The Almanac has moved.

I'm Marching on, just like time. I've established a new site for the Almanac of Absurdities, and you can now join me with audio support, no less, on timemarcheson.wordpress.com. Change your links. I'm not going to be updating here.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/19

On this date in 1419 a different Norman Conquest: Rouen surrenders to Henry V, as the king retakes Normandy, ending the 100 Years War. On this date in 1953, Lucy gives birth on “I Love Lucy.” Its estimated that 68% of all the television sets in existence at the time are tuned in. In 1978 the last real German VW Bug rolls off the assembly line in Emden. They'll continue to be made in Latin America until 2003. Birthdays: Edgar Allen Poe, Richard Lester.

almanac of Absurdities 1/18

On this date in AD 474, 7-year-old Flavius Leo Junior, Grandson of Byzantine Emperor Leo I takes his late grandfather's throne. He dies in November of the same year of a mysterious and sudden ailment. Historians suspect he may have been poisoned by his mother in order that his non-imperial father might finally ascend the throne, which is how it turned out. 1944 The 3-year seige of Leningrad is finally broken. Birthdays: Cary Grant, Oliver Hardy, Ray Dolby.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/16

On this date in 550 AD the Ostrogoths overrun Rome after a long seige. On this date in 1572, Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk goes on trial for treason after attempting to cozy up to Mary, Queen of Scots, and plot against the life of Queen Elizabeth I. England heads off the so called “Ridolfi” plot, and, later, “Heads Off” Norfolk as well. Today is the birthday of Frank Zamboni, Ethel Merman and “They Live” Director John Carpenter.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/15

On this date in 1558, 25 Year Old Elizabeth Tudor is crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey in London, anointed by the Bishop of Carlisle. On this date in 1889, the Pemberton Medicine Company was founded. The company became very wealthy selling a medicinal beverage that was laced with Cocaine. Now the company is called Coca-Cola. 1919, 21 people are killed in the Boston Molasses Disaster.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/14

On this date in 1847, the Mexican War in Alta California came to an informal end with the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga, which sent the rebellious “Californios” back to their ranchos and property after giving up armed insurrection, and, not incidentally, their collection of Artillery. And you thought it was just an offramp. 1968, Johnny Cash plays Folsom Prison. “...shot a man in Reno...”

almanac of Absurdities 1/13

On this day in 1129 AD, The Council of Troyes gives the Church's Full Approval to the “Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon,” better known to conspiracy theorists as The Knights Templar. On this date in 1967, at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, the “Human Be-In” seen by some as the early winter start of the Summer of Love. So cold in the city, sometimes you can't tell.

almanac of Absurdities 1/13

The Aeronautical Society of Great Britan, (Later the Royal Aeronautical Society) was founded on this day in 1866. They presented a great exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London the following year. Not much of it, apparently, was related to Aeronautics. They did give a Gold Medal to Orville & Wilbur Wright in 1909. Didn't seem to have much to do before that. In 1967, Dr. James Beford became the first person to be Cryogenically Preserved at death for intended ressurection. He's still waiting.

almanac of Absurdities 1/1

On this date in 630 AD, the Prophet Mohammed leads an army of 10 thousand Muslims to conquer Mecca. On this date in 1879, the terrible Anglo/Zulu war begins. Lots of firsts: in 1879, the very first lottery held on this date. 1878 Milk first delivered in bottles, 1922 first use of Insulin to treat human diabetes, and on 1927, Louis B. Mayer announces his idea of a Motion Picture “Academy.”

almanac of Absurdities 1/10

On this date in 49 BC, General Julius Caesar violated a serious Roman Republic Law, bringing his army into Rome's Central territory, a capital offense, and one that inevitably led to the Civil War that brought about the empire. Caesar and his troops Crossed the Rubicon river, and “crossing the Rubicon” remains in our language today. It's Paul Henried's Birthday, he was Victor Laslo, also Donald Fagen of Steely Dan.

almanac of Absurdities 1/9

On this date in 1857, the Fort Tejon, California, Earthquake takes place. The earthquake was estimated at a massive 7.9 on the Richter Scale, Comparable to the great San Francisco Earthquake. The temblor, centered near the Fort on now what is known as the Grapevine, causes the roof of the Mission in Ventura to collapse, and is felt as far away as Las Vegas. Only two people were killed. It's Bob Denver's Birthday, better known as Gilligan, but best as Maynard G Krebs.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/8

Battle Day Saturday: 871 AD Alfred the Great's Saxons repel the invading vikings. 1814, Andrew Jackson wins a decisive victory against the British in New Orleans. Trouble was, the war was already over. The Treaty of Ghent had been signed just before Christmas. Ships carrying this news were still weeks away from the American continent. . 1877, Chief Crazy Horse takes on the Cavalry at Wolf Mountain in Montana.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/7

On this date in 1904, the Marconi Company announces that the international telegraph distress call will henceforth be the Morse Code for “C-Q-D.” C-Q being the standard call for contact, and adding “D” for distress. Two years later, it's scrapped for the more familiar S-O-S. It's California Dried Plum Digestive Month, and its the end of Diet Resolution Week. Birthdays: Millard Fillmore, Katie Couric and Dustin Diamond who played “Screech” on Saved By The Bell.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/6

On this date in 1540, King Henry VIII, recently a widower after the death of Jane Seymour, marries Anne of Cleves. It's not a great successful marriage, but the good news is she survives it, unlike most of the others. In 1907, Maria Montessori starts a day care center in Rome for children of the working class. Birthdays: Joan of Arc, John Delorean, Author E.L. Doctorow, Rowan Atkinson,

Almanac of Absurdities 1/4

On this date in 1642, Charles the First of England sends troops to arrest members of parliament, and sets the stage for civil war and his own beheading. Spirit One lands on the planet Mars on this day in 2004, and although it's designed to run for a few weeks, it carries out research on the planet until January 26, 2010. It's been silent since then, but scientists are still trying to restore contact. Sir Isaac Newton's Birthday.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/3

On this date in 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther. On this date in 1962, Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro. It's J.R.R. Tolkein's Birthday, also Maxine Andrews of the Andrews Sisters, Composer and musician Van Dyke Parks and Abbey Road Legend Sir George Martin is 75 Years Old today. You say it's your birthday....

Almanac of Absurdities 1/2

On this date in 1860, at the Academie Des Sciences in Paris, Astronomer Le Verrier announces his findings that eccentricities in the orbit of Mercury indicate another planet must be in the vicinity. He names this theoretical planet “Vulcan.” Einstein proves him wrong later. On this date in1974, President Richard Nixon signs a law lowering the national speed limit to 55 in order to reduce the consumption of energy. Isaac Asimov's Birthday.

Almanac of Absurdities 1/1

Lots today! 1788, first publication, Times of London; 1863, Emancipation Proclamation takes effect, 1890, first Rose Parade in Pasadena, 1939, William Hewlett and David Packard start a company, “Bill&Dave's”, well not really. 1954 first NTSC Coast to Coast Color television broadcast on NBC—The Rose Parade. Birthdays: The Internet, Frank Langella, J. Edgar Hoover.