History Schmistory, April 17: Canterbury Tales Told for the First Time!
Thursday, April 17, 2025
1397Â –Â Geoffrey Chaucer tells the Canterbury Tales for the first time at the court of Richard II. Chaucer scholars have also identified this date (in 1387) as when the book’s pilgrimage to Canterbury starts. After all, it does start “Whan that aprill with his shoures soote the droghte of march hath perced to the roote”
Ludicrous Latin: Non, mihi ignosce, credo me insequentem esse
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
No, excuse me, I believe I’m next.
History Schmistory: April 16. First Woman to Fly Across English Channel.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
1912. Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly across the English Channel. British historians were quoted saying: “Finally, a bird flies south!”
History Schmistory, April 15: Kid Born in Vinci
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
1452. Leonardo Da Vinci born out of wedlock in Vinci, Italy. Because he is illegitimate, he will need to find a trade, instead of becoming a government worker like his father.
Ludicrous Latin: Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
If Caesar were alive, you’d be chained to an oar!
History Schmistory: April 15. Czechoslovakia goes Schizo!
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
1993. Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two new countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic gets the house and Slovakia gets the car.
History Schmistory: April 13. Edict of Nantes.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
1598. King Henry IV of France signed the Edict of Nantes, granting rights to the Protestant Huguenots. No truth to the rumor they got their name from enemies saying “You are HUGE–NOT!”
Ludicrous Latin: Non curo. Si metrum non habet, non est poema.
Saturday, April 12, 2025
I don’t care. If it doesn’t rhyme, it isn’t a poem.
