History Shorts: Fall of the Han Dynasty (220 A.D.)

China's greatest civilization collapsed in 220 A.D. Corruption weakened the dynasty and barbarian invasions overrun the empire. On top of this, high rates of taxation and natural disasters further undermined the Han. The following are a couple of student reports on the Han Dynasty. I could not find a good pop culture interpretation of the Dynasty, but the Han's fall was too big to ignore for History Shorts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfAT9X2VcSs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKHTfRm1HQs

Sci Fi History: Things to Come (1936)

Based on a H.G. Wells story, Things to Come covers a century of history from 1940-2036. The film is extremely dark and critical of technological advances. It examines gas attacks, bombers, plague, and endless war. After a century, mankind lives underground and the people are demanding a break from the “rush to progress.”

The screenplay was written in 1934, but missed predicting the beginning of World War II by about a year. It also predicted the bombing campaigns that helped end the war. At the same time, a new world is built from Iraq, which led to the rise of civilization 5000 years ago. It also envisions an eventual world government. So far, that has yet to occur!

Pie Traynor: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1948

Born: November 11, 1898

Debut: September 15, 1920 (Pirates)

1922: Became the Pirates starting third baseman

1925: Pirates win World Series

1927: Pirates win Pennant (Lose World Series to Yankees)

1934: Suffered an arm injury which damaged his career

1934-1939: Managed the Pirates (457-406)

1937: Retired after the season

1944: After scouting, he became a broadcaster

1948: Elected to Hall of Fame

1960: Pirates win World Series

1965: Traynor retired from broadcasting

1969: Voted greatest 3b of all time

1971: Pirates retired his #20

1972: Died

1999: Finalist for All Century Team

Accomplishments:
1925 World Champion

2x All Star

.320 hitter

58 HR

1273 RBI

1183 Runs

472 walks-278 strikeouts

Led league in Games with 154 (1933)

100+ Runs: 2x

208 hits (1923)

30+ doubles: 4x

10+ triples: 11x

164 triples

Led league with 19 triples (1923)

100+ RBI: 7x

20+ steals: 2x

.300+ average: 10x

.423 OBP (1930)

.509 slugging (1930)

Led league in sacrifice hits: 2x

Postseason: .293, 1 HR, 4 RBI (2 World Series)

As a Manager:
457-406 (.530)

Herb Pennock: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1948

Born: February 10, 1894

Debut: May 14, 1912 (A’s)

1913: A’s win World Series

1914: A’s win Pennant (Lose World Series)

1915: Selected off Waivers by the Red Sox

1915: Red Sox win World Series

1916: Red Sox win World Series

1918: Red Sox win World Series

1923: Traded to the Yankees

1923: Yankees win World Series

1926: Yankees lose World Series

1927: Yankees win World Series

1928: Yankees win World Series

1932: Yankees win World Series

1934: Signed as Free Agent by the Red Sox

1934: Retired

1934-44: Coach, farm director for Boston Red Sox

1944-48: GM for the Philadelphia Phillies

1948: Died

1948: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:
7x World Champion

241-162 record

3.60 ERA

247 CG

35 SHO

3571.2 IP

10+ wins: 13x

15+ wins: 8x

20+ wins: 2z

Sub 3 ERA: 4x

Led league in win % (.760) in 1923

10+ CG: 12x

15+ CG: 10x

20+ CG: 3x

Led league in SHO with 5 (1928)

200+ IP: 10x

Led league with 277 IP (1925)

Led league in WHIP: 2x

Postseason: 5-0. 1.95 ERA, 55.1 IP, 0.849 WHIP (5 World Series)

History Shorts: Commodus assassinated (192 A.D.)

The movie, Gladiator, claims Commodus murdered his father, Marcus Aurelius, to take power. According to the plot, Aurelius looked to restore the republic, but this is Hollywood rubbish. In 177, Commodus became co-emperor and assumed the throne by himself after the plague killed his father.

Commodus ruled alone for 12 years. He did fight in the arena and did not appear to be a very good ruler. Details are sketchy, but he apparently ruled in a cruel fashion. An athlete, perhaps a wrestler, maybe a gladiator, assassinated him in a bath. His death is chronicled in the 1964 film The Fall of the Roman Empire and 2000’s Gladiator. In the latter, Maxiumus kills Commodus in the arena.

Following Commodus’ death, the Roman Empire faced nearly a century of political and economic upheaval. Constant civil wars plagued the west and the economy never recovered. In 284, Diocletian finally restored order.


The following is from the classic “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9misNO8FOQ

Sci Fi History: The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Shortly after Frankenstein’s release, the studio began work on its sequel. The story is loosely based on a subplot in Mary Shelley’s original tome. In the book, the Monster forces Frankenstein to create a companion. In the film version, the Monster entangles himself with some grave robbers led by Dr. Pretorius who force Dr. Frankenstein back to work. Frankenstein creates a woman that rejects the Monster. A rejected Monster kills himself, his bride, and his benefactor, Dr. Pretorius.

The film won widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. However, censors went to work cutting the film up for its violent content. Since 1935, the film has grown in renown and some consider it greater than the original. Like the Monster, the Bride has become a cultural icon and has appeared in many pop culture incarnations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiFfUnimUH4

Ted Simmons

A timeline

Born: August 9, 1949

1967: Drafted by Cardinals

Debut: September 21, 1968 (Cardinals)

1968: Cardinals win Pennant (Lose World Series to Tigers)

1970: Joins Cardinals for good

1971: Becomes starting catcher as Joe Torre moves to third base

1971: Catches Bob Gibson’s no-hitter

1972: Set Cardinals’ record for RBI by a catcher

1975: Set NL Record for hits by a catcher

1978: Beat out Johnny Bench to start the All Star Game

1978: Caught Bob Forsch’s first no-hitter

1980: Feud with Whitey Herzog

1980: Traded to Brewers

1981: Brewers win AL East (Lose ALDS to Yankees)

1982: Brewers win Pennant (Lost World Series to Herzog's Cardinals)

1986: Traded to Braves

1986: Forms the “Bomb Squad” in Atlanta made up of role players. He also planted a tomato garden in the bullpen.

1988: Retired as MLB leader for catchers in hits and doubles (broken by Ivan Rodriguez)

1992: GM Pirates

1993: Stepped down as GM after a heart attack

1994: Received 3.7% of the vote by the BBWAA for the Hall of Fame (morons)

1994-2008: Served in various baseball roles

2008: Bench coach for the Padres

2010: Advisor to the Mariners

Accomplishments:
8x All Star

1980 Silver Slugger

.285 hitter

248 HR

1389 RBI

1074 runs

2472 hits

483 doubles

855 walks-694 strikeouts

.348 OBP

.437 Slugging

.785 OPS

190+ hits: 2x

30+ doubles: 9x

40 doubles (1978)

20+ HR: 6x

100+ RBI: 3x

90+ RBI: 8x

.300+ average: 7x

.408 OBP (1977)

.500+ Slugging: 4x

.908 OPS (1977)

Postseason (3 Series): .186, 3 HR, 8 RBI (17 games)