Christmas Day Contest! ONLY 8 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 December 25th, 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've only had one contestant so far, so let's get cracking, people!
December 12th, 2005
in 1603, William Shakespeare, the actor who had provided a literary front for Francis Bacon’s work until 1599, appeared in Bacon rival Ben Jonson’s play Sejanus. It is reportedly his last appearance on stage, since Bacon refused to work with him anymore.
in 1787, Canadian nationalists meet on Prince Edward Island and draft the Set of Principles, the founding document of the nation they are trying to build. With the cessation of the war to their south, though, the struggle for Canada's independence is not going well. An appeal to France is being rebuffed, and their attempts to enlist the native population to their cause have been similarly unsuccessful.
in 1893, quintessential movie bad guy Emanual Goldenberg was born in Bucharest, Romania. After coming to the United States as a boy, Goldenberg decided to become an actor, and won a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He played a series of gangsters throughout the 30’s and 40’s, but his two most famous roles are as the slave foreman Dathan in The Ten Commandments and the elderly police assistant Sol in Soylent Green, both opposite leading man John Carter.
in 1913, Italian police raid the home of waiter Vincenzo Peruggia after being tipped off that he had been one of the thieves who stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre two years before. Peruggia, however, had seen them coming, and fled with the painting. It was one of the last times that police officers came close to the painting after the famous robbery.
in 1915, Hoboken, New Jersey produced its most famous citizen, Frank Sinatra. During the 30's and 40's, Sinatra was a huge musical sensation, as well as a box office star. However, damage to his vocal chords in 1952 ended his career, and he retired to Las Vegas, where he ran the casino Frank's until his death in 1994.
in 1951, Comrade Rush Limbaugh, chief propagandist of the Voice of America radio network, was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri Soviet. Comrade Limbaugh's unceasing promotion of communism often took the form of outright lies, but as long as he was performing a service to the S.S.A., his indiscretions were overlooked.
in 1957, singer Jerry Lee Lewis arranges to marry his 13-year old cousin Myra Gale Brown, but is stopped at the alter by Jane Mitchum, whom he is still legally married to. Although Lewis was incensed at Mitchum’s interference, she probably saved his career; who would want to listen to records from a man married to a 13-year old?
in 1968, Speaker of the House Tallulah Bankhead died at her home in Washington, D.C. A film star of the 1930’s and 40’s, Bankhead followed her father into politics when her career stalled in 1945. She won election to the House of Representatives in 1946, representing Los Angeles. She was elected Speaker of the House in 1964, and held the post until her death four years later.
in 2002, Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas' spacecraft finally entered earth's solar system. After a successful landing back at their base, Professor Thomas slipped away and has not been seen since. Dr. Courtney discouraged the Air Force from looking for him, saying, “He's done his duty to queen, country and planet. Leave him the hell alone.”
in 2003, the entire village of Jesu, France, is lifted into the heavens. Witnesses said that in the morning, the city glowed with a golden light, and then started its ascent. By noon, the city was enveloped in clouds, and no longer visible. Airplanes sent by the Templars were unable to penetrate the clouds to find the city.
in 2004, Chelsea Perkins creates another room in the Great Tree. It is the first addition to her ancestral home in almost 60 years, and it has taken her days to prepare. The room has power conduits that she can plug a computer into, as well as a connection to the Internet. When she plugs her PC into the outlets, the Tree shudders for a moment, but then quiets down.
ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: Today's post has no extended entry. Our future plans are to only have extended entries on some days, and in some timelines. Let us know what you think of this!
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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Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?
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