One Singular Disappointment

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!

April 28th, 2006

in 1442, Pope Edward IV of the Holy British Empire was born in England. His 22-year reign should have marked the end of the infamous War of the Roses, but the devilish Lancastrians were not put down even after two decades of holy rule by their cousins, and seized power from his brother Richard shortly after Edward's death.

in 1789, the crew of the Bounty staged a mutiny against its captain, William Bligh. Although the crew were captured when they attempted to resupply in Tahiti, Bligh and 18 crewmen loyal to him were never found after being set adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Fletcher Christian was found guilty of mutiny and murder and was hung in full view of all sailors at the docks of London.

in 1818, President James Monroe builds up the naval bases along the Great Lakes as a defense against the British colony of Canada to their north. Hostilities between the two countries led to the development of the longest hostile border in the world today as the twin superpowers of America and Canada stand off against each other.

in 12-14-2-12-0, the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes surrender their communal lands to the Oueztecan Empire. They had maintained their own tribal government for almost half a century, but with their land infested by Oueztecan colonists anyway, they saw no further need in pretending that they had control over the land.

in 1915, another meeting with the Kainku leaves Admiral Esteban Rodriquez feeling that he has come a long way for nothing. The Kainku seem to be a peaceful, advanced people who would never foment chaos in another people. He prepares a scathing report to send back to the Congress of Nations in which he accuses the Q'Bar of blaming any people but themselves for their troubles.

in 1965, in an effort to prove that he believed in bolstering democracy rather than just shoring up anti-communist allies, President Lyndon Johnson sends over 20,000 US troops to aid the Dominican Republic's reformist leader, Juan Bosch. The action endeared Johnson to all of Latin America, and even provided cover for him when he withdrew American forces from Vietnam later that year.

in 1969, Charles de Gaulle is deposed in a bloody military coup in France. His violent solution to the Algerian rebellion had made him highly unpopular, and the military felt that he was vulnerable. The General Staff ruled France in a government modeled after Franco’s in Spain until they themselves were overthrown by the Second Revolution and the birth of the 6th Republic in 1995.

in 1970, Comrade President Gus Hall approves the expansion of the Chilean conflict to the Bolivian bases of the South Chilean guerillos. Although officially denied for years, this expansion raises anti-war sentiment throughout South America and contributes to the region's turn from communism to the reactionary expansionism of the European capitalists.

in 1976, after a dismal run of just a few months, the musical A Chorus Line closes on Broadway. It had been hoped that the inside look at the world of Broadway auditions would be a hit with New Yorkers, but they apparently thought of Broadway musicals like many people thought of sausage – they loved them, just didn't want to know how they were made.

in 1987, Tony Bennett’s top-selling Art of Excellence was released on vinyl rather than CD. This marked the beginning of the end for the compact disk format which had briefly flourished in the 80’s. The expense of the players for the small musical disks placed them out of the reach of virtually all consumers.

Timelines in today's post: the Holy British Empire, the Oueztecan timeline, the Mlosh and Communist America

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect A Chorus Line 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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The Truth Begins Publication

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 5th, 2006

in 1821, Napoleon Buonaparte, the Italian Emperor who very nearly conquered all of Europe, died in exile in his home of Corsica. The rest of Europe breathed a sigh of relief at the passing of The Little Roman. The Italian nation honored him with a tomb in the Forum, where Italians still flock to see his remains and dream of the empire that was.

in 1852, the Communist Party newspaper Truth started publication in New Hampshire. It had a circulation of 200 people with its first issue; today, it reaches almost 200 million, and delivers the officially sanctioned news to the population of the Soviet States of America.

in 1862, overwhelming French force swept through the Puebla de Los Angeles, and the Mexicans under Benito Juarez were forced to bow to French authority again. Mexico became nothing more than a French vassal state for the next century, when revolutionaries were finally able to cast off the French yoke.

in 12-13-2-7-2, the Sioux chief Tantanka Yotanka left Oueztecan territory in an effort to prevent retaliations against his people because of his military victory at the Montana. He joined with the Kree people to the north and blended in with them for a few years before the call of his own nation forced him and his warriors to the south again.

