History Schmistory: December 6. We’re number one!

1884: The Washington Monument in Washington D.C. is completed. Today it remains the tallest stone structure ever built, as well as the tallest obelisk. It took over 36 years to complete, and 106 years to crack in a Virginia earthquake. Uncle Sam denies any symbolism in the damaged symbol.

By Diliff (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Diliff (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

History Schmistory: December 5. In a cavern, in a canyon…

1848: US President James K. Polk confirms that boat loads of gold have been discovered in California, leading to it’s ridiculous population surge in 1849. The miners who moved in by the thousands quickly become known as the 49ers, and they went on to win 5 Super Bowl titles and currently have the leagues most stifling rush defense… …wait…

By Molly Hayden, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs (See 4th image on slideshow) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Molly Hayden, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs (See 4th image on slideshow) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

History Schmistory: December 4. The Actual First Thanksgiving.

History Schmistory: December 3. Keep your pants on!

1927: Putting Pants on Philip, the first Laurel and Hardy film, is released. If you don’t know them, get on it. Here’s a good start!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_and_Hardy#/media/File:The_Flying_Deuces_(1939)_1.jpg

By film screenshot (RKO) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

History Schmistory: December 2. Hubble Trouble.

1993: NASA launches the Space Shuttle Endeavor on a mission to repair the damaged Hubble Space Telescope, and, of course, terminate the culprits…

By NASA/Kim Shiflett [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By NASA/Kim Shiflett [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

History Schmistory, March 30: Hank wants a new toy!

1533 – Henry VIII divorces his 1st wife, Catherine of Aragon, which leads to the creation of the Anglican church, lots of bloody history over the next hundred years, and several good Shakespeare plays.
Hank

History Schmistory: January 31. Off with his head!

1606: London, England. The infamous Guy Fawkes is executed for his attempt to blow up parliament and King James I in ‘The Gunpowder Plot.’

 

The execution of Guy Fawkes' By Claes (Nicolaes) Jansz Visscher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

‘The execution of Guy Fawkes’
By Claes (Nicolaes) Jansz Visscher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Fun fact: The Brit’s mark the anniversary of the Gunpowder plot annually on November 5th with fireworks and bonfires…who say’s you can’t turn an assassination attempt into a party?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culture Buzz: Shadows of their former selves…

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Wayang_%28shadow_puppets%29_from_central_Java%2C_a_scene_from_%27Irawan%27s_Wedding%27.jpg

These aren’t your mamma’s shadow puppets! Unless your mamma is a Javanese puppet master. The incredibly detailed puppets of Wayang Kulit, the ancient Indonesian brand of shadow theater, continue to enchant audiences to this day, bringing to life the magical stories of Hindu-Javanese folklore on a simple backlit cotton screen. Kulit means skin, and refers to the buffalo leather construction of the puppets that are painstakingly chiseled with very fine tools and supported with carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods.
Got a sheet, a bright light and a buffalo? Then, by all means, TRY THIS AT HOME!
-Maybe use construction paper though 🙂

History Schmistory: January 30. Hi-yo, Silver!

January 30, 1933. Lone Ranger radio show debuts!

Howdy partner!

Howdy partner!

Full Video Schmistory: January 29!

What do Kansas, Mercedes Benz, Edgar Allan Poe and mad King George III all have in common? January 29th, silly!

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