Satori; Captain Midnight

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 27th, 2006

in 1773, the British Parliament decided not to aid the East India Company in keeping the American tea trade; they had requested a lower tax since Dutch traders could smuggle tea into America and sell it far more cheaply than they could. Although there had been some grumbling about British rule among the colonists, this acquiescence to colonial priorities quells them.

in 1805, American Marines captured Derna, home of the Tripolitan pirates. President Adams of the U.S. decided that it was in America’s national interests to maintain a standing force in Tripoli, which became the first colony of the fledgling nation. Adams added the islands of Jamaica and Hispaniola during his 4 terms in office, as well as purchasing Louisiana from France to enhance America’s continental presence in North America.

in 4537, Imakita Kosen, Zen master, has his satori, or moment of awakening. His teachings spread across the Chinese Empire and form the basis for the eventual acceptance of democracy after the Empire’s contact with the Chdo Democracy.

in 1870, Heinrich Schliemann discovers Atlantis, the lost island of legend. Most classics scholars and archeologists had believed Atlantis to be spun wholly from Plato’s imagination, but Schlieman found it in the Mediterannean near the island of Crete. The civilization on the island apparently rival classical Rome at its peak, but had been destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

in 1915, Admiral Esteban Rodriquez of the Congress of Nations space forces meets with representatives of the Kainku government in the P'Karsai nebula. The Kainku prove far more charming than the Spaniard expected, and he leaves the meeting unconvinced that they are a threat to the CN. The Q'Bar, his first officer reminds him, were quite accommodating at first, too. Admiral Rodriquez sets several officers to monitoring Kainku communications.

in 1964, Write Now, international superstar Pete Best’s humorous observations on life, is published in America and rockets to the top of the best-seller lists. Although critics panned it universally, fans of the musician rushed to the bookstores to buy it. Marketing execs across the country drooled at the prospect of more Best products.

in 1978, Comrade Fernando Garcia, president of the Guatemalan People’s Republic, is overthrown and murdered by reactionary capitalists who are trying to break the Soviet States of America’s hold on North America. This plunges the tiny nation into a war between American forces and European-supplied rebels.

in 1986, video pirate Captain Midnight began his vendetta against the pay-cable service Home Box Office. Over the next 2 months, he would regularly interrupt HBO’s signal with derogatory messages about the service and hints on how to descramble it for free. He was never caught, but stopped on his own in June.

in 1997, Mexican partisans capture Manuel Barrientos, National Action Party leader and puppet president of Mexico under the control of America’s President Ralph Shephard. While awaiting trial, he is saved by a loyal PAN air force member, but their plane crashes during the escape.

in 2005, Alma May Watson leaves the Great Tree and Debra Morris suggests that she and Chelsea Perkins visit England for a couple of days. Miss Morris has to report to the Council of Wisdom, and she thinks that Chelsea might like to see the UK without having to attack anything while she's there. Chelsea agrees quickly and the pair cross over to England.

in 2087, Captain Marcus Mobutu of the African Union's Space Force claims the Harare asteroid for the AU. It is the first major claim in the outer solar system for the fledgling space program, and creates more interest from the Indian and Chinese superpowers than they had wanted. From this point onward, the African ships are watched carefully.

Timelines in today's post: the Chinese Empire, the Mlosh, Pete Best, Communist America, the Chelsea Perkins timeline and the Ralph Shephard timeline.

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect On the Air live with Captain Midnight 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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President Taft Dies

The state of TIAH

July 31st, 2006

in 1953, President Robert Taft dies of cancer in Washington, DC. Taft had correctly calculated America's mood after World War II and the Korean War and had campaigned on an isolationist platform, beating his Democratic opponent, noted General Dwight Eisenhower, who was seen as a man likely to keep America entangled in world affairs. Taft's withdrawal of America from the greater world community had barely begun when he grew ill, though, and his vice-president, Joe McCarthy, found himself in the big chair completely unprepared for the job; the ceasefire in Korea was only 4 days old, and tensions around the world were high. McCarthy proved everyone right about him – he had been chosen as VP just to make Taft look good. A week after taking office, ill-chosen tactics of his reignited the Korean conflict, and his push for the screening of communists from all government jobs caused a resurgence in what had been a dying political movement in America. Robert La Follette Jr, an old foe of McCarthy's from Wisconsin, switched from the Republican Party to the Socialist Party and was elected governor of Wisconsin, sparking a wave of left-leaning politicians to join him. McCarthy denounced them all as traitors, which only seemed to fuel America's desire to elect them. In the mid-term elections of 1954, Republicans became an endangered species as Democrats and Socialists won more elective offices than ever before, and the GOP was reduced to a handful of seats in the House and Senate. When President McCarthy drunkenly threatened to launch nuclear weapons against North Korea, his opposition in the Congress drew up impeachment papers; they were aided by McCarthy's vice-president, former Senator Richard Nixon of California, who saw McCarthy's troubles as the means to propel himself into the White House. McCarthy was impeached and removed from the presidency in August of 1955, and Richard Nixon took the oath of office that same day. Dealing with a fractious Congress composed of Democrats, Socialists and a few embittered Republicans seemed to bring out the best in Nixon – he renegotiated a cease-fire in Korea and proved far less incendiary in world politics than either of his predecessors. Still, America didn't trust him enough to elect him to the office in his own right, and Adlai Stevenson of Illinois beat him in the 1956 election to become America's 37th president.

