Rome & Egypt Defeat Antonius; RJR Nabisco Gets The Death Penalty

November 30th, 2005

in 723 AUC, the alliance of Rome and Egypt ended the rebellion of Marcus Antonius, who had ruled in a triumvirate with Octavian and Marcus Lepidus, but had attempted to seize power for himself in 721. Cleopatra VII, ruler of Egypt, had flirted briefly with the idea of allying with Antonius before a personal plea from Octavian brought her back into Rome’s camp.

in 1667, future Bishop Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland. Bishop Swift arose to his position by his harsh treatment of his native countrymen; during a particularly terrible famine in Ireland, he even suggested to Pope William that the Irish could use their young as a source of food. Of all the Archbishops the Holy British Empire appointed to oversee Dublin and Ireland, none was hated more than Bishop Swift.

in 1835, riverboat captain Samuel Clemens is born in Florida, Missouri. Clemens was a legendary figure among the men who plied the Mississippi in the 19th century, known for his wit and eccentricity, and his boat was always crowded with passengers seeking a few moments with the famous Old Man of the River.

in 1939, the Communist-led United States of America attacks the Canadian province of British Columbia. Although British aid helps the Canadians fend off any further American advances into their territory, British Columbia remains American until they join the People's Republic of America in the civil war of 2000.

in 1947, Jewish and Muslim settlements in Madagascar were attacked by New Reich marine forces. The soldiers of the island nation fought bravely, as did the settlers themselves, but the threat of nuclear weapons that the New Reich levied against them forced Madagascar to surrender their Semitic population. Some managed to escape, but most of the 24,000 Semites on the island were put to the death.

in 1947, playwright David Mamet was born in Chicago, Illinois. Mamet was famous for his family-friendly plays and movie scripts. He was known to remark, “if you have to swear to say something, it really wasn’t worth saying, was it?”

in 1954, the course of human evolution was altered when Mrs. Elizabeth Hodges of Sylacauga, Alabama, was struck by a meteorite. The powerful energies contained in the rock from outer space transformed her into the being known today as Astro-Woman. Seemingly immortal, this crime-fighting Alabaman has been foiling evil ever since, and along with her children, Astro-boy and Comet-girl, and their dog Shooting Star, she has kept the American south safe for two generations.

in 1988, after executives at RJR Nabisco accepted a buy-out offer from a friendly consortium that was lower than the bid from Shearson Lehman and Salomon Inc, an investigation into the company led to a first for the 20th century – the corporate death penalty. RJR Nabisco was stripped of its corporate license and its parts sold off. The move by the usually very business-friendly SEC of the Reagan-Bush era served notice to other corporations, and their behavior improved measurably.

in 2002, Dr. Courtney and his crew land on the alien planet they have been escorted to. With much trepidation, they disembark and are taken prisoner. Their sick personnel, Professor Thomas and Captain Laughlin, and the aliens who were also comatose, are taken off the ship and placed in a quarantined medical area. Dr. Courtney is separated from his Air Force crew and brought before the local authorities.

in 2004, Chelsea Perkins contacts an Old One, a being of power from the days before the One God came. He attempts to seduce her into performing a freedom ritual for him, and tells her the secret of the 7 Ingredients. Before she can begin the ritual that will let him loose, Alma May Watson discovers her and snaps her out of his spell.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Ike Goes To Korea

November 29th, 2005

in 1540, Archbishop Wolsey of York is burned at the stake for heresy after he questions the decision of Pope Henry VIII to divorce yet another wife. The execution of a close and trusted advisor on a whim sends a message across the Holy British Empire that the young pope is unstable, and the other cardinals and archbishops treat Pope Henry very gingerly for the remainder of his reign.

in 12-12-9-14-2, Oueztecan troops commit another atrocity in their war in the north of the continent as they slaughter helpless Cheyenne and Arapaho people who were attempting to surrender. As news of the slaughter spreads among the northern people, resistance against Ouezteca stiffens; the people of the north feel that they have nothing to gain by giving up to the southern empire, and everything to lose.

in 1919, a faction of the Presence works its will on a young Austrian soldier, convincing him that the loss of the Central Powers in the Great War was the fault of cowards and non-Aryans within the German and Austrian command. Ludicrous as this was, the idea infected him and he soon infected others.

in 1948, Australia auto manufacturer Holden Automotive met the challenge issued it by the government to produce a car entirely in Australia. The Holden FX was a tremendous success, not only in Australia, but around the world. The models that followed, the Torana and Commodore, proved that the FX was no fluke. By the 1960’s, Australia’s cars were outperforming American cars in the lucrative American market. This led many Michiganders to urge boycotts and stiff trade barriers against Australian cars, but the nation continued to buy them. When the Japanese entered the auto ring in the 1970’s, America’s automotive industry fell into its final collapse.

in 1952, President-elect Dwight Eisenhower visits Korea in an effort to find an end to the bitter civil war raging in the small Asian nation. His itinerary was apparently not guarded very well, because his convoy was attacked on a countryside drive, killing him and several soldiers and diplomats. His Vice-President-elect, Richard Nixon, pledged total American commitment to South Korea, and plunged America deeper into the civil war when he assumed the office of President in January.

in 1962, Comrade President Gus Hall appoints Coleman Young as head of a committee to investigate the assassination of Comrade President Joel Rosenberg the week before. Comrade Young establishes conclusively that the lone counter-revolutionary, Lee Oswald, was responsible for the murder, but lunatic conspiracy theorists have questioned this conclusion for decades.

in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson establishes a commission, headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren, to lay the blame of former President Kennedy's assassination squarely at the feet of Lee Harvey Oswald. When the commission's initial report finds otherwise, Warren squashes the official report and releases a pack of lies about a “magic bullet” and a lone gunman.

in 1986, Archie Leach, a musical comedy favorite from the 1930’s through the 1960’s, died at his home in Davenport, Iowa. Leach had entered the U.S. as a teen when he was part of a group of acrobatic performers. He stayed and soon his dashing good looks and singing ability landed him parts on Broadway, where he became noticed by movie studios. He made his first film, This is the Night, in 1932 and before long he was starring opposite such leading ladies as Marie von Losch, Mary West and Katharine Hepburn. He had retired from filmmaking twenty years earlier, adhering to the old theater adage, “always leave ‘em wanting more.”

in 2002, Dr. Courtney begins broadcasting a distress signal into a nearby star system. “This will not be pleasant,” he warns the Air Force crew on his spacecraft. “These people aren't exactly friendly.” Ten craft appear a few hours later, and surround Courtney's vessel. He communicates with them in a strange tongue for several minutes, then they apparently agree to escort him to their planet.

