Michael Collins, Irish Republic revolutionary, soldier & politician was assassinated in a roadside ambush on August 22, 1922. Collins was central figure in the Irish fight for independence from British rule. ... Collins never demonised his political opponents and his death in an ambush at Béal na Bláth during the Civil War robbed Ireland of […]
Nazik Al-Malaika, one of Iraq's great modern poets, was born August 22, 1923 in Baghdad. Al-Malaika was an anomaly in her society, and her legacy as a poet resulted from her breaking away from many traditions. Nazik al-Malaika (1923-2007) Iraqi Woman’s Journey Changes Map of Arabic Poetry | Al Jadid Nazik Al-Malaika (1923-2007) Issued by […]
Irish landscape painter Paul Henry died August 24, 1958 in Bray, Ireland. “Cezanne and Van Gogh saw clearly because they had cast aside all the theories and prejudices of the Schools and were looking at nature as if for the first time, and above all seeing it with emotion.” S.B. Kennedy, author of book Paul […]
On August 25, 1835, New York City was shaken by the New York Sun's Great Moon Hoax. The Sun ran a 6 part satirical series about discoveries on the moon, and, like today, many, many people skipped right over the "satire" and leapt to hysteria. GREAT ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES LATELY MADE BY SIR JOHN HERSCHEL, L.L.D. […]
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, the "Master of Fleas and Father of Microbiology" died August 26, 1723. Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) naturalist Issued by the Dutch post office in 1937 Designed by Samuel Louis (Sem) Hartz The Dutch scientist and entrepreneur Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) was the first to discover and describe microorganisms (protists, bacteria), living beings […]
Italian writer, poet, translator, publisher and critic Cesare Pavese committed suicide August 27, 1950. ... the greatest and most influential Italian intellectuals of the 20th century. Cesare Pavese: life and works Cesare Pavese (1908-1950), Writer Issued by Italian post in 2008 Designed by Rita Morena Cesare Pavese is widely regarded as one of the foremost […]
Italian composer Umberto Giordano was born in Foggia, Apulia, Italy on August 28, 1867. Birth Centenary of Umberto Giordano (1867-1948) Issued in 1967 by Italy Today Giordano is remembered for one work – “Andrea Chénier.” It remains one of the major verismo works of all time, known for its lush melodies for its soloists. The […]
Italian composer Amilcare Ponchielli was born August 31, 1834 in Paderno Fasolaro, Lombardy–Venetia. Best known for his opera “La Gioconda.” Amilcare Ponchielli Issued in1986 by Italy Designed and engraved by Rita Morena Amilcare Ponchielli ... was a compositional child prodigy. He ... was admitted to the Milan Conservatory at age nine on a scholarship […]
Happy National Wattle Day Australia! As Canada starts to wind down into cooler fall days, Australians celebrate the beginning of spring with a flower special to their hearts - the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha). The special day has been celebrated since 1992. Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) Issued by Australia in 2014 Designed by legendary Australian […]
Mexican diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner Alfonso García Robles died September 2, 1991. “Mankind is confronted with a choice: we must halt the arms race and proceed to disarmament or face annihilation”. Robles on accepting the prize in 1982. Alfonso García Robles, Nobel Peace Prize 1982 C. Alfonso Garcia Robles, with the Nobel Medal and […]
Today is the The Feast of Saint Marinus and the Republic in San Marino! September 3, 301 is the traditional day set for the creation of the Republic of San Marino. 2025 is San Marino's Jubilee Year and they have issued a trio of stamps dedicated to Saint Marinus. San Marino celebrates the Jubilee and its […]
Believe it or not, September 4th is Toothfish Day - a national holiday on the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The day marks the end of toothfish fishing season, around the islands. You might be more familiar with its fish de plume - Chilean Sea Bass. Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) Part of the […]