Non-musical history for today: 1812 – A political cartoon in the Boston-Gazette coined the term “gerrymander” to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection. “Gerrymander” is a portmanteau (I like that word) of a salamander and former Vice President of the United States, Elbridge Gerry. Gerry, as governor of Massachusetts in 1812, signed a bill that created a partisan district in the Boston area that was compared to the shape of a mythological salamander (my understanding is that it had wings and everything). Oddly enough, Elbridge Gerry wasn’t a fan of the practice. One of the worst gerrymandered areas in the country currently is right here in North Carolina. The whole state is ridiculous.

Music history, album anniversaries, birthdays, and deaths for March 26.

Recorded in the Omniverus Podcast Studios at Liberty Plaza.

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