Halloween (Contest Winning Entries!)

October 31st, 2005

Today's post is entirely written by our Halloween Contest winners - congratulations to Mike Smith, Gamer Girl, Nathaniel Engelsen, Dante Ojeda, Jake Dominguez, Leaper and Bob Brandon! Enjoy their alternate efforts!

in 605, in accordance to Pope Gregory the First's edict to his missionaries to Christianize pagan rituals, Brother Seanedd spoke to the pagans in Eire, stating Samhain was a ritual that worshiped the Christian God. The druids counciled, nodded wisely, and invited Brother Seanedd to be a part of that years celebration. That marked the first year a Christian was immolated in the Samhain Eve bone fires.

in 1517, Martin Luther, followed by acolytes, tries to impose his 95 theses in Wittenberg, Germany. Moments after he nails these theses at a church gate, he´s struck by lighting in front of the whole town. Pope Leo X called this tragedy an act of punishment from God. “May the Lord forgive his heretical soul and may he finally realize that there´s only one truth”, he said publicly.

in 1864, the Province of Nevada first achieved self-government as a state of the (former) United States. Although the congressional delegation did vote for the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution banning slavery on January 31, 1865, it was the only significant legislation Nevada had any say in before the American Union finally disintegrated after the Union defeat at Nashville in December 1864. With a fully reequipped Confederate army poised on the Ohio River on January 31, President Lincoln was forced to resign, and President Hamlin unilaterally declared a ceasefire on February 1. In the resulting constitutional melee, Lord Palmerston offered the western states and territories a place – and British protection – in the future Canadian dominion, an offer that was gratefully accepted. Despite its small population, Nevada was formally recreated as one of the first seven Canadian provinces on July 1, 1867.

in 1887, inventor Karl Leiber originated the concept of Candy Corn, a small candy laboriously made of sugar, water, corn syrup, fondant, and marshmallow in three colored layers. The candy was intended to be a Halloween special, bringing to mind the changing colors of the fall and the old staple winter foods of the colonists. When he presented his ideas to the Wunderle Candy Company however, he was laughed out of the business.

in 1892, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was published. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a lifelong believer in the supernatural, created the character of Holmes as a vehicle for his occult beliefs. A detective who solved crimes via such methods as scrying, seances, and faerie assistance, Holmes and his trusted Boswell, mentalist John H. Watson, have become enduring characters that fascinate readers even today.

in 1926, Harry Houdini, hospitalized at Detroit's Grace Hospital for peritonitis following an injury received days earlier at Garrick Theater, receives a visit from a mysterious doctor who spends several hours alone with the injured escapist. When nurses and family check in on the injured performer later, they find him fully recovered with no sign of the mysterious doctor. Houdini is unable to recall the man's name or anything about the strange visit. After this time, the famous performer and debunker begins to inexplicably travel through the ancient towns of haunted Massachusetts; focusing special attention on the storied town of Arkham.

in 1926, Harry Houdini is released from the hospital. Houdini was hospitalized after being punched at a school twelve days before and having his appendix burst. This brush with mortality gave Houdini his biggest thrill to date and convinced Harry to push the limits more than ever before. In subsequent shows he had audience members shoot, stab, and poison him to show he could escape even from death.

in 1926, famed magician and escape artist Erich Weiss 'died' of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix received two weeks earlier, when an overenthusiastic fan sought to test his ability to withstand blows by unexpectedly punching him in the abdomen. Weiss was interred in the Machpelah Cemetery, Queens, New York, but his grave was found torn open and empty the morning following his burial. In decades to follow, Weiss was spotted in formerly-empty prison cells at maximum-security penitentiaries, wrapped in anchor chains at major shipyards, and half-buried in concrete at construction sites. However, he has never been found and held successfully.

in 1929, St. Louis city officials announced that they wanted to establish something called trick-or-treat, where children would go door to door dressed in costumes begging for candy as an alternative to the traditional, (and increasingly destructive), pranks that were pulled every prior October 31st. This was the first year that children dressed in costumes assisted in the burning down of City Hall. The St. Louis City Hall was burned down 3 more times in the next 10 years.

in 1936, Bess Houdini is found dead on the roof of the Knickerbocker Hotel. One of a series of seances conducted on the anniversary of her husband's death, the event is shrouded in mystery. The only access to the roof was locked, and no buildings nearby could have permitted access. No official cause of death is ever released. One eerie piece of the puzzle that quickly spread through the grapevine: the seance table was shattered, the pieces and objects used scattered about the roof as if by some terrific force.


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!

The Society Of Friends

We have our winners! Our thanks to everyone who entered, and be sure to enter our next contest, which will be 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!
Now for the winners - congratulations to Mike Smith, Gamer Girl, Nathaniel Engelsen, Dante Ojeda, Jake Dominguez, Leaper and Bob Brandon! Their winning entries will appear tomorrow, Halloween day!

October 30th, 2005

in 1650, the murderous cult that called itself The Society of Friends first gained its popular name of Quakers when founder George Fox told them that “the unbelievers will quake and tremble at our approach”.

in 1890, as the sun rises, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson leads condemned Mormon rebel Charles Brigman up the scaffold to be hung in Salt Lake City. Dozens of citizens have assembled to watch, and they are being kept back by federal soldiers. Just as the noose is being lowered over Brigman's neck, an expertly-fired shot sunders the rope and a small group of men break through the federal lines and hustle Brigman away. Jackson shoots Brigman in the back as he escapes, but is unsure if the shot is fatal.

in 1915, H.G. Wells opens his second Little Warriors role-playing convention, with a special scenario to be run by himself on Halloween night. Over 15,000 attendees flood the hall in London where the convention is being held, and even members of high society can't resist joining in. At this convention, the American company called Parker Brothers announces that they will be producing a role-playing game of their own based on the legends of King Arthur, called Knights & Castles. It sells like hotcakes at the convention.

in 1938, the Mercury Theater was interrupted by breaking news from New Jersey of an invasion from Mars. After the hideous takeover of our government, the news program was passed off as a “hoax” by radio actor Orson Welles; the truth wasn’t revealed until decades later, when the Red Planet’s influence was finally eradicated from our government.

in 1953, President Eisenhower approves National Security Council Action 162/4, which formally grants the power to [CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED], thus ending American democracy.

in 1958, after convincing the Soviet government to allow him to travel to Sweden for the Nobel Prize Awards so that he could refuse his, Arthur Miller officially requested political asylum from the Swedish government. In his request, he denounced the state of free speech within the Soviet States of America, and likened the influence of America to “an iron curtain that has descended across all of North America, squelching artistic and political expression in subservience to the state.” Needless to say, Comrade President Joel Rosenberg lost no time denouncing Miller as a reactionary counter-revolutionary, no friend of the common people.

in 1975, King Juan Carlos begins his formal reign as ruler of Spain. True to his word to former dictator Francisco Franco, he maintains the fascist government, ignoring the entreaties of other governments and exiled Spaniards to transition Spain to a more democratic society.

in 1995, the Canadian province of Quebec overwhelmingly approves a referendum on secession from Canada. When the rest of Canada refused to let it secede, it closed its borders and began shooting Canadian troops sent in to restore it to the bosom of Canada. The short-lived civil war ended in 1998, when Canada finally subdued the rebel province.

in 2001, President Al Gore threw out the 1st pitch at game 3 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Republicans denounced his action roundly; as trivial showboating when America was at war with terrorism; as dangerous to the nation, since he didn’t wear a bullet-proof vest while on the mound; and as wimpy, since his pitch didn’t strike out the batter. Just as he had during his campaign, President Gore laughed off the Republican complaints; a winning strategy - he seems to be on his way to reelection.

in 2002, safely back in their stolen vessels, Dr. Courtney, Professor Thomas and their Air Force escort find themselves being approached by dozens of ships. They take off in a hurry, and advise the pilots in the other craft to stop for nothing. “We have to get back to earth with this,” Dr. Courtney says of the globe they have stolen. The desperate humans begin a prolonged chase through the Pleiades to escape from the aliens.

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!

Political Parties Banned; White Tuesday

October 29th, 2005

in 1794, decrying “the baneful effects of the spirit of party politics,” President George Washington of the United States convinces the nation to pass a constitutional amendment banning political parties. “They only serve to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration,” he says, and the young nation agrees. From this point on, political leaders are judged by their actions rather than their affiliations.

in 1863, Swiss “philanthropist” Henri Dunant founds the International Order of the Red Cross, which, in its public face, was dedicated to aiding the wounded and ill from war and disaster around the globe. Its hidden agenda, of course, was to advance the cause of the Swiss Illuminati, and bring even more power to its secret leaders.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson is shocked when a small family of collaborators is killed outside of Salt Lake City. He sentences rebel Mormon Charles Brigman to death for the crimes he has instigated, and sets the punishment for sunrise the following day. Brigman, shocked at facing death, begins to plead for his life, but Colonel Jackson is unmovable.

in 1901, a nurse in Amherst, Massachusetts becomes the focus of a crime investigation when a family she has been staying with all die. When they police find her, the nurse has sewed her own eyes shut, crying that the horrors of that house should not be witnessed by human eyes!

in 1929, White Tuesday, the single best day in the American stock market, doubles the value of the Dow Jones, making millionaires overnight. Although the stock prices were considered illusory by many economists, as long as Americans believed in them, the Dow Jones remained buoyant.

in 1956, the New Reich begins an all-out invasion of Africa after subduing Egypt, Sudan and South Africa. The weapons they wield prove too powerful for any nation on the continent to resist, and the Africans find themselves in much the same position as the Greater Zionist Resistance before them; having to wage a guerilla campaign in order to survive.

in 1957, Buddy Holly’s 1st #1 hit, Oh Boy was released by Brunswick Records. It marked the beginning of a string unequaled by any other artist – Holly managed a #1 in each of 5 decades across his career from the 50’s to the 90’s. Only ill health kept him from continuing the string into the 21st century.

in 1969, during the trial of the Chicago Eight, Comrade Judge William Kunstler orders defendant Oliver North bound and gagged to prevent his constant disruptions of the court proceedings. North and his fellow reactionaries had attempted to disrupt the Socialist National Party Convention in Chicago.

in 1998, Senator John Glenn’s triumphant return to space ended on a sour note as, during a routine EVA, he was snatched from the space shuttle Discovery by what appeared to be a flying saucer. Unable to deny now that such things existed, President Clinton revealed to the nation that aliens had been performing experiments on human beings for decades, and the United States was working on a method of defense; due to the highly sensitive security nature of the matter, he was not at liberty to say any more. Senator Glen, however, was returned the next week.

in 2002, in the alien repository of knowledge, the group led by Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas stumble on a globe that looks suspiciously like earth. After a moment's scanning, Dr. Courtney says, “This is what we came for. Pick it up and let's get out of here.” The Air Force pilots with him struggle to carry it and they hurriedly leave the building, delusions chasing them as they go.

We need to hear from some of the winners, (Mike S, your email gave us a delivery failure - please email us again!), but as soon as we do, we will announce the winners for the Halloween Contest! And remember - even though the Halloween Contest is over, 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!