in 1964, the Ranger 7 probe takes several close-up photos of the moon before crashing into the surface. The probe had become necessary after a previous one, Ranger 6, had experienced a failure in its camera mechanisms when it had been sent up. The pictures sent back by Ranger 7 revealed why Ranger 6 had failed – there were things on the moon, strange creatures that had strange guns that they had used to shoot down the Ranger probes. NASA was brought under the wing of the Defense Department, and America prepared for a war against the Moon Men.

in 1975, nervous Teamsters report their union boss, Jimmy Hoffa, missing after last seeing him in Detroit. He turned up the next day; it seemed that he had gone on a “Lost Weekend” with some friends in Las Vegas and had simply lost track of time. Although many union members would have been happy to see the troubled Hoffa disappear, he remained in the public eye for many years to come.

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To The Shores Of Tripoli; Schliemann's Discovery

April 27th, 2005

in 1773, the British Parliament decided not to aid the East India Company in keeping the American tea trade; they had requested a lower tax since Dutch traders could smuggle tea into America and sell it far more cheaply than they could. Although there had been some grumbling about British rule among the colonists, this acquiescence to colonial priorities quells them.

in 1805, American Marines captured Derna, home of the Tripolitan pirates. President Adams of the U.S. decided that it was in America’s national interests to maintain a standing force in Tripoli, which became the first colony of the fledgling nation. Adams added the islands of Jamaica and Hispaniola during his 4 terms in office, as well as purchasing Louisiana from France to enhance America’s continental presence in North America.

in 4537, Imakita Kosen, Zen master, has his satori, or moment of awakening. His teachings spread across the Chinese Empire and form the basis for the eventual acceptance of democracy after the Empire’s contact with the Chdo Democracy.

in 1870, Heinrich Schliemann discovers Atlantis, the lost island of legend. Most classics scholars and archeologists had believed Atlantis to be spun wholly from Plato’s imagination, but Schlieman found it in the Mediterannean near the island of Crete. The civilization on the island apparently rival classical Rome at its peak, but had been destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

in 1964, Write Now, international superstar Pete Best’s humerous observations on life, is published in America and rockets to the top of the best-seller lists. Although critics panned it universally, fans of the musician rushed to the bookstores to buy it.

in 1978, Comrade Fernando Garcia, president of the Guatemalan People’s Republic, is overthrown and murdered by reactionary capitalists who are trying to break the Soviet States of America’s hold on North America. This plunges the tiny nation into a war between American forces and European-supplied rebels.

in 1986, video pirate Captain Midnight began his vendetta against the pay-cable service Home Box Office. Over the next 2 months, he would regularly interrupt HBO’s signal with derogatory messages about the service and hints on how to descramble it for free. He was never caught, but stopped on his own in June.

in 1997, Mexican partisans capture Manuel Barrientos, National Action Party leader and puppet president of Mexico under the control of America’s President Ralph Shephard. While awaiting trial, he is saved by a loyal PAN air force member, but their plane crashes during the escape.


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Jackson Impeached; Kennedy Withdraws From Vietnam

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 3 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 28th, 2006

in 1814, the Conquerors of the Speaker’s Line eliminated one of their French rivals, Joseph Guillotin. He had been a Conspirator working in the French Assembly towards making the country a more democratic and gentle place, and they wanted to boost Napoleon to a conquest of Europe in order to further their goals.

in 1834, President Andrew Jackson of America is impeached for his genocidal policies against southeastern native populations. His famous quote that “the only good injun is a dead injun” was used against him, as was his general policy of oppression against the native people of America. Although the trial ended in his acquittal, he was forced to adopt a more rational stance towards the native nations of North America.

in 12-16-2-2-13, Incan author Mariachic was born in Arequipa, Inca. Although proud of his roots in the southern empire, he spent most of his life among the Oueztec, writing of the experience of being an outsider in a culture he felt far more comfortable with than his native one.

in 1941, Italian forces of the Greater Zionist Resistance are attacked by the British allies of the German Underground. Although the main British goal is simply to gain greater access to the Mediterannean, they eventually come under complete control of the German Reich.

in 1961, a report detailing the incredible lack of popular support Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem has in his country convinces President Kennedy to end Eisenhower's assistance program to the small nation. With the withdrawal of American advisers, Diem's government collapses against the communist resistance led by Ho Chi Minh. Kennedy pays virtually no political price for throwing the small nation to the communists, and rethinks intervention in other nations.

