History Schmistory, March 19: Vienna goes into Haydn

Monday, March 19, 2012 by teammarcopolo

1799. Joseph Haydn’s “Die Schopfung,” premieres in Vienna. Great show. Joe gets his wig done for the premiere, and looks fabu.

History Schmistory, March 18: Start Your Engines!

Sunday, March 18, 2012 by teammarcopolo

1858. Rudolf Diesel, German engineer and Diesel motor inventor, is born. He wears cool clothes, but, turns down a part in “Fast and Furious.”

History Schmistory, March 16: Who’s Yer Daddy, Chris?

Friday, March 16, 2012 by teammarcopolo

Ferdinand Magellan, the "Weekend at Bernies" of Explorers

1521 Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reaches Philippines. Magellan had survived eighteen months at sea, but he was killed in battle in the Philippines. A local warrior persuaded Magellan to defeat his rival in battle. Most of Magellan’s men considered the battle both pointless and dangerous, so they refused to participate. Magellan was hit with a poison arrow in the battle and died. One of Magellan’s five ships did make it back to Spain, only twelve days less than three years after their journey started. Only one ship and eighteen sailors remained of the 265 men accompanied Magellan.