in 2004, Elsbeth Danwich arrives at the Great Tree to “pay her respects” to Terrence Perkins. She tries to appear conciliatory to Chelsea Perkins, but Alma May Watson banishes her before she can work any spells on young Chelsea. Miss Perkins, still grieving for the father she barely knew, begins research into dark areas of magic.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Magellan Shipwrecks; Estellians Storm The Tower Of London

November 28th, 2005

in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator seeking a western route to the riches of Asia, hits the straits at the southern tip of South America and, in a series of bad decisions, is stranded when his ships are dashed against the rocks. The small company of survivors, including Magellan, strike north and are rescued by the Inca, with whom Magellan negotiates trading rights for Portugal.

in 1582, 18-year old William Shakespeare leaves his pregnant bride, Anne Hathaway, at the altar and runs to London to join the theater there. When Miss Hathaway dies during childbirth, her father hunts down young Shakespeare and kills him in cold blood outside a pub the actor frequented.

in 1907, Louis B. Mayer, a scrap dealer in New England, diversifies his business by opening a movie theater in Haverville, Massachusetts. His enormous ego eventually led him to try his hand at producing films, but clashes with other theater owners forced him to sell his theaters in 1920 at a loss.

in 1943, German Underground forces captured a meeting of Greater Zionist Resistance leaders in Teheran, Persia. The G.Z.R. had assembled a small group of strategists in Persia to plan a counter-attack against the G.U. forces in the west. This capture was a serious blow to the G.Z.R., as it took many of their best generals.

in 1954, the U.S. military becomes interested in Richard Tolman’s parallel universe cult when nuclear physicist Enrico Fermi disappears after attending a cult meeting. Military investigators at first suspected Fermi had been killed by the cult, but could find no evidence they had done any foul play. One of the investigators also disappeared a couple of weeks into the investigation, further complicating matters.

in 1964, after hearing his advisers roll out a plan for an escalation of the bombing of North Vietnam, President John Kennedy, newly re-elected just the month before, approved the plan and accelerated the timetable. The disastrous increase in the military involvement in Vietnam proved to be the death blow for Kennedy's reputation. As the Viet Cong refused to die, protesters against the war began chanting, “Hey, hey, JFK, how many kids did you kill today?”

in 1987, New York teenager Tawana Brawley returns home late after a long night with an ex-boyfriend and faces a withering punishment from her mother, who had already grounded her.

in 1989, in yet another blow to the Communist Movement, the government of Venezuela stepped down voluntarily and transferred power to an elected committee of industrialists and bankers. The Congress of the Soviet States of America pleaded with Comrade President Ann Richards to halt the erosion of the people’s power in the American hemisphere, but she again refused, just as she had in Panama.

in 2002, the lines across the skin of the comatose patients become large webs of a hard sticky substance. Dr. Courtney orders everyone to stay out of the medical chamber on their spacecraft, and puts a force field around the entire room. He sends a message to earth that they will be delayed, and changes course. He is going to seek help from an alien race that has no reason to aid him.

in 2003, Estellians, the followers of Estelle Gerard, storm the Tower of London and free hundreds of their brethren held there. The guards at the Tower were so weak from the plagues striking across the Holy British Empire that they were unable to resist the Protestants, and many crossed over to their side. Pope Righteous I excommunicated all guards who did so.


Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Lady Lovelace's Notes

November 27th, 2005

in 621, a faction of the Presence begins influencing a young man to hear and see strange things, in preparation for making him a prophet of a new religion. This represents another splitting of the main faction, and their purpose on earth is jeopardized by all the in-fighting. Soon, open warfare among the Presence will break out.

in 1095, Pope William II, son of the Norman usurper of the Holy British Empire, incites all of Europe to send armies to the Holy Land to recapture it in the name of Christendom. He hopes that this will mollify those who see his line’s rule over Christianity’s most sacred throne as sacrilege, and it does serve the purpose of uniting Christianity; it fails in its stated purpose, and Muslims continue to hold the Holy Land for centuries.

in 1743, composer Freiderich Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum is performed to celebrate the victory of King George against the Bavarians that year. It makes history by using Mlosh singers to perform the parts of the Mlosh soldiers in King George’s army, the first appearance of the alien race in any human theatrical performance.

in 12-10-2-1-13, Oueztecan troops created an incident against the Masoki people on the far eastern shores of the continent, blaming them for killing soldiers during a feather war. This gave the Empire an excuse for a full-scale assault against the peninsula, with a naval blockade and ground troops soon crushing the Masoki and forcing them into the Empire.

in 1852, in order to stave off her debtors, Augusta Ada King, Lady Lovelace, sold off the notes she had taken as mathematician Charles Babbage’s assistant. The U.S. government bought the notes and gave them to the American inventing community to see what could be done with them. Thomas Edison proved the investment worthwhile in 1872 when he built the Edison Difference Engine, (or Eddie, as it was popularly known), based on the notes.

in 4636, innovative filmmaker Lee Yuen Kam was born in Hong Kong. A martial artist since his youth, Lee developed his own school of Gong Fu he called Jeet Kune Do. This fluid fighting style was featured in his films, first by himself and then by his students when Lee felt too old to properly execute his own stunts. Lee’s action films spawned a generation of action filmmakers who were martial artists/actors, such as Kong-san Chan, Yuen Chu and Li Lian Jie.

in 1942, Seattle’s most famous musician was born. James Hendrix played the guitar as a young man, and when he entered the Army in 1959, entertained his company with his music during his tour as a paratrooper in Vietnam. When he left the armed forces in 1963, he returned to the States and played backup for many other acts before going solo as an opening act for The Monkees in 1967. Although the kids who were Monkees fans didn’t really get his music, their old brothers and sisters did, and Hendrix was soon a breakaway hit. This success brought drug use with it, but he was able to kick the habit with the help of his old paratrooper buddies from the Army, and has been enshrined as the first of rock ‘n’ roll’s guitar gods. And, he still has it – his latest album, Transmissions From Planet 3, went gold 4 days after it went on sale in 2002.

in 1973, arguments in the Senate forced them to postpone the approval of Representative Gerald Ford as President Nixon’s vice-president after his first V.P. was forced to resign to face bribery allegation when he was governor of Maryland. Nixon was thrown for a loss on this, and didn’t name another candidate for the office before being forced from office himself in 1974. This resulted in the elevation of Speaker of the House Carl Albert to the presidency. The Oklahoman mended fences across the aisle, helping to heal the nation by imprisoning Nixon on treason charges in 1975.

