Histortweet Week in Review - W/E October 3, 2009

[SFX: CHURCHBELL] Greetings, History Lovers! Welcome to This Tweet in History, the Week In Review, podcasting to you on tape delay from our North American Studios.



Here are your top stories for the week ending October 3, 2009:



[SFX: SOUND827]World: DATELINE Jerusalem, October 2, 1187 – Saladin succeeds at siege; ousts Crusaders, captures Jerusalem http://bit.ly/1Rfr2L

The Back-Story:

[SFX:When the walls come tumbling down; Jerusalem] The situation in Jerusalem was dire, even before the Saladin laid siege. Although he desired to capture the city without bloodshed, its Christian inhabitants vowed to destroy it, fighting to the death, rather than hand it over to the Muslims. Although far outnumbered by Saladin and his forces, Jerusalem’s defenders were able to repulse his catapults, crossbows, and flaming arrows. As the inevitable approached, the Christians performed acts of penance, hoping to turn back the wrath of God from the city, to no avail. Despite their vows, the defenders negotiated terms of surrender.

[SFX: The Warrior]



[SFX: SOUND827]Entertainment: DATELINE California, September 30, 1955 – Rebel Giant perishes in car crash, somewhere East of Eden: http://bit.ly/IeMo4

The Back-Story:

[SFX: Radar Love] James Dean’s career was just beginning to take off. In the space of three years, he scored major roles in the films East of Eden, Rebel without a Cause, and Giant. His new-found wealth enabled him to indulge his passion for racing, and, shortly before his death, he purchased a new Porsche Spyder. [SFX: I’m in love with my car] On September 30th, Dean was headed to car to a rally in Salinas, driving the new Spyder which he had originally planned to have towed to the event. At one point, he was stopped and ticketed by an officer who advised him to slow down. [SFX: I feel the need for speed] Two hours later, a truck turned onto the highway where Dean was speeding, and the two vehicles collided almost head on. The driver of the truck received minor injuries. Dean’s mechanic, Dean’s passenger, was thrown from the car and survived, with serious head wounds. James Dean was killed at the scene. The posthumous release of Rebel propelled the actor, who had achieved fame with Eden, to cult status.

[SFX:Life in the FastLane]



[SFX: SOUND827]: In other news: DATELINE Las Vegas, October 3, 2003 – Roy Horn’s 59th birthday is almost his last, as tiger mauls him during live show at The Mirage: http://bit.ly/1IXt7t:

The Back-Story:

[SFX: Viva Las Vegas; Eye of the Tiger] In a savage end to a 13-year run as one of the most successful shows in Las Vegas History, Montecore, a 300 pound white tiger, sank her teeth into trainer Roy Horn, of Siegfried and Roy fame’s, neck, and dragged him off stage. Horn, who was not expected to live, still conscious in the ambulance, pled for the animal’s life. Doctors removed one third of Horn’s brain, after it had swelled from a stroke, and he was left partially paralyzed. Remarkably, after years of rehabilitation, he is able to walk with the help of a cane. A federal inquiry into the incident reached no conclusion as to why the beast attacked, but ruled out theories that she was hungry, rabid, or trying to drag the animal to safety after after thinking he was being attacked.

[SFX:I Can’t Tell You Why]



[SFX: SOUND827] This week’s birthdays:[SFX: In the Club]

September 27:Actor Gwyneth Paltrow September 28:Actor Marcello Mastroianni September 29: Solidarity leader Lech Walesa September 30: Author Truman Capote October 1: US President Jimmy Carter October 2:Indian Statesman Mohandas Gandhi And October 3: Animal Trainer Roy Horn



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