Fun thread - historical events you want to go to

[Chickenman Testa]

lots of disclaimers and assumptions here:

1. Time travel works
2. You can participate a bit but not overtly change history (modified Butterfly Effect)
3. Generally keep it to last 100 years if possible

-----

1.Be an American GI at the Liberation of Paris in 1944 or VJ Day in Times Square a year later
2. Woodstock - with like a pound of 21st century grade weed and other party drugs ("weed is tight"), and solid rain gear
3. Lake Placid, 1980, USA-USSR hockey
4. Dealey Plaza on the day JFK got shot with enough time to station tiny security cameras at key locations and, then, with my eyes pealed on the Book Depository

 

[MtNittany]

So, running mohomed atta over (again and again) in the parking lot of a strip club in SoFla is off the table?

Sports only (which is a better topic, imo), but I'd like to be at a Yankees (and I don't much like the Yankees now) Old Timer's Day double header in the early 70's. Bobby Murcer, Ron Blomberg, AND legends everywhere.

Also I'd like to watch Hogan hit balls from the back of the range at Seminole in March. This was back when he would hit balls until his fingers would bleed - then he'd soak them in salt water to get them to callous so he could hit more. Almost every ball would be shagged by a caddie on one hop. It would be watching a sport perfected in front of your eyes.

 

[Obliviax]

I just missed the 100 years but if you give me 1917, I feel like the most seminal moment in world history in the last 100 years was the Russian Revolution.

At the end of WW1, the Russian people rise up against the Czarists and Communism takes hold. It ends monarchy, for the most part. It is the beginning of the end of WW1. It leads to a large part of WW2. It ushers in the murder of tens of millions of people. It reshapes world conflict for the rest of the century.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I just missed the 100 years but if you give me 1917, I feel like the most seminal moment in world history in the last 100 years was the Russian Revolution.

At the end of WW1, the Russian people rise up against the Czarists and Communism takes hold. It ends monarchy, for the most part. It is the beginning of the end of WW1. It leads to a large part of WW2. It ushers in the murder of tens of millions of people. It reshapes world conflict for the rest of the century.

Yup, though not as fun as Woodstock with knowledge aforethought

 

[psuro]

I would like to be in Bill Gates' garage when he develops/starts Microsoft and hand him $1000 and say "You look like a fine upstanding man. Here is a $1000 I want to unvest in you and to help you get your idea off the ground"

 

[MtNittany]

I would like to be in Bill Gates' garage when he develops/starts Microsoft and hand him $1000 and say "You look like a fine upstanding man. Here is a $1000 I want to unvest in you and to help you get your idea off the ground"

He would have taken $500.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I would like to be in Bill Gates' garage when he develops/starts Microsoft and hand him $1000 and say "You look like a fine upstanding man. Here is a $1000 I want to unvest in you and to help you get your idea off the ground"

Oh yeah! And not too much of a Butterfly Effect except for you. Your new ability to buy a 200' yacht would not change history much.

 

[psuro]

Oh yeah! And not too much of a Butterfly Effect except for you. Your new ability to buy a 200' yacht would not change history much.

True. And I probably would have been too wealthy to attend college and then never had the experiences I did. And then used the money to buy real estate and become a land baron

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Interesting thread--great events you've posted too.

- I'd love to have spent a day with Churchill during the war
- Same with George S. Patton
- 2008 election night with Barack Obama

 

[delcoLion]

lots of disclaimers and assumptions here:

1. Time travel works
2. You can participate a bit but not overtly change history (modified Butterfly Effect)
3. Generally keep it to last 100 years if possible

-----

1.Be an American GI at the Liberation of Paris in 1944 or VJ Day in Times Square a year later
2. Woodstock - with like a pound of 21st century grade weed and other party drugs ("weed is tight"), and solid rain gear
3. Lake Placid, 1980, USA-USSR hockey
4. Dealey Plaza on the day JFK got shot with enough time to station tiny security cameras at key locations and, then, with my eyes pealed on the Book Depository

I'm not a geek, really, but I'd go to the Constitutional Convention.

 

[fairgambit]

Interesting thread.
If I could actually be at the event, rather than just having lived through it, I would be on the Moon when Neil Armstrong took those 1st steps in 1969. I'd also be at the top of the world when Edmund Hillary climbed Mt. Everest in 1953. Finally, I would like to have been at the marriage of my parents.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

Sorry, not possible (thanks for giving us the out of 100 years, if possible). I'd like to see the parting of the Red Sea and Jesus walk on water. Please! I'd just quietly observe from the sidelines and not interfere one bit ;-)

 

[ILLINOISLION]

I've always been intrigued by certain battles, some more than 100 years ago, some within the 100 year period: My top five would probably be: The Alamo, the battle at The Little Bighorn, the defense of Rourke's Drift, Pearl Harbor, Midway.

