History Schmistory: July 28. This spud’s for you.
Monday, July 28, 2025
1586: The Potato is introduced into Britain from America. It quickly adopts a flawless British accent.
‘How do you do?”
History Schmistory: July 27. Lend me your ears…..
Sunday, July 27, 2025
1890: Vincent van Gogh shoots himself; he dies two days later. Insert ear joke here.
!['Self Portrait' Vincent van Gogh [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/489px-VanGogh-self-portrait-with_bandaged_ear.jpg)
‘Self Portrait’
Vincent van Gogh [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory: July 26. Mi Vidi Vi!
Saturday, July 26, 2025
1887: Unua Libro  is published, detailing the language of Esperanto, Now spoken in over 100 countries. Who knew? …I sure didn’t.
![By skanita en privata biblioteko de P.FiÅo (Wikipedia/eo) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/402px-Fundamento_de_esperanto_edistudio.jpg)
By skanita en privata biblioteko de P.FiÅo (Wikipedia/eo) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Fun Fact: Esperanto was the brain child of Dr. Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof and was designed as a ‘universal language’ that would help foster global connections and communication. Unfortunately it was not the success Zamenhof had hoped. Today only 10,000, in the whole world, speak it fluently. Commiseration’s Dr. Z
History Schmistory: July 25. First in Flight.
Friday, July 25, 2025
1909: First flight across the English Channel, by Louis Bleriot. He got halfway there once before, but decided he couldn’t make it and flew back.
![How you doin'? Louis Bleriot, See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Louis_Bleriot.jpg)
How you doin’?
Louis Bleriot, See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory: July 24. King Gaga.
Thursday, July 24, 2025
1567: A one year old boy becomes King James VI of Scotland when his mother, Mary Queen of Scots, abdicates. He shares a round of milk with his subjects.
‘James VI as a young boy’,
King James I of England and VI of Scotland by Arnold van Brounckhorst.jpg, Public Domain
Fun fact: Once he was all grown up James ruled both England and Scotland from 1603- 1625….. he was also fascinated by witches and the Daemonologie in 1599. Each to their own I guess!
History Schmistory: July 23. Speak now or forever hold your tongue.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
History Schmistory: July 22. Vrrrroooooooommmm-put-put… -put.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
1894: The first motorcar race is held in France. Local horses start a betting racket.
History Schmistory: July 21. Rough days ahead…
Monday, July 21, 2025
1542: The Roman Inquisition is established. Hold on to your heads! (and fingers and toes…)
Pope Paul V, by Caravaggio, public domain
Fun Fact: The inquisition’s most famous defendant is probably Galileo Galilei (the telescope guy!) He was hauled before the inquisition in 1633 on charges that his scientific findings denied the existence of God. Despite protestations he was found guilty of heresy.
History Schmistory: July 20. Danger! Pun Crossing.
Sunday, July 20, 2025
1514: The rebellion of Hungarian peasants under George Dozsa is defeated at the Siege of Temesvar. They weren’t Hungary enough, I guess.
![Costumes of Peasants from Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany, from 'Esquisses de la Vie Populaire en Hongroie' by Gabriel de Pronay, 1855 (colour litho); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France [public domain]](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Costumes_of_Peasants_from_Romania_Hungary_Slovakia_and_Germany.jpg)
Costumes of Peasants from Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany, from ‘Esquisses de la Vie Populaire en Hongroie’ by Gabriel de Pronay, 1855 (colour litho); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France [public domain]
History Schmistory, July 20: Take Me Out To The Ball Game!
Sunday, July 20, 2025
1858Â –Â The first ever fee was charged to see a baseball game at the steep price of 50 cents per person. Sure had to break the piggy bank for Babe!
![Gotta' pay those nickels to see them knuckles! 'Babe Ruth in 1921,' [public domain]](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Ruth1921.jpg)
Gotta’ pay those nickels to see them knuckles!
‘Babe Ruth in 1921,’ [public domain]
