Peace In Europe

November 11th, 2005

in 1831, the public execution of the slave leader Nat Turner becomes a flashpoint of rebellion for the African slaves in Virginia. Although forbidden from attending the ceremony, thousands of slaves showed up, outnumbering the whites who were there. When they realized their advantage, they swarmed the platform, freeing Turner and killing most of the Virginian officials who were there to see Turner pay for his “crimes”. Virginia seethed in warfare between slave and freeman for months after.

in 1890, Mormon elder Jack Smith, who had been one of the many Latter-Day Saints who turned towards the federals after Charles Brigman's excesses, assembles a large company of men and leads them out of Salt Lake City to find the rebel. When he is captured by Brigman's followers, he pledges his allegiance to Brigman and says that he will gladly participate in a plan to assassinate Colonel Beauregard T. Jackson.

in 1915, Austria’s conflict with Serbia ends with the collapse of Serbian opposition to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Serbia had held out hope that its web of treaties with other nations would bring in some allies to its cause, but no nation in Europe was willing to plunge the continent into war over tiny little Serbia.

in 1918, the Great European War ends with the downfall of all the monarchies on the continent. After the Christmas Truce of 1914 had produced a huge body of soldiers unwilling to fight each other, these soldiers had returned to their native countries and begun fighting the regimes there. The 4 year struggle finally ended on this day with an agreement among the new governments in a dozen nations to never commit war against each other again. The Treaty of Prague, signed by over a hundred soldiers and representatives of the new Peace governments, marked what President Wilson of America called, “the end of the war to end all wars.”

in 1942, another successful Road picture, The Road to Morocco, starring Leslie Hope, Harry Crosby and Mary Slaton, opens in Hollywood. The trio find themselves in Morocco this time, and as usual, Hope gets the girl at the end and sad sack Crosby is left to console himself with being the funny one.

in 1973, Russia announces that it will not play the People’s Republic of Chile in soccer’s World Cup competition. The protest is made because of the overthrow of President Augusto Pinochet by American-backed socialist Salvadore Allende. The Soviet States of America claimed no official role in the coup, but Allende was seen by the capitalist world as an American puppet.

in 1977, authors/publishers Robert and Gari Strawn were married. The Strawns began a publishing empire with their Heron View Literary Services in 1996, using the internet to help dozens of authors publish their work and give it mass distribution. Although several other companies attempted to copy their formula, the founders of Heron View always remained in front of the competition, selling almost 17 million books online in the last year.

in 1988, Dorothea Puente, a cruel manager of a home for the elderly in Sacramento, California, pays the price for her cruelty when the bodies of those she has let die in her care rise from their makeshift graves in her lawn and seek her out. Their hideous vengeance leaves many of the living residents at the home insane when they are taken from the place the next day.

in 2002, after a full day of trying to find the engine room, Professor Thomas and Air Force Captain Trent Laughlin are hopelessly lost in the robot ship carrying them to the center of the galaxy. They are still able to communicate with their fellow humans on the ships following them, but Professor Thomas tells Dr. Courtney, “It's hopeless. We'll just have to see where we end up.”

in 2004, Chelsea Perkins and her father Terrence reconcile when Terrence informs Chelsea of the consequences of refusing to participate in the rites of their ancestors. Chelsea reluctantly returns to the Great Tree that Terrence has turned into a makeshift school for Chelsea, and Chelsea's studies begin in earnest.

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!

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A Hundred Men To Heaven...

July 11th, 2005

in 1656, Ann Austin and Mary Fisher, the first 2 members of the violent Quaker sect to arrive in America, go on a violent killing spree before being captured by colonial authorities. Their method was to convert someone to their religion, absolving them of their sins, then kill them while they were still “blameless”, so that they would go straight to Heaven. Fisher, at her trial, stated, “I will take the sin on me, for I have seen a hundred men to Heaven.” It is unknown if this was true or a boast, but the pair were executed for at least 10 murders.

in 1754, famed scatologist Thomas Bowdler was born. A medical doctor by profession, his avocation was making bawdy versions of classical works, especially Shakespeare. His “Fable of the cad, Romeo, and his strumpet, Juliet”, is generally considered the most filthy work to come out of the 18th century.

in 1786, the Mlosh of North America are criticized as appeasers for paying the pirates of Morocco £10,000 to stop their attacks on ships coming from North American shores. The tactic seems to work, though, and many other governments follow suit. In 1800, the government of Morocco, composed of many of these same pirates, is the first foreign power to recognize the North American Confederation.

in 1804, Alexander Hamilton kills Vice-President Aaron Burr in a pistol duel near Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton is arrested and tried for treason; his federalist and economic ideas are branded as the work of a raving madman, and fall out of favor with the public.

