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!
No comments:
Post a Comment