The election of 1800—the original political drama, long before social media could amplify the chaos. Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic-Republican candidate, went head-to-head with John Adams. When the votes were tallied, the real shocker wasn’t Adams' loss, but the fact that Jefferson tied with his own running mate, Aaron Burr, at 73 votes. Democracy had spoken—and apparently, it spoke in riddles. With no clear winner, the decision was punted to the House of Representatives, because, obviously, throwing it to politicians always makes things clearer.

The House, packed with Federalists who loathed Jefferson, found themselves in a dilemma—should they back the guy they hated or the guy they didn't trust? After 36 rounds of voting, Alexander Hamilton—who hated Burr even more than Jefferson—stepped in to tip the scales. Jefferson finally emerged victorious, making him the third President of the United States, with Burr reluctantly taking the role of Vice President. This election, now dubbed the "Revolution of 1800," was the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in American history, proving that, yes, democracy could withstand a little high-stakes drama.

Jefferson, never one for grand displays, walked to his inauguration like a man who just survived a political knife fight. His inaugural address took the high road, reminding everyone, "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists," as if the country hadn’t just spent months tearing itself apart. It was a bold attempt at unity, the 19th-century version of "Can we all just get along?"

The election also exposed glaring flaws in the voting process, namely the awkward loophole that let running mates tie. Congress patched things up with the 12th Amendment in 1804, ensuring that Presidents and Vice Presidents would be elected separately—because, as it turns out, treating elections like a buddy system doesn’t work when power is on the line.

Before caped crusaders dominated pop culture, before billionaires with bat-fetishes patrolled the night, there was The Phantom. Created by Lee Falk, this masked vigilante first appeared in a daily newspaper strip on February 17, 1936. Dubbed "The Ghost Who Walks," The Phantom operated under the premise that criminals are, at their core, a superstitious and cowardly bunch. But unlike the later spandex wearing heroes, The Phantom wasn’t an alien, a billionaire, or even blessed with powers. He was just a guy in a skin-tight purple suit with an intimidating skull ring, proving that fashion risks and crime-fighting go hand in hand.

What made The Phantom truly groundbreaking was his myth. He wasn’t just one man, but a legacy, a title passed down from father to son, giving the illusion of an immortal enforcer of justice. This clever bit of storytelling gave The Phantom a level of mystique that later superheroes would borrow from. His look also set the stage for the genre—masked face, form-fitting suit, an emblem that criminals learned to fear. It was the template that would eventually shape superheroes as we know them today.

Sure, Superman debuted in 1938 and often gets all the credit for launching the superhero craze, but The Phantom was already out there throwing punches in the name of justice two years earlier. His newspaper adventures captured public imagination, proving that people loved their justice served with a side of mystery and a tight-fitting leotard. He paved the way for masked vigilantes like Batman and The Shadow, setting the stage for the flood of heroes that followed.

Even today, The Phantom endures, with comic strips still running in some parts of the world and a dedicated fanbase keeping his legend alive. Before superheroes had the luxury of billion-dollar cinematic universes, The Phantom was out there doing the job with nothing but sheer willpower and a costume that screamed, "I'm serious about this crime-fighting thing."

Babylonian Happy Hour🍻
Long before trendy bars and 2-for-1 margaritas, the Ancient Babylonians were already perfecting the art of happy hour. Around 4,000 years ago, they had a tradition of drinking beer at sunset, marking the transition from work to relaxation. Beer wasn’t just a casual drink—it was sacred, often used in religious ceremonies and social gatherings. Babylonian brewers even had strict laws about beer quality (because no one wants a bad brew).

Drunk Fish 🎣
Of all the bizarre laws out there, Ohio has one that really makes a splash: it’s illegal to get a fish drunk. Why? No one’s entirely sure. Maybe someone once tried to throw an underwater keg party, or perhaps an overly ambitious fisherman thought a few drinks would make the catch of the day a little easier.

The First “OMG”😱
Believe it or not, the first recorded use of "OMG" wasn’t in a text message—it was in a letter written in 1917 by British Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher. Writing to Winston Churchill, Fisher excitedly discussed military honors and casually dropped:"I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis—O.M.G. (Oh! My God!)—Shower it on the Admiralty!!" So yes, over a century before the internet, someone was already shortening their excitement—and somehow, it took us 100 years to start texting like this.

Mary Antoinette’s Hair🚢
In 18th-century France, bigger was better—especially when it came to hairstyles. Marie Antoinette took this trend to the extreme, sporting towering wigs so elaborate that they sometimes contained actual miniature model ships, tiny gardens, and even fake fruit. One of her most famous looks, the “Coiffure à la Belle Poule,” featured a detailed replica of a French warship to celebrate a naval victory. Because nothing says fashion statement like balancing a whole boat on your head.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past. - Zach⛺️