On this day in 1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High debuted. One of the first 80's high school movies, it followed the lives of the teenagers at Ridgemont High School and the various trouble they get themselves into. Sean Penn memorably played the role of Jeff Spicoli, a surfer/stoner who was just looking for a good time, even if it was at the expense of his teacher, Mr. Hand.
On this day in 1521 the Aztec capitol of Tenochtitlan falls to Hernan Cortes after a three month siege. The Aztecs built their magnificent city on Lake Texcoco near modern day Mexico City and had a vast empire. They required their citizens in outlying areas to pay tributes and sacrifices that would end up being their downfall. Cortes used the enemies of the Aztecs to wage a full scale war and eventually conquered all of central America.
On this day in 1940 the German Luftwaffe launched "the day of the eagle" a widespread attack on Britain's radar stations. It sent out 1,500 aircraft of which 45 were shot down. The significance of this attack was that the Germans only knocked out one radar station. The rest were still intact by the end of the engagement. Herman Goering decided to stop attacking the radar stations because of this failure. The result was that Britain was able to anticipate all further German attacks and eventually win the Battle of Britain.
Spicoli. Sean Penn's finest hour....maybe.
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