in 1969, Comrade General Dwight Eisenhower died in Washington, D.C. Eisenhower had led the forces of the Soviet States of America during the Great Patriotic War, and had been courted by both the Socialist and Communist Parties for political office, but refused to run, warning Americans to “beware the military-political complex.”

in 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor exploded, spreading radiation across Pennsylvania. Over 50,000 died in the first day, and millions across the northeastern United States and southern Canada died of radiation poisoning and cancer in the years that followed. It led to a banning of nuclear power in America.

in 1990, the Canadian Civil War ended with the Nationalists led by Eileen Pressler in control of the northern nation. Although fellow traveler President Ralph Shephard had supported her forces during the war, Pressler refused to lend assistance to America during its war in the western hemisphere, maintaining a strict neutrality in the coming conflict.

in 2004, the Sheridan’s Titanian expedition reaches its goal. Saturn’s largest moon is fascinating, and the married scientists record everything that they are doing. After finding a nesting site for the methane crabs, they scoop up several and assemble a laboratory outside of their ship to examine them.

Timelines in today's post: the Speaker, the Oueztecan timeline, the GZR, The Sheridans, Communist America and the Ralph Shephard timeline

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Ike 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!

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Parliament Blown Up; Nixon Aide Accused Of Treason

November 5th, 2005

in 1605, English Catholics blow up Parliament and kill King James I. The chief conspirator in the plot, Robert Catesby, kept the plan between himself and fellow conspirator Guy Fawkes, and their plan created havoc in England. There was an immediate struggle for the crown between several of James' cousins, and after King Robert ascended the throne in 1606, Catholicism became legal again.

in 1855, Communist President Comrade Eugene V. Debs was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. Debs’ travels in Russia after his presidency led to the adoption of the Russian word soviet to signify bands of comrades in America, whether it be unions, states or the whole country itself.

in 1872, Victoria Woodhull, candidate of the Suffragette Party, is elected President of the United States. She had garnered virtually all of the women’s vote in the first presidential election allowing them to participate. She promised the country that “though I may represent the fairer sex in form, I vow to represent all of America in office.” She apparently did; she was re-elected with 52% of the vote in 1876.

in 1890, Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson shoots Ezekial Morrison in the head, but one of the children inside the farmhouse trips the explosives; the farmhouse explodes, killing all but 3 of the hostages inside, as well as killing 14 soldiers and wounding Colonel Jackson. When he returns to Salt Lake City, Colonel Jackson doubles the bounty on rebel Mormon Charles Brigman.

in 1940, America demonstrates its impatience with Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal by denying him the unprecedented 3rd presidential term he was running for. Republican Alf Landon took over the reigns of America just in time to be plunged into World War II. The isolationist Landon was unable to handle the job of guiding America through such a great crisis, and was voted out after 1 term.

in 1968, President Lyndon Johnson reveals that he has arrested Anna Chennault on charges of treason, and accuses Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon of sending her to Vietnam expressly to sabotage the peace talks. The accusation of treason is enough to throw the election to Democrat Hubert Humphrey, and in Chennault's subsequent trial, she rolls over on Nixon, who joins her in the docks.

in 1968, 5-term president Strom Thurmond is finally defeated by American Bundist George Rockwell. Even though Thurmond was no friend of American minorities, the change is dreaded by them; Rockwell has promised to turn America into a mirror of the New Reich in Eurasia.

in 1990, the assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York City sets off violence in both America and Israel as his followers begin indiscriminately killing Palestinians in retaliation. The violence escalates quickly in Israel, and turns into a small civil war, pitting the Israeli Arab population against the hardcore Kach, followers of Kahane.

in 2002, the Air Force pilot sent into the strange ship following Professor Thomas, Dr. Courtney and their other pilots back to earth reports that there is no one on board the ship. He finds the control center and is able to take full command of the vessel. Professor Thomas insists on taking it with them, against Dr. Courtney's better judgement.

in 4699, Emperor Xiao Yang dies in office. With no clear laws guiding them in such an occurrence, the Imperial Council votes to allow its speaker, Zhang Chunqiao, to serve out the remainder of Xiao’s term, and then to hold elections as scheduled. The arrangement works well, and the Council writes it into Imperial law.


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!

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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!

Franklin Dies In Exile

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!

April 17th, 2006

in 1534, prior to his summary execution for disloyalty, Sir Thomas More was confined to the Tower of London by Pope Henry VIII. Although More had proven himself a valuable propagandist against the few remaining Yorkists in the Holy British Empire, Pope Henry thought him too capable a man to be left alive.

in 1790, American exile Benjamin Franklin dies in Montreal. Although he had been active in the Canadian Independence movement and had helped with the final negotiations in that war, his heart was with his native America, and he wanted his body to rest in his home colony of Pennsylvania. Although it took many years, his family were finally able to bring him home to rest in American soil.

in 1810, Lewis Norton of Troy, Pennsylvania created one of America’s greatest contributions to world cuisine with his Pineapple Cheese. This artfull blending of fruit and dairy was considered sublime perfection in the kitchens of fine European restaurants, and helped America break into the top ranks of culinary recognition.

in 1915, the Harlequin, captained by Congress of Nations officer Captain Michael Smith, arrives at the C.N. base on Pluto with his “cargo” of Q'Barian refugees. He immediately reports everything he has found out to the base commander, and is then ordered to take the Q'Barian doctor, Ch'Kel'Mlar, to earth so that he may speak to the main C.N. body about the Kainku.

in 1952, outside of Cairo, Mikhail von Heflin draws on extra-dimensional forces and heals the leg of his lover, Velma Porter. Her new foot seems to work just as well as her old one, and she is grateful to have the use of it back. She keeps the peg leg she had made, just in case.

in 4656, one of the more remote areas of the Chinese Empire, the Samoan Islands, institutes a democratic council for the first time in its history. Following the example laid out by the new elected emperor, they elect a governing Council, which then elects a Governor. Representatives of the Chdo Democracy, the alien civilization responsible for the democratization process, are pleased to observe the elections and pronounce them a success.

in 1961, anti-Castro Cubans land at the Bay of Pigs with support from the American Navy and Air Force. They press halfway across the island before encountering heavy resistance from Cuba’s military, and then the fighting is mainly left to America soldiers. This prompts Cuba’s Fidel Castro to call for help from the Soviet Union, and the world is forced to the brink of nuclear war before President Richard Nixon orders his people to withdraw from Cuban territory.

in 1969, Enrique Soledad, El Salvador’s President and Communist Party Chairman, is forced to resign under American pressure. Soledad had spearheaded the reforms known as the Salvadoran Spring, an attempt to mix communism with some free-market practices. When the population of the small nation appeared ready to throw out their socialist roots, the Soviet States of America stepped in to bring them back into the fold.

in 1997, British Brigadier General Lewis Meriweather seizes 4 nuclear missiles that Egyptian troops had been transporting to the American coast. Since the invasion of Constitutionalist America by allied forces, the Egyptians had been seeking nuclear technology and the British had been attempting to keep it from them. Meriweather likened it to “fighting your friends as much as your enemies.”

in 2005, Chelsea Perkins is told by her teacher, Debra Morris, that they will have a break of a few weeks from study, so that Miss Perkins' work can be evaluated by the Council of Wisdom. Chelsea asks if she can visit her mother, but Miss Morris says, “Oh, my heavens, no. She'll call the FBI to keep you from leaving.” Although Chelsea appears to accept this decision, she has other plans in mind.

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

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect the 1983 mini-series Kennedy 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!

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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!

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Amritsar

April 13th, 2006

in 1852, Frank Woolworth was born in Rodman, New York. He pioneered the concept of low-cost thrift stores in New York, but his businesses failed one after another, scaring away others who might have followed in his footsteps.

in 1915, Captain Michael Smith of the Harlequin, his ship packed with Q'Barian refugees, is given orders directly from the Security Council of the Congress of Nations to proceed to Pluto, post-haste. He directs his helm to spare no effort getting his ship there.

in 1919, British General Reginald Dyer single-handedly loses India for the British Empire when he ignites a nation-wide upheaval by massacring almost 400 peaceful demonstrators in Amritsar. The British were unable to keep control of the country after the massive population rose up almost as one to throw them out after this bloody day, and declared India independent in the next few months.

in 2689 AUC, the Greek rebel Metaxas declares himself dictator of Greece. With a popular following, he is able to hold off Rome’s legions for almost a year before the Republic is finally able to bring him down.

in 1941, although it had been a nominal ally of the German Underground, Japan abandons this stance when a small group of Japanese civilians are murdered by the G.U. in Berlin. They sign a treaty with the Greater Zionist Resistance, and promise to resist the racist aims of the G.U.

in 1952, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter seek out the advice of an old wise woman in Kenya. They have freed an ancestor of the Baron’s, and wish to trap her again. The wise woman says, “Look to the stars; when they are right, you shall have your answer.” The couple had been hoping for help that was a little less cryptic.

in 1970, America suffers its first casualties in space as the Apollo 13 mission explodes. A ruptured oxygen tank blew a hole in the side of the small spacecraft, sucking out all of the air, killing the three astronauts in moments. All of America mourned, and President Nixon vowed “their sacrifice gives us greater resolve to expand our efforts on the moon.” NASA’s funding tripled after the disaster, and the lunar program was able to place a small base on the moon by the end of the decade.

in 1990, the Soviet States of America officially admits responsibility for the Logan Massacre. During the Great War, American troops from Alaska had penetrated into Canada and taken a large number of prisoners near the town of Logan in the Yukon Territory. Rather than keep these prisoners, the Soviet troops killed them, almost 1000 people. The admission included a formal apology to the Canadian government from Comrade President Ann Richards.

in 1992, South Africa and Egypt sign a non-aggression pact. President Terreblanche of South Africa is planning to send forces north, and doesn’t want Egypt’s powerful army interfering with his plans; the Egyptians plan to take a small bite out of the nations that South Africa leaves behind.

in 2005, in the wake of the Claw withdrawal, and the absence of many key figures afterwards, such as the Vice-President, America chooses to hold a special election. U.S. Representative Carl Worthington calls it the “first free election in decades” in America.

