By Lisa Karon Richardson
Historical
authors jump through a lot of hoops to make certain that our stories jive with
historical fact. Today I’m rebelling. Sometimes the facts were stinky. And for
the moment, I’m tired of stinky! Here are some of the historical events that
would have happened if I were in charge.
Dateline:
December 25, 1795
Jane Austen
married Tom Lefroy
Dateline:
March 1, 1932
The Lindbergh
Baby Saved from Kidnapper
Dateline:
December 7, 1941
U.S. Acts on
Advance Notice of Pearl Harbor
Dateline:
July 20, 1944
Hitler Assassinated
by His Generals
Dateline:
May 6,1937
The
Hindenberg Makes a Perfect Landing
Dateline:
April 15, 1912
The Titanic
Reaches New York
Dateline:
October 21, 1805
Admiral Lord
Nelson survives Trafalgar
Dateline:
April 14, 1865
Abraham
Lincoln Saved when John Wilkes Booth Falls Over Balcony
Dateline:
1912
Teddy
Roosevelt Ran for President Again
Dateline:
2003
The Producers
of Gigli Bankrupted Before Movie Completed
I’ll have to
wait until my time machine in the basement is finished before I can do anything
about my list. But what about you, are there any historical events you would
change if you could?
Influenced by books like The Secret Garden and The Little
Princess, LISA KARON RICHARDSON’S early stories were heavy on boarding schools
and creepy houses. Now, even though she’s (mostly) grown-up she still loves a
healthy dash of adventure in any story she creates, even her real-life story.
She’s been a missionary to the Seychelles and Gabon and now that she and her
husband are back in America, they are tackling a brand new adventure, starting
a daughter-work church in a new city. Her published works include “Impressed by Love,” in the Colonial Courtships anthology. The Magistrate’s Folly was published by
Heartsong Presents in February of 2013. Diamond
in the Rough, (May, 2013) was co-authored with Jennifer AlLee, and is the
first in the Charm and Deceit, series
from Whitaker House. Finally she has another novella coming out September, 2013
from Barbour entitled “Midnight Clear,”
part of the Mistletoe Memories
collection.
Oh-ho, this is perfect, Lisa. I especially love the Lindbergh baby one. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so tender hearted, Suzie. I'm not at all surprised that one appeals to you.
ReplyDeleteWow. What a fabulous idea. How about "September 11, 2001: Massive Terrorist Plot Foiled, Terrorists Rounded Up Before Plan Put Into Action."
ReplyDeleteI'll skip the "June, 2000: Dallas Stars defeat New Jersey Devils to win Stanley Cup" one (ahem).
Good one, DeAnna. Just think how different our world might be if any one of these events had occurred differently than it really did.
ReplyDeleteNice list, Lisa. Wouldn't it be wonderful if many of these were true?
ReplyDeletePS I feel the same way about Tom Lefroy. <3
Susie, I know right! I so want Jane to have her happy ending.
ReplyDeleteSeptember 10th, 2001. Terrorist plot uncovered. All suspect arrested. Sigh. Good post.
ReplyDeleteYep, Barb. Our lives would be so different.
ReplyDeleteBefore my time but how about Nov. 1961 - Secret Service catch would be assassin when pile of books fall on him, sending a stray shot into air while Presidents motorcade passes.
ReplyDeleteI am selfishly sticking with Jane being a bachelorette. I think her stories would have been completely different if she'd married.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to change history I'd add 30 more years to her life and see her and Cassandra move into a nice house and have a comfortable life without scraping for money (like .01% of what she's worth now!)
How about...June 1914 Archduke Ferdinand survives assassination attempt and his wife is not injured. No WW1.
I've been thinking about this all day and still can't think of anything I would change. I know that sounds awful, but I believe there's a reason for everything that's happened regardless how senseless or horrific it seems.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, however, you're dancing with alternate history and that's something I've always been interested in - until I think of how one event in history has far-reaching ramifications stemming from that single event.
But I like the list, Lisa. It sure gave me some thought.
I know it's late, but I just thought of one...
ReplyDeleteDawn of Creation, Eve tells serpent to shove off, refuses apple.