The centuries between Drake and Cook were the centuries from privateers to navy. Midways, William Dampier visited Australia twice, once buccanneer in the Cygnet and once commander of the HMS Roebuck, where he made landfall on 6 August 1699. Dampier made money from his travel by writing, an effort noted by Dean Swift at the… Continue reading #OTD 6 August
Month: August 2022
#OTD 5 August
Carl Benz built his business upon his wife’s money. His business was built upon her marketing. On 5 August 1885, Bertha Benz gathered her two teenage sons and took Carl’s Patent-Motorwagen for a 100-kilometre spin. The three daughters were too young and wouldn’t have fitted the three-seater anyway. Bertha bought her petrol – the petroleum… Continue reading #OTD 5 August
#OTD 4 August
On 4 August 1914, Belgium and Britain declared war on Germany after Germany’s invasion of Belgium. The front page of next day’s Washington Times recorded “President offers to act as mediator”. Wilson was dealing with international catastrophe upon the shadow of his wife’s battle with Bright’s disease, to which she succumbed on 6 August. On… Continue reading #OTD 4 August
#OTD 3 August
With President Hindenburg’s death on 2 August 1934, Herr Hitler united his chancellorship and the vacant presidency under the title of Fuhrer, or leader. The cult, and the genocide and war which followed, remains a lesson for the ages. There are two sources for the use of Fuhrer. First, Georg Ritter von Schönerer. An Austrian,… Continue reading #OTD 3 August