On 4 February 1801, John Marshall was sworn in as chief justice of the United States. His legacy is a profoundly practical one, and one that still rankles with many. He, along with many of the founding fathers, accepted as wisdom of Montesquieu’s separation of powers. In Marshall’s words, the legislature makes, the executive executes,… Continue reading #OTD 4 February
Author: The chronographer
#OTD 28 January
On 28 January 1958, Godtfred Kirk filed a patent in Denmark for an automatic binding brick described as a toy building element. Kirk’s idea built on his father’s business, named “Lego” as a derivation of the phrase leg godt or “play well”. The product has affected so many children’s lives and generated so many statistics… Continue reading #OTD 28 January
#OTD 26 January – The brand of the national day
A national day is a way to market national unity. Nations are complex things, and it is unsurprising that the obvious reason for the choice hides deeper ones. On 26 January, India celebrates Republic Day. At first glance, this is an apt celebration for the day in 1950 on which the Constitution of the new… Continue reading #OTD 26 January – The brand of the national day
#OTD 30 December
Revisiting history is revisiting oneself. My upbringing involved Anglicanism: 1066 belongs to England; crucifixion belongs to Christ; “ibn” means “son of” for Arabs and not for Jews; the Vizier is a wicked Muslim politician out of the Arabian Nights; and Jews suffered pogroms being outside of legal protection. In time I found out that there… Continue reading #OTD 30 December
Alexandria Park – a tale of terra nullius
* A version of this article was published in the Summer 2021 issue of Bar News, the journal of the NSW Bar Association. Introduction Cooper v Stuart was the Privy Council determination which cemented terra nullius in Australia for the century up to Mabo. Its interest to a wider Australia is obvious; its own story… Continue reading Alexandria Park – a tale of terra nullius
27 June
Forever and a day, politicians under monarchs have had to concern themselves about the issue, what happens if the monarch is not producing issue? “What do we do to ensure a smooth line of succession?” Like much of life’s mysteries, this involves sex, religion and territory. At the beginning of the 18th century, the English… Continue reading 27 June
2 September
On 2 September 1901, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt opened the Minnesota State Fair. That evening, the local paper reported his “eloquent oration” in full, including: A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick – you will go far.’ Twelve days later, Roosevelt was sworn… Continue reading 2 September
1 September
After World War II, Australia and New Zealand shared two fears, a resurgent Japan and the spread of communism, and one reality, that the UK was no longer a power in their region. Enter the US, which needed a resurgent Japan but which also feared the spread of communism. Thus it was, in San Francisco… Continue reading 1 September
14 July
Sometimes we humans tend to order, sometimes to disorder. Our confusion throws up mighty questions; “How does the ruler rule freedom?” and “How does science stand with religion?” Joseph Priestley embodies these confusions. The discoverer of carbonated water and the founder of British Unitarianism, his celebration of Bastille Day two years after the event on… Continue reading 14 July