The 2021 A to Z mashup part one on the fly

 As you know, I avoid the longer work of the April A to Z blogging challenge by doing a two part Mash-Up post, with mini A to Z stories half on one post, half on another.  This year, I totally blanked on a topic, when I came upon the idea of doing events that happened in April.  As I made the decision and brought up my blog, I suddenly realized that I had an idea that was ignoring the A toZ nature of the event- and would have to do some fine-tuning on the fly.  So, here we go...

A on April 1st- the sinking of the RMS Atlantic

Why not start with the White Star Line record holder for disaster until the Titanic.  This was in 1873.  This luxury liner of the time, powered mainly by steam, was heading for NYC when a headwind made for a rough ride.  As the ship's engineer had been under-reporting their coal level (to give them a 'safety stock') and never bothered to tell the Captain, the Cappy thought they would run out before reaching the Big Apple.  Thusly, and because the winds prevented them from raising the backup sails, he decided to divert to Halifax.  Problems:  No one in the crew had made the trip to Halifax before, and no one bothered to take proper precautions; they ended up 12 miles off course in fog, the Captain was left to sleep without being notified, and they hit an underwater rock.  She partially capsized, the lifeboats were smashed against the hull by waves, and 535 people died.

B on April 2- the Bread Riot

In 1863, Mary Jackson led a group of 300 women armed with anything they could lay their hands on- and after informing the aide to the Virginia governor that confronted them, "We want bread, and bread we will have or die," they raided toe city of Richmond's shops, stealing "tens of thousands of dollars" (not sure if this is US or Confederate money) of supplies- including, from one shop owner, 500 pounds of bacon.

C on April 3- Cooper

Motorola's Martin Cooper makes the first mobile phone call.

D on April 4- Here's one they've missed so far...

The song Dixie is debuted in 1859 by a blackface group called Bryant's Minstrels.  Imagine the uproar this one'll cause...

E on April 5- Only appropriate considering the date

Since I'm typing this up late on Easter Sunday, it's only fair to post that Easter Island was discovered by Dutch explorer  Jacob Roggeveen.  Of course, he was shooting for what we would one day call Antarctica, so...

F on April 7 (skipping a day because I can)- Fernando's boo-boo

Fernando Magellan in the 1521 leg of his trip around the world, was led to the island of Cebu, in what is now the Philippines, by it's leader, whom he had baptized and named Don Carlos after his current king back home.  20 days later, this leader would ask him to fight for him against a neighboring chief, and it would not end well for Ferdy. 

G on April 8- Another small step

In 1964, the Gemini I- and the first Titan II launching system- surpassed expectations, taking the USA's first 2-man craft for a 4 lap ride.  No humans inside, just dummies.  No really, plastic people, not Wal-Mart shoppers.

H on April 9- Hooray for Henry

Henry V is crowned King of England in 1413.  Nine years later, a double case of dysentery and heatstroke combined to kill him.  Had he lasted another 52 days, he may well have been crowned King of France as well. 

I on April 11- Didn't expect this struggle

Had a hard time finding a good fit here; the 1979 deposition and exile of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was as good as I found.

J on April 12- Even a blind man can do it

Way back in 1012, what must have seemed the final battle for the throne in Bohemia came when Oldrich blinded Jaromir, who fled to Poland.  But 21 years later, Jaromir comes back and kicks Oldrich out again.  But Oldrich's son booted him the next year; all indications are that Jaromir never saw it coming.

K on April 13- Perhaps a bit premature

Lajos Kossuth in 1849 read off the declaration of Hungarian independence from the Austrian Empire during the revolution of 1849, after a string of victories against the Austrians and their Russian allies.  However, that "independence" lasted exactly 4 months, as his successor surrendered to the Russians on August 13th.

L on April 15- the circle closes...

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln calls for 70,000 volunteers to face the rebellion of the slave states; the same day in 1865, he dies from the shot fired by John Wilkes Booth.

Stop in in a few weeks for part two!