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

Today's "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenge: Connect Zorba the Greek 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!

And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

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!

You can also visit the Co-Historian's store -

A Day Of Infamy

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: One of today's entries has something a little different, a link to a longer document which gives more space to the entry. Please let us know if you like that by leaving a comment or emailing us.

December 7th, 2005

in 1936, a visit from a mysterious stranger changes Japan's direction.

in 1941, a large Japanese strike force falls on Thailand, after American warnings to leave southeast Asia alone fail to persuade them. Although President Roosevelt wanted to join in the war against the Japanese and Germans, the lack of any direct threat to the U.S. kept him out.

in 1941, in spite of Japan's best interests, the national leadership goes ahead with an attack on the Americans at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, drawing the great power into the war. The Presence had worked on them for some time to make them do this; the alien forces felt that Japan was growing too powerful in the world.

in 1941, Imperial Japanese forces invade the Aleutian Islands. Throughout the 30’s, they had gobbled up smaller nations in the Pacific Community of Trade, and they had finally decided the time was right to attack the Soviet States of America. This proved to be their undoing, as the remaining members of the Community of Trade threw themselves against the empire and its reactionary allies, defeating them in 1946.

in 1941, a combined force of naval and air power from the empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After seeing how unprepared the Americans were for attack, the Japanese invaded the western coast of the country at the end of the year, making America fight a defensive struggle on its own shores. The Axis powers of Germany and Italy conquered Europe and Africa, and Japan, although eventually repelled from North America, ruled the Pacific. The western hemisphere was economically and politically isolated from the east.

in 12-16-7-16-13, Nipponese forces strike out against the Incan capital in Teutehuanoco. For several years, the combined Inca-Oueztecan Empire had been making inroads across the ocean, and the Nipponese people felt that they could halt their disintegrating influence with military power. They were wrong; the war against them ended in their utter annihilation.

in 2694 AUC, the Roman Republic launched a sneak attack against the tiny island nation of Nippon in Asia. The heavily fortified island nation had been threatening the Chinese allies of Rome for a decade, and had recently invaded the province of Manchuria. The Republic couldn’t stand idly by anymore, and its forces attacked Kyoto; the war was over by the end of the next year, and Nippon was contained.

in 4637, Japan, which had been providing material and logistic support to nations attacked by the American Empire in South America, was attacked in the morning by a naval assault squadron. Unprepared for the attack, Japan lost thousands in Okinawa, and declared war against the American Empire the next day.

in 1941, Pearl Harbor, in the Hawaiian Protectorate, was attacked by heathen Shinto from the Japanese Empire. Pope George VI of the Holy British Empire declared a Crusade against them the next day, and all of Christendom attacked the island nation and its Buddhist allies in Asia. The Holy World War led to the establishment of Christian nations across Asia and the Pacific.

in 1941, Neville Chamberlain, fresh from negotiating peace in Europe, declared peace in Asia, as well. He successfully negotiated the Japanese pullout from China on this date. Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1937 until his death in March of 1942, won the Nobel Peace Prize for his Herculean efforts to promote peace in office.

in 1941, the Japanese High Command overrules the decision to attack the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, reasoning that they don't need to provoke America into joining the war against them. Instead, the Emperor sends an invitation to the American president to come visit Japan and see the wonders of the Empire. President Wilkie was charmed by the Asian nation, and kept America out of the war while it conquered the Asian continent.

Christmas Day Contest! ONLY 13 DAYS LEFT!! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on December 25th, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

We still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!

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Fresh New Poll - Shall we use future dates in our entries?

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British Seize Nukes; President Franklin Dies

April 17th, 2005

in 1534, prior to his summary execution for disloyalty, Sir Thomas More was confined to the Tower of London by Pope Henry VIII. Although More had proven himself a valuable propagandist against the few remaining Yorkists in the Holy British Empire, Pope Henry thought him too capable a man to be left alive.

in 1790, America’s first president, Benjamin Franklin, dies in the capitol at Philadelphia in the middle of his first term. His vice-president, John Adams, assumed the office of president, but the young nation was thrown into turmoil. Many urged General George Washington, hero of the revolution, to take power and rule as king, but he was uninterested in politics. He told his followers to support the new president, forestalling anarchy in Philadelphia.

in 1810, Lewis Norton of Troy, Pennsylvania created one of America’s greatest contributions to world cuisine with his Pineapple Cheese. This afterful blending of fruit and dairy was considered sublime perfection in the kitchens of fine European restaurants, and helped America break into the top ranks of culinary recognition.

