Oliver Hazard Perry – who, symmetrically, was born and died on August 23 – 1785 and 1819, respectively.
Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, with a history of accomplished Naval officers on both sides of the family, Oliver served in the War of 1812, initially supervising the construction of naval vessels and the training of their crews for battling the British on Lake Erie. In 1813 he engaged the British fleet off Put-in-Bay.
The British anticipated an easy victory and the early fighting went in their favor. After losing his flag ship, Perry sailed for the ship Niagara and was able to ram the lead British ship while firing rifles on the crew.The Battle of Lake Erie became a decisive victory for the Americans. As a result, Perry became a popular hero and is memorialized throughout the area.
Perry Monument, Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island, Ohio
Qixi – the Milky Way Festival or the Night of Sevens.
This is the story of star-crossed lovers, Zhinu an imortal member of the Queen of Heaven’s family, and Niulang, a lowly cowherd. Zhinu is represented in the sky by the star Vega; Niulang is represented by Altair. Both of these stars are prominent in the summer night sky as two points in the asterism known as the Summer Triangle.
There are, of course, many versions and variations on the story, but just as in Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters meet and fall in love. In this instance they marry, have two children and think that they are home free on their way to happily every after.
But the Queen of Heaven, who up to now has not been paying attention, finds out about the liaison and demands that Zhinu return to the sky where she must again take up her regular job of weaving colorful clouds. This is a job which, apparently, no one else can do.
Niulang is despondent – he is also left with two little kids to raise by himself. Now things get a little strange. His ox begins to talk to him. Listening to the ox’s advice, Niulang kills the beast, puts on its skin, picks up the kids and travels to heaven to reclaim his wife.
He was not fast enough, however, because Queenie learns of the plan and scratches a huge river across the sky between Zhinu and Niulang creating the Milky Way – a river they cannot cross – EXCEPT on the seventh night of the seventh month when the magpies fly up to heaven and create a sky bridge so that the lovers can be together on that one night of the year.
This Chinese festival is related to the Japanese Star Festival, Tanabata.
“Take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.”
“This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”
Upon being informed of Calvin Coolidge’s death, she replied, “How could they tell?”
And, of course, “One more drink and I’ll be under the host.”
Dorothy Parker, of course, born August 22, 1893. Poet, writer, playwright and founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. When the Round Table broke up, she went to Hollywood and was a two-time Oscar nominated screen-writer. She was active there until black-listed by the McCarthyism. She remained politically active throughout her life. Parker downplayed her skills, but was well known and appreciated for her bright wit and scathing humor.
Founding members of the Algonquin Round Table: (l-r) Art Samuels, Charlie MacArthur, Harpo Marx, Dorothy Parker and Alexander Woollcott. What a wonderful experience it must have been to experience lunch at the Algonquin Round Table during that time and with those characters.
V-J Day – August 14, 1945 – This is the day that the surrender of Japan took place effectively ending World War II. Although the official surrender ceremony did not take place until September 2, of that year, when the surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri. However, August 14, saw celebrations across the nation including Times Square where this famous photo was snapped by Alfred Eisenstaedt of Life Magazine. Eisenstaedt’s photo captured the jubilance that accompanied the announcement of the end of the fighting. Celebrations took place not only across the nation, but across the world among the Allies. Below, American servicemen and women celebrate in Paris on the Champs Elysees.
August 11 is Raspberry Tart Day. According to Punchbowl, tarts were first introduced in the Middle Ages. I think that may be when they were first introduced into society, but I suspect that those little tarts were around for a lot longer than that. This celebration, however, should focus more on the raspberries. The summer berry season is a short one and fresh red raspberries are a wonderful treat. So celebrate by giving someone you love the raspberries.
For future reference, Harry, it is raspberry…although of course, if I were a Death Eater, I would have been sure to research my own jam preferences before impersonating myself. ~ Albus Dumbledore
For crust:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Using rubber spatula or fork, mix melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl. Add flour and salt and stir until incorporated. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Using fingertips, press dough evenly onto sides and bottom of pan.
Bake crust until golden, about 18 minutes (crust will puff slightly while baking). Transfer crust to rack and cool in pan. Maintain oven temperature.
For filling:
Whisk sugar, eggs, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add flour and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Cook butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until deep nutty brown (do not burn), stirring often, about 6 minutes. Immediately pour browned butter into glass measuring cup. Gradually whisk browned butter into sugar-egg mixture; whisk until well blended.
Arrange raspberries, pointed side up and close together in concentric circles, in bottom of cooled crust. Carefully pour browned butter mixture evenly over berries. Place tart on rimmed baking sheet. Bake tart until filling is puffed and golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool tart completely in pan on rack. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.
Remove tart pan sides. Place tart on platter. Cut into wedges and serve.
The Coast Guard’s official history began on 4 August 1790 when President George Washington signed the Tariff Act that authorized the construction of ten vessels, referred to as “cutters,” to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Known variously through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as the “revenue cutters,” the “system of cutters,” and finally the Revenue Cutter Service, it expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew.
August 4, 1693 – The Night They Invented Champagne
Tradition has it that a monk invented champagne accidentally, leading to the fabled quotation, “Come quickly, I am tasting stars!” The story has probably been embellished over the years, but let us lift our glasses in a toast to whoever invented champagne, on this date in 1693, or some other time.
Today is Macedonian Republic Day and also the festival of St. Elijah. Elijah, in the Slavic tradition, comes with some history beyond Christian culture and is sometimes known at Elijah the Thunderer. His biblical ascension into heaven in a fiery chariot made him a natural analog to the Slavic pagan god of storms.
This is the Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria, site of the Battle of Alexandria on July 31, 30 BC. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria was one of the greatest cities in the world under European influence for over 300 years. The battle, which pitted the forces of Octavian against those of Mark Antony, marked the end of Rome as a republic and the beginning of the empire. Mark Antony’s defeat at the battle let to his suicide, as well as that of Cleopatra. Alexandria’s fortunes ebbed and flowed over the centuries under the rule of Europeans, Arabs and the Ottoman Empire at various times. Modern Alexandria is a prosperous seaport and industrial center.
Ancient Alexandria
Modern Alexandria
Don’t get me started about the Library at Alexandria – you know how I get.
Silent screen star, Theda Bara. Born Theodosia Burr Goodman in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 29, 1885. She grew up in that city and attended the University of Cincinnati for two years before traveling west. She was one of Hollywood’s first sex symbols. Here is a lovely tribute to this star that shows some of her exotic costumes, which contributed to her reputation as a femme fatale. I wish I has the chutzpah to wear snakes like that.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 