Month: January 2023

Bloody Sunday: Massacre in St. Petersburg (1905)

The Russian Revolution of 1905 began on Bloody Sunday, when Czar Nicholas II’s troops killed and wounded hundreds of unarmed, peaceful demonstrators marching toward the Winter Palace. The protesters, organized by Georgy Gapon, a Russian Orthodox priest, were going to present the czar with a petition for an eight-hour workday, improved working conditions, and fair wages, when troops opened fire on them. Gapon was killed soon after. How was his friend Pinhas Rutenberg involved in his death? Discuss

Bruno Kreisky (1911)

Kreisky was an Austrian statesman who helped negotiate the treaty that restored Austrian independence and neutrality in 1955 and who became chancellor of Austria in 1970, retaining the office until 1983. As chancellor, he increased Austria’s role in world affairs and presided over a growing economy. He instituted many liberal reforms, such as the decriminalization of homosexuality and abortion. The chancellor, who had Jewish roots, stirred up controversy by appointing whom to his cabinet? Discuss

Guided Missiles

A guided missile is a self-propelled, unmanned space or air vehicle whose path can be adjusted during flight, either by automatic self-contained controls or remote human control. Often propelled by rockets and carrying explosive warheads, guided missiles were first developed for military applications by the Germans, who employed V-1 and V-2 missiles in World War II. They have since become the key strategic and tactical weapon of modern warfare. What are some other types of missiles? Discuss

Barrow Day

This national public holiday honors Barbados‘ first prime minister. Errol Barrow was born in 1920, earned a law degree in England, then returned to Barbados, where he became finance minister in 1959 and prime minister in 1961. He was reelected in 1966 and, soon after, Barbados gained independence from Great Britain. Barrow was voted out in 1976 but regained office in 1986; he died the next year. Discuss

Jack Nicklaus (1940)

Nicklaus is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, and his legendary rivalry with Arnold Palmer helped turn the game into a major spectator sport. “The Golden Bear” turned pro in 1962 and by 1986 had played in 100 major championships, finishing in the top three 45 times. He won three British Open Championships, four US Opens, five PGA Championships, and six Masters, for a record 18 major championships. Who are the only two golfers to have accumulated more PGA wins than Nicklaus? Discuss

Henry Morrison Flagler

Flagler, an American financier, was John D. Rockefeller’s business partner and a key figure in the development of Florida as a winter playground. After visiting the state in 1883 and seeing its inadequate transportation and hotel facilities, he worked to improve them. He bought up and consolidated several local railroads and organized the Florida East Coast Railway. He also established steamship lines, dredged the Miami harbor, and built palatial hotels. What accident contributed to his death? Discuss