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March 31, 1889 –French engineer Gustave Eiffel unfurled the French tricolor from atop the Eiffel Tower, officially marking its completion on this date, but its history dates back to Gallic times. Documents that have been carbon-dated to roughly 200 B.C. indicate that King Catatonix of the Hellatians decreed, for no apparent reason, the construction ofContinue reading “When good Americans die, they go to Paris”

March 30, 1863 – Danish prince Wilhelm Georg was chosen as King George of Greece on this date. King George I is the great-grandfather of Prince Philip, yes that gadabout Greek sailor who lives in London. Kids, now follow this: Philip and his lovely wife Elizabeth are second cousins once removed: they are both descendedContinue reading “Life among the those wacky inbred royals.”

A Finnish sniper named Simo Häyhä was able to kill around 500 Soviet soldiers in the Winter War of 1939 by literally hiding in the snow and taking random shots every couple hours. In March 1940 he was struck in the jaw by an explosive bullet and seriously wounded. He was very disfigured, unconscious, andContinue reading “White Death – WWII’s most accurate snipper”

The Italian government had sent a group of Umarell to the Suez Canal region to observe the situation and give their suggestions.

The Great Pig War (aka the San Juan Boundary Dispute) between the US and UK/Canada, begun in June of 1859, lasted 12 whole years and was started over a very hungry pig. At maximum belligerence, the order of battle included 2,600 ground troops, five powerful ships of the line, and nearly a hundred cannon. ButContinue reading “The Greatest War never fired a shot”

March 28, 1930 –Istanbul was ConstantinopleNow it’s Istanbul, not ConstantinopleBeen a long time gone, ConstantinopleWhy did Constantinople get the works?That’s nobody’s business but the Turks. (I can’t help myself – I just love this song) Constantinople and Angora change their names to Istanbul and Ankara on this date.

Happy Palm Sunday The name Palm Sunday comes from the tradition for worshippers being given palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem. As always, we here at ACME wish to quote that great theologian, my mother, during this holiday season: “I swear to God if you kidsContinue reading “It’s the start of Holy Week”

March 27, 1912 –Washington DC is in the middle of it’s annual celebration of National Cherry Blossom Festival (even though we are still supposed to be practicing social distancing,) commemorating the gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington on this date. The gift of 3,020Continue reading “Poems a lovely as a tree”

Passover starts tonight – please bone up on those four questions. Remember you will not be graded on a curve! While it’s not as bad as not finding the missing easter egg, by all means, please find the Afikoman, (no one wants to accidentally eat a piece of exceptionally stale cracker.)

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”