Wednesday, October 26, 2022

This Date in History - October 26

 

Take a vowel, Pat Sajak.  It's your special day.

306:  MARTYRDOM OF SAINT DEMETRIUS OF THESSALONIKI.

He's a martyr for one day.  I know some people who have been pulling that shit for years.

1597:  DURING THE IMJIN WAR, ADMIRAL YI SUN-SIN ROUTS THE JAPANESE NAVY OF 300 SHIPS WITH ONLY 13 SHIPS.

300 vs. 13?  Talk about your Vegas odds.  Meanwhile, Sun-Sin sounds like a cheap casino on the Strip.

1689:  GENERAL PICCOLOMINI OF AUSTRIA BURNED DOWN SKOPJE TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CHOLERA.  HE DIED OF CHOLERA HIMSELF SOON AFTER.

A tragic waste of lighter fluid.

1774:  THE FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS ADJOINS IN PHILADELPHIA.

They sure must have talked a lot because they didn't come up with anything concrete until two years later.

1775:  KING GEORGE III GOES BEFORE PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE THE AMERICAN COLONIES IN REBELLION, AND AUTHORIZED A MILITARY RESPONSE TO QUELL THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Too late, because they're already talking this up in Philly.

1776:  BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DEPARTS FROM AMERICA FOR FRANCE ON A MISSION TO SEEK FRENCH SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Don't count on those scumbags for anything.

1811:  THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT DECLARES THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOR THE PRESS BY DECREE.

So does that mean no more firing squads???

1825:  THE ERIE CANAL OPENS FOR PASSAGE FROM ALBANY, NEW YORK TO LAKE ERIE.

Neither one is a preferred destination for me.

1861:  THE PONY EXPRESS OFFICIALLY CEASES OPERATIONS.

And, in 2022, there may go the Post Office as well.

1881:  THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL TAKES PLACE AT TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA.

Oh?  So this was more than just a movie?

1914:  ACTOR JACKIE COOGAN IS BORN.

Uncle Fester!!!

1936:  THE FIRST ELECTRIC GENERATOR AT HOOVER DAM GOES INTO FULL OPERATION.

That has to be one long extension cord.

1943:  DURING WW II. THERE IS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF "PFEIL."

I have no idea what this is.  Except Bobby Pfeil was a utility infielder for the 1969 New York Mets and the guy who didn't make their post season roster.

1946:  GAME SHOW HOST PAT SAJAK IS BORN.

H_pp_  B_rt__y.

1947:  ACTRESS JACLYN SMITH IS BORN.

The birth of an angel...

1947:  HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON IS BORN.

...and a devil.   Again, I have no horse in this race, folks.

1948:  KILLER SMOG SETTLES INTO DONORA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Who knew there was that much traffic in Donora, Pennsylvania?

1952:  ACTRESS HATTIE MCDANIEL DIES.

Really, really gone with the wind.

1955:  NGO DINH DIEM DECLARES HIMSELF PREMIER OF SOUTH VIETNAM.

He is paid on a "per diem" basis.

1958:  PAN AM MAKES THE FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT OF THE BOEING 707 FROM NEW YORK TO PARIS.

A now defunct airline and a soon-to-be-defunct television show.

1967:  MOHAMMED REZA PAHLAVI CROWNS HIMSELF EMPEROR OF IRAN.

Sort of like when you're playing checkers and somebody says "king me."

1984:  BABY FAE RECEIVES A HEART TRANSPLANT FROM A BABOON.

And they wonder why the kid is now climbing trees.

1986:  GAME SEVEN OF THE 1986 WORLD SERIES IS RAINED OUT.  I GO WITH THE BIBSTERS TO PIPER'S KILT FOR A BURGER.

If you don't get that reference, no worries.  It's written for an audience of one.

1994:  JORDAN AND ISRAEL SIGN A PEACE TREATY.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.  Peace in the Mideast.  Ha!

2001:  THE UNITED STATES PASSES THE USA PATRIOT ACT INTO LAW.

It's still not a fence.

Dinner last night:  Broccoli salad.

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