History of 10th September -A Headless Star Mike
Discover the intriguing history of 10th September, from countries joining the League of Nations to wartime bombings and invasions. Dive into the curious tale of Mike the Headless Chicken, a rooster who defied death and became a national sensation.
As I glance through the history of 10th September, I find it was this day when many countries joined the League of Nations. Starting with China in 1919, followed by the Irish Free State in 1923, and subsequently the Germans joined in 1926.
But moving with the subsequent history of 10th September, I see that the League of Nations was an utter failure as I see that on this day in the year 1939, Canada, under the leadership of Mackenzie King, declared war on Germany, seven days after the United Kingdom and France had entered the state of war against the Nazis. Again in the year 1940, Buckingham Palace was hit by a German bomb in London on this day.
Moving on with the history of 10th September, I find war continues as we go to the year 1942 when on this day British RAF drops 100,000 bombs on Dusseldorf, Germany. Then we see in the subsequent year the British 8th army occupies Taranto, Italy on this day. Again in 1943 German troops occupied Rome and took over the protection of Vatican City, the same year Italian fleet anchored at Malta.
Ultimately looking at the history of 10th September, my personal conclusion is the fact that the politicians who consider themselves as leaders are nothing but a bunch of hate mongers, not just then but even today all politicians can be called the League of Monsters. They spread hate for their personal benefit and fool the common man in the name of patriotism. Their ultimate motive is to gain money and power. The paid media houses capitalize on this hate for financial gains to add to their joy. I am proud to be a part of ‘East India Story’ where we write on art, culture, science, and most importantly positivity.
Anyway moving on with the history of 10th September, I share a fascinating story, the story of Mike the headless chicken.
Mike the Headless Chicken: The Bird That Defied Death and Became a Legend
The history of 10th August takes us to the quaint town of Fruita, Colorado where a remarkable and bizarre story unfolded in 1945 that would captivate the world and turn a simple farmyard bird into an enduring legend. This is the tale of Mike the Headless Chicken, a Wyandotte rooster who defied the odds and, against all logic, lived for 18 months without his head.
A Misjudged Swing
The story began on September 10, 1945, when Lloyd Olsen, a farmer from Fruita, was sent to the yard to prepare a chicken for dinner. The unfortunate bird selected for the occasion was a five-and-a-half-month-old Wyandotte named Mike. With one swift swing of the axe, Olsen aimed to dispatch the bird quickly. However, fate had other plans. The axe missed its mark, severing most of Mike’s head but leaving the jugular vein intact along with most of the brain stem and one ear.
To Olsen’s amazement, instead of succumbing to his injuries, Mike remained alive. He continued to balance on his perch, albeit clumsily, and even attempted to peck and preen, though these actions were reduced to awkward gestures. His crowing, which once might have been a robust call, was now a gurgling sound emanating from his exposed throat. Olsen, realizing that Mike was not going to die, decided to care for the headless bird. Using an eyedropper, he fed Mike a mixture of milk and water, supplemented with small grains of corn and worms.
A Headless Star is Born
Word of the headless chicken spread quickly, and soon Mike found himself in the spotlight. He was no longer just a farm bird but a sideshow sensation. He toured the country, sharing the stage with other oddities, such as two-headed babies. Mike’s fame grew to such an extent that he was featured in Time and Life magazines, becoming a national curiosity.
Mike was more than just an attraction; he was a lucrative business. At the peak of his fame, Mike’s owner, Olsen, was earning $4,500 a month from people eager to catch a glimpse of the headless wonder—a staggering amount equivalent to over $60,000 today. Mike himself was valued at $10,000, a sum that would be over $130,000 in today’s money.
The Final Day
But Mike’s incredible journey came to an abrupt end in March 1947. While traveling back from a tour, Mike and the Olsens stopped at a motel in Phoenix, Arizona. During the night, Mike began to choke on mucus. Tragically, the Olsens had left their feeding and cleaning syringes at the previous day’s sideshow, and they were unable to clear his airway in time. Mike, the bird who had defied death for so long, finally passed away.
The Science Behind the Miracle
Mike’s survival, while extraordinary, can be explained by science. The axe had missed the jugular vein, and a blood clot prevented him from bleeding to death. More crucially, the brain stem—the part of the brain responsible for basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and reflex actions—remained mostly intact. This allowed Mike to continue living, albeit in a severely altered state. Additionally, chickens possess a secondary balance organ in their pelvic region, known as the lumbosacral organ, which enabled Mike to walk and balance even after losing his head.
A Legacy of Headless Fame
Today, Mike the Headless Chicken remains a cultural icon in Fruita, Colorado. Since 1999, the town has celebrated “Mike the Headless Chicken Day” on the third weekend of May. The festival features quirky events such as the “5K Run Like a Headless Chicken Race,” egg tosses, a “Chicken Cluck-Off,” and the ever-popular “Chicken Bingo,” where chicken droppings on a numbered grid determine the winners.
Mike’s legacy extends beyond the festival. He has inspired a punk band, The Radioactive Chicken Heads, who dedicated their 2008 song “Headless Mike” to the resilient rooster. The band even includes a puppet of Headless Mike in their live performances, keeping the legend alive for new generations.
In the annals of oddities, Mike the Headless Chicken stands out as a symbol of resilience, defying the odds and capturing the imagination of all who hear his story. His life, though bizarre, reminds us that sometimes, even in the most unlikely circumstances, life finds a way to persist.
That is all from the history of 10th August. Toodle-oo.
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