The Sword Of Socialism Is Raised

October 28th, 2005

in 1065 AUC, the forces of Maxentius destroy the Emperor Constantine, who had begun trusting in visions to direct his actions. His most recent had been to convert to an obscure religion called Christianity.

in 1636, the first institution of higher learning in the colonies, Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, opens its doors. Although the colonial elite enjoyed sending their children to an institution that promised exclusivity, there were not enough of them to make the College a going concern, and it closed in 1702.

in 1886, Socialist President Grover Cleveland celebrated the ties between the comrades of France and America with the dedication of the Statue of Liberty. Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame with conquering limbs astride from land to land, rang the words of the poet inscribed at its base. The towering figure of a woman escaping the chains of oppression, holding aloft the sword of socialism, has been the symbol of America ever since.

in 1890, with rebel Mormon Charles Brigman in custody, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson spreads the word around Salt Lake City that attacks had better stop, or Brigman will pay the price. The Latter-Day Saint is defiant though, practically daring Jackson to kill him.

in 1919, the U.S. Congress passes the Volstead Act, which makes it illegal to buy or sell anything of an intoxicating nature in the United States. This makes tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and many forms of medicine illegal. President Wilson called it “one of the most colossal blunders ever to see the light of day in the legislature,” and wisely vetoed it.

in 1940, the German Underground invaded Greece. Although the Greeks resisted well, the superior armaments of the G.U. eventually wore them down. They became the first nation conquered by the G.U. in Europe that wasn’t in the hands of the Greater Zionist Resistance.

in 1955, William Gates III is born in Seattle, Washington. As the son of a millionaire attorney, Gates had few worries in life, and dropped out of Harvard to push the small hobbyist computer community into excepting what he was calling open software, computer programs that people could share and even change without paying for it. Open software made computing become so transparent that today, everything from refrigerators to paper is a computing instrument.

in 4694, a shuttle used to transport people between the inner planets was hijacked by pilot Yuan Bin. He threatened to crash it into the Imperial Palace in Beijing unless his pay was raised. The Emperor’s Star Fleet officers took swift action and disabled the vessel, then towed the ship to the moon. Emperor Xiao took pity on the man and pardoned him after the Imperial Council presents him with a study that shows the woeful pay rate of small-ship pilots in the solar system. The Emperor took steps afterwards to improve living conditions for those who sailed the solar waves.

in 2002, after a few frustrating trips through the city send them into various small cells, Professor Thomas, Dr. Courtney and their Air Force detachment go inside a building in the alien city. The scientists seem very excited at getting into this building, and pull out a device to scan it. Dr. Courtney tells the group, “This is where they keep much of their knowledge. Don't trust most of what you may see.” True enough, the group starts experiencing delusions shortly afterwards.

in 2003, London is shaken by a strong earthquake and several aftershocks. Parts of Buckingham Cathedral collapse, but Pope Righteous I is not harmed, according to the Pope’s spokesman. His Holiness doesn’t make an appearance to calm the population of the city, so rumors start to run wild that the Buckingham staff are keeping his death quiet.


We need to hear from some of the winners, (Mike S, your email gave us a delivery failure - please email us again!), but as soon as we do, we will announce the winners for the Halloween Contest! And remember - even though the Halloween Contest is over, 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!

Roosevelt Born; Simpson Murdered

October 27th, 2005

in 1656, Quaker killers William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson are executed by Massachusetts after a brief trial confirming their guilt. They had been the accomplices of notorious murderers Ann Austin and Mary Fisher, who reportedly killed a hundred men for their bizarre cult.

in 1858, Spanish-American War hero Theodore Roosevelt is born in New York City. Although he came from old money, Roosevelt felt the call of adventure during the war and formed the Rough Riders, whose famous victory at San Juan Hill made Roosevelt a legend; unfortunately, it made him a dead legend, as one of the Puerto Rican defenders shot him in the head during the assault.

in 1871, Democratic party boss William Tweed is arrested for corruption by Communist Attorney General David Wade. The arrest of the most powerful Democrat in New York brings the Democratic party in New York crashing down. With the loss of New York, the party soon began losing its hold over other states, and in 1884, was completely absorbed into the Socialist Party.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson, while directing men to put out a fire, is set on by Mormon rebel Charles Brigman and several of his followers. Colonel Jackson, along with 20 of his soldiers, battle the fanatic for an hour before Colonel Jackson is able to subdue Brigman and force the others to surrender.

in 1936, Wallis Simpson, American socialite, was found dead in a London flat. Her mutilated body brought to mind the murders committed by Jack the Ripper before the turn of the century. For some reason, the Crown discouraged an investigation into her death, which was attributed to a random madman.

in 1954, Norma Jean Mortensen divorced baseball legend Joe Dimaggio, who had been somewhat abusive to her during their brief marriage. This left her free to marry humorist Arthur Miller, whom she remained with for the rest of her life. Dimaggio always regretted what he'd done to Mortensen, but said he couldn't be mad at Miller because, “he's just so damn funny.”

in 1962, Nikita Kruschev refuses to back down from the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba, and President Kennedy orders troops onto the island to remove them. The resulting nuclear exchange kills hundreds of millions of people across North America, Europe and Asia. The survivors of this holocaust, mostly in the southern hemisphere, are plagued by cancer and other diseases for decades afterwards. The tenuous nature of life on earth enforces a strict code of non-violence among the remaining nations, and humanity pulls itself back from the brink a much stronger race than before.

in 1978, in a highly controversial move, the Swedish Nobel Peace Prize Committee gave its award to Semitic-African Resistance leaders Anwar Sadat and Elie Wiesel for their resistance against the global spread of Nazism. After this award, the Peace Prize was officially discontinued.

in 1984, a 19-year old fan credits heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne with saving his life after he decides not to kill himself because he wanted to listen to Osbourne's next album. The rocker dedicates his next album to the youth, who begins a tour of the nation speaking out on the issue of teenage suicide.

in 2002, moving cautiously through the apparently abandoned alien city, Professor Thomas, Dr. Courtney and their Air Force pilots suddenly find themselves in a small room, crowded together. Dr. Courtney, who had been expecting this, touches one of the devices he has brought along and they are back by their stolen spaceships. “We may have to do that a couple of times,” he tells the others as they move out again.

Even though the Halloween Contest is over,(winners to be announced soon), 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!

Erie Tunnels Open; Rain Of Frogs

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: WE ARE DONE! - the contest has now ended. If you wanted to submit, it's too late for Halloween, but we will be holding another contest soon - watch for the details. The winners will receive an email notifying them by October 28, and they must reply back by October 30. Thanks for your interest, and watch for future contests!

October 26th, 2005

in 1825, the Erie Tunnels began operation in the Great Lakes of North America. The high-speed train services provided an alternate to air travel and opened the way to the creation of underwater cities. Today, millions of people in the North American Confederation travel the tunnels every day.

in 1881, the reactionary Earp brothers, with their friend J.H. Holliday, ambush Sheriff Johnny Behan and his deputies, Ike & Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. The famous gunfight at the OK Corral was one of the last gasps of the old order in the west attempting to assert itself through violence; Comrade Behan and Deputy Frank McLaury survived, but the Earps, Holliday and the Clantons were all killed.

in 1890, rebel Mormon Charles Brigman gathers his remaining followers around him and promises them that, “Today, we shall cover ourselves in glory; this shall be the moment that our people will speak of forever as the day that we took back our land and our faith.” They then launched an assault on Salt Lake City, killing soldiers and citizens indiscriminately.

in 2670 AUC, the Slavic people of the Scythian Province mount a rebellion against the Roman Republic. For 7 years, the Slav chieftain Vladimirus held Rome off and kept the frozen north in his iron grip. When he died of a liver disease in 2678, his rebellion ended shortly afterward; by 2680, Scythia was a Roman province again.

in 1948, future president Hillary Rodham was born in Chicago, Illinois. The Yale graduate moved back to Illinois after law school, where she entered into legal practice before winning a seat in the U.S. House in 1978. Her 14 years of government experience stood her in good stead when running against President Barbara Pierce in 1992.

in 1965, international superstar Pete Best is awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. The Buckingham Palace ceremony was the most chaotic in memory, with tabloid photographers grappling for the best vantage points for pictures.

in 1975, the Broadway musical A Chorus Line, turned out not to be one singular sensation after its premiere; but, the soundtrack proved that there was life after musical death. It continued to sell for years after the musical folded in 1976, and even prompted a revival of the show in 1985.

in 1984, an ancient rite culminates in a baboon's heart being placed into the body of a small child in a hideous ceremony in cult's farm house in California. The child becomes more beast than human, and soon rampages through the farm house, taking a terrible toll on those who dared to tamper with nature.

in 2002, although the Air Force pilots feel that they have done quite well, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney are still very nervous. They order their small fleet to land on the Pleiadean world that they have been orbiting, and tell them to take some specific devices from the ships as they leave. The city they land in seems to be deserted, and the scientists' tension seems to grow.

in 2003, Pope Righteous I made his last public appearance, speaking from Buckingham Cathedral. His voice was weak, and he was obviously suffering from some illness himself, as were his priests. “Have faith in your Lord,” he told his waiting faithful, “and We will watch over and protect you. Ignore the cries of the Protestants, for they are damned. Only We can wash you clean.” As he spoke those words, a rain of frogs began pelting the streets of London.

Even though the Halloween Contest is over, 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!

Agincourt; People's Republic Of China Expelled From UN

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: THIS IS IT! - no donation required, just send us your stuff! This is the final day to submit your entries! We will check our email before posting for October 26th, and then the contest will be over!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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 now while you still can!

October 25th, 2005

in 1415, the English and the French clashed at Picardy. The Battle of Agincourt, though seen by many as King Henry V's finest hour, was also his last. His bowmen carried the field, obliterating half of France's noblemen, but King Henry himself was killed when he led a charge against the French cavalry. His wife, Queen Catherine, took control of England and proved a surprisingly strong monarch, retaining England's possessions in France during her 20-year reign.

in 1854, Lord James Cardigan refuses an order to lead his Light Brigade against a heavily-defended Russian position in the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. Although the order had actually been a mistake, Lord Cardigan is brought before a court-martial for disobeying it. He lives out the rest of his days in England in disgrace.

in 1870, R’Tegumar, Mlosh candidate for First Minister of the North American Confederation, is assassinated by French actress Sarah Bernhardt while visiting that country. Bernhardt had been associated with a Human League-funded group of actors since her teens, and had spoken out recently about the Mlosh’s visit to her native country.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson launches an assault against Mormon rebel Charles Brigman's main base, killing several of Brigman's chief lieutenants and capturing a large number of his supporters. Brigman himself eludes capture, and retaliates by attacking the caravan with his former wife; she manages to escape as several soldiers give their lives to defend her.

in 1917, comrades in Russia attempted to wrest power from the reactionary Czar Nicholas. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Ulyonov, were crushed by the Russian Army, but left behind a legacy that inspired many labor unions, or soviets, to organize in the coming decade. These soviets, in turn, inspired American Communists with their spirit so much that they renamed the country after them in the 1930’s.

in 1923, President Harding issues a blanket pardon for everyone involved in the Teapot Dome scandal, thus derailing the prosecution of Interior Secretary Albert Fall. Harding quietly buried the investigations with what can only be termed blackmail against the prosecutors and politicians still calling for the scandal to be investigated. When Harding turned up dead a couple of months later, there was wide-spread speculation in Washington that it was murder in retaliation.

in 1954, a presidential cabinet meeting was televised for the first time. The meeting broke into chaos when John Foster Dulles revealed his hid[CENSORED][CENSORED][CENSORED]

in 1971, the United Nations expels the People's Republic of China and seats the Taiwanese ambassador as the true representative of China. The People's Republic looks to the other Communist nations for support, but the Soviet Union had been behind the deal; Soviet leader Brezhnev had become wary of China's influence in the world. The People's Republic of China, cut off from the rest of the world, began to experience civil strife and fell apart in the Civil War of 1974-78.

in 1990, Buster Douglas successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Evander Holyfield. Although floored by a devastating blow in the 3rd round, Douglas managed to make it back to his feet and recover the strength to take the fight 4 more rounds, when he knocked Holyfield to the mat with a shattering right to the jaw. Holyfield didn’t come back up.

in 2002, the small armada from earth reaches the Pleiades and deploys around one of the planets. Although they see craft flying all around the system, they are undisturbed until Dr. Courtney sends a communication to the planet in a strange language. Then, 4 ships take off from the planet and attack them. The Air Force pilots do well, and none are lost as they successfully battle the Pleiadeans.

In addition to the Halloween Contest, 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!

