ParaCultural Calendar for Aug 14

[Mark Thibodeau]

<http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs45/i/2009/092/7/c/SYOG_2010_superheroes_by_benzyvyngona.jpg>

On this day in *1888*, an audio recording of English composer *Arthur
Sullivan*'s "The Lost Chord", one of the first recordings of music ever
made, is played during a press conference introducing *Thomas Edison*'s
phonograph in London, England.

***

On this day in *1893*, France becomes the first country to introduce motor
vehicle registration.

***

*VJ DAY!* On this day in *1945*, reeling from a thermonuclear one-two
punch, the nation of Japan surrenders unconditionally to the United States
of America, thus ending World War II... except, of course, for the few
die-hards who toughed it out on deserted jungle islands for lonely decades
out of devotion to *Emperor-God Hirohito*, who sold them out to save his
own ass.

***

On this day in *1969*, in a pasture rented from *Max Yasgur* in rural
Sullivan County, New York, hundreds of thousands of people* come together
for the opening day of the now legendary *Woodstock Music and Art Fair*.
All the greatest musical acts of the day were in attendance, and a truly
groovy time was had by all... except those poor souls unfortunate enough to
have taken the brown acid before word got out that it was bad shit, man.
Afterwards, according to bloviating curmudgeons who really had no clue, it
took a decade to clean up the filthy mess left behind by those darn
hippies, and the cloying stench of patchouli still lingers at the site.
Thirty years later, in 1999, the much-hyped *Woodstock III* - brought to
you by *Pepsico* - turned into a celebration of arson, rape and assorted
mayhem.

***

On this day in *1974*, the second Turkish invasion of Cyprus begins;
140,000 to 200,000 Greek Cypriots become refugees. 6,000 are massacred and
another 1,619 go missing.

***

On this day in *2003*, a wide-scale power blackout blankets the northeast
United States and Canada in darkness. Some people don't see the power go
back up again until three days later.

***

On this day in *2007*, the *Kahtaniya bombings* kills at least 796 people
in Iraq... the deadliest terrorist attack in that country, ever.

***

On this day in *2010*, the first-ever *Youth Olympic Games* are held in
Singapore. Nobody gives a crap.
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