Almanac of Absurdities 12/30

On this date in 1924, in Los Angeles, Astronomer Edward Hubble for the first time, publicly details observations that prove the existence of galaxies beyond our own, and radically enlarges the human perception of the universe. California’s First Freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway opens this date in 1940. The first NTSC Color TV, an RCA, goes on sale this date in 1954 at about $1175.00 each, just in time for the Rose Parade.

Almanac of Absurdities 12/29

1170 AD, Following possibly misunderstood orders from Henry II, armed men attack and assassinate Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket. In 1966, at Abbey Road Studios in London, The Beatles begin the session that will yield “Penny Lane.” In 2003, Marja Sergina, an elderly resident of the Russian Kola Peninsula dies, and with her, dies the Akkala Sami language of the region, as she was its last speaker.

Almanac of Absurdities 12/28

Lots of beginnings today: Westminster Abbey consecrated on this day, 1065 AD. On this date in 1895, the Lumiere Brothers perform Boulevard Des Capucines in Paris, marking the first projection of moving pictures for a paying audience, and thus the birth of the Cinema. also the state of Iowa’s birthday, and the first day for San Francisco Streetcars in 1912. It’s Stan Lee’s Birthday.

Almanac of Absurdities 12/27

The odd-sounding “Flushing Remonstrance” is delivered to Colony Leader Peter Stuyvesant on this date in 1657, asking for exemptions to a general ban on pursuit of the Quaker faith in the colony of New Netherland. This becomes a precedent for the Separation of Church and State in the US Constitution. Birthdays: Louis Pasteur and Elvis’s guitarist Scotty Moore.

Almanac of Absurdities 12/26

On this day in 1982, Time Magazine makes “The Personal Computer” its first Non Human Man of the Year. No mention of this is made on Facebook or Twitter, as neither, yet, exist. Birthdays: Carol Spinney who has, for years, played “Big Bird” on Sesame Street, Convicted Producer Phil Spector and Lars Ulrich of Metallica.

Almanac of Absurdities 12/24

On this date in 1826, the so-called “Eggnog Riots” take place at West Point, after cadets smuggle whiskey into the academy. The all- night drunken disturbance eventually involves a third of the academy cadets resulting in 70 criminal implications and 19 Courtmartials. Cadet Jefferson Davis is named as “involved.” They must have smuggled in a lot. Christmas Eve, of course.

Almanac of Absurdities 12/23

On this date in 1968, 82 Sailors from the USS Pueblo are released from imprisonment in North Korea. In 1986, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yaeger land the “Voyager” at Edwards AFB, the first aircraft to fly around the world without aerial or ground refueling. Birthdays include Ron Bushy, drummer for Iron Butterfly, and former Playboy Model Holly Madison.