in 1952, outside of Cairo, Mikhail von Heflin draws on extra-dimensional forces and heals the leg of his lover, Velma Porter. Her new foot seems to work just as well as her old one, and she is grateful to have the use of it back. She keeps the peg leg she had made, just in case.

in 4656, one of the more remote areas of the Chinese Empire, the Samoan Islands, institutes a democratic council for the first time in its history. Following the example laid out by the new elected emperor, they elect a governing Council, which then elects a Governor. Representatives of the Chdo Democracy, the alien civilization responsible for the democratization process, are pleased to observe the elections and pronounce them a success.

in 1961, anti-Castro Cubans land at the Bay of Pigs with support from the American Navy and Air Force. They press halfway across the island before encountering heavy resistance from Cuba’s military, and then the fighting is mainly left to America soldiers. This prompts Cuba’s Fidel Castro to call for help from the Soviet Union, and the world is forced to the brink of nuclear war before President Richard Nixon orders his people to withdraw from Cuban territory.

in 1969, Enrique Soledad, El Salvador’s President and Communist Party Chairman, is forced to resign under American pressure. Soledad had spearheaded the reforms known as the Salvadoran Spring, an attempt to mix communism with some free-market practices. When the population of the small nation appeared ready to throw out their socialist roots, the Soviet States of America stepped in to bring them back into the fold.

in 1997, British Brigadier General Lewis Meriweather seizes 4 nuclear missiles that Egyptian troops had been transporting to the American coast. Since the invasion of Constitutionalist America by allied forces, the Egyptians had been seeking nuclear technology and the British had been attempting to keep it from them. Meriweather likened it to “fighting your friends as much as your enemies.”


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Caligula Dies; Amerika Is Finished

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: We are holding another contest! Please send us entries for an Alternate Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2006. You may send us up to three entries for the day, and we will choose the best 10 to appear on February 14th. Enter now - deadline will be February 10th! By entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on February 14th, 2006, 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. And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

January 24th, 2006

in 793 AUC, Caligula, who had briefly served as Rome’s emperor before a brain fever drove him mad, dies under the care of doctors in Rome. Hard as it was for Romans to depose an emperor, Caligula was clearly in no condition to continue to server Rome as its leader. Rumors that he even began speaking to his horse were never confirmed, but were not doubted.

in 1184, after a year on deserted Bermuda, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter decide that they've had enough of a vacation, and strike out for the North American coast in one of the boats they have constructed. While en route, they encounter another rift in time/space. They don't try to evade it; Porter says, “I just hope it doesn't send us back to the stone age.”

in 1732, French playwright and revolutionary Pierre de Beaumarchais is born in Paris, France. He was influential in supporting both the French Revolution and the independence movement in North America that created the North American Confederation. His plays Le Barbier de Seville and Le Mariage de K’Tem’La were banned until after the revolution, since they were critical of the nobility of France.

in 1781, Canadian guerilla fighters known only as “Snow Fox and Light Foot” stage a hugely successful raid on the British garrison at Fort George in Quebec. The fort was completely destroyed, and the British abandoned the region because of the popular support for the Snow Fox.

in 1908, the Young Comrades organization begins among British Communists and quickly spreads to America. Although officially repressed by the British government, the Comrades are embraced by their comrades in America, and many leaders in the Soviet States today were Young Comrades in their boyhood.

in 1914, almost a year after vowing he would never work on it again, Franz Kafka finished his novel Amerika. Although most critics say that the beginning is a powerful tale of a European boy banished to America by scandal, the ending where the boy is turned into a sheep and eaten by coyotes in Oklahoma does tend to throw most people.

in 1943, General Friedrich von Paulus of the German Underground, commanding officer of the 6th Army, requested permission from Adolf Hitler to accept the surrender of Greater Zionist Resistance soldiers in Russia. General von Paulus had no stomach for the sort of war that the G.U. was waging, and Hitler threatened to replace him if he didn’t acquire one, saying, “The 6th Army will exterminate the Zionists down to the last man”.

in 1984, Apple Computers released the Macintosh, a personal computer with a graphical user interface, rather than the command line that most PC’s had used up to that point. This innovation, although not unique to Apple, rocketed them to the top of the computing world. By the end of the decade, they produced almost 80% of the computers used in America, and their operating system, licensed out to other computer manufacturers, today accounts for around 90% of the computing done in the world.

in 1986, Ron Hubbard, known for his rollicking western pulps in the 30’s and 40’s, and his more epic detective and western fiction afterwards, died at his home in San Francisco, California. Reverend Hubbard, who was ordained in the Church of Christ and led a huge congregation in San Francisco, always said he was unafraid to die, since that was the last promotion God could give him.

in 2005, Jeanna Best goes in to work for Austin lawyer Jack Armstrong and gets called into his office. Armstrong asks her about her illness on the previous Saturday, and she replies that it was a little 24-hour bug. She notes that he does not use the last two fingers on either hand at all, and barely contains her shudders of fear; she also notes the defense contract lying on his desk for a company called Myrmidon.

