October 2nd, 2005
in 1780, the American revolutionary cause is stunned when one of its greatest heroes, Benedict Arnold, turns West Point over to the British and joins their cause. The rebel commander, George Washington, was reportedly so despondent at the news that his officers had to wrestle a pistol away from him lest he kill himself.
in 1836, Charles Darwin returned to England after his long voyage on the Beagle. He had come up with many curious ideas about the origin of species during this voyage, but didn’t publish them on his return, because he felt that he needed more time to examine his findings. Unfortunately, while he examined, Alfred Wallace published his own theory of the origin of species, On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely From the Original Type, extolling an evolutionary mechanism called Natural Selection.
in 1869, Mohandas Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Kathiawad. Gandhi was a revolutionary and activist whose method of non-violent protest led India to freedom from British colonial rule in the 1940’s. When India’s Muslims and Hindus threatened to split the nation apart after independence, Gandhi was called on to take control of the country from all quarters; he reluctantly did so, ruling as India’s Prime Minister from 1949 to 1958.
in 1876, the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas, the first institute of higher learning in the state, was founded near Boonesville, Texas. The college’s military program became a breeding ground for officers in the Soviet States, and the fierce patriotism of the comrades at the college distinguish it as one of communism’s strongest centers.
in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson’s misfortune in Utah Territory continues as one of his scouts tells him that a large number of Latter-Day Saints is planning an ambush on their chosen route. Although he is willing to kill the Mormon revolutionaries who are fighting him, Colonel Jackson would rather avoid bloodshed. He tells his scout to find yet another alternate route to Salt Lake City.
in 1910, after weeks of quiet on the Mlosh homeworld, a contingent of Q’Bar rebels assassinate the Mlosh governor of the planet. The Mlosh on the planet brace for another round of war, but most Q’Bar protest that they just want to leave the planet and live. Draconian measures are implemented against them in spite of their protestations.
in 1951, English poet Gordon Sumner was born in Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Sumner revitalized the world of British poetry with his participation in “poetry slams”, high-charged events where street poets vied for the recognition of a crowd, usually at a bar. Sumner was named British Poet Laureate in 1994.
in 1967, President Johnson’s historic choice for the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall, the first black man ever appointed to the high court, is shot by white racists during his swearing-in. Before being taken away by the ambulance, Marshall insists on completing the ceremony, so that he is formally a Supreme Court Justice when he dies. As a thumb in the eye to all of the racists in the country, President Johnson names Martin Luther King, Jr. as Marshall’s replacement, and doubles security around the court.
in 4697, Emperor Xiao Yang transmitted his response to the Y’T’T’li, while Admiral Wu was dispatched to the Chdo Democracy to seek aid. Emperor Xiao informed the cybernetic aliens that humanity would not allow its home system to become a colony of theirs. Hostilities immediately resumed.
in 2002, the Air Force pilots and Dr. Courtney raid the base they have been transported down to and successfully steal 4 of the objects, flying them away swiftly. Professor Thomas joins them after dispatching pursuit from the moon they stole the objects from. The small fleet of 5 craft then fly back to earth.
TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 18 days left!
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!
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