© Hans Hillewaert / , via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory: August 8. Riiiiiicolaaaa!
Thursday, August 8, 2024
1786: The first successful ascent of the highest mountain in the Alps and western Europe, Mont Blanc. Sadly, both climbers forgot to bring their Alphorns.
History Schmistory: August 7. Otto-matic
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
936: Otto the Great is elected King of the Germans.
![By Photographer: Ajepbah; edit: Crisco 1492 [CC BY-SA 3.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Alter_Markt_Magdeburg-Altstadt.Magdeburger_Reiter_edit.jpg)
By Photographer: Ajepbah; edit: Crisco 1492 [CC BY-SA 3.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory: August 6. Rastafar-from English
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
1962: Jamaica becomes independent from Britain.
History Schmistory: August 5. The Original “Harry”
Monday, August 5, 2024
1100: Henry I is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. This particular Henry was not significant enough for Shakespeare, and conveniently skipped.
Revolutionary Dayz
Sunday, August 4, 2024
As we observe (or some of us anyway) the details of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s trial, many are reminded of how remarkable Egypt’s non-violent overthrow was. Really. If it was in France it would have been a bloody mess…
–One more time with feeling!
History Schmistory: August 4. It was good to be Queen -Mother
Sunday, August 4, 2024
1900: Queen Elizabeth, ‘the Queen Mother’ is born. Not to be confused with Elizabeth II, who will most likely live forever.
![By Allan warren (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/389px-H.M._The_Queen_Mother_Allan_Warren.jpg)
By Allan warren (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory: August 3. La Scala-kazam!
Saturday, August 3, 2024
1778: La Scala Opera House opens in Milan, Italy, with a show by F. Murray Abraham’s character in Amadeus.
![By ungenannt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/800px-Milano_Teatro_alla_Scala_Postkarte_001.jpg)
By ungenannt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Speaking of mediocre composers, here’s a Marco classic!
History Schmistory: August 2. Bay of Henry?
Friday, August 2, 2024
1610: Explorer Henry Hudson enters the bay later named after him, the Hudson Bay. Since his crew mutinied and left him for dead, an apology card was also in order. It’s in a bottle, floating out there somewhere. Sorry Hud!
![By Neemster (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Henry-Hudson-posterimage.png)
By Neemster (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory: August 1. Breathe, durn-it!
Thursday, August 1, 2024
1774: Oxygen is ‘discovered’ by Britain’s Sir Joseph Priestly, and given a symbol (O), though most refer to it as “the substance formerly known as air.”
![By penner (http://flickr.com/photos/penner/2450784866) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/800px-Prince_at_Coachella.jpg)
By penner (http://flickr.com/photos/penner/2450784866) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
