Almanac of Absurdities for 9/7

A day of considerable significance for those of us who do Renaissance Faires: On this day in 1533, Little Elizabeth Tudor was born to King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn. The joy of the event was somewhat muted, as the couple were hoping for a boy. Having been born on that day, Elizabeth was, astrologically speaking, born under the sign of Virgo. Yup. Keith Moon died on this day in 1978.

Almanac of Absurdities for 9/6

On this date in 1939, the Royal Air Force got into its first air battle of the Second World War. Unfortunately they had the epic battle without bothering to find any enemy aircraft and accidentally shot down two of their own. It's Labor Day, of course, Jane Curtin's Birthday, And Television Producer Quinn Martin died on this day in 1987.

Almanac of Absurdities for 9/5/10

On this day in 1661, King Louis XIV’s crooked Financial Minister Nicolas Fouquet was arrested by none other than the head of the King’s Musketeers, a fellow known as D’Artagnan. Walt Disney releases his first cartoon, “Trolley Troubles” starring Oswald The Rabbit, distributed by Universal. Later, Oswald was stolen by Universal, so Disney came up with Mickey Mouse instead.

Almanac of Absurdities for September 4, 2010

On this day in 1781, 44 Spanish Settlers marked the founding of The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncola, but half of them left in the 7th Inning. They later shortened the name of the village to “Los Angeles”. Appropriately enough, the Ford Motor Company introduced it’s revolutionary new Auto Line “Edsel” on this day in 1957. Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, died on this day in 1588.

Almanac of Absurdities for 9/3/2010

On this day in 1189, Henry II’s Bloodthirsty son Richard (The Lionheart) was crowned king of England. Mostly he was famous for being gone, which caused problems at home. The Great Fire of London was ravaging the city on this day in 1666. King Charles II joined ordinary citizens on bucket brigades fighting the flames. Why aren’t there more movies about King Charles? He dressed nice, too.

Almanac of Absurdities for 9/2/10

Just letting you know that you are quietly celebrating National Piano Month as you read this, as well as coolly dismissing National Enthusiasm Week. WWII Vets will remember with a sigh of relief that this is VJ Day. It’s Victor Spinetti’s birthday, (if you know who he is, extra points) and Keanu Reeve’s birthday …whoah.

Almanac of Absurdities for 9/1/2010

Le Voyage dans la lune, (A Trip to the Moon) a 14 minute long silent film by Georges & Gaston Melies is released in Paris on this day in 1902. It is the first Science Fiction movie. French Speaking, fin de siecle protogeeks, wearing black, camp out at the box office, smoking clove cigarettes and drinking Absinthe. Actually I made that part up. Its birthdays for Edgar Rice Burroughs and Lily Tomlin.