Happy Six Billion Day! On this day in 1999 the six billionth living human in the world was born.
Today is also International Moment of Frustration Scream Day! At noon, you're supposed to go outside and scream in frustration for thirty seconds. It's better than See You At The Pole!
On this day in 1216, King John of England (of Robin Hood and Magna Carta fame) lost his crown jewels (ahem) in the Wash while fleeing the French. This so upset him that he died six days later. There is some speculation that his death was due to poisoned ale, poisoned plums or a "surfeit of peaches". Poor King John. But, as A.A. Milne said, King John was not a good man.
Thomas Ravenscroft published Three Blind Mice on this day in 1609. It is believed to be about Queen "Bloody" Mary executing three protestant bishops. Here are the original lyrics, obviously from a time when there were more e's lying around:
Three Blinde Mice,The tune has been used in quite a few classical works, including Haydn's Symphony No. 83 in G minor. I, however, have newly become a fan of Haydn's Symphony 104. If you ever have a chance to hear it performed live, do. You'll fall in love with it, and anyone who plays it.
Three Blinde Mice,
Dame Iulian,
Dame Iulian,
the Miller and his merry olde Wife,
shee scrapte her tripe licke thou the knife.
On this day in 1681, a London woman was publicly flogged for the crime of "involving herself in politics." And in 1773, America's first insane asylum opened in Virginia for 'Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds'.
The Pledge of Allegiance was first recited in unison by public school students in 1892. The Pledge was conceived by Francis Bellamy, a socialist who wanted to reinforce loyalty to the Union in post-Civil War America. According to The Youth’s Companion, 65 (1892): 446–447):
At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute -- right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”Here is a picture of American students using the salute mentioned above, called the "Bellamy Salute," while pledging the flag. The phrase "under God" was not added until 1954, when it was deemed necessary to combat the godless commies like Nikita Khrushchev who, on this day in 1960, pounded his shoe at a UN General Assembly meeting.
At the words, “to my Flag,” the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.
Happy birthday to the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams born on this day in 1872. Here are some of his compositions:
- Fantasia on Greensleeves
- Excerpt from Five Variants on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
- Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Word over all, beautiful as the sky,Happy birthday to Chris Botti, born in 1962. He does a mean "What'll I Do." But, since I couldn't find it, here is his rendering of "Someone to Watch over Me."
Beautiful that war and all its deeds of carnage must in time be utterly lost,
That the hands of the sisters Death and Night incessantly softly wash again
and ever again, this soiled world;
For my enemy is dead, a man divine as myself is dead,
I look where he lies white-faced and still in the coffin - I draw near,
Bend down and touch lightly with my lips the white face in the coffin.
Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks was born 7 years later. Here is the Dixie Chicks horrendously sad "You Were Mine."
Finally, John Denver died on this day in 1997. I miss him. Here's another sad song, "Follow Me." Denver's "I Am the Hawk" reminds me of a poem by the ancient Irish poet Amergin.
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