History of the Day: 11/13

On this day in 1841, James Braid saw a demonstration of "animal magnetism," which led to his study and development of hypnotism. Little did he know that it would eventually be used to make people cluck like chickens for street comedians. It's the circle of life, you know.

Today we mourn the passing of three, influential authors. Margaret Wise Brown was born in 1910 and died on this day 42 years later. She is primarily known for her children's book Goodnight Moon. It's been parodied quite a few times, including this anti-Bush version.

Vine Deloria Jr. was born in 1933 and died on this day 72 years later. He is an American Indian who wrote such unbiased works as Custer Died for Your Sins, God Is Red and Red Earth, White Lies. They're pretty hard reading, mostly because you feel really, really guilty for being of European descent. He was also a poet. Here is his poem, Shem:

I saw you in a vision
Colors of royalty and holiness
A delicate, sweet and pure love that loved me
I saw love.
I saw God.

Another poet, Russell Tyrone Jones, better known as Ol' Dirty B***ard, was born in 1933 and died on this day at the age of 36. And, if any of you would like to know if I'm down with ODB, I can only reply that you know me. I'd post some of his songs, but when you have to bleep out the name of the artist ...

Two massacres happened on this day in England. In 1887, one of several days given the title Bloody Sunday occurred in London. During the Long Depression, many people had moved to the cities seeking employment and, naturally, there weren't enough jobs to go around. The Social Democratic Federation and Irish National League teamed up for a demonstration. 2,000 troops and 400 police were deployed to deal with around 10,000 protesters. All things considered, it wasn't really that bloody. Hundreds were hospitalized, but only three died. Given the time period, that's durn near miraculous.

In 1002, Ethelred the Unready of England ordered the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St Brice's Day Massacre. It seemed like a good idea at the time, as the Danish Vikings had been attacking and raiding England for over a decade. In Oxford, the Danes (including Gunhilde, sister of the king of Denmark) attempted to seek refuge in a church. So, the mob burned the church down. This led to the invasion of England by said Danish king, and Ethelred's demise.

So, let's summarize. Terrorists attack country. Leader, whose nickname is "Unready" and who has a decided smirk, responds with violence. That response ends up "emboldening" the enemy, leading to further attacks. There's a lesson here somewhere ...

The saint for whom the massacre was named, Brice of Tours, has a feastday today as well. There are two reasons why he should be patron saint of teachers. First, he is already patron saint of stomach upset. Second, he was apparently a thorn in the side of St. Martin (whose feastday was on the 11th.) When Martin's friends encouraged him to get rid of Brice, Martin replied:

If Jesus could put up with Judas, surely I can put up with Brice.

Today is also the feastday of St. John Chrysostom, the "golden mouthed." He was a very influential theologian in the early Church. Sadly, like many Christians throughout time, he was a bit of an anti-Semite as well. It's excused as either being against Christians who observed Jewish traditions and festivals, or just being frustrated with the persecution of the Church in general. Regardless, it's a shame that the same person said:

How think you that you obey Christ's commandments, when you spend your time collecting interest, piling up loans, buying slaves like livestock, and merging business with business? ... Upon this you heap injustice, taking possession of lands and houses, and multiplying poverty and hunger.

and

The Jewish people were driven by their drunkenness and plumpness to the ultimate evil; they kicked about, they failed to accept the yoke of Christ, nor did they pull the plow of his teaching. Another prophet hinted at this when he said: "Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer." … Although such beasts are unfit for work, they are fit for killing. And this is what happened to the Jews: while they were making themselves unfit for work, they grew fit for slaughter. This is why Christ said: "But as for these my enemies, who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and slay them."

Finally, today is the feastday of St. Homobonus. His name means "Good Man." He's probably doing overtime right now, as the patron saint of business people.