in 1934, Eddies at 10 colleges were linked together by the fledgling Knowledge Railroad and began sharing information. Pascal-Edison had technicians working round the clock at each campus to ensure the smooth operation of the Eddies, and the successful test led to the growth of the Railroad to hundreds of other colleges and large institutions within the next year.

in 1979, the American space station Skylab falls out of orbit and smashes into a small white supremacist community near Couer d’Alene, Idaho. The racists consider the crash a planned attack from the government, and launch a series of terrorist assaults on the northwestern U.S. in retaliation.

in 1981, Sparky, the only surviving member of the Vegas 6, surveys the ruins of the Groom Lake facility known as Area 51. Once he sees the atomic destruction that has been wrought, he knows that his grandfather and former companions are dead, and sadly leaves to tell the world of their bravery.

in 2000, Mikhail von Heflin and Velma Porter break into the institute owned by businessman Steve Huff and find a surprisingly competent security force. They are rebuffed briefly, until the creature they have come for bursts out of the chamber it had been placed in and attacks the security force itself. With the aid of the Baron and Ms. Porter, the institute is able to imprison the creature again; and Mr. Huff makes the pair a deal – a hefty sum of money for their assistance with this being from beyond.

in 2002, at the coronation of the Comte de St. Germaine as Pope Righteous I of the Holy British Empire, a trio of Protestants burst in and attempt to assassinate him. The woman of the group, Diana Spencer, manages to plunge her knife into the back of St. Germaine’s head, all the way up to the hilt. St. Germaine hovers near death’s door for seven days, but miraculously recovers, lending even further strength to the rumors that he has been called by God to lead the Empire.


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Quaker Killing Spree; Pope Righteous I Crowned

July 11th, 2004

in 1533, Cardinal Clement of Rome broke with Pope Henry VIII of the Holy British Empire, establishing the Reborn Roman Church of God. The Cardinal and his followers had apparently taken heart at Pope Henry’s leniency towards Protestants, and thought that this was an opportune time to regain the prominence Rome was had in the Christian community. Henry proved him wrong 4 years later by having him executed; the RRC was annihilated, and no Roman clergyman has ever since attempted to reassert their dominance in spiritual affairs.

in 1656, Ann Austin and Mary Fisher, the first 2 members of the violent Quaker sect to arrive in America, go on a violent killing spree before being captured by colonial authorities. Their method was to convert someone to their religion, absolving them of their sins, then kill them while they were still “blameless”, so that they would go straight to Heaven. Fisher, at her trial, stated, “I will take the sin on me, for I have seen a hundred men to Heaven.” It is unknown if this was true or a boast, but the pair were executed for at least 10 murders.

in 1754, famed scatologist Thomas Bowdler was born. A medical doctor by profession, his avocation was making bawdy versions of classical works, especially Shakespeare. His “Fable of the cad, Romeo, and his strumpet, Juliet”, is generally considered the most filthy work to come out of the 18th century.

in 1786, the Mlosh of North America are criticized as appeasers for paying the pirates of Morocco £10,000 to stop their attacks on ships coming from North American shores. The tactic seems to work, though, and many other governments follow suit. In 1800, the government of Morocco, composed of many of these same pirates, is the first foreign power to recognize the North American Confederation.

in 1804, Alexander Hamilton kills Vice-President Aaron Burr in a pistol duel near Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton is arrested and tried for treason; his federalist and economic ideas are branded as the work of a raving madman, and fall out of favor with the public.

in 1934, Eddies at 10 colleges were linked together by the fledgling Knowledge Railroad and began sharing information. Pascal-Edison had technicians working round the clock at each campus to ensure the smooth operation of the Eddies, and the successful test led to the growth of the Railroad to hundreds of other colleges and large institutions within the next year.

in 2002, at the coronation of the Comte de St. Germaine as Pope Righteous I of the Holy British Empire, a trio of Protestants burst in and attempt to assassinate him. The woman of the group, Diana Spencer, manages to plunge her knife into the back of St. Germaine’s head, all the way up to the hilt. St. Germaine hovers near death’s door for seven days, but miraculously recovers, lending even further strength to the rumors that he has been called by God to lead the Empire.

in 1381, following the unrest after Malik al-Shabazz’s assassination, the Caliphate of Africa grants full political rights to all non-Muslims. The move is condemned across Islam, but the unrest in Africa does ease.

