Real 1972: This Day in History

February 2, 1972:

OTL*: Anti-British riots take place throughout Ireland. The British Embassy in Dublin is burned to the ground, as are several British-owned businesses.
Strangers' World: Anti-British sentiment is still strong in Ireland but the government of Eire, feeling a total lack of international support, does everything possible to suppress any kind of public protest, least to say an attack on the embassy. Probability: low.

OTL: The last draft lottery is held, a watershed event in the wind-down of military conscription in the United States during the Vietnam era. These draft candidates are never called to duty.
Strangers' World: The United States have nothing to search in Vietnam and other parts of French Indochina, controlled by Japan since late 1940s. Probably the U.S. Army (and/or Marines) is involved in some mess in Central America, trying to handle it with a relatively small expeditionary force. No conscription required. Probability: zero.
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* OTL = Our Timeline = Real History

Read also: Reality vs Alternative

1930: Real Kertész

One of the most original photographers of the 20th century, André Kertész often created unexpected compositions from everyday subjects. Proclaiming himself a “naturalist Surrealist,” his instinct for using the camera to reveal the unexpected in the commonplace is evident throughout his photographic life.

Fortune Teller, 1930

 

Clock of the Académie Française, Paris. c.1930

 

Source: Art Tattler International

Mark's Baby - Again

Still elegant in 1955, the Steyr Baby looked ultramodern in 1930s.

Mark Toma, our main character, was a proud owner of this smart little streamliner.

 

See also: His First Car
1937 Steyr 50 'Baby' ad: scanned and retouched by Paul Malon, on Flickr



Munich 1938 Demotivational Poster

Our main (not the only) Point of Divergence

Munich Demotivational (RU)

Our first poster in Russian:

They met in Munich but didn't sign a thing

Yes, Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax left Munich to consult the King - and never returned. Without them, the (infamous in OTL) agreement couldn't be signed.

Мир Посторонних возник раньше мюнхенской встречи, но зажил полной жизнью после внезапного отъезда британской делегации.

1930: Real Berlin Revisited

In a Jazz Club

 

Karstadt Department Store

 

Photographer: Otto Umbehr (Umbo)

 

See also: Real Berlin

 

Manchester Picadilly Station

Photo by roseofwinter, on Flickr

Без двадцати четыре поезд привез меня на вокзал с веселым названием Пикадилли. Вышел я на тот же перрон, к которому через двадцать пять минут должен был подойти бакстонский поезд. Закрылся в красной телефонной будке, накормил автомат большими и маленькими монетами и позвонил в гостиницу "Гроув".

Real 1972: Udo Jürgens

This Austrian born pop singer/composer who sold more than 100 million records (!) is mentioned in our book only once. He deserves more than a short mention - in early 1970s, Jürgens' popularity reached its peak all over Europe.

Here we see (and hear) Herr Jürgens performing  a short medley ("Warum nur, warum", "Un air sur mon piano" und "Merci cherie") together with the Kessler twins.

Конечно, за полгода окна во двор могли заложить кирпичами, пол покрыть плиткой, купить новую мебель, сменить кофейную машину, а вместо портрета кайзера-короля повесить плакат с Удо Юргенсом или Майклом Кейном. Но все было на месте...

See also: Coffee machine and Emperor Karl