In the French Revolutionary Calendar, today, Tuesday, October 29, 2013 is: Octidi 8 Brumaire, the thirty-eighth day of year 222 of the revolutionary era—the eighth day of décade 4 of this year, and the eighth day of Brumaire, the second month in the French Republican Calendar. Fête du jour (Feast day of the people): Scorsonère (Black Salsify: also known as black oyster plant, serpent root, vipers herb, vipers grass or simply scorzonera, is a perennial member of the genus Scorzonera in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), cultivated as a root vegetable in the same way as salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), also in the sunflower family). All days of the French Revolutionary Calendar had the name of an agricultural or ornamental plant, except the 5th (Quintidi) and 10th days (Décadi) of every decade, which had the names either of a domestic animal on the fifth day (Quintidi) or an agricultural tool on the tenth day (Décadi). Ninety six years ago today was the sixth day of the Russian Revolution! 1665. Present day Angola. Battle of Ambuila, in which Portuguese forces defeat the forces of the Kingdom of Kongo and decapitated king António I of Kongo, also called Nvita a Nkanga. Since 1620, Kongo and Portugal had been in a near-constant state of war with the only intervals coming after decisive BaKongo victories. After almost 30 years of decline in the face of BaKongo, Mbundu and Dutch military victories, the Portuguese had retaken their colonial possession in Luanda while establishing a tenuous peace with their old enemies. Feeling threatened by Portugals return on Kongos southern border, António I sought to renew Kongos war against the Portuguese with a new alliance similar to the one at the Battle of Kitombo. Unable to rely on the Dutch for assistance, he sent emissaries to Spain but failed to procure an alliance. He also contacted Kongos Mbundu allies in Matamba and the semi-independent kingdoms of Dembos and Mbwila. This is the period in which Europe began to divide Africa. 1917. Russia. Junkers launch an insurrectionary attempt within Petrograd, but are quickly defeated by the Red Guard on the same day. Meanwhile, the Vikzhel (Executive Committee of Railwaymen) demand a “United Socialist Government”; composed of Mensheviks, SRs, and Bolsheviks. Until this occurs, they refuse to transport food. The rank and file do not fully agree, and food nonetheless trickles into the cities. Lenin insists that nothing should be done: the rail workers themselves will resolve the issue (and in January the workers did, by electing a new Central Committee). 1921. USA. Second trial of Sacco and Vanzetti. 1929. USA. Wall Street crashes the most ever (Black Tuesday): Wall Street crashes—Black Tuesday—throwing the worlds economy into a years-long crisis, eventually leading to World War II, but in the short term leads to an unemployment rate in the U.S. that by 1933 hit nearly 25 percent, with many of those keeping their jobs having pay slashed and hours cut. Billions of dollars were lost, wiping out thousands of investors, and stock tickers ran hours behind because the machinery could not handle the tremendous volume of trading. 1938. Spain. Farewell parade in Barcelona for the International Brigades. 1948. Palestine/Israel. The Safsaf massacre occurred when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) captured the Palestinian Arab village of Safsaf in the Galilee. The village was defended by the Arab Liberation Armys Second Yarmuk Battalion. Safsaf was the first village to fall in Operation Hiram, the aim of which, according to the IDF, was to destroy the enemy in the central Galilee pocket, to take control of the whole of the Galilee and to establish a defense line on the countrys northern border. The village was attacked by two platoons of armored cars and a tank company from the 7th Brigade, and a fierce battle lasted from the evening until seven oclock the next morning. Evidence of a massacre in which 52-64 villagers were killed by the IDF comes from several contemporaneous Israeli government sources and Arab oral history. The evidence suggests that 52 men had their hands tied, were shot and killed, and were buried in a pit. Several women were raped, including a 14-year-old, and killed. At least two internal inquiries were initiated during 1948-9 by the IDF, but their reports remain classified to this day. 1952. Vietnam. In early October, Giap attempted to draw the French out from the De Lattre Line by attacking along the Fan Si Pan mountain range between the Red and Black Rivers. Sixty-one years ago today, the French countered Giap’s move by launching Operation Lorraine targeting major Viet Minh supply bases in the Viet Bac region. But Giap outsmarts the French by ignoring their maneuvers and maintains his position along the Black River. Eventually the French operation is a large failure. 1963. Vietnam. US cannot decide whether to postpone or carry out coup against Diem. Lodge says it is too late. The co-conspirators to the US plans for a coup would be exposed. The coup must go forth. 1975. Spain. Following a long-term illness, Franco resigns as fascist dictator after 36 years.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 12:01:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015