Month: July 2019

Jeffrey Hudson, the “Queen’s Dwarf”

Known as the “Queen’s Dwarf” and “Lord Minimus,” Hudson was a member of the court of Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I of England. The rare combination of extreme short stature—Hudson was less than 20 in (50 cm) tall—and normal body proportions made him quite the novelty in the courts of Europe. Expelled from the court after killing a man in a duel, Hudson was captured by pirates and enslaved in Africa for 25 years before being freed. How much did he reportedly grow during his captivity? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Marlboro Music Festival

It was the noted violinist Adolf Busch who came up with the idea of establishing a community for musicians that would free them from the pressures and restrictions of concert life. Every summer since 1951, artists from all over the world have gathered in Marlboro, Vermont, to exchange musical ideas. The Marlboro Music School, which holds an eight-week session each summer, is primarily a place where students can study contemporary and classical chamber music. During the festival, the general public has an opportunity to hear the results of their collaborations. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna was one of the most important international conferences in European history. Ambassadors from all of the major European powers attended the congress, whose main purpose was to redraw the continent’s political map following the defeat of Napoleonic France. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars had swept away Europe’s entire structure, and determining new borders was a complex process. What controversial diplomat wrote his Harvard doctoral dissertation on this congress? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Battle of Edgecote Moor (1469)

The Battle of Edgecote Moor was an important turning point in the series of dynastic civil wars for the English throne known as the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485). The battle pitted the forces of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, against those of King Edward IV. Warwick had once been loyal to Edward and had even helped put him on the throne, but Edward began to resent him and suppress his influence. Angered, Warwick allied with Edward’s brother, George, and rose in rebellion. Who won the battle? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Liberia Independence Day

This especially important Liberian holiday is celebrated with a parade, a party for the diplomatic corps in Monrovia, and a grand ball in the evening. Similar events are held throughout the country. The day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1847 by the various settlements of the country, establishing the first independent black republic in Africa. After independence, elections were held, and Joseph Jenkins Roberts was elected the first president in January 1848. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Vending Machines

Today, there are few things that cannot be purchased from vending machines. Most vending machines in the US dispense snacks, beverages, and other inexpensive merchandise, but in the 1950s, some airports featured life insurance policy-dispensing machines. In Japan, where there is approximately one vending machine for every 23 people, you can buy everything from live lobsters to iPods to underwear from machines. Who is believed to have invented the first vending machine and what did it dispense? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Festivities for the Day of National Rebellion

This three-day national holiday in Cuba commemorates an attack that took place on July 26, 1953, when rebel forces led by Fidel Castro struck the Moncada army barracks in Santiago de Cuba. It is remembered as the beginning of the rebellion that ousted the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959. The holiday is an occasion for displays of national pride and mass rallies. Crowds of 100,000 are common in Havana, where a carnival, live music, singing, dancing and flag waving mark the occasion. Santiago de Cuba also has a large carnival, and other cities host celebrations as well. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary