Leif Ericson — or, more properly, Leifr Eiríksson (Old Norse version) — and his crew landed in Vinland in the year 1000. Supposedly, that happened on October 9, but I always have to wonder how historians manage to pin down a date like that so precisely, when even the location of Vinland, or even if […]
Vikings in Canada — 1013 years ago today. Read More »
Cats, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater in New York City, 1982. Thirty-one years ago today. Wow. I was fortunate enough to see Cats at the Sydney Opera House a year or so later. It ran at the Opera House for over a year. (Of course, I
CATS is Thirty-One Today. Read More »
The internationally adored “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz had its debut today, in 1950. It ran until 2000 (wow!) and now is syndicated and re-runs the world-over. I can’t put any “Peanuts” images here with the post as the copyright is strongly upheld, which is a pity, because there is one strip in
Peanuts is 63 today. Read More »
Passenger trains are nearly two hundred years old. Today marks the 188 anniversary of the first passenger train in operation, in England, in 1825. Passenger trains, particularly the romantic steam train variety, have featured in much literature and the movies. I always think of the heroine stepping through a cloud of steam and appearing
Good question. The answer varies wildly depending on who you’re reading…or watching. Arthur has been depicted in hundreds of books and movies, TV and more and it seems that each variation has endowed a different enemy upon the hapless Arthur. The variety and shape of his enemies runs the gamut from himself, family in-fighting, magical
Who Were King Arthur’s Enemies? Read More »
The New York Times newspaper was first published and has been continuously in print since September 18, 1851. That’s 162 years…not too shabby for a newspaper, especially in this age of Internet news. The NYT is the third largest newspaper in the United States, and in its 162 year history it has won 112 Pulitzer
The Grey Lady Blows Out The Candles Read More »
For the longest time, medieval historical periods have been the favourite playground for romance writers – lords and ladies, knights, kings and queens and all the derring-do and darling, don’t, along with some really frightening civil wars led by slightly crazy to downright deranged princes and military advisors. It’s the stuff of…oh, yeah. Books. Personally,
Step Further Back Into Ancient History Read More »
Ninety-one years ago today, in 1922, the House of Bishops of the United States Protestant Episcopal Church voted 36-27 to delete the word ‘obey’ from the marriage service. It was a major change to the marriage vows. Interestingly, the Anglican church gave, and still gives, couples a choice over their wording and the woman’s choice
Marriage Modernization Read More »
Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. Today is L.A.’s 232nd birthday. It has been a possession of Spain and Mexico before being purchased by the United States. I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting the city, although I’ve spent long hours in the L.A. airport lounges, waiting
Happy Birthday, Los Angeles! Read More »
I have always wondered why the Secret Service was part of the U.S. Treasury Department — it did not compute logically for me. Now I know. The Secret Service Division was created 148 years ago, on July 5, 1865 in Washington, D.C., to suppress counterfeit currency. Chief William P. Wood was sworn in by Secretary
Happy Birthday, Secret Service Read More »