Timelines in today's post: the Roman timeline, Canadian Independence, von Heflin, the Mlosh, the GZR, and Communist America.

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! Or, here's a new one - win 5 "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenges from me, and I'll put you in the alternate history of your choice. Here's your first one - with only the info you have on me in my profile, connect your esteemed Alternate Historian to Star Trek. Place your answers in the comments! For more on 6 degrees games, click here.

The Forum lives again! My esteemed Co-Historian has brought the forum back to life, and in spite of the issues we've had with the forum in the past, we think that this time, it'll stay 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

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!

McGill Founded; Apollo 1 Fire

ALTERNATE HISTORIAN'S NOTE: We are holding another contest! Please send us entries for an Alternate Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2006. You may send us up to three entries for the day, and we will choose the best 10 to appear on February 14th. Enter now - deadline will be February 10th! By entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on February 14th, 2006, 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. And, another cool thing - Let us know where you are on Frappr!

January 27th, 2006

in 1000 Post-Creation, Yahweh grants autonomy to humans and angels, but adds one requirement – that none will follow a god other than Him. All the angels readily agree to this, as do the humans, since none can conceive of a god other than the Creator. Lucifer is slow to agree, though, thinking that perhaps there is something to this requirement that he is not seeing; in the end, though, he agrees along with the rest.

in 1785, James McGill, a Scottish businessman who had thrown in with the Canadian nationalists during their war for independence, establishes McGill College in Montreal. The newly formed Canadian government helps him fund it, creating the first governmentally-assisted insitution of higher learning in the Canadian democracy.

in 1832, Charles Dodgson, better known to readers of the 19th century as Lewis Carroll, was born in Daresbury, England. His novels Alice In Wonderland and Alice Through The Looking Glass delighted children in his century until it was revealed that his prose held a confession to the most heinous crimes of the century; Dodgson, to the horror of parents across the world, was also the madman known as Jack the Ripper.

in 1904, the embassy ship from the Congress of Nations went into orbit around the Mlosh homeworld. The dozens of Mlosh aboard the ship clamored to volunteer for the shuttle that would descend to the surface, but the only one that went was the ambassador himself. Li’Kanto’Mk became the first Mlosh from earth to set foot back on their ancestral homeworld.

in 1918, Mikhail von Heflin and his wife, Velma Porter, cause a stir; the ship they're taking to mainland America is filled with southerners who consider their interracial relationship quite shocking. Never ones to shy away from controversy, the pair flaunt their love for each other at every opportunity, particularly in front of the southern passengers. This catches the notice of one Milo Cranston, who watches the von Heflins throughout the journey.

in 1943, American volunteers with the Greater Zionist Resistance fight German Underground units for the first time in Petrograd, Russia. These daring young people manage to fight back the horrendous assaults of the G.U. until nuclear weapons are used.

in 1967, a fire erupts inside the Apollo 1 command module as tests are being conducted prior to allowing the astronauts inside. Although the astronauts escape unharmed, Apollo 1 is destroyed, and America’s lunar exploration program is set back 6 months trying to find out why the fire happened. It was eventually discovered to be faulty wiring inside the command module.

in 1975, Senator Frank Church of Idaho is killed in a car crash just as he was to begin a Senate investigation into possibily illegal activities by the FBI and CIA. Fortunately, Senator John Smith of Michigan was able to step into the leadership role and clear the two intelligence agencies of any and all wrongdoing. He was later named head of the CIA.

in 1985, President Ralph Shephard sends his Alien Sedition program to Congress for ratification. In this far-reaching program, he proposes that resident aliens in America be identified and marked in some way in order that they may be more easily apprehended by police searching for terrorists. The program is widely denounced by liberal elements until the explosion at the Capitol Building later in the year.

in 1369, Somali chieftain Muhamed Siyad Barre flees before a combined Islamic force invading the nation to bring order out of the chaos he has led his small nation into. The success of the Somalian venture leads many of the larger nations under Allah to form an organization that will allow them to intervene in nations that have spun out of control; this organization is now known as The United Caliphates.

in 2001, the People’s Republic of America is officially recognized as an independent nation by Great Britain, France, Germany and Russia. The monarchies begin funneling money and materiel into the breakaway soviets, hoping to lessen the power of the Soviet States of America.

in 2005, Jeanna Best and Dave Lange travel to Houston to see J. Burton Howell, head of the mysterious company Myrmidon, whom they have been tracking for a couple of days. Howell is giving a lecture at Rice University, and they record it. When they play it back afterwards, though, there are sections of the speech that only give off static.

Timelines in today's post: the Fall, the Mlosh, Canadian Independence, von Heflin, the Chinese Empire, Islam Ascendant, the Ralph Shephard timeline, and Communist America.

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! Or, here's a new one - win 5 "Six Degrees of Star Trek" challenges from me, and I'll put you in the alternate history of your choice. So far, we have no clear leader - three different challenge winners have given us excellent answers. For today's challenge, connect British actor Ian Holm to Star Trek (and for a bonus point, explain his connection to today's post!). Place your answers in the comments! For more on 6 degrees games, click here.

