Tuesday, November 15, 2005

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!

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