Paracultural Calendar for March 5

[Mark Thibodeau]

On this day in *1558*, *Francisco Fernandez* introduces smoking tobacco to
Europe. Soon thereafter, *Fernando Franciscez* invents the breath mint.

***

On this day in *1770*, five Americans, including *Crispus Attucks*, and a
boy, are killed by British troops in an event that would contribute to the
outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (also known as the American War
of Independence) five years later. At a subsequent trial the soldiers are
defended by future U.S. president *John Adams*.

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On this day in *1836*, *Samuel Colt* patents the first production-model
revolver, the .34-caliber.

***

On this day in *1868*, Englishman *C.H. Gould* patents the stapler, then
sits back and waits for somebody else to patent staples.

***

On this day in *1912*, Italian forces are the first to use airships for
military purposes, employing them for reconnaissance behind Turkish lines.

***

On this day in *1933*, President *Franklin D. Roosevelt* declares a "bank
holiday", closing all U.S. banks and freezing all financial transactions.

***

On this day in *1933*, *Adolf Hitler*'s Nazi Party receives 43.9% at the
Reichstag elections. This later allows the Nazis to pass the Enabling Act
and establish a dictatorship.

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On this day in *1940*, Members of Soviet politburo, including general
secretary *Joseph Stalin*, sign an order for the execution of 25,700 Polish
intelligentsia, including 14,700 Polish POWs, known also as the Katyn
massacre.

***

On this day in *1946*, *Winston Churchill* coins the phrase "Iron Curtain"
in his speech at Westminster College, Missouri.

***

On this day in *1953*, the death of Soviet dictator *Josef Stalin *is
announced. All together now: "Awwwwww!"

***

On this day in *1960*, Cuban photographer *Alberto Korda* takes his iconic
photograph of Marxist revolutionary *Ernesto "Che" Guevara*.

***

On this day in *1981*, the *ZX81*, a pioneering British home computer, is
launched by Sinclair Research and would go on to sell over 1.5 million
units around the world.

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On this day in *1982*, the Soviet probe *Venera 14* landed on Venus.

***

On this day in *1998*, psychologically fragile singing diva *Mariah
Carey* divorces
her mobbed-up music industry big-shot husband, *Tommy Mottola*. Wow… that's
almost as sad as the death of *Stalin!*

***

On this day in *1999*, *Paul Okalik* is elected first Premier of Nunavut.
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