PARACULTURAL CALENDAR FOR JULY 7

[Mark Thibodeau]

 <http://symonsez.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/samanthasmithsovietstamp.jpg>

On this day in *1863*, the first ever American military draft begins. All
males between the ages of 18 and 35 are potential targets… unless, of
course, they can pay the $100 "exemption fee" required to skip duty.

***

On this day in *1947*, a bunch of little green men get blitzed on Venusian
grog, then crash their flying saucer on a ranch near (you guessed it) *Roswell,
New Mexico*. Tourism ensues.

***

On this day in *1983*, a U.S. schoolgirl by the name of *Samantha Smith* flies
to the Soviet Union at the invitation of Secretary General Yuri Andropov.
In short order, the bright and telegenic Smith became internationally
renowned as a peace activist and good will ambassador, much to the
annoyance of the *Reagan/Bush* administration and other right-wing and
anti-communist elements the world over. Small wonder, then, that she should
die in a small plane crash in the summer of 1985. The Soviets remembered
her with a stamp. The Americans? Nothing.

***

On this day in *2005*, four explosions rip through London's public
transportation system, killing 52 people along with four suicide bombers.
It was later learned that this terrorist attack was masterminded by *Haroon
Rashid Aswat*, an individual with curious connections to England's MI6
intelligence agency.
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