Today in History

Here comes the fun part. These are the posts that brought the whole idea to where we are today.

On this date in History: The first documented visit of Europeans to San Francisco Bay. It's unknown whether they shopped their way through Fishermans Wharf, but it's reasonably certain that they made "Rice-a-Roni" jokes, since they were, after all, Spanish. A few years later, Samuel Adams and Joseph Warren formed the very first "Committee of Correspondence", wherein they all sat around and proof-read letters for their pals.

In the American Civil War, General John C. Fremont was relieved of command. Apparently he enjoyed it, because he kept being incompetent and forcing Lincoln to repeat the process. Happy Statehood Day to North and South Dakota. At The University of Minnesota, Johnny Campbell is at a football game and leads the crowd in cheering on the team.... Hmmm. cheerleading, eh? It just might catch on!

In 1917, the British issue the Balfour Resolution, which announced their support for a Jewish Homeland in what was then known as Palestine. They reneged of course, and ultimately betrayed the Jews. In the end, thanks to a lot of bloodshed, the Jews prevailed; and in the end both sides grew to hate Britain. Well played, John Bull. Well played.

Happy coronation day for Haile Selassie. Bet he enjoyed it, but it didn't end well.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was formed on this date, ultimately giving me the chance to find some cool music and television shows, since I grew up near the border. I wonder if they had the same content laws then... Howard Hughes took the Spruce Goose for a short flight on this date, after which it never flew again. Totally worth the time, money, and effort. Speaking of Canada, Jacques Plante takes yet another puck to the face, and finally gets tired of it, thus becoming the first hockey goalie to wear a mask. If you've ever seen Terry Sawchuk, you'll have to wonder why he didn't.