April 13, 2026 — Today is National Scrabble Day, which feels like one of the few games where knowing obscure words can actually feel like a competitive advantage… and slightly suspicious at the same time.

Today we’re looking at a few moments where plans, systems, and ideas don’t quite hold the way they’re supposed to.

First, the Edict of Nantes in 1598, an attempt to create stability by allowing differences to exist—at least for a while.

Then, the founding of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870, a place built not just to preserve history, but to decide how it’s presented.

And finally, the Apollo 13 crisis in 1970, where a routine mission changed instantly—and the response became the story.

Plus, a quick look at Thomas Jefferson, whose ideas helped shape how systems are built in the first place.

Different moments. Different outcomes. But each one shows how control isn’t always as complete as it seems.

Anyway… those are a few of the things I ended up discovering while wandering through April 13.