Atari, once a big name in home video games, is coming out with a new console for the first time in decades. I have no reason to believe that the crowdfunded Ataribox will fail except for one fact: the Atari brand name seems to be cursed, and it has been that way since the 1980s.
In 1941, the people of the United States got their first taste of a superhero known as Captain America. This star-spangled soldier introduced himself to the world by punching Adolf Hitler in the face. Can’t get more American than that, right?
Too bad Cap’s creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby got death threats over it.
George Washington is one of the seminal figures in US history. He saw the fledgling nation through the Revolutionary War, served as the first president under the current constitution, and had the wisdom to give up power so as to encourage a peaceful transition to the next leader. Also, he might possibly have been bulletproof.
Superman has fought many evils during his 80 years of existence, from Lex Luthor’s kryptonite robot to Lois Lane’s attempt to become a singer. His bravery and determination have helped him come out the winner every time. However, none of them quite compare to his biggest victory: the time he defeated the Ku Klux Klan.
What is the secret history of Christmas? How did Superman defeat the KKK? Could George Washington really have been bulletproof?
Our mundane lives are filled with odd facts, strange conspiracies, and secret origins. My new blog, Time for Backstory, is dedicated to a weekly exploration of the weird history in our mundane lives. In honor of the holiday season, the inaugural post delves into the phrase “Happy holidays” and the very racist history behind the supposed “War on Christmas.”
Charlie Brooks 