September 30th: Today in 1955 actor James Dean was killed when a car crossed the median and hit his head on. Dean’s death is as much a legend as his life, with sexed up accounts of the accidents including his alleged reckless driving and final words obscuring the more banal facts of the death. People [...]

Humans are not entirely ready to give in to our new squirrel overlords just yet, the people of South Bay Park are taking the battle back to them! Naturally the squirrel’s fifth column allies comment “The squirrels will be back,” South Bay wildlife rehabilitator Norma Campbell said. “For every one you take out, two more [...]

September 29th: Today in 1941 the German’s began the systematic slaughter of Jews in Kiev, ultimately leading to the execution of 33,000 over three days at a ravine called Babi Yar. Later Gypsies (Roma) and Russian P.O.W.s were also executed at the site making it a true monument to Nazi horror.

If you need more proof that we as a society have waaaay too much time on our hands check out this brilliant photo set of a Zombie Rights protest march in Austin, Texas. I love that Pirates turned out to counter protest, all we need now is Ninjas and the world would be in order. [...]

September 28th: Today in 1781 the American and French armies arrive to begin the Siege of Yorktown which results in the capture of the last major British field army of the American Revolution. I have often commented on George Washington’s failings as a battlefield commander, but I have never denied his strategic abilities, which were [...]

September 27th: Today in 1988 sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his medal and sent home for the Seoul Olympic Games for taking drugs to improve his performance. I am aware that this is now a constant event in sports, but this was the first I remember as a big issue. I recall thinking at [...]

September 26th: Today in 1969 the pilot episode for the Brady Bunch “The Honeymoon” first airs on television. The show goes on to many horrific years of success. Sorry rest of the world, today’s Today In History is a special dedication to one of my best friends, non-brain damaging history will return tomorrow.

September 25th: Today in 1929 Jimmy Doolittle flys to the first flight conducted completely by instrument from take off to landing. This ‘blind flying’ was more than a trick, it proved that flights could go on in difficult conditions, which had been nearly impossible during the early days of flight.

September 24th: Today in 1969 began the trial of the “Chicago Eight” for allegedly causing riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. The eight were Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, John Froines, Bobby Seale, Rennie Davis, David Dellinger, Lee Weiner, and Tom Hayden and they turned the trial into a political event every bit as [...]

September 23rd: Today in 1803 Arthur Wellesley, later and more famously known as the Duke of Wellington, won his first major battle at Assaye. The battle was against the Mahratta and is one of a long string of battles fought in India in the early 19th century that chipped away at local rule of the [...]