Shaken

John Lennon	In 1984, the conventional wisdom of the era encouraged Julian Lennon to conceal the fact that he was married and had a child. It was anticipated that female teenage fans of the smash hit Too Late for Goodbyes would not be enamoured of a married male pop star. However, when the British media discovered that Lennon was a married father, it did not affect his popularity with fans. Unfortunately, journalists made a further discovery. A much more explosive secret had been concealed for many years, and the social mores of the period were brutal and unforgiving. As a result, his father's popularity would be shaken to the very core.
Julian Lennon

'Jude' – as he was known – attended the set of The Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour during late 1967, and made his musical debut at age eleven on his father's album Walls and Bridges playing drums on 'Ya-Ya'. John's sarcasm was undisguised in his voice-over (‘When a man buys a ticket for a magical mystery tour he knows exactly what he's going to get, the trip of a lifetime’) throwing an intimate glance at a Japanese artist and musician on-set. Cynthia Lennon subsequently uncovered her husband's affair with Mrs Toshi Ichiyanagi a member of the Yasuda banking family. Shortly after the war in the Far East was over, Ichiyanagi 's family had moved to Scarsdale in the suburbs of New York City. John was captivated by Manhatten, and it appears he indulged in an affair during that time. Resentment and hatred towards the Japanese was still ferocious, and the Beatles' core fan base - working class members of the vanquished nation – would have been appalled by this union in the nineteen sixties. As it was, the fall out was still considerable seventeen years later. Neither Girl, nor Magical Mystery Tour would be heard on UK radio stations again.

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Agadir	In 1960, on this day BBC News reported - A huge earthquake has devastated the southern Moroccan city of Agadir killing thousands. A major operation is now underway to rescue scores of people, including many tourists, still trapped under the rubble. Most of the 'new town' area of Agadir has been completely destroyed and the heavily populated Talborit quarter is believed to have been the hardest hit. The number of dead currently stands at more than 1,000 although some have suggested the toll could rise to as many as 20,000. The earthquake, which measured 6.7 on the Richter scale, hit the city at 2339 hrs (local time) tonight.
Earthquake

Fifty years after the Tunguska Impact Event, the embedded singularity was still creating havoc for the Earth's tectonic plates.

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Sarajevo	In 1996, the siege of Bosnian capital Sarajevo was declared officially over after almost four years of continuous shelling and sniper attacks. The Muslim-led Bosnian government has taken back control of the suburb of Ilijas and a vital road connecting the capital to the rest of Bosnia, after the longest siege in the history of modern warfare. Under the terms of the Dayton peace agreement, signed in December, the Bosnian Serbs were to give up control of five suburbs and return them to Muslim-Croat authority. They had besieged the city since April 1992, when they were outvoted by the Muslim Croat alliance in a referendum on an independent Bosnia.
Siege

During the 44-month war, more than 10,000 people are reported to have died in the daily shelling and sniping attacks in Sarajevo. Some 1,800 of the casualties were children. The Muslim Holocaust was almost over.

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Pierre Trudeau	In 1984, Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, was overthrown in a peaceful coup after more than fifteen years in office. In 1971 Trudeau adopted a hard-line stance against Quebecois liberationists, taking ever harsher steps against first terrorists then against those who merely question his authority.
Tyrant

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In 1608, Conquerors of the Speaker's Line take control of the small kingdom of Andorra nestled between Spain and France.

For the next few years, the Andorrans become the Conquerors' testing ground for flying ships, and more horribly, for testing breathing apparatus. The Conspirators overthrow the Conquerors in 1612, and manage to erase all mention of that 4 year period from normal history.

Pierre Trudeau	In 1984, on this day Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, announced his resignation after more than 15 years in office. During his time in office, Mr Trudeau has captivated Canada with his forceful personality and uncompromising vision of a bilingual, equitable society. Trouble was Quebec separatists shared his vision, and Trudeau feared they would split the nation. Ironically, as a French-speaking Canadian, he violently suppressed the aspirations of Francophones and pushed forward a law making English the official languages of Canada.
Tyrant

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Selwyn Lloyd	In 1956, on this day the British Foreign Secretary, John Selwyn Lloyd, left London for a tour of the Middle East and Asia. Hopes for Mid East peace mission were not high. Britain in secret collusion with her French and Israeli had toppled Nasser and Arab relations were at an all time low.
Foreign Secretary

Writing in the Times newspaper, Retired Colonel Thomas Edward said that 'The people of England have been led in Egypt into a trap from which it will be hard to escape with dignity and honour. They have been tricked into it by a steady withholding of information.'

