ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1030, the patron saint of Norway, King Olaf II, was killed in battle. He told one too many Ole and Lena joke and the troops just couldn't take it any more...

In 1492 that the very first almanac was printed and all things considered, it's in pretty good shape, although I should probably break down and buy a new one.

On this date in 1588, the English soundly defeated the Spanish Armada in the Battle of Gravelines. The battle began when the English asked "What's an Armada?" and the Spanish replied, "Nothing. What's an Armada with you?"

In 1858, the first commercial treaty between the U.S. and Japan was signed. Which was weird, since commercials hadn't been invented yet.

On this date in 1899 that the very first motorcycle race was held in Manhattan Beach, New York.
It would have been so much more exciting had there been two motorcycles.
It was also that day that they realized speed bumps do not make a good finish line.

In 1914, transcontinental telephone service began with the first phone call between New York and San Francisco. It was a short call, consisting of, "Hello?," "Hello?," "Yankees suck!" "Want the Giants?" Click. Click.

On this date in 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which created NASA. They wanted to call it the National Aeronautics and Space Headquarters for Outer Launches, but the acronym NAS-HOL didn't work.

On this date in 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. As soon as I get my time machine to work, that'll be among my first stops, so I could warn her.

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