- Welcome back to Touring History, the only show that asks what happened today and
then says, oh, wow, that's dark. I'm Lane. - Hey, and I'm Dave.
Today is April 27th, and we've got steamboat explosions, papal promotions,
royalty and, that's right, the Energizer Bunny. So yeah, basically a normal Tuesday
in history. - Let's start off with our birthday roll calls. - Born today in 1822,
you Lissie's S. Grant, Civil War hero and US president who proved that yes, you can
win a war, drink constantly, and still get on the $50 bill. - That's right. Also
born today is Coretta Scott King, civil rights icon and keeper of the legacy. She
made sure people didn't just quote MLK on Instagram, but actually remembered what he
stood for. - And born in 1988 Lizzo proof that talent confidence and a flute can
take you all the way to the Met Gala Oh, what'd you do with the flute? Huh? I
guess she's 100 % that birthday Yes, absolutely. So let's start off our historical
events in 1865 on this day in 1865 the steamboat Sultana exploded on the Mississippi
River Killing than 1 ,800 people, the deadliest maritime disaster in U .S.
history.
It was overcrowded with Civil War POWs being sent home, and then boom,
literal explosion, figurative footnote. Yeah, oof, filled with ports see the war POWs.
I wonder which side they were on. Anyway, today in 1945, Benito Mussolini was
captured by Italian partisans while trying to flee disguised as a,
wait for it, German soldier. Oh, that's right. He shaved war helmet and hoped no
one would recognize him. Spoiler, they did. Let's say The final appearance was less
than fascistic chic. (laughs)
- In 1961, Mussolini, I always liked that name. It sounds like a great pasta,
doesn't it? I'll have the Mussolini. Mussolini arbiata. - Aldente, por favor.
- Maybe just keep it as a pasta, not as a dictator. - Yeah, that's better. - 1961,
Sierra Leone gained independence from the UK, and in true British Empire fashion,
Britain left with half the gold and none of the guilt. Oh yeah. Hey, we're leaving.
Hold on, we gotta load up our ships. Happy Independence Day Sierra Leone. Sorry
about the colonizers. And now on to 2005, Dave. Well, there's a big thing that came
out. The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger jet, made its first flight today
in 2005. It can carry over 800 people, which is also the number of times you say
"excuse me" trying to get to the bathroom and economy. Yeah, that's quite a tub
that flies around. It makes it so big it makes other planes look like uber pools.
So what happened in 2014, Lane? Oh yeah, thanks for asking Dave. On this day in
2014, we had Pope John Paul the second and Pope John Paul the 23rd,
both canonized in the same ceremony. That's two popes, one St. Hood,
and zero punch cards required. - You're very good at doing those Roman numerals. I
just would have said Pope John XX triple three. The Vatican hasn't done a two for
one special like that since the last supper. - Oh, yes. Coming off Easter weekend.
- What happened then? Oh, I know, the Energizer Bunny debuted. And he's still going,
banging that drum. - He's outlived seven ad agencies, four marriages, and all of
Radio Shack. - Yeah, just once I'd like to get him tired. Maybe sit down, reflect
on life, you rabbit. - Nope, just keeps going. Like your aunt's story about her
kitchen remodel. - Oh, The never -ending story about the avocado being replaced with
white and stainless steel. I know Aunt Jane. It's enough What happened to know 2016?
Hey, here was a big day for breakfast lovers McDonald's launched all -day breakfast
today in 2016 and changed Lazy brunch culture forever.
It was like the moon landing for stoners. That's right, man I've got the munchies
And now for another word from our sponsor, speaking of dreams, today's show is
brought to you by Rise Donuts in Wilton, Connecticut, where donuts aren't just food,
they're emotional support. That's right, their handmade small batch baked with care
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That's Rise Donuts, because history is full of suffering, and you deserve frosting.
That's right. Now back to, uh, this day in history. Back to the show. 1521,
Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Philippines during a battle with local warriors.
Wait! We come in peace! And do you have any gold?
He circumnavigated the globe, almost. Turns out machetes don't care about your sea
maps. That's right. He died mid expedition. You know, that's like quitting marathon
at mile 25 because somebody stabbed you and hatched you out. That's right. A little
more recent in 1937, the first social security payments were issued to the U .S.
And just like that, America got its first taste of government sponsored. Please don't
die yet money. Yeah, yeah. And there was one person that really got the payday of
a lifetime. Shout out to Ida Mae Fuller, the first recipient who paid in $24 and
got out, hold it, $22 ,000. That's the most gangsta return on investment in history.
That's amazing. That is amazing. Well, in 1983, the longest lasting solar eclipse of
the modern era occurred. That's right. It lasted seven minutes and 12 seconds, which
is longer than most people's New Year's resolutions It's longer than a lot of
people's things But don't worry if you missed it just stand outside in August and
pretend your neighbor's landscaping blocked the Sun Oh, I can't take it Don't take
your hand away In 2011 on this day Prince William married Kate Middleton in a
wedding. So lavish, it temporarily made people forget the Royal Family's colonial
resume. - That's right. It was watched by two billion people and exactly four of
them cared about the groom. - Say what you want. Kate's dress did more for lace
than 400 years of doilies. - Oh, hey, you know, in 2020, the US surpassed 1 million
COVID -19 cases. Yikes. Officially marking the moment we realized two weeks of flat
in the curve was actually a lifestyle Mask shortages zoom birthdays banana bread.
We tried it all and somehow Dave still caught it twice Brutal that's what I get
for trusting my immune system and licking an escalator ouch So that's April 27th
steamboats exploded popes ascended and McGriddles became a 24 -hour reality Aw,
grimace, eating breakfast all day long. We'll see you tomorrow where history gets
weirder, pop culture gets dumber, and someone else probably gets canonized, not me.
Until then, stay curious. And if you see the Energizer Bunny, just let him go. He's
got demons. Bye, everybody.
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