November 5th, 2005
in 1605, English Catholics blow up Parliament and kill King James I. The chief conspirator in the plot, Robert Catesby, kept the plan between himself and fellow conspirator Guy Fawkes, and their plan created havoc in England. There was an immediate struggle for the crown between several of James' cousins, and after King Robert ascended the throne in 1606, Catholicism became legal again.
in 1855, Communist President Comrade Eugene V. Debs was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. Debs’ travels in Russia after his presidency led to the adoption of the Russian word soviet to signify bands of comrades in America, whether it be unions, states or the whole country itself.
in 1872, Victoria Woodhull, candidate of the Suffragette Party, is elected President of the United States. She had garnered virtually all of the women’s vote in the first presidential election allowing them to participate. She promised the country that “though I may represent the fairer sex in form, I vow to represent all of America in office.” She apparently did; she was re-elected with 52% of the vote in 1876.
in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson shoots Ezekial Morrison in the head, but one of the children inside the farmhouse trips the explosives; the farmhouse explodes, killing all but 3 of the hostages inside, as well as killing 14 soldiers and wounding Colonel Jackson. When he returns to Salt Lake City, Colonel Jackson doubles the bounty on rebel Mormon Charles Brigman.
in 1940, America demonstrates its impatience with Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal by denying him the unprecedented 3rd presidential term he was running for. Republican Alf Landon took over the reigns of America just in time to be plunged into World War II. The isolationist Landon was unable to handle the job of guiding America through such a great crisis, and was voted out after 1 term.
in 1968, President Lyndon Johnson reveals that he has arrested Anna Chennault on charges of treason, and accuses Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon of sending her to Vietnam expressly to sabotage the peace talks. The accusation of treason is enough to throw the election to Democrat Hubert Humphrey, and in Chennault's subsequent trial, she rolls over on Nixon, who joins her in the docks.
in 1968, 5-term president Strom Thurmond is finally defeated by American Bundist George Rockwell. Even though Thurmond was no friend of American minorities, the change is dreaded by them; Rockwell has promised to turn America into a mirror of the New Reich in Eurasia.
in 1990, the assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York City sets off violence in both America and Israel as his followers begin indiscriminately killing Palestinians in retaliation. The violence escalates quickly in Israel, and turns into a small civil war, pitting the Israeli Arab population against the hardcore Kach, followers of Kahane.
in 2002, the Air Force pilot sent into the strange ship following Professor Thomas, Dr. Courtney and their other pilots back to earth reports that there is no one on board the ship. He finds the control center and is able to take full command of the vessel. Professor Thomas insists on taking it with them, against Dr. Courtney's better judgement.
in 4699, Emperor Xiao Yang dies in office. With no clear laws guiding them in such an occurrence, the Imperial Council votes to allow its speaker, Zhang Chunqiao, to serve out the remainder of Xiao’s term, and then to hold elections as scheduled. The arrangement works well, and the Council writes it into Imperial law.
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
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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