 

[PSU Mike]

Sorry, not possible (thanks for giving us the out of 100 years, if possible). I'd like to see the parting of the Red Sea and Jesus walk on water. Please! I'd just quietly observe from the sidelines and not interfere one bit ;-)

And have MackDaddy with you to nod at...

 

[PSU Mike]

Trinity test, July 16, 1945. I have to think seeing/feeling it would have given me chills beyond all comprehension.

 

[psu_83_drummer]

Landing of Apollo 11 lunar module

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I've always been intrigued by certain battles, some more than 100 years ago, some within the 100 year period: My top five would probably be: The Alamo, the battle at The Little Bighorn, the defense of Rourke's Drift, Pearl Harbor, Midway.

Cool choices - all filled with points where you might be saying "what are you doing you idiots!"

If you haven't already, read "Son of the Morning Star" about Custer, and "Face of Battle" by John Keegan, which practically takes you to several seminal battles like Crecy. Fascinating books

 

[psuro]

I would have like to have seen seen a young Joe Paterno play high school football in Brooklyn.

And also to see his reaction to State College when he first got off the bus in 1950.

Would have liked to have been at the finish line of the 24 hour of LeMans when Ford went 1-2-3 over Ferrari.

Been at the Downtown Athletic Club for Cappys speech.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Gettysburg Address, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, maybe Joan of Arc's execution...

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Did you catch the American Experience episode on the Little Big Horn? It featured Nathaniel Philbrick. It was fantastic because it contextualized the event and yet the whole thing was haunting. I have been to many battle fields and this one was by far the "darkest"...Arrogance, hubris, genocide, greed. A fascinating event.

View embedded media

NN2, thanks for the LINK. Have never seen it but plan to watch it within the next 24 hours. Again, thanks!

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Cool choices - all filled with points where you might be saying "what are you doing you idiots!"

If you haven't already, read "Son of the Morning Star" about Custer, and "Face of Battle" by John Keegan, which practically takes you to several seminal battles like Crecy. Fascinating books

CT, thanks for the recommendations, they'll be added to my reading bucket list.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Trinity test, July 16, 1945. I have to think seeing/feeling it would have given me chills beyond all comprehension.

It would certainly be a blast.....!

 

[LemonEars]

- Spend half a day talking with Leonardo Da Vinci
- In the crowd listening to the Sermon on the Mount
- Spend a day with Annette Funicello on the beach in about 1964
- Rescue my Dad from a German prison camp in 1944
- Be in the PSU pre-game locker room and then on the sidelines with Joe during the Georgia national championship game in 1983

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

- Spend half a day talking with Leonardo Da Vinci
- In the crowd listening to the Sermon on the Mount
- Spend a day with Annette Funicello in about 1964
- Rescue my Dad from a German prison camp in 1944
- Be in the PSU pre-game locker room and then on the sidelines with Joe during the Georgia national championship game in 1983

If this is 'spend a day with' I'd go....

Jesus, Hemingway, MLK, Jobs, Warhol, my Grandfather on my Dad's side (died before I was born), and Marilyn Monroe.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

- Spend half a day talking with Leonardo Da Vinci
- In the crowd listening to the Sermon on the Mount
- Spend a day with Annette Funicello in about 1964
- Rescue my Dad from a German prison camp in 1944
- Be in the PSU pre-game locker room and then on the sidelines with Joe during the Georgia national championship game in 1983

Your item three, change "day" to "night"!

 

[LemonEars]

Your item three, change "day" to "night"!

Now. Now. Annette was a "nice girl". I would spend the day with her!!

 

[Chickenman Testa]

- The center of the union line on July 3
- the crucifixion
- USSR vs USA Olympic Hockey 1980
- MLK's "I have a dream" speech.
- Philadelphia July 1776

There's a cool point right as MLK is getting to the end of his speech when a camera turns to the enormous crowd and, right there, a little to the left if I remember correctly of dead center in front of the Reflecting Pool, is a group from Media, Pa with a sign proclaiming that. Very cool as that's my town (well, Moylan-Rose Valley, but close enough)

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

University Park / Lasch Building - Feb 2002. I'd drive McQueary straight to the police station and stand beside him the entire time he's there with a recorder to capture exactly what he told the police (the 1st time). Then I'd find a way to make it 100% clear to C/S/S (and hell, even Joe) to not fvck around with whatever "horseplay" you've heard about Jerry and take some very definitive action. Next, I'd take my recording of MM's police report to TSM and suggest that if they don't report Jerry, I'll let everyone know that they knew about him and did nothing. Finally, just for shits & giggles, I'd do whatever I could in my power to beat the holy shit out of Jerry.