in 1978, Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk of San Francisco are killed by former Supervisor Dan White. Milk, who was openly homosexual, was mourned in a candlelight vigil by the city’s large gay community, which waited for the trial of his killer with low expectation of justice. Much to their surprise, White received life in prison for the double murder, due largely to the ludicrous “Twinkie Defense” strategy that his legal team pursued. They had blamed White’s rampage on too much sugar in his bloodstream. This conviction quelled the anger of a minority that had been ready for rioting if the verdict went against their wishes.

in 2002, Major Garth Minette, one of the Air Force pilots with Dr. Courtney, while tending to Professor Thomas, Captain Trent Laughlin and the aliens who have become comatose since their rescue from the cocoons, notices strange lines spreading across the skin of the two men. He can see similar lines on the aliens. He informs Dr. Courtney, who places a watch on the patients, from outside the medical chamber.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Constitution Day; Gore Certified As President

November 26th, 2005

in 1536, Archbishop Wolsey of York excommunicated all printers in the Low Countries who printed the heretical non-English versions of the Bible. Pope Henry VIII had appointed him his Chancellor of Foreign Affairs, and gave him the full authority of the Holy British Empire to hunt out and punish heresies.

in 1789, President George Washington declared the day a national holiday to celebrate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. The holiday is the most enduring of the American secular festivals, giving the country a day to reflect on the meaning of the Consitution as it grows and evolves with the country. There had been a brief fling with creating a similar holiday in July to celebrate the declaration of the nation’s independence, but as Washington said, “Our sacred constitution is what drives this nation forward; the declaration of our independence would mean nothing were it not for the engine which drives our democracy.”

in 1840, the first full-time shuttle service between the earth and the Brahe community on the moon begins sevice in the North American Confederation. The concept of quick transport to the moon catches on, and within a decade there is steady service from over 30 countries to the lunar colonies. This easy access to the moon is what made lunar colonization popular in the last half of the 19th century.

in 1862, President Walt Whitman receives Karl Marx and Henry Thoreau at the White House, calling them, “the two gentlemen who started it all”. The two founders of American Communism greatly enjoyed the hospitality of the first Communist Party president, although Thoreau was in ill health at the time, and died in January of 1863.

in 1922, archeologist Howard Carter and his team enter the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen, desecrating the sacred sepulchre and arousing the wrath of the mummified king. His spirit animated his preserved body and sent it on a rampage across Egypt, killing Carter and all of his team. The mummy, appeased, returned to its tomb, never to be disturbed again.

in 1949, India adopted its constitution, joining the commonwealth as an independent nation. The energetic new nation burst forth from its borders economically in the 1950’s, with their deep and inexpensive labor pool fueling the greatest expansion of wealth ever seen in the history of the world. Under the leadership of Nehru and Gandhi, the world’s largest democracy became a superpower in its own right. Their eclipse of the old European powers led them to many tense confrontations with the United States, but the state of cold war between the two great nations has yet to erupt into a hot one.

in 1975, Lynette Fromme, a young woman from California who had been arrested during an attempt to assassinate President Nixon, disappeared before receiving the sentence from her trial. Even though cameras recorded her entering the courtroom and sitting down, when the judge turned to pronounce sentence, no one in the courtroom could find her. Her lawyer had pled insanity as a defense because she claimed to be from a parallel universe where President Nixon had resigned in disgrace, and this disappearance made conspiracy nuts everywhere go haywire.

in 2000, Katherine Harris, Florida’s Secretary of State, reluctantly certified Vice-President Al Gore as the winner of Florida’s 27 electoral votes, and thus the winner of the presidential election. Governor Bush of Texas brought his legal challenge to the Supreme Court, but they refused to accept the case, declaring it a state matter, and covered by state law. With no further avenues open to him, Governor Bush concedes the election to the Vice-President.

in 2002, the aliens on board the spacecraft piloted by Dr. Courtney suddenly become agitated, as do Professor Thomas and Captain Laughlin. They all slip into a coma, and Dr. Courtney fears that the cocooning they were rescued from probably had long-lasting effects. He confines them to the ship's sick bay, and tells his Air Force pilots not to enter the area without spacesuits on.

in 2004, Chelsea Perkins' body, being controlled by an entity from the spirit world, attacks and kills her father, Terrence Perkins, before being dispelled by Chelsea and Alma May Watson. Tearfully, Chelsea says goodbye to her father, and promises to complete her lessons under Miss Watson's tutelage. Miss Watson and Chelsea bury Perkins in the Great Tree; his final sacrifice to it.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

On The Origin Of Species By Divine Will

November 25th, 2005

in 1783, rebel dead-enders in New York City are captured by British troops, effectively ending the American Revolution. Rebel General George Washington had been captured in Virginia a few months before, and with neither command nor the promised French support, the rebels had faded before massive British onslaughts.

in 1859, protests against On the Origin of Species by Divine Will by Father Charles Darwin began in the Holy British Empire. The treatise by the naturalist/priest countered the arguments being put forth by natural philosophers that species arose by a method being called evolution rather than by the design of God. Natural philosophers across the Empire appealed to the Pope to promote science in this instance, rather than faith.

in 1876, the massacre of a Cheyenne village in retaliation for Custer's defeat at Little Bighorn galvanizes native nations across the American west into resistance against the U.S. Chief Dull Knife of the Cheyenne, who had watched small children starve and freeze to death as a result of the attacks, was so embittered that he forged coalitions among every nation he could inspire to fight, and the Great Cheyenne Alliance became a feared enemy of America until its final defeat in 1924.

in 1903, Thomas Edison assigns inventor Clyde Coleman, to the team that designs the Jove, Edison’s wildly successful electric auto line. Coleman's designs for an electric car had both shocked and delighted Edison, who felt that his radical new ideas were exactly what was needed to put the electric car line at the top of the heap.

in 1940, the German Underground and the Greater Zionist Resistance clashed in the ancient Polish city of Krakow. The fierce fighting on both sides utterly demolished the city, destroying thousands of lives and irreplaceable artifacts of Poland’s history.

in 1952, one of the few failures in literary giant Agatha Christie's career opened in London. The Mousetrap was excoriated by critics who felt that the surprise ending was brilliant, but who seemed rather disappointed that the murderer didn't get away because of a cheap secondary twist. It closed after 3 performances.

in 1971, an intense police hunt in Washington begins for hijacker Dan “D.B.” Cooper, who took his $200,000 in ransom money and parachuted from the Northwest Airlines 727 he had taken over. They found him in short order – Cooper, an inexperienced jumper, had gotten hung in a tree and was unable to free himself. He was sentenced to life in prison at his trial, and has been denied parole twice.

