December 1st, 2005
in 1761, the evil genius known only as Madame Tussaud was born in Paris, France. Throughout her gruesome life, she delighted in dipping things in wax; as she grew older, the thrill diminished until she began turning the citizens of Paris into “lifelike” statues in her macabre Musee de Cire. She was only halted by the French Revolution, else her museum might have claimed more innocent victims.
in 1824, the U.S. House of Representatives takes up the matter of the presidential stalemate between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams. With no candidate receiving a majority of the electoral votes, wrangling over votes in the House became intense, and several deals were struck that were later reneged on. In the end, the Representatives gave the election to the candidate who came in 3rd, as Jackson's and Adams' supporters were unable to secure a majority for their men. William Crawford, still recovering from a stroke, became the 6th President of the United States.
in 1884, Anglo cowboys killed Hispano deputy Elfego Baca in Frisco, New Mexico. The cowboys from Texas had been terrorizing the local population for some months, brutally attacking Hispanos without reprisal. Baca took a sand against them, killing one and wounding several others before they were able to corner him in a small house and shoot him dead. Enraged by the murder of a deputy, the Hispano population, with sympathetic Anglos, took up guns and wiped out the cowboy outlaws.
in 1890, the French-British Channel city was founded. Atlan as it was known, was the brainchild of French architect Simone L’Tig’gha, a Mlosh genius who had embraced both sides of the English Channel and drew citizens from both countries to his vision. Tragically, Atlan was destroyed in the seismic disasters of the early 90’s, and virtually all of its population was lost beneath the waves.
in 4608, Imperial Architect Minoru Yamasaki was born on the island of Nippon. As a young boy, his talent was recognized by teachers who brought him to the attention of the Imperial Governor. Minoru’s work for the Governor caught the eye of Emperor Dao-Ming, who brought him to work in the Forbidden City. Much of Beijing is Minoru’s work.
in 1934, Socialist Party Representative Hamilton Fish of New York is murdered in his Washington office by unknown assailants. Comrade Fish had been one of the most vocal critics of his fellow Socialist, President Franklin Roosevelt, and many among the nation's elite suspected the assassination to be part of a plot by Roosevelt to silence his critics. This sort of suspicion was part of the reason Comrade Roosevelt only served one term as president.
in 1953, Playboy, a men's magazine advertised as a lifestyle magazine, hits the stands of America. With a nude photo of Marilyn Monroe on the cover, and even more nudes inside, it produces a firestorm of scandal. Monroe's career is very nearly ruined, and enraged communities across the nation ban it. Publisher Hugh Hefner is even attacked in the streets of Chicago and beaten to death by a mob of outraged fundamentalist Christians, effectively ending the magazine's brief attempt to loosen America's heavily starched collar.
in 2002, Dr. Courtney, Professor Thomas and Captain Laughlin all return to the quarantine area where their Air Force crew has been anxiously waiting. “Let's get the hell out of here,” Dr. Courtney says, heading to their ship and powering it up quickly. They depart the planet with an escort of armed ships at their back.
in 2003, a call went out across the Holy British Empire for a great force of men, 200 million strong, to fight the enemies of Christendom. Pope Righteous I sent a recorded message to every country that followed the cross and asked them to pledge their armies to this holy crusade. Since most nations followed the cross, they did as he commanded. Righteous now had an army larger than any other on the earth.
in 2004, the Council of Wisdom takes up the matter of Chelsea Perkins after hearing Alma May Watson's latest report. It seems to them that Miss Perkins has a definite taste and talent for the darker side of their craft, and they find it very troubling. After a tense debate, they decide to allow Miss Perkins to continue her studies, but place restrictions on her materials.
Christmas Day Contest! ONLY 19 DAYS LEFT!! 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
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