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
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#OTD 2 August
Does the trope that Star Wars and Apple are a joint metaphor for the last half century have anything going for it? Mebbe. On 2 August 2018 Apple became the first American public listed company to reach a market value of $1 trillion. On 2 August 1972, George Lucas’s “American Graffiti” premiered at the Locarno… Continue reading #OTD 2 August
#OTD 30 April
30 April is Honesty Day in the US. It was chosen for two reasons. First, as a foil to the first day of the month, April Fool’s Day. Secondly, to celebrate the inauguration of President George Washington on 30 April 1789. Washington died in 1799. A year later an entrepreneur pumped out The Life and Memorable… Continue reading #OTD 30 April
#OTD 29 April
In the US, 29 April is National Zipper Day. And on National Zipper Day, why seize the day when you can seize two? One website states “On April 29, 1851, [Elias] Howe applied for a patent for the ‘Continuous Clothing Closure’.” Another states “The day commemorates the date in 1913 when the zipper was patented… Continue reading #OTD 29 April
#OTD 27 April
On 27 April 1904, John Christian Watson became the third prime minister of Australia and the first Labour premier of any nation in the world. One of his cabinet had been premier of Queensland for a week in 1899, leading the first Labour government in the world. Over the decade before, he was a key… Continue reading #OTD 27 April
#OTD 25 April
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand. It began on 25 April 1916 to honour the landing at Gallipoli one year before by members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps; it has become Australia’s unofficial national day. It has waxed and waned over the decades, an indicator… Continue reading #OTD 25 April
#OTD 24 April
Eratosthenes was a Greek polymath. He devised an algorithm for identifying primes (the sieve of Eratosthenes). His calculation of the earth’s circumference was known of but rejected by, Columbus, who reckoned about 25% less. Had Columbus accepted the calculation, he may well have founded a new world and not, as he believed, Asia. Eratosthenes was… Continue reading #OTD 24 April
#OTD 23 April
The feast day for Saint George falls on 23 April. For the anglophone, Saint George is England. He is its patron saint. His cross, the red cross on the white background, has been the English flag for centuries and remains the centre of the Union Jack. On 23 April 1348, Edward III founded the Order… Continue reading #OTD 23 April
#OTD 22 April
On 22 April 1864, during the US Civil War, Congress enacted the Coinage Act, authorising the director of the mint with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury to fix mottoes on one- and two-cent coins. Secretary Samuel P Chase had already approved “In God we trust”, and the new coins came into circulation.… Continue reading #OTD 22 April
#OTD 21 April
Countries forged by revolution like foundation days as they are good for creating a sense of stability. But it can be tricky. Remember John Adams’ letter to wife Abigail on 3 July: The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that… Continue reading #OTD 21 April