On This Day in History

[Brother Mythos]

"December 9, 1967 - Rock God Jim Morrison was arrested on stage."                                                                                                                                                       

This infamous incident happened during a concert at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut. Backstage, prior to Jim's arrest, the arresting officer had sprayed him with mace. (Ask anyone who has ever been sprayed with mace, and they'll tell you that, among other things, it puts you in a foul mood.) And, while this was not Jim's most notorious arrest, it was a harbinger of things to come.

Here's a link:      Rock God Arrested on Stage

[Brother Mythos]

On December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party was thrown by the Sons of Liberty

At this particular party, those rowdy, party animal Sons of Liberty, some having culturally appropriated the then in style fashion of Native Americans, intentionally misbehaved and threw an entire shipment of the British East India Company's tea into Boston Harbor.

In spite of the tea actually being corporate property, the British government overreacted, and labeled the party's festivities an act of treason. Ultimately, that did not turn out well for them. So, karma.

Note: The Boston Tea Party should in no way, shape, or form be confused with the much later "Tea Party movement" astroturfed by the Koch brothers.

[Brother Mythos]

December 17, 1903 - The Wright brothers successfully flew the world's first heavier-than-air aircraft.

The Wright Flyer, now on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C., may be fragile and primitive by today's standards, but I believe it possesses a simple elegance. And, despite numerous counterclaims that they were not the first, the Wright brothers' research, development, construction, and first successful flight of their aircraft is well documented.

[Brother Mythos]

December 18, 2019 - TFG Was Impeached for the First Time

TFG became only the third U.S. president to ever be impeached, when the House of Representatives charged him with both abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Good times!

Oh, and in case anyone has forgotten, this particular impeachment was about soliciting foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election. I know, TFG has been involved in so many scandals, it's hard to keep track of them all.

[Brother Mythos]

December 20, 1860 - South Carolina became the first state to secede from the United States of America

There are still those who argue the secession was all about "States Rights." But, South Carolina's formal "Confederate States of America - Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union," issued a few days later, spelled out the real reason.

[Brother Mythos]

December 23, 1947 - The transistor was demonstrated at Bell Laboratories

Some have called the transistor the most important invention of the 20th century, as it came to replace the bulky, fragile, failure prone vacuum tubes then in use. And, after allowing the development of compact, reliable computers, and the internet, it eventually gave us smartphone and internet addiction.

And, I learned a new word today: nomophobia - A colloquial for smartphone addiction. Now, that's what I call progress in the 21st century!

[Brother Mythos]

December 26, 1946 - Bugsy Siegel Opened The Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

This organized crime milestone marked the beginning of a major source of revenue, as well as fame and fortune for a number of mobsters. Then, it led to mob hits, indictments, arrests, trials, convictions, and witness protection for key evidence providers.

The gangster movie genre already existed prior to the opening of The Flamingo. But, organized crime moving into big time, legal casino ownership provided the entertainment industry with a wealth of new source material.

[Brother Mythos]

December 31, 1973 - AC/DC Played Their First Official Gig

The now legendary band played their first (I assume "official" actually means "paid") gig at the Chequers nightclub in Sydney, Australia. And, I suspect it was a memorable New Year's Eve for all in attendance!

Brother Rock Gods Malcolm and Angus Young came up with the idea for the band's name after their sister Margaret pointed out the symbol "AC/DC" on the AC adapter of her sewing machine. (Non-technical people may not know that AC/DC is an abbreviation for alternating current/direct current electricity.) Anyway, the brothers felt the name symbolized the band's raw energy, and the power-driven performances of their music. I can not in any way disagree!

[Pergamos]

December 31, 1973 - AC/DC Played Their First Official Gig

The now legendary band played their first (I assume "official" actually means "paid") gig at the Chequers nightclub in Sydney, Australia. And, I suspect it was a memorable New Year's Eve for all in attendance!

Brother Rock Gods Malcolm and Angus Young came up with the idea for the band's name after their sister Margaret pointed out the symbol "AC/DC" on the AC adapter of her sewing machine. (Non-technical people may not know that AC/DC is an abbreviation for alternating current/direct current electricity.) Anyway, the brothers felt the name symbolized the band's raw energy, and the power-driven performances of their music. I can not in any way disagree!

I remember reading that the lead singer was unaware when he chose the name that it was used to mean bisexuality, but amused when he found out.

[Brother Mythos]

I remember reading that the lead singer was unaware when he chose the name that it was used to mean bisexuality, but amused when he found out.

Yes, I remember hearing that story too! I think it was in a documentary I watched about their early days.

[Brother Mythos]

January 5, 2005 - Dwarf Planet Eris Was Discovered

However, it wasn't until September 13th of the following year that this distant heavenly body was honored with the name of our Blessed Goddess Eris.

Hail Eris!

[Brother Mythos]

January 6, 2021 - A failed coup d'état was attempted by TFG

I don't know how history will eventually name this day. I'm in favor of calling it "Failed Coup d'état Day," because I believe TFG should always, and only be remembered for his many crimes and failures.

"Insurrection Day" is my second choice.

If this forum were more active, I would add some more possible choices, and then create a poll. But, ... <shrug>.

[Brother Mythos]

January 9, 1903 - New York Yankees' Birthday

Rising like a phoenix from the cold, dead, lifeless ashes of a defunct Baltimore franchise, the New York Yankees were reborn in, of course, New York, New York as the Highlanders. Ten years later the team renamed itself the New York Yankees. The rest is history.

During their long, legendary, near mythical existence, the "Bronx Bombers" have so far won 27 World Championships, and became the winningest, most successful, most admired, and most beloved sports franchise on the face of the Earth.

[Brother Mythos]

January 13, 2021 - TFG Was Impeached for the Second Time

TFG became the very first U.S. president to ever be impeached for a second time, when the House of Representatives charged him with a single article of impeachment, for "incitement of insurrection" against the U.S. government and "lawless action at the Capitol."

This second impeachment was for, of course, his treasonous actions on Failed Coup d'état Day.

[Brother Mythos]

January 16, 1919 - The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution Was Ratified

The Eighteenth Amendment declared the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors illegal. It did not, however, outlaw the actual consumption of alcohol.

I suspect organized crime bosses celebrated the ratification of this amendment.