in 1915, Dr. Argus McCloud and his small team of volunteers find that the neural neutralizers he had devised are beginning to lose their effectiveness. The team takes their shuttle off the Kainku world before they begin to break down, and the doctor works on refining his device. “There's got to be a way to make it last,” he told his troubled crew.

in 1961, America launched its best astronaut, John Glenn, into space, making him the first American to leave the earth. Some had speculated that Glenn might not be the first, but public and political pressures forced NASA to put him up. Glenn was overshadowed by the later astronauts, though, especially Alan Shephard, whose heat shield nearly failed during reentry.

in 1985, Chelsea Perkins and Debra Morris find out from the family in a farm house they pass that they have been sent back in time 20 years. Miss Morris is confident that the Council of Wisdom will be able to send them back to their proper time, and she and Chelsea set off for London. She is puzzled as to why it happened, though; they are both confident that neither of them flubbed the transportation spell.

in 1985, First Lady Nancy Reagan cancels President Ronald Reagan's trip to the Bitburg War Cemetery in Germany. Although the visit had been scheduled to show support for Germany, Mrs. Reagan thinks that it might be seen by the President's opponents as a pro-Nazi gesture. While mildly criticized by conservatives in America and Germany, the cancellation is given virtually no coverage at all.

in 1986, after an initially strong bid by Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was awarded to Los Angeles, California. I mean, come on - Cleveland?!?

Timelines in today's post: Italian Napoleon, the Oueztecan timeline, the Mlosh, Communist America and the Chelsea Perkins timeline

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect The Right Stuff 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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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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Jones Torches Whitehaven; Astley-Army Hearing

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!

April 22nd, 2006

in 1659, Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell disbands the English Parliament. The Conquerors of the Speaker’s Line have achieved their greatest victory with his ascension to power over the British, but they are not prepared to rule, which leads to the fall of Cromwell’s government in a few short years. The Conquerors gather after the failure and refine their techniques.

in 1778, in defiance of John Jay's orders of truce with the British, John Paul Jones and a small detachment of men from his boat put the town of Whitehaven, England to the torch. Jones was publicly tried and executed as a war criminal by the American Congress, mollifying British cries for vengeance and driving most Americans still thirsting for revolution north to Canada.

in 1864, Congress mandated that all U.S. legal tender bear the inscription In God We Trust. In a landmark case brought immediately by the Unitarians, the Supreme Court declares this to be an unconstitutional establishment of religion, and the phrase is removed, much to the consternation of the Democratic Party, which uses it, fairly successfully, as a campaign issue for years afterwards.

in 1886, Ohio passes a law making the seduction of women illegal. The rightness of this law caused the Prohibition Movement to catch fire across the nation and penetrate even into the chambers of the U.S. Congress, where a similar law was pushed through and burst upon an unsuspecting nation in 1890. The national birth rate skyrocketed, caused by now-irresistible illicit seductions.

in 12-13-14-9-12, the Oueztecan Empire opens up the Great Northern Plains to imperial colonists. The rush of peasants to grab land for themselves displaces much of the native population, but strengthens the empire by giving them access to the bountiful farmland of these plains.

in 1937, flamboyant director John Nicholson was born in Neptune, New Jersey. Although his films never achieved great box office, his personal life was always a great draw for the paparazzi, as he dallied with actresses such as Anjelica Huston and models like Winnie Hollman.

in 1954, the Astley-Army hearing began as anti-capitalist Senator Ted Astley of Washington began probing into possible capitalist infiltration into the American military. The televising of the proceedings destroyed Astley’s reputation as he was seen as a demagogue rather than someone seriously interested in protecting the Soviet States of America.

in 1997, President Ralph Shephard admits to his staff in Norad that the war is lost. British soldiers and Egyptian Marines are pounding through the eastern U.S. as the Chinese sweep across the west, both heading to Cheyenne. “Suicide is our only recourse,” he told them, passing out cyanide capsules to his most trusted subordinates.

