On this day in 1099, the Siege of Jerusalem begins during the First Crusade.
***
On this day in 1892, “colored” passenger Homer Plessy is arrested for refusing to leave his seat in the "whites-only" car of a train. He would lose the resulting court case, Plessy v. Ferguson.
***
On this day in 1893, the Mahatma, Mohandas Gandhi, begins his first act of civil disobedience. I think it involves collecting salt or some such thing.
***
On this day in 1929, with the ratification of the Lateran Treaty, the Vatican becomes its own independent nation.
***
On this day in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower becomes the first President ever to appear on color television.
***
On this day in the year 1965, Sony introduces the first video cassette recorder - the peer-to-peer file-swapping scandal of its day - priced at a whopping $995. Sales are almost non-existent until the late 70's, when millions of North American men suddenly realize that this miraculous new device allows them to masturbate while watching complete strangers fuck, all in the comfort of their own living room! Technology… HUZZAH!!!
***
In a decision that has a direct influence on yer old pal Jerky’s ability to report on the item directly above this one, the United States Supreme Court overturns the conviction of Paul Cohen for disturbing the peace, setting the precedent that vulgar writing is protected under the First Amendment… thank Fuck!
***
On this day in 1981, the Israeli Air Force destroys Iraq's Osiraq nuclear reactor during Operation Opera. For those of you still wondering why Saddam Hussein shot SCUD missiles towards Israel during the first Gulf War, wonder no more.
***
On this day in 1982, Priscilla Presley opens Graceland to the public. Sadly, the bathroom where Elvis died five years earlier is kept off-limits.
***
On this day in 1998, a mentally retarded man named James Byrd, Jr. is killed when white supremacists drag him behind a pickup truck along an asphalt road until he comes apart at the seams.
***
On this day in 2006, an alleged Al Qaeda leader in Iraq named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi – they say he was directly responsible for beheading American hostages Nick Berg and Eugene Armstrong – is himself killed in an air-strike... although there are certain discrepancies and doubts.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment