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Posts Tagged ‘history’
What is tattoo Tuesday about?
July 9, 2013We went to see the Tall Ships in the harbor this weekend. In addition to thirteen beautiful ships, there were a number of tattoos in evidence at the event. Here are a few of them.
And some ship photos:
What am I sappy cat blogging?
June 14, 2013Today is FLAG DAY, so here are some patriotic kitties.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States of America in 1777. Observance of Flag Day came much later. In 1916, Wilson recommended the a day to honor the flag, but Flag Day was not designated as an official holiday until Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress in 1949 proclaiming June 14 as a nation wide observance.
No post on Flag Day would be complete without mentioning Betsy Ross, creator of the original American flag.
This is the Betsy Ross house and museum in Philadelphia.
What did I celebrate on Sunday?
June 3, 2013
The answer is that the first Sunday is June is traditional for celebrating the Day of the Rice God. From Chase’s Annual Events:
Chiyoda. Annual rice-transplanting festival observed on first Sunday in June. Centuries-old rural folk ritual revived in 1930s and celebrated with colorful costumes, parades, music, dancing and prayers to the Shinto rice god Wbai-sama.
Disclaimer: this is a totally self-serving plug from the author, Anne Bonney – pirate-potter.
What do we observe today?
May 27, 2013
We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance . . . Let pleasant paths invite the comings and goings of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generation that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided country.
Maj. Gen. John A. Logan – 1868
What do we celebrate today?
May 22, 2013
National Maritime Day is a United States holiday created to recognize the maritime industry. It is observed on May 22, the date that the American steamship Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power. The holiday was created by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933. – Wikipedia
What am I celebrating tonight?
April 30, 2013
April 30 is Walpurgis Night – the festival exactly 6 month opposite Halloween that marks the beginnings of spring, rather than the harvest season.
The holiday is named for St. Walpurga and it originated in northern and central Europe. Walpurga is the patron saint of those suffering from rabies – make of that what you will.
Traditionally celebrated with dancing and a bonfire, in Scandinavia, there are often fresh funnel cakes to celebrate this night.
Here is a funnel cake recipe from Alton Brown:
Funnel Cake
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time:
10 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 10 cakes
Ingredients
1 cup water
3/4 stick butter (6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 cup eggs, about 4 large eggs and 2 whites
Vegetable oil, for frying
Powdered sugar, for topping
Directions
Boil water, butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan. Add flour and work it in until it is all incorporated and dough forms a ball. Transfer mixture to the bowl of a standing mixer and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes. With mixer lowest speed, add eggs, 1 at a time, making sure the first egg is completely incorporated before continuing. Once all eggs have been added and mixture is smooth, put dough in a piping bag fitted with a number 12 tip. Heat about 1 1/2 inches of oil in a heavy pan. Pipe dough into oil, making a free-form lattice pattern; cook until browned, flipping once. Remove cake from oil, drain on paper towels, and top with powdered sugar. Continue until all of the batter is used.
Credit: Alton Brown at Food
What Mutiny am I Commemorating Today?
April 28, 2013
April 28 is the anniversary of the Bounty mutiny. Bligh’s biography written here, indicates he possessed high level of seamanship and was a loyal officer. These characteristics earned him respect. His irascibility and unbending nature also brought him trouble.
He fought under Nelson and earned his praise. In 1801, he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his contributions to navigation and botany.
After his naval career, he served as Governor of New South Wales and had a tumultuous career in Australia, as well, due to his hot temper and insistence on carrying out the law. He was eventually promoted to Vice Admiral and his claims in New South Wales were granted to his estate, providing well for his heirs.
A complex and interesting man. Here are some quotes from Bligh’s logs:
The object of all the former voyages to the South Seas undertaken by the command of his present majesty, has been the advancement of science and the increase of knowledge.In our passage from the Cape of Good Hope the winds were mostly from the westward with very boisterous weather: but one great advantage that this season of the year has over the summer months is in being free from fogs.
And I refer you to a post from 2012 on this subject.
A reconstruction of the ship Bounty was tragically lost in Hurricane Sandy in 2012. This video shows the heroic efforts of the Coast Guard in rescuing the Bounty’s crew. Fourteen crewmen were rescued; two, including the captain, were lost.
This is a re-blogging of my 2013 post commemorating the mutiny involving my distant cousin.
What has no upper limit?
April 26, 2013Get ready to rumble – there’s a whole lot of shaking going on because today is Richter Scale Day. April 26 is the birthday of Charles Richter (born in 1900 in Overpeck, Ohio) who developed the eponymous scale for comparing earthquakes. Richter repeated emphasized that there is no upper limit to the scale, however each level of the scale represents a ten-fold increase in magnitude from the previous level. The most powerful earthquake recorded was the 1960 Chilean earthquake that measured 9.5 on the scale.
Magnitude differs from intensity, as explained on the USGS earthquake site:
Magnitude and Intensity measure different characteristics of earthquakes. Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake. Magnitude is determined from measurements on seismographs. Intensity measures the strength of shaking produced by the earthquake at a certain location. Intensity is determined from effects on people, human structures, and the natural environment.
For a comparison of magnitude versus intensity, look here.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 