The Italian government had sent a group of Umarell to the Suez Canal region to observe the situation and give their suggestions.
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The Greatest War never fired a shot
The Great Pig War (aka the San Juan Boundary Dispute) between the US and UK/Canada, begun in June of 1859, lasted 12 whole years and was started over a very hungry pig. At maximum belligerence, the order of battle included 2,600 ground troops, five powerful ships of the line, and nearly a hundred cannon. ButContinue reading “The Greatest War never fired a shot”
On this date in history
March 28, 1930 –Istanbul was ConstantinopleNow it’s Istanbul, not ConstantinopleBeen a long time gone, ConstantinopleWhy did Constantinople get the works?That’s nobody’s business but the Turks. (I can’t help myself – I just love this song) Constantinople and Angora change their names to Istanbul and Ankara on this date.
It’s the start of Holy Week
Happy Palm Sunday The name Palm Sunday comes from the tradition for worshippers being given palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem. As always, we here at ACME wish to quote that great theologian, my mother, during this holiday season: “I swear to God if you kidsContinue reading “It’s the start of Holy Week”
Poems a lovely as a tree
March 27, 1912 –Washington DC is in the middle of it’s annual celebration of National Cherry Blossom Festival (even though we are still supposed to be practicing social distancing,) commemorating the gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to the city of Washington on this date. The gift of 3,020Continue reading “Poems a lovely as a tree”
Next year, if not in Jerusalem, at least not in quarantine
Passover starts tonight – please bone up on those four questions. Remember you will not be graded on a curve! While it’s not as bad as not finding the missing easter egg, by all means, please find the Afikoman, (no one wants to accidentally eat a piece of exceptionally stale cracker.)
Some days it’s not good to be the king
March 26, 1199 –All seemed right with the Medieval world. Richard the Lionheart was taking an evening stroll around the castle perimeter without his chain mail, investigating the progress of soldiers trying to destroy the fortress in which he was seeking refuge. Arrows were occasionally fired from the castle walls, but these were given littleContinue reading “Some days it’s not good to be the king”
… R, E, S, P, E, C, T
March 25, 1942 –The late great Aretha Louise Franklin (The Queen of Soul,) born in Memphis, Tennessee, on this date, was a singer, songwriter and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings, Franklin is adept at jazz, blues, R&B and gospel music. Franklin has won eighteen Grammy Awards in total during her nearly half-century longContinue reading “… R, E, S, P, E, C, T”
… Say, “Good Morning” to the night
March 25, 1947 –Reginald Kenneth Dwight, singer-songwriter, composer and pianist was born on this date. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked him as the most successful male solo artist on “The Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists“ And so it goes.
It’s the Feast of the Annunciation
Now a days known as The Solemnity of the Annunciation, I’m not even going to try to explain this one to you. While you’re in church this afternoon, ask one of the old lady in the back saying her decades of rosary to explain it to you. (This is for extra credit,) today is alsoContinue reading “It’s the Feast of the Annunciation”
