History Schmistory: April 5. Harvard weeps.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
1649. Elihu Yale, the English philanthropist for whom Yale University is named, was born in Boston. Dave Harvard, in the next crib, is immediately jealous.
Team Marco Polo Presents: History Schmistory
History Schmistory, April 5: Bring Me Back Some Scones!
Saturday, April 5, 2025
1621Â –Â Mayflower sails from Plymouth on a return trip to England.
History Schmistory, April 3: The Crown? Your Face!
Thursday, April 3, 2025
1657Â –Â English Lord Protector Cromwell refuses crown.
History Schmistory, April 2: France Rules (the papacy)!
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
999–Gerbert of Aurillac elected as 1st French Pope.
Are You For Real?
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Spaghetti doesn’t grow on trees! Or does it?
In honor of April Fool’s Day, we’re throwing it back to one of the most famous gags in history. Back in 1957, BBC pranked its viewers with a faux news story featuring the discovery of a seemingly improbable crop of noodles sprouting from trees in Switzerland.
Take a look!
History Schmistory, March 29: Beethoven Rolls Over!
Saturday, March 29, 2025
1795 – Beethoven (age 24) debuts as pianist in Vienna.
History Schmistory, March 28: Mona Winks!
Friday, March 28, 2025
1794 – The Louvre Museum in Paris opens to the public.
History Schmistory, March 27: Diss in Venice
Thursday, March 27, 2025
1309 – Pope Clement V excommunicates Venice and all its population.
History Schmistory, March 26: What do you think of our government, baby?
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
1871 – Paris Commune, often said to be the first example of working people taking power, is founded.The commune ended after just two months. Great veggie meals and ultimate frisbee, but, unfortunately, no one wanted to do the dishes or clean the bathrooms.
History Schmistory, March 25: A lotta good that King’s Ransom did us.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1199 – Richard I (Lionheart) is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. Richard was kidnapped in Austria on his way back from the Crusades, held in Castle Durnstein, and was exchanged for a “King’s Ransom” raised by his resourceful and intrepid mother, Eleanor of Acquitaine.
