Almanac of Absurdities for 10/31

Harry Houdini (Born Erich Weiss) died on this day in 1926 of Gangrene and Peritonitis resulting from a burst appendix. He had been the worlds greatest escape artist, a magician, early filmmaker and a daring pioneer aviator. He was 52. Birthdays for Dale Evans, David Ogden Stiers, Jane Pauley and Kinky Friedman. And, needless to say, it's Halloween.

Almanac of Absurdities 10/30

H.G. Wells' “War of the Worlds” broadcast took place on this date in the year 1938. General panic is alleged, but historians differ on how many people really fell for it. On this date in 1945, Branch Rickey and Happy Chandler spring their conspiracy and announce the signing of Jackie Robinson, the first african-american professional major league baseball player, to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Birthdays: Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane, Cash Cab's Ben Bailey.

Almanac of Absurdities for 10/29/10

On this date in 1618, Writer, Adventurer, Explorer and Courtier Sir Walter Ralegh (yes, I spelled it right) gets “Alleged Conspirator” and “Corpse” added to his list of accomplishments when he is beheaded on accusations that he plotted against James I. Black Tuesday Stock Market Crash on this day in 1929. Animator Ralph Bakshi's Birthday.

Almanac of Absurdities 10/28

On this date in 1628, the Seige of La Rochelle ends with the surrender of the Hugenots. In 1919, the US Congress passes the Volsted Act, beginning Prohibition a few weeks later. Didn't turn out to be a very good idea, but many people seemed to have missed that lesson. Birthdays include Jonas Salk, Bill Gates and Wayne Fontana of the Mindbenders. National Chocolates Day.

Almanac of Absurdities for 10/27

October 27 is Navy Day, and it falls in the middle of International Magic Week, and National Massage Therapy Week. Big day for starting cities: Amsterdam was founded on this day in 1275 and Philadelphia on this day in 1682. The New York Subway opened on this day in 1904. Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday, as well as that of John Cleese.

Almanac of Absurdities 10/26/10

Today in 1881, Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil Earp, joined by Cardsharp, Gunslinger and sometime Dentist John Henry “Doc” Holliday Faced off with Ike Clanton and “The Cowboys” at the OK Corral in Tombstone Arizona, part of what came to be known as the Cochise County War. Birthdays: C.W. “Charlie” Post, of the Post Cereal Empire, Pat Sajak, Bootsy Collins, Cary Elwes.

Almanac of Absurdities 10/25

On this date in 1415, The Battle of Agincourt....Henry V's vastly outnumbered army defeats France: “Gentlemen in England now a-bed; Shall think themselves accursed they were not here; And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks; That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day." Birthdays: Billy Barty, Jon Anderson of “Yes.”