Author Archives: denniscmichael

About denniscmichael

Voice Artist, Writer, Journalist, even sometime actor. For 18 years the writer and voice for CNN's Hollywood Minute.

1858 “A” Great Train Robbery, formerly “The” Great Train Robbery Almanac of Absurdities 5.22.2013

Posted on May 20, 2013

For the Reno Gang, the guys who invented the Train Robbery, this day in 1868 was the pinnacle. It was their fourth job, and the best one of them all. Twelve members of the gang quietly boarded the Jeffersonville, Madison … Continue reading →

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1962, “Happy Birthday, Mr. President”- Almanac of Absurdities 5.19.2013

Posted on May 19, 2013

On this date in 1962, possibly the most legendary birthday celebration of the 20th century and it wasn’t even really the man’s birthday. May 19, 1962 wasn’t really President John F. Kennedy’s 45th Birthday…that day came ten days later. But … Continue reading →

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1896-Bad Event Planning. Hundreds Die at Tsar’s Party. Almanac of Absurdities 5.18.2013

Posted on May 17, 2013

On this date in 1896 comes one of the darkest days in the history of event planning, the Khodynka Tragedy. It was four days after the Coronation of Tsar Nicholas II, and the idea was a big public party for … Continue reading →

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1943: Operation Chastise-”The Dambusters” to the “Death Star” Almanac of Absurdities REMIX 5.17.2013

Posted on May 17, 2013

On this date in 1943, a splendid hour for those daring chaps of the RAF 617th Bomber Wing. Operation Chastise. The Pilots of the 617th took out the Mohne and Eidersee dams in Germany and caused catastrophic flooding to the … Continue reading →

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1960-Ted Maiman’s Ray Gun – Almanac of Absurdities for 5.16.2013

Posted on May 16, 2013

Theodore Harold Maiman was a kid from LA, born in 1927, earned his way through college by repairing radios and electronic appliances. Smart Kid. Went to the University of Colorado to score his degree in Engineering Physics in 1949, …really … Continue reading →

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1718-The Short Career of the Puckle Gun- Almanac of Absurdities 5.15.2013

Posted on May 14, 2013

This day in 1718, a London Lawyer, writer and inventor by the name of James Puckle received a patent on what he called the “Defense Gun”. It was, by all accounts, the first machine gun, a crank-turned flintlock contraption capable … Continue reading →

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1643 Louis XIV, King of France, Age 4. Almanac of Absurdities 5.14.2013

Posted on May 14, 2013

On this day in 1643, Louis the 13th of France died. This was the King in the Three Musketeers, so if these names sound familiar, that’s why. Old Louis knew it was coming and relying on some of the tutoring … Continue reading →

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1849 Finland’s National Anthem Almanac of Absurdities Flashback 5.13.2013

Posted on May 12, 2013

It was on this date in 1848 that this piece of music was heard by the public for the first time. This my friends is the National Anthem of Finland. It’s got a nice anthemy feel, don’t you think? Finland … Continue reading →

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No Segment Today. Come Back Tomorrow. Sorry. 5.12.2013

Image | Posted on May 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

“A Rolling Stone Gathers No Lunch”-Almanac of Absurdities 5.11.2013

Posted on May 11, 2013

Once again we are faced with the all too common problem in creating the Almanac of Absurdities…May 11thhas a number of possible themes but no clear leader. I could go late medieval on your proverbial ass and tell you about … Continue reading →

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