Small Panic At The Dow; Chandler's Horror

October 24th, 2005

in 1648, negotiators at Westphalia fail to come to an agreement to end the Central European war between Protestants and Catholics. It has already lasted 30 years, outliving many of the nobles who started it. They continue to struggle until the war finally peters out with no formal declaration in 1682.

in 1890, one of Charles Brigman's wives escapes to federal troops in Salt Lake City and offers her information in exchange for passage back east. Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson agrees, and is rewarded with a wealth of intelligence on Brigman's movements and bases in the area surrounding Salt Lake City.

in 1929, a small panic took the Dow Jones average down a few points, but cooler heads prevailed at the end of the day. There was some concern among the more bearish economists that most of the stock being traded was highly overvalued, but there seemed to be a gentleman's agreement among the traders to ignore these naysayers. They kept the U.S. economy humming along through the 1930's in the longest period of expansion in American history.

in 1943, the first elements of the Semitic-African Resistance organize themselves around clandestine ham radio operators in eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. The S.A.R. were the heirs to the legacy of the Greater Zionist Resistance, attempting to protect their people after the G.Z.R. dream of conquest had been defeated.

in 1944, Nazis killed automaker Louis Renault as they retreated from France. Renault, a fierce patriot who had made tanks and troop transports for the French army in World War I, had encouraged the Germans to use his factories after their invasion so that he could sabotage their efforts. The tanks that came out of the Renault factories were so shoddy that they often didn't make it far from the factory. Renault is lionized today as a leader of the French Resistance.

in 1958, famed mystery novelist Raymond Chandler begins his last novel, The Horror of Poodle Springs, a departure from his regular detective fare. He had been having nightmares, and told his agent that the novel was based on those strange dreams. The agent becomes increasingly agitated by the excerpts Chandler forwards, and is almost relieved when Chandler dies before completing the novel. He burns the manuscript when nightmares begin visiting him.

in 1970, Salvador Allende, a perennial candidate for Chile's presidency, finally wins when the Chilean Congress decides in his favor. President Robert Kennedy, as fiercely anti-communist as his brother before him, warns the fiery Allende not to push Chile's democracy too far to the left, and Allende proves to be both pragmatic and skilled at running the small South American nation. He and Kennedy forge closer ties between their two countries.

in 1987, the Senate, in a rebuke to Comrade President Ann Richards, denies her nominee for the Supreme People’s Court, fellow Texas Socialist James Hightower. The Senate felt that Comrade Richards was attempting to concentrate too many of her old Texas Soviet cronies into high office with her. This was probably what led her to choose a New Hampshire native, David Souter, for her next judicial nominee.

in 1991, Star Trek producer/creator Bob Wesley dies of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California. His vision of the future started not only his own career but those of Emmy and Oscar winners William Shatner, Martin Landau, Will Wheaton and Patrick Stewart. Wesley will always be remembered with great affection by the millions who followed that vision.

in 2003, after a 5th trumpet sounds throughout the Holy British Empire, millions see Estelle Gerard in the sky over London; many even see her at the head of a choir of angels. Priests who had been faithful to Pope Righteous I begin to develop diseases, and die in great numbers over the next few days.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 1 day left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Brutus Executed; Hungarian Revolt

October 23rd, 2005

in 711 AUC, Marcus Junius Brutus is publicly executed for his part in the conspiracy to assassinate Roman dictator Julius Caesar. Since he and Caesar had been friends, he had begged the dictator for exile rather than death, but Caesar wanted to make an example of him in order to prevent any other Senator from trying the same thing.

in 1805, Ireland declared its independence from the United Kingdom, launching a 4-year war for freedom from the British Crown. Since one of the Mlosh colony ships had landed on the Emerald Isle, there was a sizable minority of the aliens claiming Irish citizenship, and they stood with their neighbors against the British. They were at the forefront of the war, and after victory, instrumental in turning Ireland into a democratic confederation.

in 1855, in spite of strong pressure from pro-slavery ruffians from Missouri, Kansas elects an anti-slavery legislature. Retaliation by the invading Missourians sets off a bloody full-scale war as southern states send in volunteers to turn Kansas into a slave state while northern abolitionists hasten to the state to defend freedom. “Bloody Kansas,” as it becomes known, is the starting point of the American Civil War that begins in 1856.

in 1890, the Senate tables discussion of the Anti-Mormon Statute. In Utah Territory, newly displaced Latter-Day Saints swell the ranks of rebel Charles Brigman's army and Brigman begins planning his next assault against federal troops in Salt Lake City. Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson steps up patrols around the city to forestall any new attacks.

in 1905, Felix Bloch was born in Zurich, Switzerland. After moving to America in 1933, the great physicist fell in with Richard Tolman’s parallel dimensions cult and his Nobel win in 1952 gave it a shot of credibility. Like so many other members of the cult, he mysteriously disappeared in 1960 after giving a lecture at Stanford University about the ability to cross between realities at will.

in 1950, film legend Asa Yoelson dies in St. Petersburg, Soviet Union. Although he started his career as a comedian, he moved into film after the revolution and was soon obsessed with the technology of film. He got the backing of party officials in Moscow to make the first talking picture in 1927, The Jazz Singer, about a young man who becomes obsessed with the decadent ways of the west until his father, a loyal Communist leader, needs him to come back to the party.

in 1956, the comrades of Hungary attempted to throw off the shackles of their reactionary oppressors. In spite of aid given by a sympathetic Soviet States of America, the country’s prime minister, a puppet of Russian and West German capitalists, crushes the rebellion with military assistance from those governments. Comrade President Joel Rosenberg calls it, “a black day for the freedom-loving people of Europe”.

in 1959, satirist Al Yankovic is born in Lynwood, California. Starting out his career at the Rolling Stone in 1978, Yankovic's acid pen was first aimed at the music industry, but he soon broadened his focus to all of popular culture, penning such classics as UHF, (which was made into a movie of the same name), and Dare To Be Stupid, poking fun at the “punk” rockers of the late 70's and early 80's. He won a Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary, rare for a comic journalist, in 1991.

in 1978, Doctor Barnett Slepian was shot to death at his home in Amherst, New York. Slepian, a Jewish doctor who had been suspected of treating Semitic-African Resistance members without reporting them, had been threatened with death many times in his career, but had always managed to evade the killers until this day.

in 1983, terrorists in Beirut blow up a hotel near the airport, killing almost 200 people. Since the failure of pro-Palestinian separatists to take over the country in the Civil War of 1975-77, they had taken to random acts of violence against the Lebanese people. This was one of the worst attacks in their history, and it backfired; popular support for the government increased after the terrible toll of this bombing.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 2 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Genesis; Eisenhower Withdraws From Indochina

October 22nd, 2005

in 4004 BC, God said, Let there be light! at 8 P.M. He’s had a few troubles with the whole creation thing ever since…

in 1797, Andres-Jacques Garnerin made the first recorded parachute jump from a height of 3000 feet. The first successful parachute jump, unfortunately for Monsieur Garnerin, was still some months away.

in 1887, Comrade John Reed, journalist and politician, is born in Portland, Oregon. Although his family was filled with reactionaries, Reed embraced the Marxist-Thoreauvian mindset of the 19th century and was soon a powerful figure in national politics. He was the Communist candidate for President in 1912, losing out to Socialist Woodrow Wilson.

in 1890, Senator Joseph Carey of Wyoming starts a filibuster against the Anti-Mormon Statute. “We are a nation founded on religious freedom,” he thunders at his colleagues, “and it would betray everything we stand for to deny that freedom to our Mormon citizens.”

in 1936, King Edward VIII of Great Britain meets with German Chancellor Adolf Hitler in London. Edward is mesmerized by the charismatic German, and urges Parliament to cooperate with his aims; when Hitler begins attacking smaller central European nations, Britain allies itself with him.

in 1957, President Eisenhower withdraws American advisers from Indochina after 13 are wounded in a terrorist attack by the nation's Communist insurgents. “No need to risk American lives in another country's civil war,” he tells Congressmen who protest the withdrawal.

in 1962, following the recommendation of his more hawkish advisers, President John Kennedy goes before the nation and says, “I am asking Congress for a declaration of war against Cuba for the intolerable act of hosting nuclear weapons for the Soviet Union.” The disastrous war that followed resulted in the destruction of both Cuba and much of southern Florida in a hellish exchange of nuclear fire.

in 1964, the rock band High Numbers won a record deal with EMI after a blistering audition. Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend, the leaders of the band, have become legends in the music industry since then.

in 1975, Sergeant Leonard Matlovich of the U.S. Air Force decides to fight the dishonorable discharge that the service is forcing on him after his public declaration of homosexuality. “They gave me a medal for killing 2 men and want to discharge me for loving one,” he says in his speech kicking off his campaign for Congress. When he wins the next year, he is able to push through a change in military regulations allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the armed forces.

in 1979, saying that the United States must stand by its old allies, President Ronald Reagan allowed the former Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, to enter the U.S. for medical treatment. This provokes the standoff with Iran that ultimately brings down the Reagan Presidency, when the American Embassy is taken by an angry mob of students in Tehran in retaliation for the Shah's admittance into America.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 3 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Battle Of Trafalgar; Anti-Mormon Statute

October 21st, 2005

in 1722, the Mlosh celebrated their first Qang’dlip’a festival on earth. The main colony ship on the edge of the Sahara invited the humans from the surrounding Berber communities to join in, marking the first time non-Mlosh had participated in the festival, as well. Honor was given to the ancestors and descendants of the Mlosh on board the various colony ships, and earth was affirmed as their new home.

in 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar took place at sea between Admiral Horatio Nelson’s British fleet and Napolean’s Italian sailors. When Nelson was killed on his ship, it demoralized the British navy and wrecked their chances of victory in the conflict; Napolean’s men swept them from the sea and continued their dominance of the waves.

in 1879, Thomas Edison perfects a display for his Eddie difference engines that consists of hundreds of small light-bulbs behind a smoked glass window. The Eddie, by controlling what lights come on, is able to spell out letters and even rudimentary pictures with the lights, and this revolutionizes what people are able to do with the difference engine.

in 1890, The Anti-Mormon Statute passes the House and moves to the Senate for debate. Latter-Day Saints across the U.S. find themselves being persecuted as heavily as when their religion was first founded, and many are voluntarily moving to Utah Territory; some are coming to join the ranks of Charles Brigman.

in 1929, Comrade Ursula K. LeGuin is born in Berkeley, California Soviet. She rose through the ranks of the party machinery in California to head the Press Department in Washington, D.C. under Comrade President Gus Hall from 1970-1972. After Comrade Hall left office, she went into private, penning children’s stories. In her later years, she has become somewhat reactionary, decrying the “excesses” of American Communism, and so her writing has fallen out of favor.

in 1930, Astrid Pflaume, neo-Nazi time traveler, during a particularly hostile engagement between her Greater Zionist Resistance and Russian Cossacks, is shot in the chest. Fortunately for her, a young medic on her team is able to save her life. On her recovery, she awards him the Medal of Abraham, the G.Z.R.’s highest award. It is thought that this is the point at which she decided to turn on her former benefactors and aid the Jews of this timeline in maintaining their lives and their freedom.

in 1964, the musical Pygmalion made its debut in New York City to rave reviews. Based on the play by George Bernard Shaw, starring Reggie Harrison and Audrey Ruston, the tuneful adaptation didn’t shy away from Shaw’s somewhat bleak ending, which had worried the studio. As it turned out, nobody wanted Eliza to end up with Professor Higgins, anyway.

in 4683, Ying-Chin Ho, a Formosa islander on the Imperial Council, dies of inoperable cancer. A bright man of sunny disposition, Ying was often mentioned as a future Emperor by his colleagues, but his disease sadly put an end to that dream.

in 2002, on the journey to the Pleiades, Professor Thomas finally relents to the questions that the Air Force pilots have been asking, and begins the tale of what happened to he and Dr. Courtney a few years before. It all began with a strange disk they found in Zimbabwe...

in 2003, as the fire is lit on Sylvie Gerard’s stake to burn her to death, a fourth clear trumpet sound blasts through the land, and a light from above shines on Ms. Gerard. Her bonds slip away and her body floats into the sky and disappears. As the entire event was captured on video being shown live to the entire Holy British Empire, it is difficult to dispute the fact of the event; nevertheless, Pope Righteous I announces that Sylvie Gerard has been saved by her Satanic lord, and all good Christians should pray for her soul.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 4 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Congress Refuses The Louisiana Purchase

October 20th, 2005

in 1592, William Shakespeare entered his play Richard III into the Stationer’s Register. Although it is widely believed to be one of his top 3 plays, it was never performed in his own time because of its favorable portrayal of King Richard, whom the reigning Tudor family had unlawfully usurped at the end of the War of the Roses.

in 1803, in a show of defiance against what many in the Congress considered a somewhat imperial decision to buy land on the president's authority alone, Congress refuses to ratify President Jefferson's treaty purchasing Louisiana from France. Relations sour between the two old allies, and the young United States never grows beyond the eastern coast of North America as a consequence.

in 1890, men across the U.S. join the army to fight in the Mormon War. Many of the Latter-Day Saints outside of Utah Territory begin to feel the persecution that drove their brethren west, and a resolution is introduced into the House to forcibly move all Mormons to the territory, at least for the duration of the war.

in 12-14-5-3-5, Utehuanoco charts the motions of the planets and devises his theory of stellar dance. He explains that stars are objects of great mass which distort the space around them, causing anything within the distorted space to move and sway to the rhythms of the stars. This revolutionizes astronomy in the Oueztecan Empire, and leads to advances in their study of space.

