PARACULTURAL CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER 12

On this day in 1492, Christopher Columbus's expedition makes landfall in the Caribbean, specifically in The Bahamas. The explorer believes he has reached India.

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On this day in 1692, the Salem witch trials are ended by a letter from Massachusetts Governor William Phips.

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Ever wondered about the origins of Oktoberfest? You know, that German beer-and-sausage festival featuring little fat guys in suspenders and short pants line-dancing to the dulcet tones of a glockenspiel? Well, it turns out the whole thing started on this day in 1810, when Bavaria's Prince Louis married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The Bavarian royalty invited the citizens of Munich to attend the festivities, held on the fields in front of the city gates. On a whim, the royals decided to invite the good people of Munich to come and participate in the wedding day festivities. It was such a smashing success, and so fondly remembered by all who attended, that one year later they decided to celebrate. And so it went, from year to year, perpetuating itself until the present day. Pretty fuckin' lame, huh? Seeing as it involves Germans, yer old pal Jerky figured the original Oktoberfest would have had something to do with blood sacrifices in sacred pine groves, or maybe - on a less Pagan note - the burning of witches or something. But nooo...

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On this day in 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance is first recited by students in many US public schools, as part of a celebration marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus's voyage.

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On this day in 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt officially renames the "Executive Mansion" to the White House.

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On this day in 1918, a massive forest fire kills 453 people in Minnesota.

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On this day in 1960, Nikita Khrushchev pounds his shoe on a desk at United Nations General Assembly meeting to protest a Philippine assertion of Soviet Union colonial policy being conducted in Eastern Europe

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On this day in 1960, television viewers in Japan unexpectedly witness the assassination of Inejiro Asanuma, leader of the Japan Socialist Party, when he is stabbed and killed during a live broadcast.

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On this day in 1997, 43 are killed at a fake roadblock during the Sidi Daoud massacre in Algeria.

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On this day in 2000, the USS Cole is badly damaged in Aden, Yemen, by two suicide bombers, killing 17 crew members and wounding at least 39.

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On this day in 2002, terrorists detonate bombs in the Sari Club in Kuta, Bali, killing 202 and wounding over 300.