in 2001, Colby Ross, the grandson of Dr. Elliot Ross, and Samantha Robinson, granddaughter of adventurer Jake Robinson, come across their illustrious forebears’ notes on their Antarctic adventure. Ross tells Miss Robinson that something like this couldn’t possibly have happened; to prove it, he performs the ritual calling Hitler’s soul back from beyond death.

in 2005, Chelsea Perkins' mother, convinced that her daughter is possessed by a demonic power, convinces the local priest who heard her confession to perform an exorcism on the child. The uneventful and unsuccessful ceremony leaves Chelsea feeling that perhaps her visit to her mother was a bad idea, after all. She resolves to leave as soon as her mother unties her.

Timelines in today's post: the Speaker, Canadian Independence, the Oueztecan timeline, Communist America, the Ralph Shephard timeline and the Chelsea Perkins timeline

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Good Night and Good Luck 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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London Bridge Was Falling Down...

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!

April 18th, 2006

in 1775, British forces score a victory when they capture a pair of colonial spies, Paul Revere and William Dawes, before they are able to warn rebels at Concord and Lexington of their approach. This crippled colonial operations in Massachusetts, and contributed to John Jay's movement to negotiate with the crown for autonomy rather than independence.

in 1857, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Darrow was born in Farmdale, Ohio. Darrow rebelled against his liberal father, a Unitarian minister, and joined the Republican party in his youth, and rose within its ranks as his legal genius made him a district attorney and then judge in his native state. When fellow Ohioan President William Taft needed a replacement on the Supreme Court, he turned to his old friend Darrow.

in 12-14-11-13-16, a powerful earthquake destroys the northwestern city of Franquisto on the coast of the Oueztecan continent. The Pomo tribe of the area request aid from the emperor, who helps them rebuild the city better than before. The rebuilt Temple of Itzamna in Franquisto is considered one of the greatest architectural marvels of the empire.

in 1915, Dr. Ch'Kel'Mlar of the Q'Bar speaks to a small advisory panel of the Congress of Nations, giving them information about the race known as the Kainku. The panel then asked for several of the refugees aboard the Harlequin to be brought before them, as well. The questioning lasted for several days as the CN assessed the threat potential of the mysterious Kainku.

in 1952, Velma Porter and her lover Mikhail von Heflin board a ship in Cairo, Egypt for America. The Baron vows to Miss Porter, “From now on, we stay with your hemisphere.” Porter readily agreed, although she would later make one more trip to Africa, without her Baron.

in 1968, the U.S. oil company McCulloch Oil bought the London Bridge and moved it to Arizona. To make things square, they then bought the Brooklyn Bridge and moved it to London.

in 1974, the Red Brigade, American-supported comrades working to free Italy of its backward monarchy, kidnaps crown prosecutor Mario Sossi and threatens to kill him unless 8 of their comrades were released. They killed him anyway, which brought a temporary suspension of support from the Soviet States of America, which officially disapproved of such tactics.

in 1983, a car stalled near the U.S. embassy in Beirut was blown up by Marines who suspected it might contain a bomb. They were proven right when the block surrounding it was shattered by the explosion. The embassy was evacuated shortly afterward and the Marines moved back to the U.S. ships sitting offshore.

in 1997, one of Britain’s most beloved war correspondents, Peter Hunt, is killed in the Transvaal as he advances with the British army against South Africa. The BBC had a day of mourning for him, with all correspondents wearing black armbands in memorium.

in 2004, Debra Morris suggests a visit to a small beach she knows in California, but Chelsea Perkins asks if they could spend the first day of their break just relaxing at the Great Tree. Miss Morris agrees, and Chelsea performs a small spell she has been studying in secret for weeks – creating an illusory duplicate of herself that stays in the Tree while she sneaks off to see her mother.

