Historical Fun

Stranger News: A look at some of the weirder stories hitting the headlines.   Missing: A big pile of crap.   A town in Spain has had its giant poo stolen. The town of Torrelodones, just outside Madrid, Spain, is facing a bill for 2,400 euros (nearly $3,000) after its 3 metre high inflatable dog turd was stolen.   I'm sure you are wondering why Torrelodones has a giant inflatable dog turd? It was part of a campaign aimed at dog owners to pick up their canine's droppings.   The town councillor, Angel Guirao, spoke to ABC newspaper, saying, "Staff were perplexed and shocked by the theft."   Adding, "Don't worry, though, we have already ordered a replacement excrement, as we know that the campaign has been a great success."   Have you seen anyone carrying a giant dog crap around town?   Probably not. It seems the thief was smart enough to wait until the Doggie Doo-Doo was deflated and stuffed into a car...

HISTORICAL FACTS for NOVEMBER 5th On This Day In History in 1605, Guy Fawkes was arrested for the part he played in the infamous Gunpowder Plot.   Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.   In the early hours of the 5th of November, 1605, Guy Fawkes was discovered in the tunnels beneath the Houses of Parliament with dozens of barrels of gunpowder.   His plan was simple: Blow up Parliament and kill King James I of England.   Unknown to Guy Fawkes, the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament, and the tunnels beneath the buildings had been undergoing a rigorous search.   There had been a warning. A warning of a catastrophe and plot of such treason that was unrivalled in the entire history of England. Each room, each corridor, each nook and cranny were searched. Each stairwell and each tunnel were scoured. ...

Historical Fun Facts for November 4th On This Day in History, in 1501, Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon meet for the first time, before they are finally married.   Arthur Tudor was the Prince of Wales and also the eldest son of King Henry VII of England. As the eldest son of the King, he was also the heir apparent.   Plans for Arthur's marriage started at the age of three, because any self-respecting three-year-old needs a wife. It wasn't until he was eleven-years-old that he was formally betrothed. Although they waited until he was 15-years-old before he actually married.   And the lucky lady was Catherine of Aragon.   Wait a minute, that name sounds familiar. Wasn't she the wife of King Henry VIII?   Something icky is coming.   Which is what Arthur said to his new wife on their wedding night.   Soon after they were married, they moved into Ludlow Castle in Shropshire. Life was good for Arthur Tudor. Newly ma...

Lindsay Lohan replaced by Cheryl Fergison for Kettering's big Christmas lights switch-on   Kettering residents rejoice after Lindsay Lohan is replaced with Cheryl Fergison in their Christmas Lights switch-on.   Unconfirmed rumours have been circulating the last few days that Lindsay Lohan turned down Kettering Borough Council's offer to turn on their Christmas lights this year.   Instead, Cheryl Fergison, who played Heather Trott in Eastenders, will have the honour. As popular as Lindsay Lohan is around the world, Kettering residents have come out in favour of Cheryl Fergison turning on their lights instead. One Kettering local said: "So glad Cheryl Fergison is doing it, no one wanted Lindsay Lohan. Cheryl will do great." Another resident rejoiced: "This is great news, Cheryl Fergison to do the Christmas lights in Kettering. I love her. Can't wait to see her in the pantomime as well." Although @andy_from_sligo sa...

Historical Fun: History fun facts for November 3rd On This Day, 3rd of November, 1534, the English Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy.   The Act made Henry-Of-The-Many-Numbers (8 of them) the head of the Church of England. Prior to this, the Pope was head of the Church of England.   Basically, he was married to Catherine of Aragon, who couldn't produce a boy sprog, and, let's face it, was getting a bit old.   Henry, on his travels, discovered a pretty little innocent thing. He wanted to bump uglies with her. Bumpity bump them a lot. However, this pretty little innocent thing, let's call her Anne-I-Have-A-Plan-Boleyn, said, "You don't go down, unless I have a Crown."   So, Henry, desperate for a bit of Hide-The-Crown-Jewels-In-Anne , tried to get the Pope to annul his marriage to Arrogant Catherine so he could marry Anne-With-A-Cunning-Plan.   The Pope wasn't having any of it and denied Henry's request. Not perturbed, Hen...

Stranger News: Chicken becomes Chief of Police As strange as it sounds, a Rooster in Japan became the chief of police in September due to his popularity and death-defying skills.   The chicken, who now has a name, Masahiro, defied death three times and, as such, shot into the Osaka residents' hearts, becoming a local celebrity. No stranger than those who go on reality shows and become famous. At the least the chicken actually has personality and skill.   Masahiro was down to be fed to raccoons at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan. It seems, those racoons can't get enough of deep-fried chicken. The local KFC is often frequented by them at the end of a night partying.   However, Masahiro was spared the trauma of being rolled in the special flour and fried to a nice crispy shine. A duckling who had no parents required a foster father. If only the badgers didn't like crispy duck so much, the duckling could have been raised by its real parents.   Nope, the ...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY FUN FACTS for NOVEMBER 1st Yes, it's November already. Sheesh, this year went fast. Christmas is coming. As is winter. Oh, that was stupid. I should have said WINTER IS COMING. As is Christmas. Why didn't I just do that? Gonna bug me for the rest of the week.   On This Day, 1st of November, 1141, the reign of Empress Matilda came to an end. She was kinda Queen of England, although technically uncrowned. They called her the Lady of the English, or "You-Traitorous-Cow" by her cousin, Stephen of Bois. He was King of England at the time and spent most of his reign fighting a civil war known as The Anarchy with the Empress Matilda. On This Day, 1st of November, 1179, Philip II is crowned King of France. He managed to bring all of France together and made the country prosper again. However, he had a heck of time with his wives. He's basically the Henry VIII of the French. Click here to read about the adventures of...