in 1942, a conference of African-Americans at the North Carolina College for Negroes issues the Durham Manifesto, a demand for equal rights for all people, regardless of race, color, creed or gender. This sweeping civil rights document drew support from across the nation, including many women and people of minority religions – the motto of the movement became Civil Rights For All.

in 1950, Wilson Whitaker of Hadenfield, New Jersey, started a company selling treats to children from a truck he drove around his town. One of the treats he sold was an old recipe that he was surprised had never caught on - ice cream, a confection made by freezing cream mixed with plenty of sugar and flavorings. Whitaker wrapped the cream around sticks and covered them with chocolate, but always ended up with plenty left over at the end of the day. He stopped selling them after a few weeks; but his Candy Van, as it became known, has become a neighborhood fixture across America.

in 1975, in a thawing of the cold war with the European monarchies, Comrade President John Anderson agrees to sell millions of tons of American grain to Russia and several Central European nations. Although he is denounced by the Communist Party as a sellout, the Socialist president uses the food to ease the long-standing tensions with Europe and tries to bring about his plan of peace through commerce.

in 1995, anti-U.N. members of the U.S. Congress, which has just recently come under the control of the Republican Party, see an opportunity to force the country out of the organization by refusing to appropriate funds to pay America's dues. Since the U.N. charter forces members to give up their vote if they are more than two years past due on contributions, the Republican's delaying tactic makes the international body take the unthinkable step of expelling a permanent member from its body.

in 2002, after informing the Pentagon that they are leaving, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney take their pilots and the stolen spacecraft off earth and head towards the Pleiades star system. It is a long journey, so they have brought some supplies that will be necessary for the trip, although the ships are capable of synthesizing much of what they need.

in 2003, rumors of Estelle Gerard fly around London as the Templars tear the city apart to find her. They do succeed in finding her mother, Sylvie, who is brought to Buckingham Cathedral in chains. Pope Righteous I announces that she will be burned at the stake for witchcraft the next morning, and commands all good Christians within the Holy British Empire to view her suffering.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 5 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

War Is Heaven; Panic Of '87

October 19th, 2005

in 1781, the British General Lord Cornwallis is forced to attend the surrender ceremony in Yorktown, Virginia by a victorious George Washington. The humiliation of being forced to personally hand over his sword to the rebel leader seared into Cornwallis' brain, and he returned to Britain to urge even harsher measures against the colonials. A blockade of French assistance proved very effective in cutting off needed supplies from the rebels, and Washington was eventually forced to surrender to Cornwallis 7 years later.

in 1844, songwriter Raul Mendoza was born in Spain. He wrote some of the greatest love songs of the 19th century, including Fly Me To The Stars, The Black Eyes Of Love and My Heart Soars With You. Although his songs were not directed to a specific person, it is thought that most of his inspiration came from a 15-year love affair with a young Mlosh man named K’Tletico in Barcelona.

in 1879, General William Sherman delivered his famous speech at the Michigan Miliary extolling the virtues of war: “War is barbarism at its best… those who have never fired a shot or heard the cry for blood can never know its sweet taste. War is Heaven.”

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson, stung by Brigman's raid the day before, assembles what men he can spare from the rescue mission in Salt Lake City and heads to the countryside around the city, searching for rebel Mormon Charles Brigman. Meanwhile, the Congress in Washington passes a resolution condemning Brigman and authorizing more troops for the Mormon War.

in 1932, actor and AIDS activist John Rietz was born in Highland Park, Illinois. Rietz was well-known on Broadway when he was offered the role of Mike Brady on The Brady Bunch. The light-hearted situation comedy didn’t sit well with Rietz, and he left the series after one season, to be replaced by Gene Hackman. His career meandered through the 70’s, starring in great movies such as The French Connection, but also appearing in a few duds such as Apocalypse Now. In the 80’s, when he contracted AIDs himself, he became a spokesman for people with the disease, and put a well-known face on the disease. He raised millions before succumbing to the illness in 1989.

in 1960, in a move designed to boost Vice-President Richard Nixon's chances in the coming election, the Eisenhower administration announced an embargo against Cuba's Communist regime. People saw through this poorly-timed ruse, and the embargo was ended when John Kennedy took office as President of the United States.

in 1967, the event that came to be known as the October Massacre took place near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Soviet. Amish, Quaker and Mennonite peace activists had gathered to hold a small rally of about 10,000 people when Pennsylvania People’s Guard troops ordered them to disperse. Lt. William Calley of the P.P.G. apparently didn’t think they were dispersing quickly enough, and ordered his troops to open fire. Over 2,000 were killed in the mayhem; Calley was court-martialed and executed for his actions that day.

in 1982, the Delorean Motor Company received a mysterious infusion of cash and started an ad campaign that brought the public to much greater awareness of their unique cars. The use of a Delorean in “Back to the Future” caused sales to skyrocket, and today DMC is one of the top 3 automakers in the world.

in 1987, “junk” bonds finally lived up to their name as traders on Wall Street began a massive sell-off that cost the Dow Jones to plummet to half its value over two days of trading. When the federal government finally stepped in to stop the panic, it was too late. The deep economic depression spelled the end of the Republican Party's resurgence in political life, and the rise of Green Party to the left of the Democrats.

in 2002, all of the devices that Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney took with them from the moon raid are now mounted in or on the stolen spacecraft. The pair now announce to the pilots who have been working with them that it is time to take the fight to their enemy – which is, surprisingly enough, not the people they stole the craft from.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 6 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Slavery Outlawed In Rome; Estellians Executed

October 18th, 2005

in 2553 AUC, slavery is officially outlawed within the borders of the Roman Republic. The move is hailed as a progressive step forward by liberals within the Republic, but many conservatives feel they are giving up a part of their culture extending back thousands of years. The former slaves tend to side with the liberals.

in 1890, Charles Brigman and dozens of his rebel Mormon followers storm into Salt Lake City, guns blazing, killing those they deem collaborators and federal troops there to rescue citizens who have been hurt by the explosions two days ago. With his troops spread thin across the city on rescue missions, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson is unable to retaliate effectively against Brigman, and the rebel Latter-Day Saint escapes again.

in 1898, resistance fighters on the Spanish island of Puerto Rico kill 45 American soldiers attempting to pacify the island. Although Spain has formally ceded the island to the U.S. in order to end the Spanish-American War, Puerto Ricans continue to fight for another 2 years before finally being conquered by the U.S. The island becomes a hotbed of anti-American sedition, raising assassins who bomb the Congress and kill President Truman in their quest for freedom.

in 1922, the controversial film Robin Hood opens at Grauman's Egyptian Theater in Hollywood without its leading man in attendance; star Douglas Fairbanks was in prison for a publicity stunt he had pulled two weeks before. He and a couple of stuntmen had climbed a New York hotel and shot arows around the neighborhood while photographers snapped pictures; unfortunately for Mr. Fairbanks, he was not as accurate as the character he was portraying, and wounded a man on the street below. He served 6 months for assault with a deadly weapon.

in 1926, Charles “Chuck” Berry is born in St. Louis, Missouri. He is often considered one of the founding fathers of the “rock and roll” musical style that was such a fad in the 1950's, but like his musical genre, his popularity proved ephemeral, and today is unknown outside of musical academia.

in 1931, Thomas Edison dies. His electrical inventions such as the Eddie, Maggie and electric car revolutionized America and gave it the tools with which to spring forth into the 20th century as the greatest inventive power ever known on earth. President Herbert Hoover called him the greatest American since Thomas Jefferson at his funeral in New Jersey.

in 1939, fascist counter-revolutionary Lee Harvey Oswald was born in the Soviet of Texas, in Fort Worth. In spite of spending part of his youth in the People’s Marine Corps, Oswald was seduced by capitalist reactionaries and their influence caused him to assassinate Comrade President Joel Rosenberg in 1962. All available evidence points to him being a lone gunman, but many on the lunatic fringe of society believe he was part of a larger conspiracy.

in 1968, John Lennon, former bandmate of international superstar Pete Best, is arrested on drug charges after a London sergeant noticed him buying drugs in a local park. Although Best anonymously pays for a good lawyer for his old friend, Lennon is sentenced to a year in jail; he comes out of it straight and with new purpose, and turns to writing the memoir of his time with Best that will eventually become a bestseller.

in 2002, the Pentagon is unhappy about the loss of one of their stolen craft, but Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney explain that it was necessary in order to prevent the loss of the rest. Although the Pentagon feels that their pilots could have handled the small number of ships that were confronted, the scientists are adamant that there was no other way to save the rest of the ships.

in 2003, Pope Righteous I issues an edict forbidding any Christian of the Holy British Empire from dealing in any way with Estellians, on penalty of excommunication. He also makes excommunication punishable by death. A dozen Estellians are rounded up that day and hung in the courtyard of Buckingham Cathedral, to prove his point.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 7 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Papon Massacres The Algerians

October 17th, 2005

in 888, Tomas de Torquemada launched his Inquisatores, bent on bringing Espagne back to the infidel Christians. His torturers killed many of the faithful Muslim peasants in their limpieza de sangre (cleanliness of blood) movement. They were finally halted when Torquemada was executed in 904; Allah is merciful.

in 1777, in one of the most devastating feints in warfare, British General John Burgoyne “surrenders” 5000 men to the rebel General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, New York. These men then broke out from behind rebel lines, killing Gates and escaping to link up with the British Navy in New York City. News of this debacle caused the French King Louis XVI to turn down Ambassador Ben Franklin's request to recognize the independence of the United States from Great Britain.

in 1890, federal reinforcements arrive in Salt Lake City to assist Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson. Since many of his men perished in the explosions the day before, he welcomes them with relief and sets them to work rescuing the Mormons trapped by rubble all throughout the city.

in 1903, radio, stage and television star Irene Noblette was born in El Paso, Texas. Although an accomplished performer who, on Les Hope’s military tours in World War II, was known as the gal who makes Les Hope laugh, she didn’t become famous until her stint on the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies. After the series ended, she performed on Broadway in the musical Pippin, but had to leave the show because of poor health. She recovered in 1974 and starred for the next 3 years in the TV series Granny’s House, a thinly-veiled ripoff of her previous series. Her foundation today hands out scholarships to deserving actors and actresses in college, and an Irene Noblette nomination is a mark of honor on any performer’s resume.

in 1961, Maurice Papon, chief of police in Paris, France, orders the extermination of the large Algerian community in the city, promising his officers that they would be protected from criminal charges. When 30,000 Algerians protest the slaughter, officers in riot gear charge them and drive them into the Seine River. Papon was subsequently removed from office, but the Algerian community in France never recovered.

in 1973, OPEC declares an embargo against all of the nations that had supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. When Venezuela withdraws its membership from the organization in protest, and lack of sales begins hurting the OPEC nations enforcing the embargo, it collapses, weakening the Arab nations that had stood behind it.

in 1977, President Jimmy Carter, signalling his own commitment to the cause of civil and human rights, vetoes a bill to restore Confederate President Jefferson Davis' U.S. citizenship. Although it causes many conservative Democrats to bolt to the Republican Party, Carter says that, “This man stood against America and all that America stands for. His treason killed hundreds of thousands of our citizens, and I, for one, will not support his legacy.”

in 1988, Socialist Party Secretary Comrade Lyndon LaRouche is found innocent of fraud and corruption charges at a trial in Illinois. “As I’ve always said, these charges are baseless,” the Comrade Secretary told the press. “It shows how far the Communists are willing to go to suppress views other than their own.”

in 2002, just oustide the orbit of Mars, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney, along with their tiny fleet of stolen space craft, meet a dozen craft. Dr. Courtney speaks with the occupants of the lead craft, and then orders the Air Force pilots out of one of their vessels and onto Dr. Courtney's. This craft is then returned to the aliens, and the stolen fleet then returns home.

in 2003, Estelle Gerard appears on the streets of London; but this Estelle Gerard is a teenager, not the toddler that people have seen before. “This is the last hour of God’s mercy,” she tells the crowd that rapidly assembles at the Tower of London. “The British Empire has ceased to be holy, and those who have corrupted it must face His wrath.” As Templars arrive to arrest her, another trumpet note sounds, and Gerard disappears.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST: EXTENDED BY 5 DAYS - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 8 days left! We're extending the deadline to October 25th to give you more time to get in those entries!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 25th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Nouh Webstir; Soviet Coup Crushed

Ocotber 16th, 2005

in 1758, Nouh Webstir, grate reformir uv thee Eenglish laingwige, wuz born in Hartfird, Kunetikut.