Timelines in today's post: Canadian Independence, the Mlosh, the Oueztecan timeline, von Heflin, Communist America, the Chelsea Perkins timeline and the Ralph Shephard timeline

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Inherit The Wind (the original movie) 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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The Niagara Dam; Oppenheimers Convicted

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: WE ARE NEARLY AT APRIL 1st! We NEED you to enter our next contest, which will be an Alternate April Fool's Day, April 1st, 2006. Since this is only 2 days away, we need the entries now! Don't delay! (Contest rules) And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

March 29th, 2006

in 1058, Frederik van Lotharingen, a bishop of the Roman branch of the British Catholic Church, died in Belgium. During the first century of the Holy British Empire, many leaders of the old Roman church had been active in seeking to take back leadership from London, but with van Lotharingen’s death, the Roman church’s position was settled for a few centuries.

in 12-0-19-14-12, the Oueztecan Empire annexed the Delaware of the northeastern coast. A small and peaceful people, the Delaware brought in wonderful fishing from the northeast, and inspired the Empire to seek annexation or conquest of other nations in that region.

in 1848, Niagara Falls stops flowing temporarily as Mlosh contractor Kent’O’Lihay builds the famous Niagara Dam in order to capture hydroelectric power from the rushing river. The falls and the artistic dam are one of the many wonders tourists flock to see in the North American Confederation.

in 1879, the vastly outnumbered troops under the command of Henry Evelyn Wood are slaughtered by Zulu King Cetshwayo’s warriors at Kambula. Heartened by the win and with British guns from the victory, Cetshwayo managed to carve Zululand out of the British Empire, beginning Britain’s long expulsion from Africa by native nations.

in 1939, Hollywood stars Bill Gabe and Jane Peters married during the filming of Gabe’s blockbuster Gone With The Wind. Their happy marriage ended 3 years later when Peters’ plane crashed during a War Bond drive. Out of grief for her, Gabe joined the Army Air Corps and was shot down over Europe in 1944.

in 1951, in the middle of the White Scare, scientists Rita and Frank Oppenheimer are convicted of funneling nucear secrets to the European monarchies, and sentenced to death for treason. In spite of numerous pleas from scientists around the country, the Soviet States of America felt that an example had to be made of the Oppenheimers; tragically, after the end of the Cold War, it was revealed that the Oppenheimers had never been spies for Europe.

in 1997, British General Peter de la Billiere captured New York City. With the collapse of the Mexican front, and Asian forces advancing from the west coast, the Constitutionalist government of President Ralph Shephard looked doomed to defeat, and he began toying with the idea of launching a nuclear strike against his enemies.

in 2004, experiments on the methane crabs of Titan show the Sheridans that the tiny organisms that caused hallucinations on earth are parasites living on the crabs. In their natural environment, they are fairly harmless, but when heated to earth’s temperatures, they become agitated and start projecting images of crabs around them.

in 2005, the Save Earth movement is attacked by agents of the federal government who are acting under the direct orders of the Claws, to stop humanity from realizing that something is in their midst, controlling them. Dave Lange is arrested, but his wife Jeanne escapes with U.S. Representative Carl Worthington, who is about to go public as a Save Earther.

Timelines in today's post: the Holy British Empire, the Oueztecan timeline, the Mlosh, The Sheridans, Communist America and the Ralph Shephard timeline

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Gone With The Wind 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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Henri Plantagenet Is Born; Howl Slips Past Customs

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: Please send us entries for our next contest, which will be an Alternate April Fool's Day, April 1st, 2006. Just send us the entries for now - we'll decide on a deadline later. (Contest rules) And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

March 25th, 2006

in 1133, the founder of the Plantagenet line of popes, Henri Plantagenet, was born in Anjou. As Cardinal of Anjou, he attracted the eye of Eleanor of Aquitaine, former wife of Louis, the Primate of France. Through her influence and possessions, Henri raises himself to the papacy in 1154, rules the Holy British Empire until his death in 1189.

in 1811, Great Britain officially recognizes the Republic of Ireland. The Irish, allied with the first Mlosh Europeans, had won independence 2 years before. Facing a fact of life, the British Parliament decided to reconcile with their former colony, and the recognition allowed them to forge close economic and political ties with Ireland.

