Why look- it's November 22

Well, it's kinda late, but we're still under the wire for the date.  Yay me!  On this date, in the year of our lord, 1858, in the territory of Colorado, a city is founded.  Not that much of a city really, but they have a good marketing plan, and take to calling themselves "The Mile High City".  Other, older cities (like Albuquerque) which are also at 5-6000 feet of elevation do a collective head-slap that they didn't think of it first.  Well played, Denver.  Well played.

A few years later, in the midst of the Civil War, a general makes A Bold Move.  After Sherman left what remained of Atlanta to March To The Sea, his erstwhile opponent, General John Bell Hood gets it into his head to force Sherman's retreat by invading Tennessee.  Maybe it was all the pain medication he was taking, having lost a couple limbs already, but it won't end well.  And not because of Sherman either.  But we'll get to that in a few weeks.

Another 5 years pass, and in Dunbarton Scotland, a clipper ship is launched.  They call her the Cutty Sark, and she's still floating today.  Later, somebody decides "what a great name for a whiskey", and history is made.  Or at least some whiskey.  And to a Scot, that's more than enough, isn't it?

Remember when Zhukov had a good birthday the other day, launching an attack against the Germans near Stalingrad?  Well it begins to be clear just how badly things are going, when General Paulus, the German commander sends a message to Hitler informing him that his entire army is surrounded.  Not to worry- Hitler has a plan!  Umm.  Yeah.  Among other plans, it includes air supply of the entire army.  Which the Luftwaffe was incapable of doing even in peacetime.  Throw in some snow, a few random Russian Anti-aircraft guns,  some Russian fighters, and a few other goodies, and the number of transport planes begins to decline rapidly.  As do the number of airfields.  Oh, but on the "good news" side of the ledger, the number of troops to be supplied is also dropping.  So that's a good thing.... Not really.  But it's clearly not gonna end well for Paulus and the Boys.  But in the end, Hitler decides their sacrifice is A Good Thing, as it will inspire their comrades.  Uh huh.

Go Wolverines!!! In his very first season, an unknown coach named Bo Schembechler leads his University of Michigan Wolverines to an upset victory over his mentor, Woody Hayes.  Suck on that, bucknut!  Come Saturday, his distant successor, but former assistant, Brady Hoke will do the same.  And all will once again be right with the world.

In 1975, upon the news that Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead, Juan Carlos is declared King of Spain.  The fact that he was the eldest grandson of the previous king arguably played a role in the decision.

And on that note, goodnight and have a pleasant tomorrow.