History Schmistory: May 6. Peter Minuit buys Manhattan
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
1626: Peter Minuit, a Dutch settler, buys Manhatten island. Donald Trumps calls it a “classy deal,” but still fires him.
photo: technorati.com
History Schmistory: May 5. Kublai Elected Khan
Monday, May 5, 2025
1260. Grandson of the infamous Genghis Khan, Kublai was also a man of military skill. He conquered China and established the Mongol dynasty, unifying the nation for the first time since the T’ang regime. Though a nomadic warrior, he became an emperor in the Chinese tradition and earned the respect of the Chinese as well as the Mongols. Marco Polo claims to have met him in 1274.
History Schmistory: May 4. Napoleon Begins Palindrome
Sunday, May 4, 2025
1814: Napoleon begins his exile on Elba, setting off one of the most powerful palindromes known to man: Able was I, ere I saw Elba.
History Schmistory: May 3. Niccolo Machiavelli born.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
1469. Writer of The Prince, the political treatise that posited that the ends justify the means. Very unpopular guy in pre-school.
History Schmistory: May 2. DaVinci Dies.
Friday, May 2, 2025
1519. Leonardo DaVinci dies at Close Luce, Amboise, France. His painting The Mona Lisa is among his possessions. Since he died in France, the painting eventually makes its way to a small museum in Paris, where it is never heard from again….
History Schmistory: April 30. Richard captures Edward V
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Richard, Duke of Gloucester takes poor 12 year old Edward V to the Tower of London before he has the chance to be crowned King of England. Edward and his brother are never heard from again, and become the source of many legends. How bad do things get in the Tower of London? Check it out:
Ludicrous Latin: Anulos qui animum ostendunt omnes gestemus!
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Let’s all wear mood rings!
History Schmistory: April 29. Joan Jets!
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
1429: The Siege of Orleans is lifted thanks partly to Joan of Arc. She was all “Dudes, lift the seige!” and they were all “Yo, Joan, we don’t wanna lift the seige,” and she was all, “if you don’t, I’m gonna get mad,” so they were all “Man, you got us, Joan, we’ll lift the seige…”
