Thursday, November 03, 2005

Telescopes In China; Canine Revenge In Soviet Union

November 3rd, 2005

in 4375, the close approach of a comet towards earth gives the Emperor’s astronomers a chance to try out their new telescopes; with the new seeing glasses, astronomers are able to see the comet clearly as a large ball of dirty ice. This revolutionizes the field, and astronomers begin forming new theories as to the composition of other heavenly bodies.

in 1850, Second Chancellor William Dayton of the North American Confederation is elevated to the First Chancellory when his predecessor, Juan Diego De La Hoya, dies in an air-car accident. Dayton wins his own term in the high office in 1855.

in 1890, pressing his advantage, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson continues to hunt down rebel Mormon Charles Brigman. Desperate to get the federals off his trail, Brigman tells one of his followers that it's time for a drastic measure; this follower, Ezekial Morrison, heads to a farmhouse that has been prepared especially for such an eventuality.

in 1933, President Michael Dukakis is born in Brookline, Massachusetts, the son of poor Greek immigrants. Dukakis rose through the Democratic party ranks to the governorship of Massachusetts before running against Vice-President George Bush for the presidency in 1988. America had become very disenchanted with the Reagan administration because of the Iran-Contra scandal, and Bush paid the price for it. Dukakis served 2 successful terms, and oversaw the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the elimination of the federal budget deficit.

in 1941, German Underground operatives, with inside help from American Bundists, bomb the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. G.U. Fuehrer Adolf Hitler lets it be known that he believes America should refrain from entering the war in Eurasia, should it wish to prevent a repeat of Pearl Harbor.

in 1957, the Soviet Union sends a dog named Laika into low earth orbit. When the ship's orbit decays and it comes plummeting back to earth, the Soviets think that the dog has perished with the craft; that is, until Laika bursts forth in radioactive horror to attack the peaceful community of Vladivostok!

in 1964, Lyndon Johnson, who had taken over when President Kennedy was shot in Dallas, Texas, is defeated in the general election by Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. President Goldwater quickly turns out to be the warmonger that Johnson had portrayed him as; he expands the Vietnam War to China, Cambodia, Laos and even Thailand, and only his impeachment in 1966 kept him from using nuclear weapons to end the war.

in 1986, Democrats begin impeachment proceedings against President Ronald Reagan after details of his administration's deals with the Iranian government become public. Virtually everyone in his administration is brought down by the shattering revelations, and House Speaker Jim Wright takes over the presidency in 1987.

in 1992, colorful Texan H. Ross Perot becomes the first independent candidate to win the presidency since Washington when Vice-President George Bush admits that he had sent the CIA to disrupt Perot's daughter's wedding. The groundswell of support for Perot eclipsed even the Democratic candidate, Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas, and Perot sweeps into office with 51% of the vote. Vice-President Bush garners a mere 8%, and the Republican Party begins its slow fade into the background as Perot's Reform Party becomes the new opposition to the Democrats.

in 2002, raining death from the sky, Professor Thomas, Dr. Courtney and their Air Force sidekicks attack the Pleiadean base where Captains Jim Zeminksi and Al Corwin are being held. Professor Thomas and 2 pilots storm into the holding cell and free the captains, then teleport back to their ship, where they beat a hasty retreat. The surprise attack catches the Pleiadeans unprepared, and the aliens are unable to mount a pursuit.

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!


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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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