sign a peace accord at Camp David. After Carter’s reelection in 1980, he is able to bring Lebanon, Syria, Jordon, and his greatest victory, Saudi Arabia, into the accord, as well. The creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel occurs after he leaves office, but his continued presence as a mediator made it possible. His Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for this monumental task was considered long overdue.

in 4697, Captain Wu arrives back in the home solar system, and has to slow down. When he orders his ships to slow, the Y’T’T’li overtake and pass them, and continue into the inner solar system. Wu frantically sends word to earth’s defenses, telling them that these metal men must not be allowed to land on humanity’s home world.

in 2002, the NASA administrator visits the White House to speak with the two hairy men that paid the unexpected visit on President Bush two days before. He wants the two men to come with him to Andrews Air Force base, but the men are reluctant to come near the Air force for some reason. He finally convinces them that nothing will happen, and they spend the rest of the day at Andrews.

in 2004, the crew of the ELS-1 desperately adapt their forward guns to fire the disruption beam that Dr. Emilio Carrera used against the Elders in Washington as they see particle beams fired at them from the earth. In the nick of time, the disruptor beam is fired, and the particle beams are dissipated. Now, the captain of the ELS-1 is ready to dictate some terms of his own. “To the aliens currently causing so much trouble on earth,” he broadcasts on the Elder frequency, “get off my planet.”


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can make up your own mind by seeing the pilots at http://aol.com/situationcomedy

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Torquemada In Hell; Nixon Gets Socked

September 16th, 2005

in 1524, Tomas de Torquemada, High Inquisitor, is approached by a man dressed entirely in red while meeting with the Pope. This man claims to have possession of Torquemada’s soul, and in full view of many priests, bishops, cardinals and His Holiness, is dragged by the man in red into a flaming hole that appears in the floor.

in 1845, after the implementation of the doctrine of blood atonement on the hapless Mormon practioner Phineas Wilcox, Latter-Day Saints across Illinois begin making others “atone” for their sins in a bloody spree that lasts four weeks. Although repudiated by the leaders of the Mormon Church, the small sect of Atoners continues to exist in the shadow of the main church through the 20th century.

in 1920, Enrico Caruso recorded his first album for Edison Records, Thomas Edison’s record company. Edison himself had negotiated the deal which brought Caruso in, because of the enormous prestige the greatest singer in the world could give to his company. Unfortunately, Caruso’s first record with Edison was also his last, as he died a few days later.

in 1924, iconic actress Betty Joan Perske was born in the Bronx, New York. Her on and off-screen relationship with husband Humphrey Bogart produced some of the most memorable lines in film myth, such as, “You know how to whistle, don’t you? You put your lips together and blow.”

in 1940, Communist Representative Bill Munro of Texas became the Speaker of the House. He held this position until he retired from his seat in 1962 to teach at the University of Texas. Comrade Munro was responsible for Texas’ leading role in electronics, space travel and computers.

in 1949, German Reich forces in Lebanon massacre the civilians of Sabra and Shatila. This area becomes a jump point for the attack on the holy land itself; by Christmas, they control Jerusalem, and are moving forces into position to take Mecca.

in 1968, attempting to show his lighter side to the voters, Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon appears on the comedy-variety show Laugh-In, voicing their stock line, “Sock it to me.” After he loses the election, Nixon decides to leave politics. His fun with the Laugh-In crowd leads him to pursue television production, and he produces several hit series in the 70’s, such as Charlie’s Angels and M*A*S*H.

in 1982, Israeli forces intercept their erstwhile allies, Lebanese Phalangists, as they move threateningly towards the Palestinian refugee camp at Sabra, Lebanon. It proves to be a wise move, as another company of the Christian militia massacres the Palestinians at Shatila, Lebanon. Shocked Israelis demand the withdrawal of their invading force from Lebanon.

in 2002, the two hairy men who were able to break into President Bush’s office in the White House are escorted by Secret Service agents to NASA, where they speak with the administrator for several hours. At the end of the day, they are driven back to the White House, where they stay the night.

in 2004, Dr. Emilio Carrera is placed on board the ELS-1 and taken off earth to keep him safe, hopefully, from the Elders while President Gore negotiates with them. During the talks, Washington is evacuated; none too soon, because the Elders show their dissatisfaction with Gore’s actions by destroying the city. Dr. Carrera and the crew of ELS-1 work on adapting his device to make it work from their ship.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can make up your own mind by seeing the pilots at http://aol.com/situationcomedy

