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!