Paracultural Calendar for March 19

[Mark Thibodeau]

On this day in *1644*, emperor *Si Sang*, final sovereign of the storied
Ming dynasty, commits suicide. Two hundred members of the royal family and
imperial court promptly follow suit. Gosh, but those were the days, weren't
they?!

***

On this day in *1885*, *Louis Riel* declares a Provisional Government in
Saskatchewan, beginning the North-West Rebellion.

***

On this day in *1895*, *Auguste* and *Louis Lumière* record their first
footage using their newly patented cinematograph.

***

On this day in *1931*, gambling is legalized in Nevada.

***

On this day in *1943*, *Frank Nitti*, the Chicago Outfit Boss after *Al
Capone*, commits suicide at the Chicago Central Railyard.

***

On this day in *1958*, the Monarch Underwear Company fire leaves 24 dead
and 15 injured.

***

On this day in *1962*, influential artist *Bob Dylan* releases his first
album, *Bob Dylan*, on Columbia Records label.

***

On this day in *1982*, Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island,
precipitating war with the United Kingdom.

***

On this day, in *1987*, the Reverend *Jim Bakker* - PTL Ministries founder
- resigns when it's revealed he spent a hot three minutes cheating on his
wretched wife *Tammy Faye* with *Jessica Hahn*. And can ya blame him?! Soon
afterwards, Bakker is put behind bars for defrauding thousands of PTL
members out of millions of dollars by selling them non-existent time-shares
in his Born Again theme park/condominium complex. After being granted an
early release for good behavior, Bakker told reporters how shocked he was
that "so many people" tried to rape him in prison. Still no word as to how
many of these "attempts" were successful.

***

On this day in *1993* - the 20th day of the FBI seige at Waco/Carmel/Elk,
Texas - negotiators arrange for the delivery of food, water and legal
documents to *David Koresh* and those others who remain in the Branch
Davidian cult compound. During the afternoon, Koresh claims to be "ready to
come out and face the music," but he ultimately changes his mind.
Meanwhile, two Davidians, *Brad Branch* and *Kevin Whitecliff*, exit the
compound without incident.

***

On this day in *2008*, *GRB 080319B* occurs, a cosmic burst that is the
farthest object visible to the naked eye is briefly observed.
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