Historical Fun

On This Day, October 29th, in 1960, Jack Reacher was born.   And don't you friggin forget it. Celebrate. NOW.   #OnThisDay in 1960, Jack Reacher crowbarred his way out of his mother and kicked ten sorts of crap out of everyone.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY FACTS -- 26th OCTOBER   On the 26th of October, 1775, King George III of Great Britain , the nutso-crazy-bonkers king, went before the British Parliament and declared the American colonies in rebellion, authorizing a military response to destroy the American Revolution.   Not if being crazy, nutso, bonkers and declaring war on the Colony were connected, but it's possible.   On the 26th of October, 1776, Benjamin Franklin left for a nice holiday in France. Not, of course, to try and get French support for the American Revolution. He just liked croissants and frogs legs. Also, the wine. Oh, boy, did he like the wine.   On the 26th of October, 1881, in a little place called Tombstone in Arizona , the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral raged, killing three ducks and a turkey.   On the 26th of October, 1999, Britain's House of Lords voted to end the right of hereditary peers to vote in Parliament. It was around the same ti...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 25th OCTOBER   On the 25th October, 1154,  King Stephen of England (yes, there was a King of England called Stephen, I didn't make that up), also known as Stephen of Blois, died of My-Belly-Hurts-Why-Did-I-Eat-That-Spicy-Curry.   He was the grandson of William the Conqueror and sister to Matilda, who he fought a civil war with during his reign for control of England. It was, however, far from civil, as Matilda kept calling Stephen names and even slapped him round the face with a wet kipper.   On the 25th October, 1154, Henry II became King of England after the death of King Stephen. No matter how many times I write King Stephen, it just doesn't seem right. But there really was a King of England called Stephen.   Anyways, Henry II was the son of Matilda, would-be Queen of England, and proclaimed herself as Queen of England, even though she wasn't, but actually was, during the turmoil of her brot...