🥃 This Week In History - Monk Alchemist Creates Scotch Whiskey

Welcome back History Nerds,

In this week’s edition of the LOL History Newsletter we have a lot to unpack, like the birth of the scotch, and the coronation of one of the longest female heads of state, Queen Elizabeth II. If we missed something fun from this week in history, make sure you respond to this email telling us about it, we read every single response! Thanks for sticking around and be sure to enjoy.

Did You Know? On April 5, 1923, the firestone of the first U.S. car tire made from balloon rubber rolled onto the road—ushering in the era of the smooth ride. Before that, tires were solid or barely cushioned, meaning every bump felt like a punch in the spine. Balloon tires made driving feel like floating on air, and within a year, over a million cars had made the switch. Your chiropractor never stood a chance.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• The Birth of Scotch: Friar John Cor’s Historic Batch of 1495

• The First AIDS Report

• The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II: 1953

• The Allied Invasion of Normandy Begins

Friar John Cor: The Monk Who Started Scotch Whisky in 1495

In 1495, deep in medieval Scotland, a single line in the Exchequer Rolls quietly made history: “Eight bolls of malt to Friar John Cor, by order of the King, wherewith to make aqua vitae.” It was the first known written record of Scotch whisky. Friar John Cor, a Tironensian monk at Lindores Abbey in Fife, had been tasked by King James IV—a monarch with a taste for medicine, alchemy, and perhaps a dram or two—to distill this “water of life.” The term aqua vitae, Latin for “water of life,” referred to early distilled spirits, often seen as both remedy and ritual. But this particular batch, made from malted barley and Highland know-how, was something new. It marked the humble beginning of a spirit that would eventually become Scotland’s signature.

At the time, there were no brands, no barrels aged for decades in quiet cellars. Whisky was coarse, likely harsh, and made in copper stills with little more than fire and intuition. And yet, behind that process was a blend of science, devotion, and craft. What Friar Cor created wasn't just a drink—it was a foundation. In an era when printing presses were rare and maps of the world were still being drawn, he distilled more than alcohol. He distilled identity. That early whisky may have been rough around the edges, but so was the land it came from—resilient, enduring, and quietly powerful.

That ledger entry became a spark. Over centuries, the “water of life” would evolve—aged, refined, and revered—spreading from humble abbeys to Highlands, Lowlands, and far beyond. But it all began with one monk and eight bolls of malt. A drink was born, yes—but more than that, a legacy.

From Mystery to Epidemic: The First AIDS Report

On June 5, 1981, the CDC published a medical report about five men in Los Angeles who had come down with a rare form of pneumonia. Doctors were puzzled—these weren’t elderly patients or people with weak immune systems. These were young, otherwise healthy men. The cases had something in common: all five were gay, and their immune systems were mysteriously failing. No one knew it yet, but this marked the first official report of what would later be called AIDS.

At first, the medical community didn’t even know what to call it. Some dubbed it “gay cancer,” others used acronyms like GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency). But the disease didn’t stay limited to one group for long. As more cases appeared in different communities—including hemophiliacs, intravenous drug users, and people who had received blood transfusions—it became terrifyingly clear: this was a global health crisis in the making.

In the years that followed, AIDS would take millions of lives, spark international panic, and radically shift the way the world talked about public health, sex, and stigma. What began as a strange medical mystery in Los Angeles quickly became one of the most defining challenges of the late 20th century—and it’s a fight that continues to this day, now backed by science, awareness, and global solidarity.

Elizabeth II: A Reign Begins, A Legacy Endures

On June 2, 1953, a 27-year-old Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey, stepping into a role that would define a century. The ceremony, steeped in ancient ritual, was broadcast live for the first time, reaching over 20 million viewers in Britain alone. In a country still recovering from war, it wasn’t just a coronation—it was a signal of stability, modernity, and continuity.

As the crown was placed on her head, Elizabeth became more than monarch—she became a symbol of endurance. Over her 70-year reign, she would guide the nation through decolonization, economic upheaval, cultural revolutions, and political storms. Through it all, she remained constant. Unflinching, composed, and dutiful, she redefined what monarchy could mean in the modern world—not through power, but through presence.

That day in Westminster wasn’t the end of an old era, but the quiet beginning of a new one. Cameras captured the moment, but history would judge the reign. In the decades that followed, Queen Elizabeth II became a thread running through generations—a sovereign who reigned without ruling, shaped without shouting, and stood firm while the world turned fast around her.

D-Day: The Allied Invasion of Normandy Begins

On June 6, 1944, America led the charge in one of the most daring and heroic operations the world has ever seen—D-Day. Under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, over 156,000 Allied troops—many of them young American men—stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, to break Hitler’s grip on Europe. It was the largest amphibious invasion in history, and it marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

The conditions were brutal. Cold water. Steel defenses. Gunfire from above. But wave after wave, American soldiers pushed forward at places like Omaha and Utah Beach, knowing full well the cost. They weren’t just fighting for land—they were fighting for freedom. By the end of the day, the Allies had secured a critical foothold in France, and the tide of World War II had turned.

D-Day wasn’t just a military victory—it was a moment that defined American resolve. It showed the world what happens when liberty is threatened and the United States answers the call. The men who fought and fell that day didn’t just shape a battle—they helped shape the free world we live in today. Their courage will never be forgotten.

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See You Next Time!

We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the LOL History newsletter! See you next week!

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders