Take a flying leap year, Caesar!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Did you know that Julius Caesar was the father of Leap Year? The early Romans had a 355 day calendar and to keep festivals occurring around the same season each year a 22 or 23 day month was created every second year. Julius Caesar decided to simplify things and added days to different months of the year to create the 365 day calendar, the actual calculation were made by Caesar’s astronomer, Sosigenes. Every fourth year following the 28th day of Februarius (February 29th) one day was to be added, making every fourth year a leap year.
History Schmistory: Fuggedaboutit!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
On this day in 1940, Race car driver Mario Andretti was born. The labor was really fast.
You’re fat. Tuesday.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Did you know the first Mardis Gras celebration in New Orleans happened on this day in 1827?
History Schmistory: February 23. The world looks mighty good to me.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
1896: The Tootsie Roll is invented, and gives rise to an unusual morphological phenomenon…
History Schmistory: February 22. “As bad as Moose Murders?”
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
1983: After 13 dismal previews, the notorious Broadway flop Moose Murders opens and closes on the same night at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. It is now basically the standard by which all horrible plays that find their way to the Broadway stage are compared, and it pretty much loses every time. NY critics were literally in competition to see who could write the most witheringly scornful review.
Here’s some highlights:
“…The only stage play I ever saw presented in stereo-odoriferous Smellovision.” -John Simon
“Those of us who have witnessed the play… will undoubtedly hold periodic reunions, in the noble tradition of survivors of the Titanic.” -Frank Rich
“…Would insult the intelligence of an audience consisting entirely of amoebas” -Brendan Gill
In fairness, we have never seen or read the play, but from the reviews it seems likely that Eugene O’Neill didn’t just roll in his grave, he’s been rotating on a spit ever since. Zing!
History Schmistory: February 21. “The new phone book’s here, the new phone book’s here!”
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
1878: The first telephone book is issued in New Haven, Connecticut. It was basically one cardboard page with a list of 50 businesses that could afford to have telephones. There was no number system yet, as every connection could be made by one operator at a switchboard. Over the next hundred years the phonebook took a giant step, partly by becoming just that; a giant step, perfect for reaching the cookie jar and other such unobtainables. Today it appears the phone book is doomed of extinction. Should we do away with phone books altogether? Who knows, maybe in another hundred years, they might be the only thing left to keep us warm. Let’s hope not.
-In the meantime here’s some other cool stuff you can do with them…
GO THERE! …or wait until it’s finished.
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Sanctuary of Truth is a temple in Pattaya, Thailand, visualized by Thai businessman Lek Viriyaphant in 1981. The sanctuary is an all-wood building filled with Visionary art carvings based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. A team of 250 carvers contribute to the project, which is technically not scheduled to be completed until 2025. But at this point we think it’s awesome enough to check out as is.
History Schmistory: February 20. Hofer heaven’s sake!
Monday, February 20, 2012
1810: Andreas Hofer, a humble Tirolean innkeeper turned patriot, who became the leader of a rebellion against Napoleon’s forces, is executed by firing squad under Napoleon’s order to “give him a fair trial, then shoot him.” Hofer refused a blindfold, passing money to the corporal with orders to “shoot straight”. In his final letter Hofer proclaimed; “Goodbye disappearing world! Dying is so easy that my eyes have no tears.” Today he is regarded as a national hero in Tirol and much of Austria and Germany. Even has a four star hotel named after him. As a former innkeeper, he probably would appreciate that.
Art Stop: Trucking Around the World
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Russian artist, Andrey Gordeev takes us on a unique journey with his series, Around the World in Twelve Months, where we see the world from the perspective of the indispensable truck driver. Stereotypes lovingly included 
History Schmistory: February 19. It’s people!!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
1847: The first group of rescuers reaches the Donner Party. Sadly, they arrived just after the main course.
