December 12th



1098: During the First Crusade, Crusaders breach the walls of Ma'arrat al-Numan and massacre about 20,000 inhabitants. After finding themselves with insufficient food, they resort to cannibalism. This is why I never open the door for Christmas carolers.


1917: Father Edward J. Flanagan founds Boys Town as a farm village for wayward boys, and an awesome vacation spot for wayward priests.


1979: Rhodesia changes its name to Zimbabwe... then immediately regrets it when it realizes all the good stuff at the UN is handed out in alphabetical order.