July 23

1532 - A Turkish invasion forced Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to agree to peace with his Protestant enemies.

The role of the Turks in the success of the Protestant Reformation isn’t given enough credit for the success of the Reformation...If Charles didn’t have to fight constant battles with the Ottomans - guarding his eastern flank - it is much less likely he would have been outmaneuvered (politically, economically, and militarily) by his European enemies.

1914 - Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia following the killing of Archduke Francis Ferdinand by a Serb assassin.

The tinder-box was about to blow and the world soon witnessed the greatest war to that time.

1979 - Ayatollah Ruhallah Khomeini, who overthrew the Shah of Iran and made the country a theocracy, laid down the law on music. He said, "Music is no different from opium. Music affects the human mind in a way that makes people think of nothing but music and sensual matters."

What a bizarre edict, but nothing out of the norm for this bizarre man. Plus, it was almost directly from the Koran itself.

Unfortunately, Khomeini's importance on the Islamist movement is huge, and the world is paying dearly for allowing such a man - and ideology - to take power in Iran.

1990 - President GHW Bush announced his choice of Judge David Souter of New Hampshire to succeed retiring Justice William J. Brennan on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ugh!!! Bush had good intentions, but Souter turned out to be one of the most Liberal voices on the Supreme Court...Which is why it's important to remember the Rule of Good Intentions:  'The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions.'