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.