Wherein the author of this blog drinks too much espresso & rambles on a bit about stamps.
Latest article
France’s 2025 stamps: a lot of details, too much writing & even more love
Better go get yourself a strong coffee and a plate of snacks, it's time to explore France's 2025 stamps. And damn you France, stop being so fascinating so I can post faster. I checked the word count and was a bit embarrassed to discover i wrote over 7,000 words and...
Over 600 articles to read! Enjoy
Dresden Frauenkirche completes reconstruction in 2005
Dresden Frauenkirche completes reconstruction in 2005
On October 30, 2005, the Dresden Frauenkirche, after decades of planning, fundraising and reconstruction, reopens its doors to the public. Then came the air raid of February 13, 1945. Some
Republic of Türkiye is declared Oct. 29, 1923
Republic of Türkiye is declared Oct. 29, 1923
On October 29, 1923, the Republic of Türkiye was established. “I told them that we would declare the republic tomorrow,” he writes. “All friends agreed with me, and we started
Artist Francis Bacon was born in Dublin Oct. 29, 1909
Artist Francis Bacon was born in Dublin Oct. 29, 1909
Figurative painter Francis Bacon is born October 28, 1909 in Dublin, Ireland. … known for his raw, unsettling imagery… Francis Bacon 1909–1992 | Tate Bacon’s Studio in London From Ireland’s
State of Siege premiered Oct. 27, 1948
State of Siege premiered Oct. 27, 1948
Albert Camus’ fourth play L’État de Siège (State of Siege) premiered in Paris on October 27, 1948. … A clock strikes four. The dialogue that now begins is barely comprehensible, a
Malleco Viaduct is officially open 1890
Malleco Viaduct is officially open 1890
Chile’s Malleco Viaduct was opened October 26, 1890. Designed by Chilean architect Victorino Aurelio Lastarria, this rail line was the highest in the world at the time. 315 feet high
Toronto Stock Exchange opening Oct. 25, 1861
Toronto Stock Exchange opening Oct. 25, 1861
The Toronto Stock Exchange opened October 25, 1861. Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX, 150 Years Issued in 2002 Designed by Ivan Novotny, John Taylor and Patrick Sayers The TSX traces its
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge officially opened 2018
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge officially opened 2018
On October 24, 2018 the 55-kilometre (34 mi) Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge officially opened. The bridge spanned the Pearl River Delta, with 6 lanes of traffic. It is the longest sea
Springhill Mine Disaster October 23, 1958
Springhill Mine Disaster October 23, 1958
In the early evening of October 23, 1958, a mining town in Nova Scotia was torn apart by what became known as the Springhill Mine Disaster. At 7pm a small
Paul Cézanne death October 22, 1906
Paul Cézanne death October 22, 1906
French artist Paul Cézanne died October 22, 1906 in Aix-en-Provence, France. Unsatisfied with the Impressionist dictum that painting is primarily a reflection of visual perception, Cézanne sought to make of
Samuel Taylor Coleridge entered the world Oct 21, 1772
Samuel Taylor Coleridge entered the world Oct 21, 1772
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born October 21, 1772 in Devon, England. Coleridge was one of the founders of the Romantic movement in England. In all his roles, as poet, social
Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House opened 1973
Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House opened 1973
On October 20, 1973, Australia’s now iconic Sydney Opera House opened its doors. Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Opera House was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site
Jane Eyre was published October 19, 1847
Jane Eyre was published October 19, 1847
Charlotte Brontë novel Jane Eyre was published in London on October 19, 1847. The book was published under the pseudonym “Currer Bell”. Jane Eyre – “Come To Me”
Charles Babbage, Father of Computing, died Oct. 18, 1871
Charles Babbage, Father of Computing, died Oct. 18, 1871
Charles Babbage, mathematician, philosopher, inventor, and mechanical engineer died October 18, 1871. Babbage’s pioneering work and invention of the first automatic digital computer earned him the title Father of Computing. Charles Babbage
Poczta Polska began operation 1558
Poczta Polska began operation 1558
October 17, 1558 Poland’s official postal service, Poczta Polska, began. The first routes travelled along the Vistula River, with major stops at Kraków, Sandomierz, Warsaw, Toruń, Elbląg, Gdańsk. It followed
