1803 – The Supreme Court of the United States, in Marbury v. Madison, establishes the principle of judicial review.

1868 – The first parade to have floats is staged at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and have no desire to go. However, I do note that standing on the side of the road waiting for mystical creatures to give you stuff for free has a particular character that fits New Orleans well.

1917 – World War I: The U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom is given the Zimmermann Telegram, in which Germany pledges to ensure the return of New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona to Mexico if that country declares war on the United States. Seeing that Germany is happily pursuing attacks on the United States by means of a surrogate, Mexico, helps make us decide to enter the war.

1976 – Cuba: national Constitution is proclaimed. Article I: Fidel is always right. Article II: If Fidel is wrong, refer to Article I.

1968 – Vietnam War: The Tet Offensive is halted; South Vietnam recaptures Hué. You’d never know from news reports and conventional histories that EVERYWHERE the communists attacked, we (and the South Vietnamese) beat the ever-loving crap out of them. After this, the Viet Cong ceased to be a viable combat force and the North Vietnamese Army was shattered until American politicians chose to let South Viet Nam die.

1983 – In a spirited burst of 20/20 hindsight, a special commission of the United States Congress condemns the Japanese American internment during World War II.

1989 – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini offers a US$3 million bounty for the death of The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie. And Mr. Khomeini is a member of WHAT religion? Radical baptist?

2008 – Fidel Castro retires as the President of Cuba after nearly fifty years. He passed control to his brother, like he was a freakin’ Kennedy or Clinton or something…