in 1793, former Queen of France Marie Antoinette is pardoned by the revolutionary committee controlling France. Her sentence is lessoned because it is discovered that she is pregnant; since her husband, King Louis, had been executed some 9 months prior, she confesses that she has been having an affair with her guard in order to secure better treatment. On her release, she is married to the guard, and lives the rest of her life in mild seclusion in Paris.

in 1890, Salt Lake City is rocked by a series of explosions as rebel Latter-Day Saint Charles Brigman sets off his hidden caches of explosives around the city. Hundreds die in the worst day of fighting on American soil since the Civil War. Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson is forced to use his troops for rescue missions, and Brigman escapes again.

in 1934, the Ch'ang Cheng, or Long March, begins for China's Communists. It was the last of their disastrous decisions that led to their eventual defeat at the Hsiang River in November. Former leader Mao Zedong was killed in the Long March after arguing vociferously against it, and after his death the party lost virtually all of its popular support.

in 1951, the future Reverend Richard Penniman recorded the gospel tune, How Great Thou Art at a studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Penniman had been tempted to join a rock and roll band, ironically enough, before choosing the path of the Lord in his music. He was later instrumental in getting rock and roll banned in California.

in 1964, Soviet leader Georgy Melenkov crushes a coup attempt by his deputies Leonid Brezhnev and Alexei Kosygin. The pair are executed very publicly for treason, and Melenkov's hard-core Stalinism continues to oppress the people of the Soviet Union. As Brezhnev and Kosygin had feared, this causes the Second Revolution in 1970, overthrowing the Communist Party after 53 years in power.

in 1970, the Greater Zionist Resistance lost its greatest general when Moshe Dayan was surrounded by New Reich stormtroopers in Timbuktu and shot to death. Dayan had led a mere handful of Zionists to a number of victories against the Reich over the years, but was unable to create a miracle when caught alone.

in 1991, Suzanne Gratia becomes a hero to the NRA and many other like-minded citizens when she guns down a deranged man who had driven his pickup into the restaurant when Gratia and her family were eating. Gratia had taken her pistol with her into the restaurant concealed in his purse; Gratia's heroism led to the repeal of concealed handgun laws in Texas, since her actions were technically illegal at the time.

in 2000, Mel Carnahan, governor of Missouri and candidate for the U.S. Senate, narrowly survived a plane crash while campaigning. Carnahan was knocked out of action long enough for his opponent, Senator John Ashcroft, to gain a crucial advantage and win re-election. It was a bittersweet night for Republicans, though; while they retained control of the Senate, Vice-President Al Gore won election to the Presidency with over 50 million votes, the most votes a Democratic candidate had ever received.

in 2002, questions start flying around about the mysterious disappearing bar hoppers, and the Pentagon furiously berates Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney. They promise not to do anything like that again. The haranguing is cut short when the scientists both suddenly look at the sky; the brass know what that means, and they scramble all of their space-trained pilots and launch, with the scientists at the lead.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 4 days left! We're down to the last week!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Virgil Born; Nobody Else Loves Lucy

October 15th, 2005

in 683 AUC, the poet Publius Vergilius Maro was born in Mantua. His epic stories of the founding of Rome are the glue that holds the Republic together, and are taught in all corners of the great country, even today.

in 1860, 11-year old Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, wrote a letter to presidential candidate Walt Whitman, telling him that he would look better without his beard, and that would help him get elected. When Whitman appeared in Westfield 5 days later, he was clean-shaven, and, to young Grace’s delight, called her out of the crowd to stand beside him on the stage. The charming gesture won over many voters in the town.

in 1890, all available Federal troops, as well as some of Salt Lake City's concerned citizens, fan out and begin searching for the hidden explosives rebel Mormon Charles Brigman is planning to use against them. Even some of the Latter-Day Saint elders still fighting Colonel Jackson beg for Brigman not to use his hidden cache.

in 1905, former President Grover Cleveland's article in the Ladies Home Journal denouncing women's sufferage causes a huge stir in Washington, but an even larger one in his household. Cleveland's young wife sued him for divorce, quoting the article as she did so: “while some sensible and responsible women do not wish to vote, the voice of half of our population should not remain silent simply because society deems it inappropriate at the moment.”

in 1916, Carla Lambert shocked the world by filming a nude scene (a brief flash of a breast) in Daughter of the Gods, a fantasy about Greek myths from Dynamic Pictures. Thomas Edison was reportedly so displeased that he ordered all copies of the film destroyed; only begging from Lambert and the director, Niles Holstrom, kept him from carrying out his threat.

in 1919, Dutch dancer Mata Hari was spirited away seconds before her execution by a French firing squad; her daring rescuers lobbed a smoke grenade at the French squad, obscuring them long enough to get the famed spy away. Hari's legend grew by leaps and bounds after this bold move, and tales of her spying prowess far outstripped the reality. It is thought that her rescuers were actually French lovers.

in 1951, the comedy I Love Lucy premiered on CBS, starring Lucille Ball. It was based on the radio series My Favorite Husband in which Ball had starred for many years, and co-starred Ball's Cuban-born husband, Desi Arnez. Their interracial marriage caused a huge stir in conservative America, and a backlash against the show forced its cancellation after only 13 episodes.

in 1991, after a bitter Supreme Court confirmation battle, Clarence Thomas is rejected by the Senate by a vote of 49-51. President Bush and most of the Republican leadership thunder against the racism of the vote, but few African-Americans are swayed by their rhetoric. The Supreme Court is left with only 8 members for the rest of Bush's presidency, as he is unable to find anyone else to fill the seat. It eventually goes to moderate Justice Oscar Sanchez, the first of President Bill Clinton's 3 Court appointees, and the Court's first hispanic justice.

in 2002, with a majority of the devices they stole on their raid mounted on or in the stolen craft, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney relax for the first time since they have returned to earth. They slip out of Edwards and visit a local bar. Unfortunately, they run into some trouble there and people notice when they disappear suddenly.

in 2003, the midday hustle of London was silenced by another clear trumpet sound. Estellians begin to preach in the street that the day of judgement is coming and that the Holy British Empire must repent and cast off the false Pope. Templars arrest hundreds.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 5 days left! We're down to the last week!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring Legal Info - By entering the contest, 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!

Also, 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!

Stalemate At Hastings; The Anti-Christ Is Declared

October 14th, 2005

in 1066, King Harold II of England and William of Normandy fight to a standstill at Hastings, England. With most of his invasion force spent, William withdraws to the coast and sends back to the continent for reinforcements. King Harold sends an embassy to negotiate a peace while drafting men from the countryside to fight for England.

in 1605, the royal court views the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare and his company. During the viewing, a black cloud gathers over the palace and pours down rain and lightning; King James is murdered by a mysterious assassin when all the candles in the courtroom are blown out by a stray gust of wind. This play was never presented again, and was stripped from Shakespeare's official folio.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson, interrogating captives who had been with the Mormon rebel Charles Brigman, breaks one of them down and learns that Brigman has a cache of explosives hidden in Salt Lake City; none of the captives know where it is – apparently only Brigman knew. Colonel Jackson sets his men searching the city.

in 1912, former President Theodore Roosevelt is shot by a saloon owner while campaigning for the Progressive Party. The assassination attempt rallies support around the charismatic leader, and when he survives the gunshot, his popularity soars around the nation. He trounces his Democratic and Republican opponents in the general election, becoming the only president to switch parties and then return to office.

in 1943, Zionist reinforcements fight their way into St. Petersburg to hold off the German Underground. They bring much-needed supplies and food with them, giving new hope to the city. Unfortunately for them, the G.U. sends for help from their patrons, the time-traveling neo-Nazis, and they are also resupplied. They do not use nuclear weapons against the city, but threaten the Zionist leadership that they have that option.

in 1947, the monster in the sky won its long battle with pilot Chuck Yeager; when he attempted to break the sound barrier in the experimental X-1 aircraft developed by the military, he cracked his head against the windscreen and blacked out, losing control of the craft and crashing. The program was suspended; it was deemed far too expensive in lives and aircraft.

in 1960, Pascal-Edison releases an update to Self-Portrait which allows the user to choose one of 3 different personalities for the operating system. This saves the product, since most people had complained that they didn’t like the Artificial Intelligence simulation of themselves.

in 4697, the Chdo forces withdraw from earth’s solar system, reasonably assured that the Y’T’T’li have been defeated. A small group, taken with the beauty of the planets, asks the Emperor for permission to colonize the outer system, and Xiao grants it to them. They swear loyalty to Xiao and the Chinese Empire, and are embraced as citizens.

in 2002, the pair of guest scientists, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney, meet with the commanders of Edwards Air Force base for a couple of hours as they seek to explain a few of the items they have managed to classify from their moon raid. They are then given permission to use a few of the engineers on the base to mount some of these devices on the stolen craft.

in 2003, Pope Righteous I delivers an address from Buckingham Cathedral which is carried across the Holy British Empire. In it, he declares that Estelle Gerard is, in fact, the ultimate enemy of Christians, the Anti-Christ. He orders all so-called Estellians to abandon their leader and turn back to Holy Mother Church if they wish to be saved from damnation.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 6 days left! We're down to the last week!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Fatima Hoax; The Stars Align Right For Abba

October 13th, 2005

in 1845, Texas approves the treaty to join the United States and ratifies the new state constitution. Mexico, incensed at this land grab by their neighbor to the north, attacks their former possession immediately and their troops seize two-thirds of the small nation before desperate defenders can hold them off. American troops sent to the aid of their new state are rebuffed, and Texas joins the Union much smaller than it had originally planned to be.

in 1866, 20 Mlosh are taken hostage in an orbital cruise ship. Jacob Whitley and Lars Barrick, the ringleaders of the gang who take over the ship, vow to crash the vessel into the Tower of London if 40 Human Leaguers are not released from British prisons within 48 hours. The British government refuses to release the prisoners, and Whitley targets the Tower. Moments before breaking atmosphere, the hostages overpower the terrorists and take back control of the ship; fortunately for them, because the British Space Navy was about to shoot them down.

in 1890, Charles Brigman and 20 of his followers ambush a company of about 30 federal soldiers. His luck almost runs out; the soldiers kill or capture all of his men, but Brigman escapes, and the soldiers are in no shape to track him after the fight. They bring the captives to Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson for questioning.

in 1917, the Fatima Hoax was uncovered as dozens of people in the crowd of 50,000 saw Lianor Ortiz sneak out of the woods to approach the 3 children who had claimed to have visions of the Virgin Mary. When Ortiz attempted to tell the crowd that she was the Blessed Virgin, those who had seen her un-miraculous entrance cried foul, and the faithful almost killed the young woman. She was imprisoned for 10 years for fraud.

in 1925, Alfie Schneider was born in Long Island, New York. Schneider was the comic voice of the Semitic-African Resistance in the 1960’s, confronting audiences with the dangers of racism in his stage act. He was lynched in 1972 by a mob in Virginia after a particularly hard-hitting show where he called the KKK “a bunch of fairies in their mother’s dresses”.

in 1943, poet Robert Lowell, who protested the indiscriminate bombing of German-controlled cities by the Allies, was jailed by the American government. He became a cause celebre among the pro-fascist crowd, who successfully halted the Allied practice of carpet bombing cities.

in 1957, The Amazing Colossal Man, a brilliant social commentary dressed up as a cheap SF monster movie, is released to American audiences. Although the censors never caught on, the film subtly took digs at the Soviet States of America's nuclear policy and policy of throwing its weight around the world, as if they were an all-powerful giant. The film was a huge smash hit in Europe, and won many awards among the monarchies.

in 1979, an Abba concert in Flushing, New York is thrown into panic and chaos when a strange spell comes over the Swedish band and they change the lyrics to their song, Fernando: There was something in the air that night/The stars aligned right/Ia! Ia! Fernando!

in 2002, one of the devices at Edwards Air Force base, while being studied by Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney, seems to open a small black hole that sucks in much of their office before they can shut it down. The scientists mount that thing on their craft.

in 2003, across the Holy British Empire, millions of people hear a very clear trumpet note. The event lasts for almost 30 seconds, and is greeted with apprehension by the populace. Pope Righteous I issues a statement the next day that instructs good Christians to ignore such obvious acts of witchcraft, and to report anyone claiming to have knowledge of the trumpet music to their local priest.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 7 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Columbus Day

October 12th, 2005

in 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in India. Although the voyage was hard, it did cut some time off the land route, and soon, the western trade to India, spearheaded by Columbus, outpaced the eastern. The only problem seemed to be that the western Indians were nothing like the eastern ones.