in 12-13-4-5-11, Cheyenne warrior captain Honiakaha led his soldiers to a final defeat of the Kiowa, with Oueztec reinforcements backing him. Honiakaha settled down in the northern plains after this and was made the Oueztecan governor of the Cheyenne and Kiowan plains. In spite of a lifetime of fighting them, he led the Kiowa with justice, and is remembered best for his innovation of trial by jury as opposed to summary judgements by local nobles.

in 1955, U.S. Customs agent Jack Powell missed a shipment of Alan Ginsberg’s Howl, which he was supposed to impound for obscenity charges. The 520 books were distributed around the San Francisco beat scene, and were out of control by that point. Agent Powell lost his job over the mistake.

in 1975, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia is murdered by an unknown assailant, plunging the middle eastern monarchy into revolution. Long-suppressed pro-democracy movements clash with those who support the King's son, Prince Khalid, and for 6 long years, the Saudis are unable to restore order to their country.

in 1997, the first President of Puerto Rico, Roberto Vilella, dies in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After the terrorist campaign of the 1950’s, Vilella’s peaceful approach to Puerto Rican independence won over the U.S. and vaulted him to the new country’s presidency in 1965.

in 1998, Adam Pletcher is convicted of attempting to extort $5 million from Bill Gates. Pletcher maintained his innocence throughout the trial, and indeed, was innocent. An acquaintance of his had posed as him in order to threaten Gates and Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer out of money. When John Winston was found doing the exact same thing to Apple Chairman Steve Jobs, Pletcher was released.

in 2000, deceased gamemaster Bill Burke and his new friend Hamid, the ghost of a Turk from the 12th century, begin their epic Fudge campaign, The Busride Of Doom. Gamer ghosts will speak of The Busride for centuries to come.

in 2004, on the anniversary of Christiaan Huygens’ discovery of Titan, Livinia and Jacob Sheridan take off for the Saturnian moon to attempt to expand their knowledge of the strange creatures that caused the first exploratory ship to crash back on earth. They are carrying their nanovirus just in case.

in 2005, Save Earthers return Dr. R.D. Reilly to his home in Idaho and slip away to verify the evidence he has given them regarding the Claws' presence on earth. Dave and Jeanne Lange form a plan to take over the transmission of the college basketball championships to transmit this information to the entire country.

Timelines in today's post: the Holy British Empire, the Mlosh, the Oueztecan timeline, The Sheridans and The Claw.

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Chappaqua 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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I Am Of Small Account; Hoover Leaves The FBI

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: Please send us entries for our next contest, which will be an Alternate April Fool's Day, April 1st, 2006. Just send us the entries for now - we'll decide on a deadline later. (Contest rules) And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

March 10th, 2006

in 1123 Post-Creation, Lucifer, unable to stop his worship by the inhabitants of Eden, prays again to the Creator to return. “I am of small account, Lord, and Thou art mighty. I pray that You let me know Your will, and work it through me.” He refuses to sit again on the Throne of the Most High.

in 790 AUC, Emperor Tiberius dies in Rome. The elderly emperor had continued to work up until his death, doing such things as authorizing a new aqueduct in Germany and countermanding the death sentence his Judean Governor had imposed on a rebel in that territory.

in 1704, Conquerors of the Speaker’s Line burn down the library in Kenya that held most of the research being done on fulfilling the Speaker’s Dream. Centuries of knowledge were lost in moments. When news of this reached the rest of the Speaker’s Children, the Conquerors quickly disavowed those who had done it, and asked for forgiveness. Their support among the Line faded for some time after this.

in 1849, lawyer Abe Lincoln received a patent for a device he had created for lifting boats over shoals. After this device sold successful, Lincoln left his law practice in Illinois and founded his company Lincoln & Son in 1852. He became a successful man, making and selling many devices to aid in the shipping trade.