in 1989, the day after Communists in the People’s Republic of Panama step down from power, Comrade President Ann Richards, though baited on the issue by Congress, does not send in troops to restore the People’s Party to power. Preserving the peace, she says, “They’ve made their choice and we must respect it. We will always stand ready to support our comrades, even when they choose not to fight.”

in 2002, Dr. Courtney sends a broadcast ahead to the other ships that they are carrying Professor Thomas and Captain Laughlin, as well as a small group of aliens. Courtney and Thomas attempt to communicate with the aliens, but the languages the two scientists know do not seem to be among the ones the aliens know.

in 2004, Chelsea Perkins again ignores her father's warnings and enters the spirit world. Here, the being that has identified itself as her grandfather approaches her again, and she tries to trick it into revealing who it really is. The being senses this, and uses its power to take control of her body, and enter the material world.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

A Day Of Giving Thanks

November 24th, 2005

in 1720, with the last colony ship landed, the Mlosh have a feast with as many of their human neighbors as will join them, celebrating their landing on a hospitable world with friendly people. Most of the celebrations were recorded, and the recordings became a tool for showing the human race how similar to them the Mlosh were.

in 2617 AUC, a day of thanks to Jupiter is declared throughout the Roman Republic. The festival celebrates the end of fall and the beginning of winter, and had been a folk festival for centuries already.

in 1864, in one of his last official actions, President Walt Whitman declares the last Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving for the blessings the American nation has received over all others.

in 4561, Emperor Min-Yuan declares this day to be a day of thanks across the Chinese Empire for the successful conclusion of the war against the Siamese and Vietnamese. It is at this celebration that he makes public his intention never to kill his own people again.

in 12-12-9-13-18, Emperor Quitchehuan opens the last of the Festivals of Huitzilopochtle by personally sacrificing an Apache caught in a Feather War. During the sacrifice, Quitchehuan had a great vision of the sun disappearing from the sky should the festivals continue, and he forbade them during the remainder of his reign. When the Empire remained strong in spite of Huitzilopochtle’s blessing, the festivals were never reinstated.

in the Dreaming, the great Spider returned with a web that connected the lost people with the people of the land. The people were so overjoyed at being united that they gathered together all of the food they could, and made great music to the heavens, and to the spider for his searching, and to each other to show their love for their kindred.

in 1864, Pope Victoria declares a Day of Giving Thanks throughout the Holy British Empire. God had spoken to her and told her to lift up from the mourning she had gone into at her consort Albert’s death. From that day on, she devoted herself to spreading of the Holy British Church.

in 1890, General Beauregard T. Jackson, having been invited to the homes of several families in Salt Lake City, ends up spending his Thanksgiving at the home of a young enlisted man, Stephen Tims. In the warmth of the Tims family home, General Jackson knows that peace has finally come to Utah.

in 2002, having rescued Professor Thomas and Captain Trent Laughlin from the alien cocoons, the crew of the stolen space craft have a small party. They even invite the aliens that they inadvertently rescued along with Thomas and Laughlin, who accept the offer, although they are confused by the humans themselves.

in 2004, Chelsea Perkins celebrates her first Thanksgiving with her father at the Great Tree. With Alma May Watson and the nymph of the tree in attendance, it is a small but lively gathering, and Miss Perkins feels, for the first time, that everything will be all right. She gives her very sincere thanks for the gift of her ancestry.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Dead Sea Scrolls; Romanians Join With German Underground

November 23rd, 2005

in 213, a few young Essenes, young Jewish tribesmen possessed by the Presence, hide several scrolls speaking of the founding of the new Christian religion in a cave in the middle east. They plan on keeping these scrolls for a day when they will be able to reveal several facts about the religion that only the Presence is privy to.

in 912, Otto of Germany, the last serious pretender to the old Roman Empire, was born in Saxony. Maintaining that Pius had lacked the authority to crown Arthur pope, Otto led rebellions against the Holy British Empire throughout his life until his final defeat in 971 by Pope Edward the Peacable.

in 618, Alfonso the Wise, Caliph of Castile and Leon, was born with Allah’s blessing in Toledo, Espagne. He was among the first few generations in his country to accept the teachings of the Prophet, and established great schools of learning during his reign, some of which still teach to this day.

in 1499, in order to hide the truth from the English public, King Henry VII executes a man he names as “Perkin Warbeck”, who had led a rebellion against him. The young man is actually Richard of York, son of King Edward IV, whom King Richard III had supposedly had murdered in the Tower as a child. When rumors of “Warbeck's” lineage reach the general population, they rise up against Henry the Pretender and overthrow him.

in 1876, the symbol of capitalism's corruption, William Tweed of New York, is delivered back to the United States after communists in Spain had captured him and spirited him back to America. The downfall of Tweed and his organization were the death knell for the Democratic Party, and it soon merged with the Socialists to form the main opposition to the triumphant Communist Party of America.

in 1940, Romanian insurgents rise up against the Greater Zionist Resistance, and with weaponry supplied by the German Underground, successfully drive the G.Z.R. from the nation. The Romanian fascists became some of the most blood-thirsty of the G.U.’s allies, killing hundreds of thousands as they fought against the Zionists across Eurasia.

in 1970, physicist Roy Kendall of the University of Nevada went public with information he had stolen from the secret military base at Groom Lake, Nevada. In a live interview with Walter Cronkite of CBS News, Kendall maintained that alien technology was being back-engineered at Groom Lake; unfortunately, as soon as he said that, armed men broke into the studio, shot him dead, and fatally wounded Cronkite. His evidence was never seen, and the government maintained that Kendall and Cronkite had been slain by gamblers Kendall was attempting to pay off with a lucrative hoax.

in 1991, opera impresario Farrokh Bulsara died in London, England. An unimpressive singer, but a dazzling marketeer, Bulsara applied his talents to bringing the music he loved to popular culture. He produced several operatic albums that went gold in the lucrative American market – he knew how to sell to American audiences as no one before him had. His tragic death from AIDS took much of the vitality out of modern opera.

in 2002, after recovering from the attack that drove them off, Dr. Courtney and his company of Air Force pilots come up with a plan to rescue Professor Thomas and Captain Trent Laughlin from the cocoons of the aliens that have captured them. They fly their craft directly over the area and teleport them up. This results in a couple of the other cocooned aliens coming with them, but Dr. Courtney takes them, too, and they retreat off this moon quickly.

in 2004, several fruitless searches of the spirit world have failed to find the being posing as Chelsea Perkins' grandfather. She and her father Terrence resume their lessons, and Terrence warns Chelsea to be wary whenever she ventures into the spirit world now. That night, she ignores his warning, and wanders into the spirit world in her dreams.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Assassinations & Missed Chances

