History Schmistory, April 3: The Crown? Your Face!

1657 – English Lord Protector Cromwell refuses crown.

History Schmistory, April 2: France Rules (the papacy)!

999–Gerbert of Aurillac elected as 1st French Pope.

Are You For Real?

Spaghetti doesn’t grow on trees! Or does it?

In honor of April Fool’s Day, we’re throwing it back to one of the most famous gags in history. Back in 1957, BBC pranked its viewers with a faux news story featuring the discovery of a seemingly improbable crop of noodles sprouting from trees in Switzerland.

Take a look!

 

History Schmistory, March 29: Beethoven Rolls Over!

1795 – Beethoven (age 24) debuts as pianist in Vienna.

History Schmistory, March 28: Mona Winks!

1794 – The Louvre Museum in Paris opens to the public.
Leonardo Da Viinci's Masterpiece.  Not.

History Schmistory, March 27: Diss in Venice

1309 – Pope Clement V excommunicates Venice and all its population.
Venice

History Schmistory, March 26: What do you think of our government, baby?

1871 – Paris Commune, often said to be the first example of working people taking power, is founded.The commune ended after just two months. Great veggie meals and ultimate frisbee, but, unfortunately, no one wanted to do the dishes or clean the bathrooms.

History Schmistory, March 25: A lotta good that King’s Ransom did us.

1199 – Richard I (Lionheart) is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. Richard was kidnapped in Austria on his way back from the Crusades, held in Castle Durnstein, and was exchanged for a “King’s Ransom” raised by his resourceful and intrepid mother, Eleanor of Acquitaine.

History Schmistory, March 24: I’ll be Bach

1721 – Johann Sebastian Bach opens his Brandenburg Concerts.

History Schmistory, March 23: B & F become BFFs!

1657 – Britain & France form alliance against Spain.

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