Today in History…This Stuff Happened
959 – Best title ever? Edgar the Peaceable is named king of England. This period was marked by some interesting “nicknames”, Edgar was succeeded by Edward the Martyr, although there was some dispute as to whether Aethelred the Unready should take the thrown—surely the nickname did not help his cause! After Edmund’s death, Aethelred did indeed become king.
1814 – In the wake of Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna meets to redraw the map of Europe. This has always been one of my favorite periods in history—Metternich is highly underrated.
1869 – Austria becomes the first nation to issue postcards, presumably because they have such enviable scenery.
1890 – Congress creates Yosemite National Park and the Yellowstone National Park.
1891 – Happy Birthday, Cardinal! Stanford University opens.
1903 – The Boston Americans loose to the Pittsburgh Pirates in game 1 of the first World Series.
1910 – A large bomb destroys the Los Angeles Times building and kills 21 people.
1931 – The George Washington Bridge opens, traffic jam ensues.
1946 – Egg heads unite! Mensa International is founded.
1949 – Mao Zedong declares the creation of the communist state, People’s Republic of China.
1971 – Every kid’s dream and every parent’s nightmare: Walt Disney World opens.
1982 – EPCOT Center opens at Walt Disney World.
2009— David Letterman admits to sexual indiscretions with a few female staffers as the result of a blackmail plot.
