Author Archives: dcaligari

Some days it’s not good to be the king

March 26, 1199 –All seemed right with the Medieval world. Richard the Lionheart was taking an evening stroll around the castle perimeter without his chain mail, investigating the progress of soldiers trying to destroy the fortress in which he was seeking refuge. Arrows were occasionally fired from the castle walls, but these were given littleContinue reading “Some days it’s not good to be the king”

… R, E, S, P, E, C, T

March 25, 1942 –The late great Aretha Louise Franklin (The Queen of Soul,) born in Memphis, Tennessee, on this date, was a singer, songwriter and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings, Franklin is adept at jazz, blues, R&B and gospel music. Franklin has won eighteen Grammy Awards in total during her nearly half-century longContinue reading “… R, E, S, P, E, C, T”

It’s the Feast of the Annunciation

Now a days known as The Solemnity of the Annunciation, I’m not even going to try to explain this one to you. While you’re in church this afternoon, ask one of the old lady in the back saying her decades of rosary to explain it to you. (This is for extra credit,) today is alsoContinue reading “It’s the Feast of the Annunciation”

Always celebrate responsibly

March 24, 1989 –Cold Fusion was announced 32 years ago yesterday. To celebrate this amazing advancement in energy, Captain Joseph Hazelwood downed, in rapid succession, five double vodka on the rocks and piloted the Exxon tanker Valdez. He ran the Valdez into a well-charted reef at Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of crudeContinue reading “Always celebrate responsibly”

Here’s yesterday’s answer key

The Death of the Czars:A. 6B. 1C. 2D. 5E. 4F. 3 We will be grading on a curve. A. Nicholas II Shot to death by revolutionaries – Russian Czar Nicholas II was murdered with his family and servants by the Bolsheviks at Yekaterinburg, July 17, 1918. This included his daughter Anastasia, who may not actuallyContinue reading “Here’s yesterday’s answer key”

Kids, have you been paying attention:

Please match the Russian Czar (Tzar, Tsar) with how he met his untimely end: A. Nicholas II B. Peter III C. Paul I D. Peter the Great E. Ivan VI F. Alexander II Overthrown by his own wife, imprisoned; killed by his wife’s favorite Struck in the head with a sword, then strangled and trampledContinue reading “Kids, have you been paying attention:”

Today’s episode of Oh, that Wacky Russian Revolution:

The Russian Royal family was having a really bad day. On March 21, 1917, Nicholas II and his family were arrested. It was a confused and confusing period, and the situation would only continue to deteriorate until the October Revolution (in November). The eventual triumph of the proletariat, as everyone knows, finally put an endContinue reading “Today’s episode of Oh, that Wacky Russian Revolution:”