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Entries for September, 2011 in UNCLE HISTORY

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    What does NWA stand for? Maybe "Nice guys With Attitude"

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 29, 1907: Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy and California Angels owner, is born in Tioga, Texas. Autry had numerous hits including "You Are My Sunshine," "Ghost Riders the Sky," "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," "Rudolph ...

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    Decisions, decisions

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 28, 1066: William the Conqueror invades England from Normandy in Northern France. His first order of business after taking the island was to declare war on France. Wan to see more Uncle History? CLICK HERE

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    A little bundle of joy

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 27, 1840: Political cartoonist Thomas Nash, who created the Republican Elephant and Democratic Donkey, is born. Before Nash's images, the political parties were represented by mutton chops, watch chains and the skulls of their enemies.

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    Johnny Appleseed's brother

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 26, 1774: John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, is born in Leominster, Mass. Johnny Appleseed's charisma and positive personality made him beloved by everyone, further estranging him from his bitter brother, Billy Canker Sore.

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    Only with gunpoint to my head shall I lathe

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 25, 1775: Dimwitted and possibly delusional, patriot Ethan Allen attacks Montreal by himself. He is swiftly captured by the British and sentenced to make furniture. To see more Uncle History, CLICK HERE

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    Who killed Kennedy?

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 24, 1964: The Warren Commission delivers its report on the assassination of John F. Kennedy to President Lyndon B. Johnson. As to who killed the former president, the commission concludes that it was "practically everyone, it seems."

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    Nixon's Checkers speech

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 22, 1952: Vice President Richard M. Nixon publicly denies improper campaign spending. To prove his point, Nixon eats his dog, Checkers on national television. To see more Uncle History, CLICK HERE

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    President Gerald R. Ford: The Ultimate Isolationist

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 22, 1975: Sara Jane Moore tries to assassinate Gerald Ford just 17 days after Squeaky Fromme made an attempt on the hapless president's life. Not one to test fate, Ford ran the nation from under his bed for the ...

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    Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus but...

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 21, 1897: The New York Sun runs "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," Francis Pharcellus Church's response to a little girl's letter expressing doubt in Santa. The editorial ends with the now-famous line, "But the Easter Bunny is ...

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    When death comes knocking, just don't answer

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 21, 1881: Chester A. Arthur becomes president of the United States. President James Garfield had died the day before and in an embarrassing and awkward incident, refused to leave the White House.

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    A valuable lesson learned

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 19, 1965: Children throughout America are happy to learn that they can buy Sea Monkeys from comic books. They also learn about disappointment, crushed hopes and false advertising.

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    And the cliche begins

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 18, 1433: Farmers rise up against "der man" in Transylvania. I don't know why, but you know, you just know, there were torches and pitchforks involved.

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    The horrors of war

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 17, 1916: Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron, wins his first victory in the air. However, the battle leaves Richthofen unsettled. He could have sworn that he was being chased by a dog on a flying ...

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    Owain Glyndwr come on down!

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 16, 1400: Owain Glyndwr, pronounced "Ed Jones," is named Prince of Wales by a band of supporters that included his son, a few relatives and friends, two drunken sailors and a one-legged hooker named Steve. Glyndwr, the last Welshman ...

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    Ow!!! Owie!!! Ow!! Ow!!

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 15, 668: The last consul of Rome, Constans II of the East Roman Empire, died in his bath when he slipped and accidentally fell on his chamberlain's knife. Many, many, many times.

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    O say can U C?

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 14, 1814: Francis Scott Key writes a poem that would become the lyrics to the Unites States' national anthem. Key went through several rough drafts before he was satisfied. Some earlier drafts were: Flag, flaggy, flagitty flag. Purple haze, ...

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    Even Uncle Sam has to pay

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    Sept 13, 1789: The United States takes out it's first loan. Lunch was more expensive than expected and, embarrassingly, the US war a little short. But, to be fair, who charges that much for nachos? To see more Uncle history, ...

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    You can't have dessert until you eat your monkey!

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 10, 1953: Swanson's premiers the first TV Dinner. The most popular meal was turkey and cornbread dressing with gravy, buttered peas, and sweet potatoes. The least popular was Salisbury monkey, cabbage with mayonnaise, and mystery lump.

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    The U.S. of What?

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 9, 1776: The Continental Congress changes the Continental Colonies to the United States. There was some debate over the name, with almost every member having their own idea: Leavemealonia -- John Adams Not Britain -- George Washington (while an ...

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    I wake up screaming!

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 8, 1974: President Gerald Ford gives Richard Nixon a new suit, $20, a pat on the back and a pardon. Ford later regretted his decision after he saw the state Nixon left the bathroom. Ford has the bathroom boarded ...

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    Don't mess with the kid!

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 7, 1533: Queen Elizabeth I is born sporting the biggest pair of any British leader since Boudica.

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    How to dump a stray pet

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 6, 1847: Feeling sympathetic toward a bedraggled, wet and sad-looking Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and family take Thoreau away from Walden Pond and home with them. Thoreau turned out to be a terrible pet. He terrorized the ...

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    We ain't British, ya hear?

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 3, 1783: The Revolution comes to and end as the United States and Britain sign the Treaty of Paris. In the treaty, the U.S. listed several demands, including: For no apparent reason, we will change the spelling of words ...

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    Speak softly and carry a big stick

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 2, 1901: Vice President Theodore Roosevelt tells a crowd of Minnesotans to "Speak softly and carry a big stick." That Roosevelt was naked and hollering only confused those in attendance.

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    Bobby Fischer brings the crazy

    By unclehistory in UNCLE HISTORY

    September 1, 1972: In Reykjavik, Iceland, American Bobby Fischer beats Russian Boris Spassky 12.5-8.5 to become World Chess Champion. Fischer also defeated Spassky in crazy, 21-0. Want to see more Uncle History? CLICK HERE