November 22nd, 2005

in 1863, during a visit to Dallas, Mexico, North American Confederation First Chancellor T’Grito is assassinated as his procession leads through the center of the city. T’Grito had been unpopular in the Mexican state since his economic policies had caused rampant unemployment in the region. Human League activists took credit for the murder, their first outside the British Isles.

in 1962, during a visit to Dallas, Texas Soviet, Comrade President Joel Rosenberg is shot to death by a fanatical counter-revolutionary, Lee Oswald. Many investigations have proven that Comrade Rosenberg was killed by a lone gunman, but conspiracy theorists continue to insist that there was a plot to kill the President, and Oswald was simply the patsy.

in 1963, during a visit to Dallas, Texas, President Kennedy narrowly escapes death when a crazed gunman shoots at him from a book depository. Governor John Connally of Texas, traveling with him, is fatally injured when bullets meant for the president strike him, instead.

in 1963, during a visit to Dallas, Texas, President Nixon is shot and killed by gunmen firing from a book depository and a grassy knoll on the route. Republican Senatorial candidate John Tower, traveling with him in the motorcade, was wounded as well. Investigations into the assassination proved that a conspiracy of communists and Mafioso were behind the killing; his successor, President Henry Cabot Lodge, used the assassination as a spur to halt organized crime and communist infiltration into American society.

in 1963, during a visit to Dallas, Texas, President Lyndon Johnson is assassinated by a crazed gunman angry with his Cuban policy. Johnson, who only narrowly won the Democratic nomination against his eventual running mate, John Kennedy of Massachusetts, as well as narrowly winning the general election against Vice-President Richard Nixon, was missed by all when the inexperienced Kennedy assumed the presidency. Kennedy proved a disaster in office, making several misjudgements that plunged America deeper into conflict in Vietnam as well as ignoring civil rights movements in the south. He was defeated by Senator Barry Goldwater in the election the next year.

in 12-17-10-3-13, during a visit to the Apache of their northern possessions, Oueztecan Emperor Kanticli is killed by lunatics opposed to his Yucatanian Gulf war. Kanticli had planned to ease restrictions against the rebel islands in the gulf the following year, but his successor, Emperor Quetzos, stepped up the reprisals against the islands in revenge.

in 1963, during a visit to Dallas, Texas, President John Kennedy is assassinated. Although the initial investigation tries to pin the killing on a lone gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald, (who was conveniently murdered before being brought to trial), subsequent investigations show that the killing was the work of a dazzling cabal of Mafioso, communists, aliens, Republicans, Illuminati, Masons and Merovingians seeking to stop Kennedy’s ascension to the order of high exalted ones. Little did they know that their very action caused his ascension, and now he is one with the other Most High Ones.

in 1963, during a visit to Dallas, Texas, President John Kennedy manages to mend some fences with conservative Democrats unhappy with his somewhat liberal policies. In a related event, a man was killed during the President’s motorcade ride through the city when he fell from the 6th floor of the Texas Book Depository. It was assumed that the former Marine, Lee Harvey Oswald, had been trying to get a better view of the motorcade when he fell out the window.

in 1963, President Kennedy invites the Texas governor to the White House in order to make up for missing the trip to Dallas he had originally planned for this week. Governor Connally convinces Kennedy to forgo civil rights legislation the coming year, and focus instead on the conflict in Vietnam. Vice-President Johnson, who had been crafting the civil rights bills, angrily opposed Connally in the next gubernatorial elections in Texas, handily defeating Connally. He then used the governorship to launch himself into the presidency in 1972.

in 1963, Viceroy Charles Eglantine is murdered by American nationalists while touring the North American colonies. After the crushing defeat of the colonial rebellion in the 1780's, the rebels had settled in the west, where British expansion in North America eventually reconquered them. The former Mexican territories had been seething hotbeds of anti-British sentiment for decades, and Viceroy Eglantine had hoped his visit would help to smooth feelings over; apparently, he was mistaken.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

The Flight Was Tres Bonne, But The Landing...

November 21st, 2005

in 1774, the Presence begins affecting the minds of English colonists in North America, making the smallest taxes and slights from the British Empire irritable to them. It also begins warping the views of the British soldiers in the colonies, filling them with contempt for the colonials.

in 1783, the Montgolfier brothers, testing their new hot-air balloon, successfully managed to send a French nobleman, the Marquis d’Arlandes, and a prominent physician sailing through the Parisian sky. It was the first time anyone had flown untethered, and the last for a long time, because the Montgolfiers hadn’t quite perfected the method of landing the aircraft. The Marquis’ successor had them both executed.

in 4492, Chinese sailors in the eastern ocean discover a settlement of Polynesian people on a chain of islands the natives call Hawai’i. Though the islands are small, they are rich in agricultural produce, as well as natural beauty. Hawai’I soon becomes a trading partner and vacation spot for the Chinese Empire.

in 1890, a rider from Washington arrives in Salt Lake City and is sent to Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson. The papers he is carrying are a promotion for the colonel, and an appointment as commander of all forces in the western United States. General Jackson wearily accepts his assignment and settles down to life in the west.

in 1941, with Germany secured from the Greater Zionist Resistance, German Underground leader Adolf Hitler has his architect, Albert Speer, begin constructing a New Berlin to show the face of what he calls Nazism to the world. Speer is assigned several staff members who are neo-Nazis from the future, who assist him with designs and materials from 1968. New Berlin will become a colossus towering over the rest of the world.

in 1974, Congress failed to override a veto by President Gerald Ford on the Freedom of Information Act. The rest of this post will be $3.95, payable to: U.S. Government, Pueblo, Colorado, 81001.

in 1975, Congressmen of the Socialist Party, newly in the majority after decades out of power, release a report accusing the last two Communist administrations of complicity in the assassinations of several reactionary government leaders abroad, including Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Although a Socialist himself, Comrade President John Anderson orders the report suppressed because “it would do grievous damage to our country, and be used by groups hostile to the Soviet States to do damage to the reputation and policy of the Soviet States.”

in 1993, the first steps were taken towards making the District of Columbia the 51st state when the House of Representatives approved the measure. D.C. officially became a state the next year, electing its first Senators and Representatives in the election of 1994. They are widely credited with stemming a tide of Republican victories that year, leaving the House and Senate in Democratic control.

in 2002, Dr. Courtney and his Air Force crew find not only Profesor Thomas and Air Force Captain Trent Laughlin, but members of dozens of alien races, all cocooned by the natives of this moon. When they try to free the captives, Dr. Courtney and his men are attacked by the natives and driven off.