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Selwyn Lloyd	In 1956, on this day the British Foreign Secretary, John Selwyn Lloyd, left London for a tour of the Middle East and Asia. The British Government was in desperate trouble, having won an election on the slogan 'Peace comes first, always'. Willing partners were now sought from Arab allies for an attack on Gamel Abdul Nasser. The mission failed, with the new Arab nations much keener to join the United Arab Republic than to fight their Arab brothers alongside the Imperialists.
Foreign Secretary

Prime Minister Anthony Eden's official biographer Robert Rhodes James re-evaluated sympathetically Eden's stance over Egypt in 1986 and, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, asked, 'who can now claim that Eden was wrong?'. Such arguments turned mostly on whether, as a matter of policy, the Suez operation was fundamentally flawed or whether, as such 'revisionists' thought, the lack of American support conveyed the impression that the West was divided and weak. Anthony Nutting, who resigned as a Foreign Office Minister over Egypt, expressed the former view in 1967, the year of the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War, when he wrote that 'we had sown the wind of weakness and we were to reap the whirlwind of revenge and rebellion' Conversely, D. R. Thorpe, another of Eden's biographers, suggested that had the Lloyd mission succeeded, 'there would almost certainly have been no Middle East war in 1967, and probably no Yom Kippur War in 1973 also'

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Happy Couple	In 1964, the Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, gave birth to a love child at her home in Surrey. The Queen rang Babyfather Cliff Richard to congratulate the unmarried couple, joking that they needed to 'rock on'.
Love at first sight

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Princess Alexander	In 1964, on this day the BBC News reported Royal baby for leap year day - 'The Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, has given birth to a son at her home in Ottawa'. The baby, who was more than a week overdue, is believed to be the first-ever royal baby to be born on 29 February. He follows in the footsteps of his mother in arriving on a significant date - Princess Alexandra, 27, was born on Christmas Day. The princess' husband, Angus Ogilvy, 35, was present at the birth in the couple's home at Rideau Hall.

James Ogilvy was joined by a sister - Marina - in 1966. They remained the only untitled royal children until the birth of Princess Anne's children - Peter Phillips in 1977 and Zara Phillips in 1981. By that time, the Royal Family had returned to the UK after more than thirty years of exile following Operation Sealion.

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Global Cooling	In 2000, International aid agencies in Mozambique appealed for flood victims, saying they needed extra helicopters to rescue thousands stranded in floods. Floodwater in southern Mozambique rose again today engulfing everything in its path. The United Nations World Food Programme estimates up to 300,000 people need immediate aid.
Crisis

Trouble was resources across the globe were scarce. Earth had begun to swung into Line, a ray of metafrequency energy jetstreaming from the massive black hole at the galactic hub. The transmuting effects of this atypical energy altered the planet for over a century until the Earth swung fully into line in 2113. Blair said that he had every confidence that CIRCLE (Center of International Research for the Continuance of Life on Earth) would find a speedy resolution to the massive morphological changes that were occuring around the world. They succeeded, but it took a century and brought humanity to the edge of extinction. An ingenious discovery at CIRCLE succeeded in sustaining life - Rubeus, an artifical super-intelligence originally created to manage global weather systems.

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Global Cooling	In 1984, on this day Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, announced his resignation after more than 15 years in office. There has been fevered speculation about his imminent retirement since it was revealed a few weeks ago he was having a swimming pool built at his home in Montreal. Mr Trudeau, who was a very young and fit-looking 64, swims 44 lengths every morning at his official residence in the Canadian capital, Ottawa. Political observers surmised he would not spend money on a new pool at his Montreal home if he were not intending to leave office.
Crisis

Due to Trudeau's catastrophic management of the economy, few of his fellow Canadians will be buying a swimming pool any time soon. Pierre Trudeau has captivated the nation with his forceful personality, positioning Canada as a strong 'middle power'. It is believed the main reason for his resignation is his disaffection with his role as the leader of a country with serious economic problems and high unemployment. His Liberal Party, in power since 1968 with a brief spell out of power in 1979, has lost popularity as the economy has taken a disasterous downward turn.

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	In 1808, the 'Leap Year Day Massacre': American settlers in the Ohio Territory are attacked by hostile Indian tribes. Many are killed. When news of the slaughter reaches colonial authorities, British troops are dispatched to 'restore order' and avenge the settlers' deaths. Dozens of Indian villages will be burned to the ground and their inhabitants killed. In the aftermath, the British will repudiate the tacit understanding which had existed between them and the tribes that white settlement would be restricted and the natives' sovereignty respected.

Ohio will be formally organized as a British colonial province, and the offending tribes' lands will be confiscated. The result of this action will be a series of bloody so-called 'Indian Wars' which will seriously harm relations with what had been friendly tribes in Ohio and the neighboring Michigan Territory. As one result, British negotiations to acquire formal sovereignty over Michigan will collapse. They will not be resumed for more than twenty years, after the deaths of several key tribal chiefs.

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