in 1948, the Foreign Secretary of Venezuela, Hugo Martinez, dies in an apparent suicide. Senor Martinez had been a capitalist inside the American-supported Communist government, and had opposed the close relationship the government had with the Soviet States of America. Many of the European monarchies remarked at how strange it was that a man with no signs of depression or mental stress should choose to commit suicide.

in 1951, J. Edgar Hoover, who had led the F.B.I. since its inception, left the agency to become the Commissioner of Town Ball. It was a reluctant move for Hoover, but President Truman had not been very supportive of his office, and he felt that he would enjoy the work as Town Ball Commissioner more.

in 12-17-15-10-8, Meqtulae, a peasant of the Cherokee, confessed to assassinating Richeco, passionate peasant’s advocate in the Oueztecan Empire. Richeco had spoken out for years for the need to allow peasants rights on the order of lesser nobles, and traditionalists within the court hired Meqtulae to end his agitation.

in 2004, the crew of the ship carrying the Huygens, just crash-landed on its return from Titan, begin seeing strange things moving around the ship. Scientist Jacob Sheridan, brought in to investigate the Huygens, sees a huge crab-like creature while examining the hold; the creature disappears into the water before Sheridan can alert anyone.

in 2005, after studying the spell in Morris Perkins' book, the Council of Wisdom sends Alma May Watson the Ingredients to create a counter-spell for Lights of the night sky enhanced. Chelsea Perkins, who has had the worst case of far-sightedness in history, is eager to take the cure. Miss Perkins is admonished by the Council to restrict her lessons to the curriculum that Miss Watson has been trying to teach her.

in 2005, U.S. Representative Carl Worthington, ostensibly on a “fact-finding” mission to South Africa, locates Jeanne and Dave Lange, and their companion, Trent Carter. They surreptitiously join his staff and are taken with him when he leaves the country. As soon as they are able to, they report on the Claw city that they saw on their desperate trek across the desert.

Timelines in today's post: the Fall, the Speaker, the Roman timeline, the Oueztecan timeline, Town Ball, Communist America, the Chelsea Perkins timeline, The Sheridans and The Claw.

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Honest Abe Lincoln 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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Look Homeward, Angel; She Should've Burned The Book

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March 8th, 2006

in 1123 Post-Creation, several para-angels follow Kiria, “priestess” of Lucifer, into exile outside of Eden. They find a corner of Creation and resume their worship of the angel, in spite of his admonition to cease. Lucifer cries out to the Creator to return; the burdens of Heavenly rule are weighing him down.

in 1801, British and Ottoman soldiers took control of Abukir Bay in Egypt from Italian Imperial forces. Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of Italy, had assumed control of Egypt largely out of a desire to recreate the Roman Empire. Unfortunately for the Little Italian, it placed him perilously close to the Ottoman Empire, which joined forces with the northern European allies against Italy.

in 1852, Denmark and Spain joined the Congress of Nations. The last two holdouts in Europe, they paved the way for the other isolationist countries of the earth to finally give in and begin joining the C.N.

in 1935, following up on the success of his scientific romance Look Homeward, Angel, Thomas Wolfe publishes its sequel, Of Time And The River. The series followed the exploits of the fallen angel Gant after leaving his home in the village of Ash, and has become a classic of S.R.

in 1962, international superstar Pete Best made his television debut on the BBC, performing with his old band The Silver Beatles on the musical show Teenager’s Turn. Best would soon decide to go his own way, which turned out to be disastrous for his old bandmates, but a bonanza for him.

in 12-18-19-16-12, the composer for the Incan court, Bekcheco, died in his sleep in the Incan capitol of Cuszo. Bekcheco had been known for his musical styles that appealed so highly to the young people of the continent, combining eastern rhythms with more civilized traditional Oueztecan music.

in 1994, South African troops, allies of the U.S., accept the surrender of Madagascar. Although the war in the Indian Ocean Theater is just beginning, South Africa is sweeping across its neighbors with alarming speed. In some respects, they are doing even better than President Ralph Shephard’s troops in the western hemisphere.

