Today in Pop Culture History

Upper, for all sorts of reasons:
11 December 1936: Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson in a gesture that I can't help but think of as insanely romantic, no matter what I later learn about the couple's post-abdication relationship, or their Nazi sympathies. The once and not-future king's decision is pop culturally pervasive. Several alt-history novels, including a Doctor Who!, imagine the (usually disastrously fascist) consequences to Edward remaining king through WWII. More recently, the 2010 Best Picture winner The King's Speech quite literally doesn't happen unless Edward books and Bertie ascends. The upcoming film W. E. co-written and directed by Madonna (yep) also relies heavily on Simpson and Edward's relationship.

Thanks for the Oscar-bait role, Eddie.