in 11-13-12-4-4, the islands of the Yucatan Gulf sent word to the Emperor in Ouezteca that strange barbarians had landed on their shores. The Emperor sent several warships, but the barbarians fled at the sight. The islanders told the sailors that the barbarians had been pale men with strange markings and color on their bodies; this disturbed the Emperor enough to place a permanent naval base in the Gulf.

in Hellenic Year 5253, Herakleus of Sparta’s expedition to seek the land beyond the farthest seas found a land inhabited by a people that called themselves the Seneca, who were part of a larger polis known as Iroquois. Herakleus traveled across their continent and found another sea, which he sailed across until he was back home in Hellas. His voyage proved the ancient belief that the world was round.

in 2245 AUC, Colonius Maximus Agrippa landed his vessels at what the ancient northern barbarians had called Vinland, and claimed it for the greater glory of the Republic of Rome. Vinland’s legend as a land of great bounty was sadly untrue, and Agrippa sent back word that the continent across the Atlantic seemed to be a frozen wasteland. Subsequent expeditions, though, found a more fertile country and civilized people to the south, and Rome soon had many ships plying the Atlantic to trade with them.

in 1507, after many years of trying to make trade with the western continents work, Spain and the rest of Europe return to the richer lands of Asia and Africa and leave the West Indians to their own devices. Although there seemed to be plenty of resources in the western lands, the cost of travel was too much to make it worth Europe's effort.

in 1837, an economic panic struck the young American nation as the rather unsound fiscal policies of President Andrew Jackson came home to roost. The ineffectual President Martin Van Buren appealed to Congress for assistance, but Congress was unwilling to take strong measures to halt the country's slide into poverty. When 5 northern states seceded to try to make their own way, America soon dissolved into the petty military dictatorship it is today.

in 1890, Charles Brigman attacks the farms of 4 Mormon collaborators. In what came to be known as the Columbus Day Massacre, he and his band of rebels slaughtered 82 people, most of whom were children. News of the massacre begins to turn most of the Latter-Day Saints against Brigman.

in 1915, the execution of British nurse Edith Cavell by a German firing squad for essentially doing nothing more than her duty of aiding Allied soldiers causes a firestorm of protest against the Kaiser's realm. The situation causes a rift in the Central Powers; Austria-Hungary withdraws from the war, and the Ottoman Empire halts aid to Germany. The Germans, surrounded by enemies now, sues for peace with France and Great Britain, and by spring, the continental war is over.

in 1960, Comrade President Joel Rosenberg, making the first visit of a Soviet American leader to the League of Nations in Europe, began pounding the table and shouting back at the Irish Ambassador's speech criticizing America's Central American activities. Calling the Irish diplomat an “imperialist lackey”, Comrade Rosenberg stormed out of the meeting.

in 1997, an alternate historian tied the knot with a lovely songbird in a ceremony punctuated by beautiful singing. In another timeline, perhaps they have more mundane occupations…


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 8 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Pyotr, Blessed Of Allah; Reykjavik Disaster

October 11th, 2005

in 1100, Pyotr ibn Alexei was named Caliph of Russ. The young Caliph, barely 17 years old, was strong in the faith, and Allah rewarded him well. He reigned for 36 years, and put half of Asia under the benevolent rule of Islam.

in 1775, General Benedict Arnold is utterly defeated at the Battle of Valcour Island in New York; the revolutionary loses all of the American ships under his command, and his ground troops are devastated. Although the delay he forced on the British did help the Patriot cause, Arnold was unable to get over the horrifying death toll, and took his own life two months later.

in 1804, Ml’Astran inventor Kylie Gulagong was born in Canberra. She is widely credited with adapting the Mlosh stun ray to work on humans, as well as dozens of smaller inventions that made life easier. Miss Gulagong was also a philanthropist who contributed much of her wealth to aiding relief organizations around the world.

in 1890, Charles Brigman rallies other Mormon rebels to him, and he makes an attack on a small company of federal troops patrolling inside Salt Lake City. Most of the men are killed, but four escape to tell Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson what has happened. Jackson decides that Brigman must be taken at all costs.

in 1923, the Weimar Republic is unable to prevent the collapse of the deutschmark, and chaos erupts across Germany. French troops poised at the border march in and take a third of the land under their control, while Russian-inspired Communists take control of the eastern part of the country. The Communists begged Russia for aid, and Lenin, in one of his final acts as leader of the great nation, sent troops into Germany to establish order.

in 1975, NBC presents a live late night comedy show on Saturday entitled, appropriately enough, Saturday Night Live. Although the comic talents of Corny Chase, Mimi Kennedy, John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd were brought into the project, no audience was found for the show, and it was cancelled in the first season.

in 1975, William Jefferson Clinton and Hillary Rodham, two Yalees of strong political leanings, marry in Arkansas. The new Mrs. Clinton, a moderate Republican, convinces her more left-leaning husband to switch parties, and he soon enjoys enormous success as Republicans gain power in the south. After several terms as Arkansas' governor, Clinton successfully succeeds President George Bush in 1996, continuing Republican control of the White House another 8 years.

in 1981, a young singer from Minnesota, Roger Nelson, opens for the Gathering Moss at their concert in the L.A. Coliseum. Moss lead singer Mike Jagger is so taken with Nelson’s performance that he offers him an album deal. The album produced, Erotic City, is banned in many communities as obscene; this only furthers its sales everywhere else.

in 1986, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev held a hopeful meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland. Hope was soon dashed, as the personal animosity between the two men destroyed any hope that the meeting would be productive. At one point, Reagan put the U.S. at defcon 1 and thundered at Gorbachev that he was “ready to launch!”

in 2002, after a very long meeting with President Bush, Dr. Courtney and Professor Thomas return to Edwards Air Force base to plan. They tell their pilots to keep training while they study some of the devices that they stole from the moon base. In spite of having talked off an attack, they still appear very worried.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 9 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

The Battle Of Tours; Eisenhower's Epiphany

October 10th, 2005

in 110, Abd-ar-Rahman, governor of Cordoba, defeats Charles Martel, leader of the Frankish tribe in Gaul at the Battle of Tours. He was wise to praise Allah for the victory, because most of the defeated Franks saw his faith and received mercy by converting after the battle.

in 1731, English natural philosopher Henry Cavendish was born in Nice, France. Cavendish was the discoverer of the element phlogiston, the combustible part of air. His conclusions led to the banning of large fires, lest they ignite the atmosphere and burn the world.

in 12-8-4-7-12, Tlaloc showed his displeasure with the Oeztec by bringing a great storm from the ocean onto the land. Tens of thousands died in the islands of the gulf, and thousands more when the storm hit the mainland. Emperor Calzotz ordered the sacrifice of 100 slaves to appease the god.

in 1890, the Mormon hold-out Charles Brigman and 18 of his followers raid the Thompson farm outside Salt Lake City, killing Union collaborator Jedediah Thompson, his 3 wives and all of their 14 children. Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson puts a bounty on Brigman's head of $10,000, and vows that anyone who commits like offenses will be brought to justice.

in 1910, Congress of Nations Commander Mohandas Namboudry lifts martial law on the Mlosh homeworld, and allows the remaining Q'Bar to move freely in their preparations to be moved to Kantar, where their race has been exiled after the Jovian War. Although there is still some dissent, the streets of the capitol are fairly quiet.

in 1924, studio exec Ed Wood was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. Wood fancied himself a filmmaker of sorts in his youth, but after being caught by studio security when he raided a Warner Brothers' lot for props, the studio chief that had gone in to press charges against him offered him a job as an assistant. Wood became head of Warner Brothers in 1972, and his tenure was marked by a daring streak of movies that challenged America's sexuality.

in 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a formal apology to the Finance Minister of Ghana, Komla Agbeli Gbdemah, after he was refused service in a whites-only restaurant in Dover, Delaware. This incident brings home to Ike the injustice of segregation, and he pushes through a Civil Rights Act the next year, legally ending segregation in America. “Just as I fought the injustice of Nazism,” Eisenhower told the nation, “so must I stand against the idea that a man can be denied his fundamental rights because of the color of his skin.” In spite of often violent protests across the nation, both Eisenhower and his successor John F. Kennedy stand firm, and segregation is not allowed to rise again in America.

in 1973, Vice-President Spiro Agnew pleads not guilty to extensive charges of political corruption stemming from his time as governor of Maryland. President Nixon puts his full support behind the vice-president, and the charges against him are dropped three weeks later when the prosecutor in Maryland disappears.

in 4697, Emperor Xiao of earth informs the Y’T’T’li that they have a matter of hours to vacate the solar system. The Chdo are sending out a nanite wave which, traveling at the speed of light, will disable all non-shielded mechanical devices; and only the Chdo know how to shield from it. The Y’T’T’li flee the system.

in 2002, the 7 stolen craft from Edwards Air Force base jump into earth's orbit and Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney begin scanning near space for signs of trouble; they see it soon enough – 5 craft making their way to earth at light speed. The alien craft slow down as they approach earth orbit and a strange voice begins speaking inside all of the stolen craft. Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney argue with the voice for several minutes, and then the aliens leave. The scientists order their pilots to return to earth, then request a meeting with the president.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 10 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Moriksburg Incident; Schindler's Execution

October 9th, 2005

in 1117, after a century of somewhat peaceful coexistance, the Vikings and Vinlandians have a small scuffle at Moriksburg that erupts into a larger conflict. Europeans had been drifting over to Vinland since Leif Ericson's discovery of a safe passage to it the century before, and in some areas of North Vinland, they outnumbered the natives. Ericson had kept the peace during his lifetime, but with him dead, the differences between the two peoples boiled over.

in 1635, religious zealot Roger Williams is sentenced to exile from the Massachusetts colony for his crime of dissent against the crown's Indian policies. Williams soon gathers hundreds of followers and storms back into Massachusetts, taking the colony from the crown by force and establishing the short-lived Freemen's Land.

in 1811, General Ned Ludd provoked his followers into a riot at a factory in Manchester, England, in protest of the new Mlosh technologies that were being produced. The Luddites felt that the knowledge the Mlosh were bringing to humanity was unnatural and should be suppressed, and they were willing to take drastic steps to do so.

in 1890, with most of the fighting in Salt Lake City settled, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson sends a few patrols into the surrounding countryside. Several die-hard LDS have holed up in the Utah wilderness, and Colonel Jackson realizes that it will take time to root them out. He sends to Washington for even more troops.

in 1910, with the aid of the Maktar, Commander Mohandas Namboudry quells the violence on the Mlosh homeworld and turns the Q'Bar refugee ships back around and sends them off to their new home. The Congress of Nations finally replies that assistance is on the way; Commander Namboudry tells them not to hurry.

in 1946, the hilarious comedy The Iceman Cometh, following the wacky misadventures of a family waiting for the iceman during a heat wave, premiered on Broadway. The author, Gene O’Neill, was hailed with a Tony for Best Comedy of 1946.

in 1961, German Reich dissident Oskar Schindler is executed for his crimes. Schindler, at one point a loyal Nazi, had spirited thousands of Jews and dissidents out of the expanding German Reich by creating fake covers for them as workers in his enamel factories. When the ruse was uncovered, the Semitic-African Resistance attempted to rescue him, but the raid only succeeded in killing a few guards and most of the S.A.R. raiding party.

in 1975, peace activist Dr. Jonas Salk of the Soviet States of America wins the Nobel Peace Prize. After retiring from his medical career, he had spent his life pursuing change in the Soviet States, and an end to its aggression towards other nations. While the award is celebrated in Europe, it is denounced by the government of America as “another capitalist reward for a counter-revolutionary.”

in 4697, Chdo reinforcements arrive and begin consultation with the Chinese as to what might be done to stop the Y’T’T’li. The Chdo are opposed to the idea of allowing the Y’T’T’li time within the system. They feel that, given time and the raw material of the solar system, they will be unstoppable. A bold plan is conceived, and the Chdo ships carry out the weapon on which humanity’s hopes rest.

in 2002, one of the “important devices” that Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney acquired from the moon raid begins wailing at them from its new home in Edwards Air Force base. The scientists look terribly alarmed at the sound, and begin scrambling all of their trainees into craft. They alert the Pentagon that trouble is on the way.

TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 11 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Chicago Fire; Limbaugh's Little Problem

October 8th, 2005

in 1775, Continental Army officers from the southern states move to ban both slaves and free blacks from their ranks; when several northern regiments refuse and threaten to collapse the rebel cause if the measure is implemented, the southerners relent. Free blacks fighting in the revolution spearhead the movement to eradicate slavery in the former colonies once freedom for the new United States is won. Their hard-fought victory is made part of the new nation’s constitution in 1784.

in 1871, a fire broke out in a small barn outside of Chicago, Illinois, but the farmer, suffering insomnia from spicy food his wife had cooked, managed to put it out with help from his neighbors. High winds on the prairie that day nearly caused the fire to spread beyond the small farm, so the farmer thanked his lucky stars that is wife had just discovered Italian food.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson and his troops battle the Mormon leaders of Salt Lake City in a final confrontation to determine who will gain control of Utah Territory’s capitol. Colonel Jackson’s men have the worst of it, until Captain Ulrich’s forces arrive in the city in the nick of time. The Stars and Stripes is flown over the capitol building that evening.

in 1910, the Maktar, an alien race that has recently established friendly relations with the Congress of Nations, comes to the rescue of the C.N. forces battling to maintain their control of the Mlosh homeworld, driving off the Q’Bar. A weary Commander Mohandas Namboudry thanks them on behalf of a grateful people.

in 1944, President Wendell Wilkie died in office. Since he hadn’t appointed a vice-president to serve at his side after the death of Vice-President Charles McNary in February, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn assumed the presidency, the first Speaker ever elevated to the office through the line of succession. Wilkie led the list of war dead in the next day’s paper with the simple notation, “Wilkie, Wendell; Commander-In Chief.”

in 1967, Ernesto “Che” Guevera, an Argentinian revolutionary, defeated a Bolivian Army detachment that had been dispatched to retrieve his head. His popularity among the Bolivian peasantry brought him to the head of the country’s government within 2 years, and with Bolivian fallen to Communist aggression, the rest of the dominoes of South America quickly fell. Soon, America found itself isolated in a sea of red.

in 1970, American author Kurt Vonnegut is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. His writings criticizing the communist government of the Soviet States of America have been a hit world-wide, although suppressed at home.

in 2001, conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh announced to his listeners that he was going deaf due to an unnamed medical condition. The condition turned out to be drug addiction, as Limbaugh was found dead of an oxycontin overdose two weeks later.

in 4697, Ming-Wang-Xing explodes as the Y’T’T’li invaders turn it into a black hole; the surrounding Chinese and Chdo ships are destroyed, and Y’T’T’li elsewhere within the system begin similar projects on other moons and worlds. Emperor Xiao begins to consider truce.

in 2002, on a moon in a nearby solar system, the raiding party from earth launches a surprise attack on a small outpost and scores two more ships and several strange devices that Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney explain are “very important.” They return to earth, and more training commences.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 12 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Papal Marriage Annulled; Nixon-Kennedy Debate

October 7th, 2005

in 1528, Papal spokesman Cardinal William Catesby declared the marriage of Pope Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon to be annulled. The Holy British Empire was quite surprised to learn that the Pope and his wife had never consummated their marriage.

in 1890, Captain Phil Ulrich leads his troops across the desert of Utah Territory towards Salt Lake City to reinforce Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson. The desert takes many of his men, but is the quickest route to the capitol, and Captain Ulrich avoids several Mormon ambushes with this daring, if foolhardy, detour.

in 1896, Elijah Muhammed was born in Sandersville, Georgia. Brother Muhammed was almost single-handedly responsible for the surge in African-American acceptance of the light of Islam, through his disciple Martin King. Their efforts brought nearly 30 million Americans to the brotherhood of Islam.

in 1910, Congress of Nations Commander Mohandas Namboudry maneuvers his orbital warships into a cover over the capitol city of the Mlosh homeworld and begins using what transports he has to evacuate non-combat personnel, with the warships providing cover for them until they can get away. The Q’Bar ships are outgunned, but have a numbers advantage at the beginning, and the situation looks dire for the C.N. and the newly-arrived Mlosh.

in 1949, Communists in the eastern half of Germany secede and form the Democratic People’s Republic of Germany. They hold the capitol, Berlin, and this prompts several of the “White” governments of Europe to send military force into Germany to bring them back in line with the rest of the capitalist continent. With aid from the Soviet States of America, though, the People’s Democracy is able to survive. Berlin remains the capitol of both Germanies, and is partitioned into a capitalist half and a communist half. It becomes the scene of much struggle over the years, including the wall that was constructed there, decried by Comrade President Rosenberg in his famous “ich bin ein Berliner” speech.

in 1960, Senator John Kennedy of Massachusetts and Vice-President Richard Nixon debate for the second time on television, this time on matters of foreign policy. Kennedy made his famous declaration that Castro was a communist, and that, “Today, Cuba is lost to freedom.” When Castro signed a trade and security agreement with the Eisenhower administration the next week, Kennedy was humiliated, and doubts about his competency in international affairs became certainties.

in 1968, the movie industry, in an effort to stave off government censorship of films, adopted a voluntary system of ratings between G for general audiences and X for adult fare. Unfortunately, many filmmakers opted not to join the voluntary system, and it soon collapsed from lack of use. President Nixon’s Film Censorship Board then took over the task of keeping Hollywood clean.

in 1982, composer/producer Andrew Lloyd Webber of Jesus Christ, Superstar fame opened a new musical on Broadway. It was based on, of all things, T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and titled, simply, Cats. The show flopped; apparently, Webber had overestimated his ability to put just anything in front of the theater-going public.

in 4697, the outermost planet, Ming-Wang-Xing, is overrun by Y’T’T’li who begin converting it into material for their ships. Chinese and Chdo ships start asteroid bombardment of the planet in order to destroy the Y’T’T’li there, but the cybernetic aliens are able to burrow deep into Ming-Wang-Xing’s mantle and begin constructing a device of unimaginable destructive power.

in 2002, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney take the 3 best pilots they have been training and place them at the controls of their extra craft. The rest of the pilots are split between the 5 craft they now have, and Dr. Courtney leads them off earth and towards another system; they are going to make another raid to gather more supplies.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 13 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Jane Eyre Published; The Yom Kippur War

October 6th, 2005

in 891, Pius III fills the shoes of the fisherman in Italy as he becomes the Pope. He is haunted by visions of the British Isles and the Christ risen in the land of the English. These visions lead him to find a King Arthur in the British Isles and declare him the true pope.

in 1847, the pseudonymous novelist Currer Bell publishes Jane Eyre, one of the first Feminist novels, about a young orphan girl who grows up to become a colonial governor. The furor aroused by the novel’s subject matter raised such fear in the novel’s author that she never revealed her true name to the public.

in 1890, reinforcements to Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson’s troops in Salt Lake City enter Utah Territory and are met by a Mormon force under the command of Jack Smith, a popular leader who had opposed joining the United States at all. The clash ends in a draw, with both sides taking heavy casualties, but the federal troops do make progress towards Salt Lake City.

in 1892, Edison Electronics patented the Electric Locomotive, a train engine that used the power of the sun to generate electricity. While woefully low-powered at first, they were a pet project of Edison’s, and supplanted traditional coal-burning engines within 20 years.

in 1910, Congress of Nations Commander Mohandas Namboudry declares martial law in the capitol city of the Mlosh homeworld, and orders the immediate detainment of all Q’Bar. The harsh measure is met with violence from the Q’Bar; returning refugee ships attack C.N. warships in orbit around the homeworld. Namboudry sends word to earth that assistance is desperately needed.

in 1961, Comrade President Joel Rosenberg urged all Americans to buy bomb shelters to “protect yourselves from the fanatical counter-revolutionaries of the world”. Comrade Rosenberg feared the missiles and nuclear weapons of the European powers might be used against the peaceful citizens of the Soviet States of America.

in 1973, Egypt and Syria invade Israel as Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year to Jews, begins. With so many soldiers away for religious observances, the tiny nation was quickly subdued and partitioned by the two Arab countries. The conquered Israelis began a 5-year-long war of resistance against their occupiers that ended when President Jimmy Carter of the U.S. mediated a peace between the three nations, giving Israel much of its territory back in exchange for an end to the terrorist campaigns they had been waging against Syria and Egypt.

in 1981, Anwar Sadat narrowly escapes assassination as he reviews Egyptian troops. Extremists peppered his review stand with bullets, killing many of his advisors and wounding Sadat’s left arm, but the Egyptian leader escaped with his life. Extremist movements across the nation were suppressed brutally after this, and Sadat took great steps to turn Egypt into a secular country.

in 4697, Chdo ships arrive in our solar system and join the battle against the Y’T’T’li. Their technology seems superior to the cybernetic aliens at first, and the Y’T’T’li are driven off Feng-Huang and the moons of Tai Sui. As the Chdo and Chinese forces chase them to the outer planets, though, the Y’T’T’li begin incorporating Chdo debris into their own ships, and the outer reaches of the solar system become the scene of a pitched battle.

in 2002, Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney begin very hard drills for the pilots at Edwards Air Force base. With extra craft to train in, they even have a chance to practice a few dogfight and combat maneuvers, which the pilots take to immediately. The scientists tell the brass at the base that the pilots are doing very well, but warn them that the raid will be responded to eventually; they will need to make another to supply themselves.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 14 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Indian, Mormon Wars; Estellian Riot In London

October 5th, 2005

in 1813, British and Shawnee troops under the command of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh are decimated by William Harrison’s American Army at the Battle of the Thames near Ontario, Canada. Before his own death, Tecumseh battles his way to Harrison and they fight hand-to-hand. Tecumseh, already mortally wounded, dies in the struggle, but chops off Harrison’s left hand and horribly scars his face. Harrison spends the rest of his life in seclusion after the horror of the Thames.

in 1877, Chief Joseph of Idaho’s Nez Pierce engages U.S. General Nelson Miles in Montana’s Bear Paw Mountains. Disgusted with the American habit of behaving as if treaties were nothing more than paper, he had just declared to his people that, “My heart is filled with anger. From where the sun now stands, I will fight forever.” The Nez Pierce defeated General Miles, and continued to harass Americans as they attempted to settle in the Pacific Northwest.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson and his men ride into Salt Lake City and attempt to restore some semblance of order. It is an impossible task, but Jackson’s men perform heroically. Many Mormons come over to their side because of Jackson’s troops; but not enough to give them control of the city. The Mormon elders organize their own welcome for Jackson and the troops coming to reinforce him.

in 1910, the situation on the Mlosh homeworld continues deteriorating as Congress of Nations peacekeepers attempt to separate the Mlosh and Q’bar and keep the Q’Bar moving offworld. They are caught up in the struggle when a Q’Barian activist blows up himself and several hundred others in the center of the Mlosh capitol.

in 1941, Jewish Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis is lynched by American Bund brownshirts in Washington, D.C. Although the event occurred in broad daylight, in front of hundreds of witnesses, no one was ever brought to justice for the crime. This event led the American Jewish and African-American communities to find common ground, forming the Semitic-African Resistance movement.

in 1978, Joshua Singer, a Polish writer who had immigrated to America to escape the Nazis, won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his huge body of work detailing Jewish life in old Europe. He dedicated the prize to his brother Isaac, who had been killed along with their mother and another brother in concentration camps.

in 1989, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is arrested by security forces of the People’s Republic of China. His last act of freedom is to blow up his home with hidden explosives. The Dalai Lama had advocated violent overthrow of the People’s Republic since his first public speech in 1951.

in 4697, New Beijing on Feng-Huang is overrun and converted into a Y’T’T’li city. Chinese forces abandon the planet, moving as many people off-world as they can stuff into the ships available. It is a horrific retreat, leaving hundreds of thousands of people behind.

in 2002, two objects appear over Edwards Air Force base and come to a hard landing. Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney emerge from the objects, looking triumphant. The pilots they had led on the raid cheer them on, and carry them to debriefing on their shoulders. The scientists allow the euphoria to continue the rest of the day, but they know that much work remains to be done.

in 2003, a riot erupts in London when police attempt to arrest a gathering of Estellians. The affront of heretics in the heart of the Holy British Empire draws Pope Righteous I from Buckingham Cathedral, and he publicly rebukes the Estellians before ordering the police to take them to the Tower to await execution.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 15 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Entries must be received by October 20th! Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

The Balloon Corps; Love Me, Do

October 4th, 2005

in 1182, Francis of Assisi, the monk who taught that one could only be brought to Christ through pain, was born in Assisi, Italy. His torture of animals, children and parishioners in his native city led the Vatican to excommunicate him; at one point, they even attempted to exorcise him of evil spirits.