Queen’s University turns 184
Queen’s University turns 184
Canada’s Queen’s University turns 184 today. The university was established October 16, 1841 in Kingston, Ontario.The first classes began March 7, 1842 in a small wood house at the edge
Gregorian Calendar adopted Oct. 15, 1582
Gregorian Calendar adopted Oct. 15, 1582
The Gregorian Calendar was adopted for the first time on October 15, 1582. Use of the new calendar was decreed by by Pope Gregory XIII when he issued the papal
Winnie the Pooh becomes a literary icon Oct. 14, 1926
Winnie the Pooh becomes a literary icon Oct. 14, 1926
The first Winnie the Pooh book adventure was published by Methuen (London) on October 14, 1926. This means the venerable bear will be 100 years old next year. There are
Philip the Fair orders mass arrest of Templars Oct. 13, 1307
Philip the Fair orders mass arrest of Templars Oct. 13, 1307
In the early morning hours of Friday October 13, 1307, under the orders of King Philip the Fair, the Knights Templar were arrested. “Dieu n’est pas content, nous avons des
Oct. 12 1654 the Delft Thunderclap destroyed a city
Oct. 12 1654 the Delft Thunderclap destroyed a city
De Delftse Donderslag or Delft Thunderclap ignited over 80,000 pounds of gunpowder in the city of Delft. A little after 10 am, October 12, 1654, an explosion ripped through the
Maurice de Vlaminck – Oct. 11, 1958
Maurice de Vlaminck – Oct. 11, 1958
Artist Maurice de Vlaminck died October 11, 1958 French Fauve artist, Maurice de Vlaminck, seems to have been in a contest with the iconic Cubist, legendary womanizer, and notoriously egotistical, Pablo Picasso. What these
World Mental Health Day – October 10.
World Mental Health Day – October 10.
World Mental Health Day – October 10. “Mental health is still a taboo subject in Quebec, more so than sexuality. However, it is important that we talk about it,” Artist
Hangul Day begins today – Oct. 9
Hangul Day begins today – Oct. 9
South Korea celebrates its 579th Hangul Day. Hangul is the national Korean language, created and established by 15th century King Sejong the Great. The South Korean government created the commemorative day
Siege of Alkmaar comes to an end after 3 months
Siege of Alkmaar comes to an end after 3 months
The three month siege of Alkmaar ended October 8, 1573 with a Dutch victory over Spanish forces. This was the first significant Spanish defeat in the Eighty Years’ War, and
Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle birth on Oct 7
Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle birth on Oct 7
Canadian artist Jean-Paul Riopelle was born October 7, 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. If Riopelle is a pillar of our history, it is because he was first and foremost a
World Space Week – Oct. 4 – 10
World Space Week – Oct. 4 – 10
World Space Week is in full swing. World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United
October 5 is Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia
October 5 is Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia
Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia It’s the Indonesian National Army’s (TNI) anniversary. Now in it’s 80th year of independence, the country celebrates Armed Forces Day every October 5. Indonesian National Armed
The Orient Express chugs out of a Paris station on October 4th, 1883
The Orient Express chugs out of a Paris station on October 4th, 1883
On October 4th, 1883 the famed Orient Express pulled out Paris, bound for Constantinople, for the first time. The round trip lasted 7 days. With this one trip, the geography
Mexican artist Dr Atl was born Oct 3, 1975
Mexican artist Dr Atl was born Oct 3, 1975
Dr Atl, one of the founders of the Mexican art revolution was born October 3, 1875 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The man who called himself Dr. Atl was born Gerardo
Great Cheese Riot of 1766
Great Cheese Riot of 1766
The Great Cheese Riot began October 2, 1766 at Nottingham’s Goose Fair. ‘ Goose Fair was the occasion of a ‘great cheese riot’ . Stalls were attacked and
Mrs. Beeton’s book set a standard for Victorian households on Oct. 1 1861
Mrs. Beeton’s book set a standard for Victorian households on Oct. 1 1861
On October 1, 1861, the definitive book on Victorian housekeeping, Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management, was published. The book sold 60,000 copies in it’s first year of publication. THE
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