in 2004, Chelsea Perkins tells her father, Terrence, that she had contacted her grandfather during one of her sessions with the spirit world. Terrence, alarmed, informs her that her grandfather is still alive. Together, they go into the spirit world to find the imposter.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Good English Words; Keys To My Heart

November 20th, 2005

in 1727, Mlosh are granted citizenship among the African Massai people, who greet them as brothers from the stars. The relationship between the Massai and Mlosh was closer than any other people on earth until the Mlosh began to mingle with the Australian natives.

in 1854, Pope Victoria ordered the replacement of the ancient latin biblical texts with “good English words”, as she put it. This liberalization was followed in the coming decades by other nations printing bibles and liturgies in their native languages, and a new flowering of faith in the Holy British Empire.

in 12-12-9-13-13, an overzealous Oueztecan force attacked and massacred a group of almost 400 Cheyenne and Arapahoe warriors who were surrendering to the Empire. When the Emperor heard of this tragic mistake, he ordered the captain in charge of the force sacrificed to the Sun God at the next ceremony.

in 1890, with the ceremony celebrating Utah's entrance into the brotherhood of states, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson is informed that he is being replaced as commander of the Utah Expeditionary Force; Washington is sending a general in his place. Colonel Jackson writes back that he will be quite happy to relinquish command. He is planning on retiring from the military, and wants to go back east to live.

in 1945, the New Reich begins sham trials of Greater Zionist Resistance leaders captured in their war. The trials, held at Nuremberg, Germany, all led to the same conclusion – guilty verdict with a death sentence.

in 1948, American consul Angus Ward was captured by Chinese reactionaries after he refused to allow them to use the consulate’s radio transmitter to broadcast their lies to the people. The Soviet Americans stood strong with the People’s Republic of China against these counter-revolutionaries, and succeeded in winning Ward’s freedom again.

in 1963, Pete Best’s fifth hit single, Keys To My Heart is released in the U.K. and quickly shoots to the number 1 spot. It also becomes his first single to reach the top spot on the U.S. charts, and fuels the interest that eventually brings Best to the States.

in 1980, United Artist’s blockbuster hit Heaven’s Gate passes the $150 million mark. The epic western tale touched a cord across America, inspiring millions to endure long lines to bask in the 3-hour long movie.

in 1981, former child star and adult beauty Natalie Gurdin drowned in a suspicious boating accident. Her husband, Robert Wagner, was arrested on suspicion of having done her in, and during the trial, it was revealed that Gurdin had discovered his affair with her co-star Ronald Walken during that long night on their yacht. Wagner was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

in 2002, Dr. Courtney and his small band of Air Force pilots land on the moon where they find the robot ship that had carried off Professor Thomas and Captain Trent Laughlin – but the ship is deserted, and there are signs of a struggle. They begin scanning the surface of the moon to find their missing comrades.

in 2004, Elsbeth Danwich pays a visit to the Great Tree. Standing outside the circle of its protection, she challenges Terrence Perkins to come out and face her. Instead, Alma May Watson leaves the tree to speak with her. Danwich refuses to speak with someone from the Council of Wisdom, and attacks Watson. Both of the Perkins inside the Great Tree join hands, and the power of the Tree is extended momentarily, saving Miss Watson and driving off Elsbeth Danwich.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Ivan The Terrible Slain

November 19th, 2005

in 941, the Presence gathers at a small island in a lake in England and creates a place of mystery. There will be legends for centuries after of King Arthur's home in this lake, but none will ever see the island again. The Presence uses it as neutral ground for their various factions to meet.

in 1594, Tzar Ivan the terrible met his match at the hands of his son, Ivan the younger. The Tzar, angry at his son’s pregnant wife, began to beat her. Ivan the younger, unable to contain himself, drew his sword and slew his father on the spot, elevating himself to the throne of Russia. The nation breathed a sigh of relief at the passing its cruel lord.

in 1600, Charles I, the Holy British Pope deposed by secular forces in 1649, was born in England. During his arrogant reign, many cardinals and archbishops felt that he had moved away from God, and began preaching against him. This emboldened secularists known as Roundheads, and they overthrew the priesthood in 1649 and ruled the Holy British Empire without a pope for 10 years before the priesthood restored itself with Charles’ son, Pope Charles II.

in 1704, the Bastille’s most infamous prisoner, the man in the iron mask, died. Although still highly controversial, his identity can finally be revealed as [CENSORED FOR SECURITY REASONS]

in 1861, after the failure of their plan to kidnap Doctor Pri’Kato’Mli, Huma League founders Lyle Fitz-Warren and Brent Carpenter fled the U.K. They continued to run the organization, such as it was, for a few months after, but long before Carpenter’s capture, the movement had been taken over by more experienced hardliners.

in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln dedicated the battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as a national cemetery, to bury the honored dead of the United States. The field is one of the most popular Civil War sites in the country. Lincoln apparently gave a brief speech while he was there, but history has little noted nor long remembered what was said there.

in 1890, a federal negotiator arrives from Washington to discuss the new terms of Utah Territory's entry into statehood. The chastened elders of the Latter-Day Saints ask Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson to assist them with the negotiations, and he agrees. By the end of the day, the new state of Utah is ready to join the Union.

in 1920, President-elect Eugene V. Debs names Comrade Joe Hill of the American Labor Union as his Secretary of State. Hill’s strong hand at the international rudder kept America sailing smoothly throughout the 20’s. Hill never ran for elective office, although the Communist Party tried time and again to persuade him. As a Swedish immigrant, he was barred constitutionally from seeking the presidency, which was the only office he was said to have wanted.

in 1924, film director Thomas Ince died suddenly at his home in Menlo Park, New Jersey. His closed-coffin ceremony, rumored affair with Carla Lambert, and wild reputation led many to believe that Thomas Edison had killed him. The truth, however, was that newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst shot him.

in 1993, Nirvana recorded its MTV Unplugged album, easily the most popular of the 8 albums the group released before Kurt Cobain’s solo career led to the band’s breakup in 2001.

in 2002, the creature inside the robot ship slips out of an airlock onto the moon; Professor Thomas and Air Force Captain Trent Laughlin bid it good riddance and attempt to reactivate the ship. While they are working on the bridge, they notice a large number of creatures are converging on the ship from outside. Thomas transmits another message to Dr. Courtney - “hurry!”

in 2004, while conversing with the spirit of her grandfather, Chelsea Perkins is transported briefly into the spirit world. Here, she sees the past, present and future tumbled together as one, and sees her own future laid out before her. It is filled with danger, violence and death, and she sees her father's death – at her own hands. Startled, she drops back into the material world.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