in 2004, Jacob and Livinia Sheridan reluctantly leave their retirement home in Darwin, Australia to examine the wreckage of the Huygens, a ship that crashed into the Pacific on its return from the Saturnian moon, Titan. The first ship they encounter is the quarantine ship that had gone up to meet the Huygens, ISA 21. It bears the marks of weapon fire, and its entire crew is dead.

in 2005, after doing some work for the local diner owner for a day, the Langes are able to borrow his phone and make a call to the United States. They call the Save Earth group in Tucson and explain that they are in South Africa, and ask for help. The group's leader, Carl Worthington, promises to get them back.

in 2005, Chelsea Perkins performs the spell Lights of the night sky enhanced, and suddenly finds herself possessed of telescopic vision; unfortunately, this means that her normal vision is gone, and when she looks at objects close to her, she sees them at a microscopic level. She is reluctantly forced to agree with Alma May Watson that she should have burned the spell book she got this one out of.

Timelines in today's post: the Fall, the Mlosh, the Oueztecan timeline, the Ralph Shephard timeline, Pete Best, the Chelsea Perkins timeline, The Sheridans and The Claw.

Timelines in today's post: the Fall, the Mlosh, Communist America, the GZR, the Ralph Shephard timeline, The Sheridans and The Claw.

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect the TV film You Can't Go Home Again 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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Texas' Day Of Independence

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March 2nd, 2006

in 1836, Generalissimo Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna overcomes the treachery of the rebel Texicans and finally crushes Sam Houston and his army in their little encampment they called Washington-On-The-Brazos. The rebels had attempted to lull Santa Anna away with the charms of a lovely young woman, but the Generalissimo was too clever for them.

in 1836, Texas, long a center for those unwilling to live under the rules of the North American Confederation, signs the San Jacinto Treaty, granting it independence. Over the next century, it remains an island of rugged individualism in the sea of Mlosh-led conformity.

in 12-11-0-11-3, the Caddo, Apache and Tejas, banded together a mere two years before, achieve the impossible, and free themselves from the rule of the Oueztecan Empire. For the next 9 years, their tiny nation holds off the mightiest country in the world, but the economic boycott Ouezteca enforces against finally leads them to rejoin the empire in 12-11-10-3-15.

in 1836, the Texican People’s Republic, under the leadership of Thomas Skidmore, declares its independence from imperialist Mexico in a ceremony at Washington-On-The-Brazos. Skidmore, a labor organizer back in the United States, turns the new nation of Texas into a place where people are proud to work, and know that their labor is the real foundation of wealth.

in 1836, Santa Anna’s forces, reeling from their defeat at the Alamo, are crushed by the combined forces of Houston, Travis and Fannin at San Antonio. Colonel William Travis, the hero of the Alamo, accepts the surrender of the Mexican leader, and promises him that Texas and Mexico will “live side-by-side in peace as long as you respect the sanctity of our borders.” Travis became the first president of the Republic of Texas in elections held that year.

in 1836, at a ceremony in Washington, Texas, Conspirators of the Speaker’s Line break the rebel nation away from Mexican rule. They plan to use the vast western lands of Texas to base their own people and experiments. General Santa Anna, a Conqueror of the Speaker’s Line, almost manages to recapture them, but fails in two different wars against them.

in 1836, Texan rebels at Washington-On-The-Brazos receive word that U.S. troops are on their way; President Andrew Jackson has agreed to annex them into the United States, and declare war on Mexico. Sam Houston, leader of the rebels, halts work on the independence proclamation and instead produces the treaty that will join the Texas Territory to the United States.

in 1836, Sam Houston and the other founding fathers of Texas sign their Declaration of Independence, a document drafted by a newcomer to their ranks at Washington-On-The-Brazos, a man by the name of Richard Tolman. He had forcefully persuaded all of them to agree to abolish slavery from the fledgling nation, a small miracle in light of the fact that most of the founders were slave-holders, but according to Houston’s diary entry from that day, Tolman was “the most persuasive man I ever met – it was like he knew what you were thinking before you thought it.”

