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.