On This Day In History - February 18th

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 18th February

 

On This Day in 1885, Mark Twain had his book, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published in the United States of America.

 

On This Day in 1478, George, Duke of Clarence, was tried, convicted, and then executed for treason against his older brother, King Edward IV.

 

His execution took place in the Tower of London. Instead of the usual method of executing nobles, which was giving them a serious case of Off-With-His-Head, the Duke of Clarence was drowned.

 

And not in water.

 

Nope.

 

He was drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine. Because, well, why not. Happy National Drink Wine Day.

 

On This Day in 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered the cow that jumped over the moon. Oh, and Pluto. Back in the days when it was actually a planet.

 

On This Day in 1930, Holy Cow, they can fly. A cow called Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an airplane.

 

At the same time, she also became the first cow to be milked in an aircraft. It's obviously common practice nowadays. Makes the milk even milkier.

 

On This Day in 1954, the first Church of Scientology was founded in Los Angles. 

 

On This Day in 1957, New Zealand carried out its last legal execution by killing Walter James Bolton for poisoning his wife.

 

He was hanged, although it didn't really go as planned. When he was dropped, his neck should have been broken instantly. However, that didn't happen and he was eventually strangled to death.

 

By the rope. Not by some random guy in the crowd.