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

Q's Opens; Norma Jean's Skirt

September 15th, 2005

in 1847, Mlosh businesswoman Q’Moltriya opens her first boutique in Paris selling pastries adapted from traditional Mlosh recipes. While French gastronomes are daunted at first, Q’s becomes one of the city’s most popular patisseries within a few years, with adventurous gourmets making pilgrimages to the City of Lights specifically to eat there.

in 1883, the People’s College of Austin, a liberal arts school founded by Marxist-Thoreauvians from New Hampshire, began receiving state funding and renamed itself The University of Texas. It grew over the next century to become the largest public college in the Soviet States.

in 1915, the Boston Pilgrims beat the Jefferson City Nickels by the incredibly lopsided score of 20-1. Town Ball has seen few such blowouts since then, and the Nickels have never been beaten as badly.

in 1919, after corresponding with a young Vietnamese man named Ho Chi Minh, President Woodrow Wilson attempt to negotiate French Indochina’s independence from France. Although he was unsuccessful, Ho Chi Minh never forgot that the United States had attempted to intervene on his people’s behalf, and when Indochina won its independence after World War II, he became a staunch ally of the Americans.

in 1944, composer and band leader Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel. He had been appointed a Captain in the Army Specialist Corps whose job was keeping the troops’ morale high, and was embarking on a tour of Europe. 20 years later, Miller and his plane reappeared on the French coast, not having aged a day. Neither Miller nor his crewmates could remember what had happened to them, in spite of many inducements to do so. The reappearance of the jazz legend brought his music back into style, and jazz experienced a renaissance.

in 1945, The German Reich forbids all non-Aryans from holding citizenship. More laws follow that strip those who marry non-Aryans of their citizenship, that forbid citizens to trade with non-Aryans, although the government still allows itself that privilege, and that declare non-Aryans enemies of the state.

in 1954, Norma Jean Mortensen’s most iconic pose is shot while filming The Seven Year Itch. She stands over a subway vent while her skirt is blown up, laughing and trying to push it down. Her husband, comic playwright Arthur Miller, is reported to have kept pictures of the most risqué poses on his desk in their home.

in 1970, Murray Gell-Mann, a physicist working in the field of subatomic particles, vanishes. Gell-Mann had belonged to Richard Tolman’s parallel universe cult since his childhood, and had been working on a special project for them at the time of his disappearance.

in 1983, on the 20th anniversary of the bomb blast in which she was the sole survivor, Cynthia Wesley announced her candidacy for the governor’s seat in Alabama. Ms. Wesley had been a great rallying point for the civil rights movement since her childhood was ripped from her by an explosion in her church in Birmingham; she won office with a slim majority of the vote, becoming Alabama’s first black female governor.

in 1990, a young girl disappears in Kingston, Massachusetts, and the FBI came in to investigate. On a hunch, the lead FBI agent asks permission from Washington to get the neighbors to take polygraphs. The request is turned down, since polygraphs are inadmissible in court, and the hunt goes on for months before a neighbor of the girl is caught abducting another child from the street, and practically beaten to death by an angry mob of local parents.

in 2002, two very hairy men approach the front gate at the White House and talk with the guard there for several minutes, after which, they walk inside the grounds. They walk up to the White House, and, unchallenged, walk into President Bush’s office. “Mr. President,” one of them says in an upper-class British accent, “We need to speak with you.”

in 2003, 4 horsemen were observed riding towards Buckingham Cathedral, The papal spokesman made no comment on the horsemen, and refused to answer questions about what their purpose in the Holy British Empire might be.

in 2004, when Ako Elma is not heard from, several Elders appear at the White House, demanding to see her. They are let into the Oval Office, where Dr. Carrera’s device is used on them. One manages to escape before being turned into the grey goo, and he alerts the other Elders to what is happening in Washington. The Elders give President Gore an ultimatum – cease the attacks on Elders, or suffer the destruction of his city.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST

In order to provide for the upkeep of our new historian, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - make a donation at our Paypal link, then email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information is available on our Forum link below. Enter early and often!

Also, we still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

Forum Link - Boring legal info on the TIAH Halloween Contest!
Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

Warp and Protocols still available; also, see the script I submitted for Bravo's Situation: Comedy. Speaking of which, the winning writers have been announced; not the ones I voted for, but you can make up your own mind by seeing the pilots at http://aol.com/situationcomedy

Still wishing...

As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!