in 1861, President Lincoln observed the first flight of the new Balloon Corps, which he had commissioned to launch an aerial assault on the Confederates. The southern rebels also used a few balloons against the north, but the hundreds of balloons that the Union was able to sail over the Confederacy proved overwhelming; almost as fast as they could be shot down, a replacement sailed in to fill the gap. The aerial bombardment proved devastating to the south, and changed the face of warfare across the world.

in 1869, the Edinburgh headquarters of Mlosh Aid International, an organization dedicated to assisting impoverished Mlosh across the world, is bombed by Human League terrorists. 14 Mlosh and 2 humans are killed, while 40 others are wounded.

in 1890, as reinforcements are finally dispatched to Utah Territory, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson enters the outskirts of Salt Lake City. It is obvious that the city is not under any kind of control; they can hear gunshots, and see parties fleeing the city at all points. Colonel Jackson addresses his men, who only number 500, and tells them that they are about to be called above and beyond duty, and asks that they “do me proud.”

in 1923, actor John Carter was born in Evanston, Illinois. One of the staunchest comrades ever to work in Hollywood, Comrade Carter went beyond the silver screen in his later years to dabble in politics, especially during the last years of the 20th century when restrictions against capitalism began lifting. “They’ll make me a capitalist only at the point of a gun,” he famously declared at a People’s Militia Association meeting, holding aloft an antique rifle.

in 1940, Adolph Hitler, leader of the German Underground, meets with neo-Nazi time travelers from the future to discuss his plans for conquering the Greater Zionist Resistance’s territories in eastern Europe. During this meeting, virtually all decision-making ability is stripped from Hitler when the neo-Nazis realize how incompetent he is at military strategy.

in 1962, the hit single Love Me, Do was released by Pete Best. It became a smash hit, but there was some litigation involved with its release, as two of Best’s former bandmates claimed to have written it. Best made a deal with John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s lawyers to give them part of the royalties from the single, and never recorded another of their songs again.

in 1993, Russian Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi and Communist Party Chairman Ruslan Khasbulatov order their tanks to destroy the Russian White House in Moscow. Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who had been removed from office by the Duma days before, had barricaded himself in the building with a few tanks of his own, but was unable to hold off the divisions led by his rivals. With his fall, hopes of democracy in Russia and peaceful relations with the west are shattered.

in 4697, Admiral Wu reaches the closest Chdo world and informs them of the Y’T’T’li invasion. The Chdo promise to send aid and will contact their main force for more. Wu then turns around and heads back to earth. Back in the home system, The Y’T’T’li are mounting an assault on Feng-Huang which is proving devastating to the Empire.

in 2002, the 3 craft piloted by Air Force pilots arrive in earth orbit, then land at Edwards Air Force base. The pilots describe a harried pursuit, which Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney stayed behind to deal with. The military personnel watch the sky anxiously for sign of the two scientists.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 16 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Chaos In Salt Lake City; Q'Bar Riots

October 3rd, 2005

in 1873, the U.S. Army hangs four Modoc natives for the murder of General Edward Canby. The death of these warriors galvanizes native resistance to American occupation across Oregon, and even the Klamath, who had hated the Modoc, fight the U.S. in their name under the leadership of Chief Keintpoos of the Modoc. It takes 18 years to quiet the native rebellion, and Oregon still remains sparsely populated, even today.

in 1890, while detouring around a possible ambush, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson and his troops run into a small group of Mormons who claim to be refugees from Salt Lake City; they tell a tale of chaos among the Latter-Day Saints who have stood up to the U.S. Colonel Jackson assigns a detachment to guard them as they leave Utah Territory, and sends another messenger desperately pleading for reinforcements.

in 1910, a small band of Q’Bar, ordered to disperse by Mlosh police, resists and sparks a riot in the Q’Bar section of the capitol city. Hundreds are killed, mostly Q’Bar, as the Mlosh government orders indiscriminate firing against anyone caught outside in that section. Many of the Q’Bar who had been obeying the Mlosh orders to leave the planet turned around and joined the resistance.

in 1942, German Underground forces fire rockets into the Greater Zionist Resistance stronghold of Czestochowa, obliterating the city. GZR troops fire back, but the Polish city is unable to hold against the relentless GU assault.

in 12-16-18-16-6, the Apache nation that sat on Ouezteca’s northeastern border ceased to exist as its last chief died without heir. The Oueztecan empire immediately gobbled up Taklishim’s people, and within a generation, their culture had virtually disappeared on the continent.

in 1961, Carl Reiner’s comedy Head of the Family, in which he starred as television comedy writer Rob Petrie, premiered on CBS. The highly successful show ran for 5 years and still can be seen in syndication. Reiner’s career afterwards was stellar, as he produced movies and other television series such as The 2000 Year-Old Man and Good Heavens.

in 1990, East and West Germany, separated for many years, are finally reunited as one nation when the communists of the east fall from power. Their perennial patron, the Soviet States of America, had begun abandoning foreign entanglements under Comrade President Ann Richards, and they were unable to sustain themselves as a lone spot of red in a sea of white governments.

in 1995, in one of the most sensational celebrity murder trials ever, the verdict was delivered for O.J. Simpson – not guilty on all counts. As Simpson and his defense team celebrated, Ronald Goldman’s father pulled out a gun he had snuck into the courtroom and shot Simpson twice in the head, killing him.

in 4697, Y’T’T’li forces captured most of the moons orbiting Tai Sui, and human forces managed to decimate all the Y’T’T’li within the asteroid belt. Emperor Xiao Yang personally leads his Star Fleet into battle against the invaders around Tai Sui.

in 2002, Professor Thomas, Dr. Courtney and the Air Force pilots accompanying them discover that their escape from the small moon has not been as smooth as they thought. Their ships are rocked by energy blasts; Professor Thomas and Dr. Courtney return fire, but the pilots were not trained in combat; Thomas tells them to make a run for it while they hold off pursuit.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 17 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Arnold Betrays West Point To The British

October 2nd, 2005

in 1780, the American revolutionary cause is stunned when one of its greatest heroes, Benedict Arnold, turns West Point over to the British and joins their cause. The rebel commander, George Washington, was reportedly so despondent at the news that his officers had to wrestle a pistol away from him lest he kill himself.

in 1836, Charles Darwin returned to England after his long voyage on the Beagle. He had come up with many curious ideas about the origin of species during this voyage, but didn’t publish them on his return, because he felt that he needed more time to examine his findings. Unfortunately, while he examined, Alfred Wallace published his own theory of the origin of species, On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely From the Original Type, extolling an evolutionary mechanism called Natural Selection.

in 1869, Mohandas Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Kathiawad. Gandhi was a revolutionary and activist whose method of non-violent protest led India to freedom from British colonial rule in the 1940’s. When India’s Muslims and Hindus threatened to split the nation apart after independence, Gandhi was called on to take control of the country from all quarters; he reluctantly did so, ruling as India’s Prime Minister from 1949 to 1958.

in 1876, the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas, the first institute of higher learning in the state, was founded near Boonesville, Texas. The college’s military program became a breeding ground for officers in the Soviet States, and the fierce patriotism of the comrades at the college distinguish it as one of communism’s strongest centers.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson’s misfortune in Utah Territory continues as one of his scouts tells him that a large number of Latter-Day Saints is planning an ambush on their chosen route. Although he is willing to kill the Mormon revolutionaries who are fighting him, Colonel Jackson would rather avoid bloodshed. He tells his scout to find yet another alternate route to Salt Lake City.

in 1910, after weeks of quiet on the Mlosh homeworld, a contingent of Q’Bar rebels assassinate the Mlosh governor of the planet. The Mlosh on the planet brace for another round of war, but most Q’Bar protest that they just want to leave the planet and live. Draconian measures are implemented against them in spite of their protestations.

in 1951, English poet Gordon Sumner was born in Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Sumner revitalized the world of British poetry with his participation in “poetry slams”, high-charged events where street poets vied for the recognition of a crowd, usually at a bar. Sumner was named British Poet Laureate in 1994.

in 1967, President Johnson’s historic choice for the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall, the first black man ever appointed to the high court, is shot by white racists during his swearing-in. Before being taken away by the ambulance, Marshall insists on completing the ceremony, so that he is formally a Supreme Court Justice when he dies. As a thumb in the eye to all of the racists in the country, President Johnson names Martin Luther King, Jr. as Marshall’s replacement, and doubles security around the court.

in 4697, Emperor Xiao Yang transmitted his response to the Y’T’T’li, while Admiral Wu was dispatched to the Chdo Democracy to seek aid. Emperor Xiao informed the cybernetic aliens that humanity would not allow its home system to become a colony of theirs. Hostilities immediately resumed.

in 2002, the Air Force pilots and Dr. Courtney raid the base they have been transported down to and successfully steal 4 of the objects, flying them away swiftly. Professor Thomas joins them after dispatching pursuit from the moon they stole the objects from. The small fleet of 5 craft then fly back to earth.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff! Only 18 days left!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!

Alexander Allies With Persia; Trial At Nuremberg

October 1st, 2005

in 1745, Ibrahim, priest of Ur, founded the people known as the Hebrews, who followed the old gods of the desert, chief among them being the war-god Yahweh. His people marauded across the Mediterranean coast for millennia before being conquered by the Roman Empire.

in Hellenic Year 3432, the Persians meet Alexander of Macedon at Gaugamela with a force twice the size of his own, and Alexander decides that, this time, diplomacy might be the better alternative to conquest. He sends ambassadors to the Persian Shah, inviting him to ally himself with Alexander. The Shah accepts, as long as he is given autonomy in his own land, which Alexander agrees to. With Persia at his side, Alexander is invincible; enemies melt before him.

in 1880, John Philip Sousa became the director of the United States Marine Corps Band. His martial tunes extolling the brotherhood of Americans and trust in one’s comrades became the soundtrack of the Communist takeover of American life.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson is halted in his progress towards Salt Lake City by a band of Mormon women who charge his soldiers and their horses. Unwilling to order his men to fire on women, Colonel Jackson orders a retreat, and tells his scout to plan a detour to get them to the capitol of Utah Territory.

in 1936, fascist Nationalists in Spain named Colonel Jose Manuel de Ramirez as their leader; they had wanted General Francisco Franco to lead their cause, but he had been killed 2 years before putting down a socialist rebellion in Asturias. Colonel de Ramirez proved an inept and bungling fool, and led the Nationalists to defeat in the Spanish Civil War, in spite of assistance from other fascists across Europe.

in 1946, The German Reich holds a show trial of captured Greater Zionist Resistance leaders in Nuremberg, Germany. Many of the GZR leaders speak eloquently of their efforts to bring freedom to all the oppressed of Europe, not just the Jews, but the outcome of this trial was never in doubt; they are all sentenced to death.

in 1961, Roger Maris, tied with Babe Ruth for most home runs in a single season at 60, strikes out on his last chance to break the decades-old record as a wild pitch from the Red Sox pitcher beaned the Yankee, giving him a concussion. Maris was out the rest of the season.

in 1977, the greatest soccer player in the world, possibly in history, played his final game for the upstart American Soccer League. Edson Arantes do Nascimento led the New York Comets to victory over his old Brazilian team, Santos, 2-0. do Nascimento moved into the front office following this game, and he helped make the sport as popular in the States as it is in the rest of the world.

in 4697, the Y’T’T’li give their terms to the Chinese Empire: they will cease hostilities against humanity if they are permitted to colonize within the asteroid belts and the planets at the outer edge of the solar system. Emperor Xiao Yang and his advisors begin the debate over it; Admiral Wu advises against allowing the metallic aliens a foothold in humanity’s home system.

in 2002, Professor Thomas brings his small band of Air Force pilots into orbit around a moon with a thin atmosphere. Dr. Courtney addresses the pilots, saying, “We’re going to take a few of these objects from their rightful owners, now. Anyone who doesn’t want their own ship can stay here.” None of the pilots stayed behind, and Professor Thomas flashed them all down to the surface of the moon.


TIAH HALLOWEEN CONTEST - no donation required, just send us your stuff!

In order to give us a tad more time for Halloween, Today In Alternate History is sponsoring its first contest - email us up to 3 alternate history entries for October 31st, 2005. The best 10 entries will make up the entire content of the post on October 31st, Halloween day. Boring contest information was available on our Forum link below, but since the forum has been hacked, we'll email it back to you if you want to know what it is. Enter early and often!

Also, 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!