Timelines in today's post: the Mlosh, the Speaker, the Oueztecan timeline, Communist America and the Tolman timeline.

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect the 1980 soap opera Texas 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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Da Vinci's Code; Puerto Rican Assault On Congress

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: Please send us entries for our next contest, which will be an Alternate April Fool's Day, April 1st, 2006. Just send us the entries for now - we'll decide on a deadline later. (Contest rules) And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

March 1st, 2006

in 1608, Conspirators of the Speaker’s Line develop a symbolic code to communicate to their descendants the advances made by their line. The code, first used by Leonardo da Vinci, remains completely unbroken until the 20th century, when it is partially broken, but misinterpreted.

in 1692, the witches Sarah Goode, Tituba and Sarah Osborne are charged with practice of the dark arts, and the slave Tituba confesses. She is allowed to die a Christian death by drowning, but the widespread coven she belonged to is dispatched with more diverse punishment. God’s justice is visited on almost 200 residents of the misbegotten village of Salem.

in 12-8-3-14-9, the Susquehannock, an autonomous people allied with the Oueztecan Empire, abolish slavery within their borders. This causes runaway slaves across the continent to seek it out, swelling its borders. When the Oueztec come to reclaim their slaves, they find a people grown more powerful in their freedom than they had expected, and decide to leave them be.

in 1793, the Set of Principles is adopted as the law of the land by the first unified Canadian government. With the democratic promise of the Principles, Canada becomes a shining beacon of the western hemisphere, and oppressed people from around the world begin to flock to it, eager to share in the freedom that the Canadian people have won for themselves.

in 1918, at the ley line outside of Brigamere, Scotland, Velma Porter and Mikhail von Heflin break free of the dimensional pocket they have been thrust into and do battle with the being who placed them there. The occult forces they unleash in the battle destroy Dr. Thaddeus McCaine, and banish the village of Brigamere to another world. While they defeat the being, in its death throes, it uses the power of the line to hurl them through time.

in 1932, Charles Lindbergh discovers an intruder in his home and subdues him. The German man, who only identifies himself as John Smith, reveals under intense police interrogation that he was there to kidnap Lindbergh’s infant son. Even after 10 years in prison for attempted kidnapping, “Smith” never gave his real name.

in 4630, Kang Teh, imperial governor of Manchuria, secedes from China in an attempt to grab the crown for himself. Within the month, the Emperor’s soldiers convince him to rejoin the empire.

in 1939, Bulgarian sympathizers of the German Underground take over the country and expel the Greater Zionist Resistance. They become a great nuisance to the G.Z.R.’s southern flank during the war. The majority of the population, though, remains fairly sympathetic to the G.Z.R.'s cause.

in 1954, Puerto Rican nationalists, having assassinated President Truman just 4 years earlier, strike another blow against the United States by taking a dozen Congressman captive in the Capitol Building. When President Alben Barkley refuses to meet them or grant their demand of independence for Puerto Rico, they execute their captives, and are then killed by police.

in 2004, Charles Meriweather, commander of the Titan mission, finds the methane crabs, a strange species that lives at the shore of one of the moon’s methane seas. The discovery of this species leads the team to the teeming life inside the methane seas.

in 2005, Dave and Jeanne Lange are reunited, albeit in a prison camp. They and their small band of Save Earthers are being held captive someplace very cold by Claws, whom they finally see without their human appearance. The small group of humans is repulsed by the sight of the aliens, and more determined than ever to rid the world of them.

Timelines in today's post: the Speaker, Canadian Independence, the Oueztecan timeline, the Chinese Empire, von Heflin, Communist America, The Sheridans, The Claw and the GZR.

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

Get yourself into TIAH!

The Forum lives again!

Good long fiction from the AH.

Help the Alternate Historian get a better day job!
My email address for contacting me with your good news, or for more direct goodness, go to the web site and leave a comment, buy a book, or leave a Paypal donation! Remember, it's only 6 degrees of separation between you and anyone else - and thanks again!