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!

Watchers

	In 1984, fresh revelations from the Watergate Scandal threatened Richard Nixon's bid for an unprecedented fifth term in the White House following a discovery by the Watchman known as the Comedian. The President had ordered the hit on Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Washington Post reporters who had investigated the June 12 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee Party Headquarters.
The Watchmen

Losing the support of the Watchmen was a fatal blow for Nixon. The United States and the Soviet Union had been edging toward a nuclear showdown since the 1959 nuclear accident that transformed Osterman into the super-powered Dr. Manhattan. Dr. Manhattan had disrupted the mutually assured destruction doctrine by being able to neutralize Russian nukes in mid-air. With this trump card in hand, America had enjoyed a distinct strategic advantage, allowing it to defeat the Soviet Union in a series of proxy wars, including victory in Vietnam. Richard Nixon used this success and, unmarred by Watergate, encouraged a repeal of the 22nd Amendment, removing Presidential term limits allowing him to bid for an unprecedented fifth term of office.

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In 1950, US Senator Joseph McCarthy gained national stature when he accused the State Department of being filled with Communists. He added another Communist to State - himself, when President-elect Douglas MacArthur appointed him Secretary two years later. Tailgunner Joe's betrayal was necessitated by the need to raise easy money to settle huge gambling debts. In his own words he 'was in such a hole, he could see China'.

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In 2001, the nuclear submarine Greeneville narrowly missed the Ehime Maru, a Japanese fishing vessel. Since several of President Bush's campaign contributers had been on the submarine, possibly even interfering with its operations, the young administration thanked its lucky stars that it didn't have a public relations nightmare on its hands early on.

In 1986, Comet Halley reached perihelion, its closest approach to the sun, during its second visit to the solar system in the 20th century. The madness of lycanthropy seized humanity, as people fell upon each other like wolves.

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	In 1861, leading Southern general Robert E. Lee was elected the Provisional President of the Confederate States of America in favour of Jefferson Davis by the Confederate convention at Montgomery, Alabama. Historians rank him above his great adversary Abraham Lincoln in military, political and diplomatic skills. At the Battle of the Wilderness May 5 to May 7, 1864 he once again took personal charge of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia defeating Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and marching onwards to Washington in the closing action of the States War.

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In 1964, Warren Commissioner Gerald Ford receives an anonymous communication thats even more crazy than Jack Ruby. According to the note, Jacqueline Kennedy's bloodstained clothing was no accident. She had pulled off a short range shot using a concealed weapon.

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In 1964, the IX Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria-Hungary are formally closed by the Kaiser (Emperor) Otto von Hapsburg-Lothringen.

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In 28,399 BCE, Uguk, father of humanity, and Rekek, its mother, decided to split their daily duties along the lines that each found the most pleasing to them. Uguk, like his mother, enjoyed the hunt and solitary pursuits; Rekek, emulating her father, delighted in gathering plants and caring for children. Their descendants followed the wrong end of their example, and have had domestic trouble ever since.

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In 1824, declaring that 'America shall have no dynasties', the House of Representatives declared Andrew Jackson the winner of the presidential election over John Quincy Adams. Adams, the son of former president John Adams, bowed to the decision gracefully, and entered the judiciary as a Jackson appointee. Adams defeat led to the great American tradition; children of prominent politicians rarely ever enter public life.

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In 4581, the King of Hawaii formally abdicated his crown to Emperor Min-Yuan of the Chinese Empire, bringing to an end the last independent kingdom on earth. Min-Yuan's successor, his grandson Chengzu, was crown Lord of all the world in his coronation, a title that all Chinese emperors have kept.

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In 12-14-12-10-13, the Voice of the Gods, Tsiropoctli of Uaxactun, was born. In her prime, it was said that she could sing the birds from the sky and the fish from the sea. Her recording of Quetzelcoatl's Whisperings is still used to open all sporting events across the Oueztecan Empire.

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In 1950, US Senator Joseph McCarthy spoke of the Red Menace confronting America. Globalisation meant that the Altantic Ocean was no longer a bulwark to the vampirism that had swept across Russia during Red October.

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Ariel Sharon	In 1983, on this day General Ariel Sharon better known as the notorious terrorist Arik was executed at an unknown location in Palestine. Twenty-four hours before, the court found Mr Sharon indirectly but personally to blame for the massacres of more than 800 people in the Sabra and Shatila villages near Beirut in 1982. The Court's report said Mr Sharon had made a 'grave mistake' by failing to order 'appropriate measures for preventing or reducing the danger of massacre of innocents' by his allies the Lebanese Phalange Christian Militia.
The terrorist Arik

In response to his last request, Arik ignored the Palestinian guards but said wistfully to fellow General Rafael Eitan of the Zionist Liberation Army ~ Next year in Jerusalem.

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