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 […]
After 10 years of construction, the Gotthard Road Tunnel opened for traffic September 5, 1980. The passage through the Swiss mountains covers 16.9 kilometres and connects Göschenen in the canton of Uri to Airolo in Ticino. Opening of the St.Gotthard Tunnel Released in 1980 by Switzerland Part of the 2nd Publicity Issue series Designed by […]
On September 6, 1962, archaeologist Peter Marsden uncovered the first Blackfriars Ship one of northern Europe's earliest preserved seagoing ships. In 1962 I unexpectedly discovered in London the oldest seagoing sailing ship yet found in northern Europe, sunk about 150 AD. Also, it happened to be the first identified example of shipbuilding by the native […]