William Tell's Overture; Robertsonville Massacre

November 18th, 2005

in 1307, in a vain attempt to impress his king, William Tell attempts to shoot an apple balanced on the head of his son. The resultant tragedy provided the basis for many legends of hubris over the centuries, including the William Tell Overture, a sad recounting of that horrible day.

in 1783, widespread use of Mlosh aircar travel leads the establishment of time zones, dividing the planet into 24 zones and beginning the day in Greenwich, U.K. Each zone was one hour later than the zone before it, reflecting the time it took the earth to rotate to where the sun could be seen.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson accepts the surrender of several dozen die-hard rebel Mormons, and begins working with the Mormon elders of Utah Territory to get them to accept the lack of polygamy in their lives. Before the war, they would have been offended – now, with so many dead, they are willing to make the compromise.

in 4619, Star Sailor Zhai Zhigang is born in the Hunan province. Zhai was famous for landing on the moons of Moqsing, and being the first man of the Chinese Empire to discover the strange life forms of its moon Jin-tao.

in 1940, the German Underground’s fascist allies in Italy are completely annihilitated as they attempt to invade Greece. The neo-Nazis from the future caution G.U. leader Adolf Hitler to cut them loose and use his own people in operations from that point on, advice he takes willingly.

in 1962, physicist Niels Bohr, missing since 1958, is seen briefly in his old classroom at the University of Copenhagen. He ignores all questions directed at him, but says to the students gathered that, “an apocalypse is coming. Tolman was right,” before vanishing into thin air.

in 1969, former president Joseph Kennedy dies at his home in Hyannisport, Massachusetts at the age of 81. Although his fortune came from questionable beginnings, Kennedy levied it and the reputation of having lost 2 sons to the war effort in World War II into successful presidential bids in 1956 and 1960.

in 1978, several hundred followers of the Reverend Pat Robertson commit mass suicide at their compound in Robertsonville, Liberia. Robertson had led them to the African nation to escape what he called “persecution” from the Soviet States government; the reality was that he was being investigated for outright fraud and abuse against his followers. When Congressman Comrade Lauch Faircloth, who had constituents among Robertson’s followers, arrived at the compound to view the conditions there, he was assassinated by Robertson’s security, prompting the Reverend to order his followers to “Join hands and march into Heaven”, according to a tape of Robertson’s last speech at the scene.

in 1987, Congress issues its indictments in the Iran-Contra scandal, beginning with Vice-President Bush and including several senior members of the Reagan administration. Although President Reagan pardons Bush himself, almost 20 members of this administration still face jail time, and the vote to impeach Reagan barely fails in the Senate.

in 2002, the robot ship carrying Professor Thomas and Air Force Captain Trent Laughlin lands on a large moon in orbit around a gas giant. Professor Thomas hastily transmits the coordinates to Dr. Courtney, and then tells Laughlin, “Prepare yourself. I have no idea what's waiting for us here.”

in 2004, during a lesson on contacting the spirit world, Chelsea Perkins feels the touch of someone who claims to be her grandfather. She begins conversing with him every day, asking him questions about her family and about what her life is going to be like.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Pope Elizabeth I; Davey Jones' Boutique

November 17th, 2005

in 1558, the Papal reign of Elizabeth I begins after the death of the heretical Pope Mary of the Holy British Empire. Mary had been lenient in her dealings with Protestants, and they had gathered strength under her. When Elizabeth put on the shoes of the fisherman, this lenience ended, which prompted several Protestant attempts on her life.

in 1286, the Egyptian Caliph opens a great canal that connects the ancient Mediterrannean with the Red Sea. This eliminates the need to travel completely around the African continent or go over land to reach Europe from eastern lands, and makes Egypt the greatest trading power in Islam.

in 1875, the North American Theosophical Society was founded in New York City, the capitol of the North American Confederation. Helena Blavatsky, a mystic from Russia, claimed to have psychic knowledge of the Mlosh homeworld, delivered to her by extra-dimensional beings on alternate planes of existence. Although the scientific community pronounced the woman a charlatan, many people, Mlosh and human, flocked to hear her speak; she did put on a good show, after all.

in 1887, Bernard Law Montgomery, known affectionately as Monty to his troops, was born in London, England. Although Monty clashed with other generals, it is widely recognized that he saved the Allies by assuming the position of Supreme Commander in 1944 prior to the invasion of France. With his steady hand at the helm, World War II ended victoriously for the Allies in 1946.

in 1890, rebel Mormon Charles Brigman's last few followers, seeing a wagon guarded by many soldiers leaving Salt Lake City, attack and manage to capture the wagon. When they get it back to their camp, they discover it is a decoy, with a stuffed suit instead of Brigman – by this time, Brigman is miles away in another covered wagon, on his way to justice.

in 1901, Israel Strassberg was born in Budzanov, in what later became Ukraine. As many young men of his era did, he went to the fledgling Soviet Union during the revolution and stayed to help build the worker’s paradise. He was appointed the head of the Actor’s Studio in 1950, and his “Method” acting techniques influenced generations of Soviet actors.

in 1967, Davey Jones of The Monkees, a made-for-TV band that appeared on NBC Monday nights, opened a boutique in Greenwich Village called Zilch I. His fashion designs are so extraordinary that he is soon catapulted from mediocre teen idol to full-fledged fashion mogul, becoming America’s leading designer in the 1970’s.

in 1969, the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks begin between the administration of Comrade President Gus Hall and the reactionary monarchies of Europe. Although the capitalist nations fear Soviet America, they also fear giving up their only defense against her, and the talks soon break down. Comrade Hall, who had staked much of his international standing on his peace initiatives, is crushed by this failure, and attempts a SALT II, but an arms treaty was not in his destiny.

in 1972, a scandal erupted in London society when Bakelight heir Antony Baekeland was institutionalized for schizophrenia. Although Brooks Baekeland, the young man’s father, felt that psychiatry was “professionally amoral”, he felt obliged to commit the young man when Antony attacked and injured his mother with a kitchen knife.

in 2002, Professor Thomas sends a desperate message back to Dr. Courtney – something is on the robot ship with them, and it nearly killed Captain Laughlin. Professor Thomas then notices that the ship is changing course slightly; now, it is heading for a system just outside of the galactic center. He notices a small trail of slime around the controls and thinks that the creature made that adjustment. He signals this information back to Dr. Courtney.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

