On This Day in ParaCultural History, Jan 4, 2015

[Mark Thibodeau]

On this day in 1863, the New Apostolic Church, a Christian and chiliastic
church, is established in Hamburg, Germany.

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On this day in 1884, the Fabian Society is founded in London, England,
United Kingdom. Lots of conspiracy theories have arisen around this
society, especially from right-wingers who fear their fierce, left-wing
intellectualism. But, truth be told, not all of their ideas are so
terrible... especially considering the alternatives.

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On this day in 1889, the Oklahoma Land Run opens 2 million acres of unused
Oklahoma Territory to first come first serve settlers on April 22.

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On this day in 1903, Topsy, an elephant, is electrocuted by Thomas Edison
during the War of Currents campaign.


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On this day in 1912, the Boy Scout Association is incorporated throughout
the British Commonwealth by Royal charter.

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On this day in 1958, Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from orbit. One year later,
on this day in 1959, Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the
vicinity of the Moon.

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On this day in 1965, US President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaims his "Great
Society" during his State of the Union address.

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On this day in 1974, US President Richard Nixon refuses to hand over
materials subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee.

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On this day in 1980, President Jimmy Carter announces that the United
States will not be participating at the Moscow Olympics. End result? The
Soviets kick much ass and take home all the gold. Four years later, in
1984, the Soviets return the favor by snubbing the Los Angeles Olympics.
End result? The United States kick much ass and take home all the gold. If
your kids ever ask you what it felt like to live through the Cold War, just
tell them this story, and they'll know what it felt like... it felt kind of
like that Twilight Zone episode where giant children rule the world, while
everyday people scramble in terror and do their best to stay out from under
the petulantly-hurled subway cars and tenement blocks.

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The "euro" debuts as a trading currency on this day in 1999. The average
European doesn't get to handle euros until three years later, however, when
the actual bills and coins make their public debut, on this day in 2002. I
don't know about you guys, but yer old pal Jerky really misses those Irish
pound notes.

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On this day in 1999, former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura is sworn in
as governor of Minnesota.

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On this day in 2006, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel suffers a
second, apparently more serious stroke. His authority is transferred to
acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He lingers, living on in a kind of
vegetative half-life, to this very day. Some people think that, when he
dies, the Apocalyptic shit is going to hit the fan.
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