 

[Nitt1300]

Battle of Jutland on HMS Warsprite
Gettysburg with the 20th Maine
With Patton during the Battle of the Bulge

 

[artsandletters]

lots of disclaimers and assumptions here:

1. Time travel works
2. You can participate a bit but not overtly change history (modified Butterfly Effect)
3. Generally keep it to last 100 years if possible

-----

1.Be an American GI at the Liberation of Paris in 1944 or VJ Day in Times Square a year later
2. Woodstock - with like a pound of 21st century grade weed and other party drugs ("weed is tight"), and solid rain gear
3. Lake Placid, 1980, USA-USSR hockey
4. Dealey Plaza on the day JFK got shot with enough time to station tiny security cameras at key locations and, then, with my eyes pealed on the Book Depository

I used to dream of hanging with the expats in Paris during the 1920s. Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Stein, the Murphys, that whole crowd.

I'd like to have been inside the tomb that held the dead body of Jesus to see if he really rose from the dead (not the last 100 years but affected the last 2017 years).

I'd like to have been present at the writing of the Constitution so I could record and ascertain the founders' true meaning and intent of the 2nd Amendment.

I'd like to have been in Hitler's bunker in order to stop him from popping the cyanide and keep him alive to face the music.

 

[NittPicker]

I'm not a geek, really, but I'd go to the Constitutional Convention.

I'd explain to those guys how things are nowadays and ask them what the Constitution really means. Today's politicians on both sides of the aisle always talk about what "the founding fathers intended" as if they have personal knowledge. I'd love to hear what they intended directly from them.

 

[anon_1eeb2b426hv3y]

University Park / Lasch Building - Feb 2002. I'd drive McQueary straight to the police station and stand beside him the entire time he's there with a recorder to capture exactly what he told the police (the 1st time). Then I'd find a way to make it 100% clear to C/S/S (and he'll, even Joe) to not fvck around with whatever "horseplay" you've heard about Jerry and take some very definitive action. Next, I'd take my recording of MM's police report to TSM and suggest that if they don't report Jerry, I'll let everyone know that they knew about him and did nothing. Finally, just for shits & giggles, I'd do whatever I could in my power to beat the holy shit out of Jerry.

Only way to better that one is to put the part after "finally" before driving MM to the police station and get the kid, whoever he was, out of that situation.

Of course, the hypo required that you can't change history, but you're in REALLY good company with the wish. Jeez. On that note, I'd also like to be at that frat house in February to help Tim Piazza--bless his soul.

 

[HoustonNit]

lots of disclaimers and assumptions here:

1. Time travel works
2. You can participate a bit but not overtly change history (modified Butterfly Effect)
3. Generally keep it to last 100 years if possible

-----

1.Be an American GI at the Liberation of Paris in 1944 or VJ Day in Times Square a year later
2. Woodstock - with like a pound of 21st century grade weed and other party drugs ("weed is tight"), and solid rain gear
3. Lake Placid, 1980, USA-USSR hockey
4. Dealey Plaza on the day JFK got shot with enough time to station tiny security cameras at key locations and, then, with my eyes pealed on the Book Depository

Pretty sure my dad was there for #1 in 1944. He was stationed in Fountainbleau which is right outside of Paris.

 

[bdgan]

1. PSU win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl
2. PSU vs. UCF in Ireland

Sorry I missed those two games.

 

[BlueBand]

Interesting thread.
If I could actually be at the event, rather than just having lived through it, I would be on the Moon when Neil Armstrong took those 1st steps in 1969. I'd also be at the top of the world when Edmund Hillary climbed Mt. Everest in 1953. Finally, I would like to have been at the marriage of my parents.

I think I'd learn some basic Russian, and be on the moon waiting for Armstrong to climb down the steps. Total mindf*ck. LOL

 

[BlueBand]

You didn't say we couldn't go into the future... can I be in the room when Trump learns he's been impeached? It would be historical!

On a (more) serious note, I'd like to be there when the world meets beings from another planet for the first time.

 

[Grant Green]

Not so much historical, but I would love to go back the 1967 Monterrey Pop Festival. Incredible line up of musicians including the US debut of Hendrix. A close second would be to see John Coltrane live circa 1960

 

[royboy]

I'd like to have a super observation spot (in the sky?) for the Battle of Midway, the decisive naval battle in 1942 that changed the war in the Pacific.

To be with Abe Lincoln on July 4, 1863, when the news came to him about the near simultaneous victories in Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

To be with President Jefferson when Lewis and Clark returned with their stories and findings of their remarkable journey (and since, we're mixing in technology time travel, to see their videos, too)

 

[ILLINOISLION]

It's so bizarre because just a few weeks prior Custer was in NYC hanging out with the broadway salon society and in DC testifying before congress on corruption investigations.

Just finished watching. I've seen several different shows on Custer over the years and read several books (the first one when I was probably in jr high school), but you always learn something new and interesting. Thanks again!

 

[Bessmoney]

1. Game 7 of the 1960 World Series in Pittsburgh
2. 1980 Miracle on Ice
3. Immaculate Reception