Dostoevsky Sentenced To Death; Bhutto Elected Prime Minister

November 16th, 2005

in 711 AUC, Roman emperor Tiberius is born in the great city. At the end of his reign, religious fanatics of many different faiths were plaguing the empire, and he ordered them all suppressed. Although condemned at the time, the move has been hailed as saving the empire from religious civil war.

in 1849, Russian author Fyodor Dostoeksky is sentenced to death for his ties to anti-Tsarist radicals. His only two novels, Poor People and The Double, stand as a testament of what he might have written had his sentence been lighter.

in 1890, word reaches Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson that rebel Mormon Charles Brigman is to be sent to Washington, D.C. under armed guard. Although he disagrees with this order, Colonel Jackson puts Brigman into a wagon with a company of seasoned men and sends them east. “If anyone tries to rescue him,” Colonel Jackson tells the soldiers, “shoot him before you shoot any of them.”

in 1894, 6000 Mlosh are killed in Kurdistan by the Kurdish Army; the first official act of state repression against the alien race in the 19th century. Kurdistan is placed under sanction by the Congress of Nations, and Mlosh are advised to leave the nation. Thousands of Mlosh, some of whom have ancestral ties to the small middle eastern nation dating back to the landing in 1720, refuse. Kurdistan is plunged into civil war, and speciesist groups from across the solar system send volunteers to fight on behalf of the Kurds.

in 1908, World War II hero Oliver Meredith was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Meredith flew several missions in the European theater of combat, and won a posthumous Medal of Honor for completing his last bombing run and safely landing his plane back at base while bleeding profusely from shrapnel in his chest and legs.

in 1945, Yeshiva University opens its doors in New York City. The small college is established by educators from the Semitic-African Resistance in the hopes of changing American minds towards them. It closes its doors during the ascendance of the American Bund in the 1970’s.

in 1946, the Presence manifests in the mountains of northwestern America. Their comings and goings are detected the next year by pilot Ken Arnold and misinterpreted as alien spacecraft, rather than aliens themselves. The Presence uses this mistake to create a new mythology that is almost a match for the ancient ones they have made on this planet.

in 1981, in one of the most-watched daytime drama episodes in history, the wedding of Luke and Laura took place on General Hospital. In a twist worthy of any popular soap opera, Laura jilted Luke at the altar and ran off with Luke’s cousin (also played by actor Anthony Geary).

in 1988, the first woman to lead a Muslim nation, Benazir Bhutto, is elected the prime minister of Pakistan. During her time in office, women's rights finally came to equal those of men in Pakistan, and she led the way for other nations in Islam to recognize women's rights for the first time. She counted as her greatest triumph the Saudi Arabian elections of 1996, when women were allowed to cast ballots for local city councils, and dozens of women across the traditionally conservative nation were elected to office.

in 2002, the small creature that had befriended Air Force Captain Trent Laughlin is no longer so small, nor quite so friendly. Laughlin's screams bring Professor Thomas running to the room they have turned into their quarters; he finds a man-sized beast about to make mincemeat of Captain Laughlin. Using a stunner he has been keeping in his pocket for just such an eventuality, Professor Thomas drives the beast away and tends to Captain Laughlin's numerous wounds.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!

A Tale Untold; The Milli Vanilli Hoax

November 15th, 2005

in 1751, Anglican minister/racist demagogue William Cowper was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Cowper was haunted throughout his life by mental illness that he refused medical treatment for, believing Mlosh techniques to be sinful. He founded the anti-Mlosh communities in Olney and Chelsea Downs.

in 1859, a great literary work is left unfinished because of Charles Dickens’ untimely demise at the hands of his estranged wife. A Tale of Two Cities, due to come out in his circular All The Year Round on this day, was instead never published. Catherine Dickens, mother of their 9 children, had become enraged at him over the terms of divorce he had offered her, and stabbed him to death the month before. A tragic ending to one of literature’s giants.

in 1889, Brazilian emperor Pedro II survives a close call when members of his military attempt a coup. Although Pedro had guided Brazil to unprecedented prosperity and stability for a South American nation, his leading military staff felt that he was becoming too progressive. With the aid a hastily-raised peasant army, Pedro II fought off his staff and retained his throne, and took measures afterwards to ensure that no military leader would ever wield that kind of power again. His daughter, Empress Albertina, was beloved by the military for her wars of conquest against Argentina and Uruguay.

in 1890, with rebel Mormon Charles Brigman and the majority of his band captured, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson offers amnesty to any rebel who will turn himself in. Dozens take up the offer, and Jackson doesn't have room in the Salt Lake City jails; using the prisoners, he builds a camp outside of the city to house the prisoners.

in 1891, Erwin Rommel was born in Heidenheim, Germany. Astrid Pflaume recruited Rommel for the Greater Zionist Resistance herself, in spite of his gentile background, because she felt that they needed his military prowess. It proved to be a wise choice; Rommel pulled victory from many hopeless situations in their early struggles, and lasted them in good stead until the neo-Nazis from the future brought in superior weaponry in the 40’s.

in 1919, Comrade Joseph Wapner, Chief Justice of the People’s Supreme Court, was born in the Louisiana Soviet. Comrade Wapner witnessed first hand the lives of sailors from capitalist nations when he worked the docks of Louisiana, and vowed that justice for the people of his own land would always be his first concern.

in 1990, Frank Farian, producer of the group Milli Vanilli, pulled off one of the best hoaxes in music. At a live press conference, when reporters asked the duo to sing, Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan apparently broke into one of their songs, matching the vocals on their album exactly. Unknown to the press, and only revealed after Pilatus’ death in 1998 from a drug overdose, the incident was carefully choreographed and rehearsed. The reporter who asked them to sing was an assistant producer in disguise, and their voices were piped in from a production van outside. Because of this hoax, Milli Vanilli was able to keep their act going for 8 more years and 3 more Grammys.

in 4695, representatives of the Chinese Emperor, the Chdo Democracy, and the Galactic Commerce Commission sign a treaty granting the Chinese Empire full membership within the G.C.C. The Chdo Democracy, after seeing the advances made in Chinese civilization since their initial contact, sponsored the Empire to the organization.

in 2002, Air Force Captain Trent Laughlin goes to sleep after another fruitless day of trying to halt the robot ship he and Professor Thomas are hurtling towards the center of the galaxy in. While Thomas continues searching for something in the ship to give them hope, the small creature that has befriended Captain Laughlin undergoes a change.

in 2004, the Council of Wisdom sends a representative, Alma May Watson, to the Great Tree to protect young Chelsea Perkins while she is taught the craft of her ancestors by her father. Miss Watson and Terrence Perkins strike up a friendship during the brief time she is there.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

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

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!