Larry Flynt, pornographer and self-proclaimed free speech fighter, was born on 1 November 1942 but nudity is way older. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was exhibited to the public for the first time on 1 November 1512. The story goes that the Papal Master of Ceremonies had complained about “all those nude figures [in… Continue reading #OTD 1 November – The freedom of filth?
Month: October 2023
#31 October – The hallow of death
Making holy – hallowing – and death have long marched together. As President Lincoln observed: But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. An… Continue reading #31 October – The hallow of death
#OTD 30 October – Surrecting slavery
The answer to the question what is the difference between “insurrection” and “revolution” depends, of course, on which side you are. The American colonies were not slow to coin their rebellion a “revolution” and they were sensible to do so. The word “revolution” in the 1770s did not necessarily mean the visceral violence of the… Continue reading #OTD 30 October – Surrecting slavery
#OTD 29 October – Crash of the titans
Tuesday 29 October 1929 was Black Tuesday, the Wall Street crash. What were the reactions and was it any different from any other time when extended exuberance comes to an abrupt end? The Washington Evening Star was a local paper of record for much of its life. The market had been very turbulent over the… Continue reading #OTD 29 October – Crash of the titans
#OTD 28 October – Wilson and the other Hughes
The 1916 presidential campaign saw the appearance on the campaign trail, or perhaps track, of the Hughes special, a train of women supporting Hughes. It was not all easy going. The Topeka State Journal for 28 October 1916 reported ox-gall in a Kansas City auditorium – “KC auditorium reeking with odor for Republicans” – and… Continue reading #OTD 28 October – Wilson and the other Hughes