Mother Jones; Citizen Kane

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: we have our second anniversary coming up on May 27th, and we would like to have another contest. For our second anniversary, send us up to three of your own alternate histories, and we will publish the best - no limit on how many will end up on the final page! We would like to see as many of you enter this as possible, so please - think 'em up, write 'em down, and send 'em on to us at rat4cat@gmail.com! Help us celebrate our 2nd year of existence in style! Oh, and if you're like Sean and we owe you an appearance in TIAH - email us!

May 1st, 2006

in 1776, exalted First Leader Adam Weishaupt formed the Order of the Illuminati in Switzerland. Although thought to be disbanded, this powerful body [REST OF POST NOT AVAILABLE AT YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCE. FNORD.]

in 1830, Comrade Mary Harris Jones was born in Ireland. After emigrating to America as a girl, she became enthralled with President Walt Whitman and joined the Communist Party. Her formidable speaking talents made her one of the party’s top lights, and in 1900, she became Illinois’ first woman governor, serving until her death in 1906.

in 1872, after several redesigns and prototypes, Thomas Edison begins construction on what will be his final version of Charles Babbage’s difference engine, to be unveiled on the 50th anniversary of Babbage’s design at the end of the month. The Edison Difference Engine, or Eddie as they become known, will change the world.

in 12-14-3-12-8, the Oueztecan Navy engaged the mightiest sailors on the globe, the Polynesians, at Bohol, in one of the largest naval battles in the history of the Polynesian Ocean. Although the Oueztecans emerged victorious, it was at such a high cost that they never fought the Polynesians again.

in 1915, Dr. Argus McCloud, chief medical officer aboard Admiral Esteban Rodriquez's flagship, configures a device to block the harmful thought patterns coming from the Kainku and asks permission to test it. Admiral Rodriquez allows the doctor and three crewmen to take a shuttle back into the P'Karsai nebula and visit the Kainku world once again.

in 1941, Orson Welles' diatribe against William Randolph Hearst, Citizen Kane is denied a Hollywood premiere because of the newspaper mogul's influence. Hearst and Welles battle over the release of the film for 6 months before Welles is forced to surrender to Hearst's wishes. The film is finally released in the 1970's, when it quickly becomes a runaway hit.

in 1960, an American spy plane was shot down over the German Reich, proving that President Strom Thurmond’s denial of American surveillance of Germany was a lie. The international embarrassment further isolated the U.S. from Germany’s growing dominance in world affairs, but actually strengthened Thurmond's position at home.

in 1967, Jesse Presley married the daughter of an officer at his old Army base in Germany, 22-year old Priscilla Beaulieu. Their marriage produces the King’s only child, Elsie Margaret, and is not a happy one; they are divorced in 1972, and Jesse begins his long downward slide into depression and drug use.

in 2005, Alma May Watson, Debra Morris and Chelsea Perkins go on another walking tour around London, and are followed by Patience Redding. She has become convinced that the young Perkins girl is part of her history, and must know more about her. When the three ladies think they are alone, but are being observed by Redding, they perform a small spell. Miss Redding hurries back to her shop, the Druid's Grove, to consult a book she has just thought of.

Timelines in today's post: Edison Steampunk, the Oueztecan timeline, the Mlosh, Communist America, the GZR and the Chelsea Perkins timeline.

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Citizen Kane to Star Trek. Place your answers in the comments and see the Forum for previous results. For more on 6 degrees games, click here.

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