Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's second President was born June 18, 1942 in Idutywa, Transkei. “Our experience over the last 20 years has shown that indeed people must themselves become their own liberators. You cannot wait for somebody else to come and rescue you.” Inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki Issued in 1996 by South Africa Thabo […]
On June 19, 1937, legendary Delta Blues guitarist Robert Johnson entered the Brunswick Records Building for a second recording session. Between the 19th and 20th he recorded 13 record sides, included Stones In My Passway, Hellhound On My Trail, Me and the Devil Blues, and Traveling Riverside Blues. He was paid in cash and received […]
On June 20, 2024, Canadian actor Donald Sutherland died. Donald Sutherland, the towering Canadian actor whose acclaimed career spanned more than six decades, has died at the age of 88. ... Sutherland's talent, kindness remembered in Hollywood and back home in Canada A magnetic screen star whose chameleon-like penchant for unconventional characters would sustain him […]
On June 21, 1957, Canadian politician Ellen Fairclough entered Canadian history as the first woman to hold a cabinet position at the federal level. Fairclough became the secretary of state under Diefenbaker's minority government. The next year, she was elevated to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, where she was instrumental in helping reform both […]
Sándor Weöres, Hungarian poet and author, was born June 22, 1913 in Szombathely. Weöres explored Eastern philosophy, myths, and children's rhymes, all of which influenced his writing. His talents earned him both the Baumgarten and Kossuth Prizes. Some of his works were set to music by Peter Eötvös, and in 1980, filmmaker Gábor Bódy adapted […]
French author, poet, lyricist, jazz musician, engineer, critic, singer and translator Boris Vian died June 23, 1959 in Paris. He was an integral part of the Dada and Surrealist movements in France. Boris Vian (1920-59), Poet and Lyricist Issued in 2020 by France Designer: Sylvie Patte andTanguy Besset After graduating from the Sorbonne in 1946, […]
Laura Secord's dangerous journey to warn of an impending American attack helped win the Battle of Beaver Dams June 24, 1813. 300 Cayuga warriors, later joined by 100 Mohawk under the command of Captain William Kerr were able to intercept the Americans and force their surrender.. By 1813, the US invaded Canada, again. By June […]
Innovative Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi was born June 25, 1852 in Reus, Spain. “We have either given a diploma to a madman or to a genius.” Elies Rogent, Director of the Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura in Barcelona Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) From Spain's 1975 Spanish Architects set 'La Sagrada Familia', Barcelona Spain 2002 Architecture set […]
According to legend, on June 26, 1284 the mysterious Pied Piper of Hamelin lured the city's children away, never to be seen again. The town of Hamelin hasn’t forgotten this loss. The street where, supposedly, the children were last seen is called Bungelosenstrasse: street without drums”. Even so many years after the event, no one is […]
On June 27, 1860, The Queen's Plate, North America's oldest, continuous thoroughbred horse ran for the first time. Originally run on the Carleton racetrack in the Toronto Junction, the annual race now takes place at Woodbine racetrack in Etobicoke, Ontario. At the request of Ontario Lieutenant Governor Sir Casimir Gzowski, Queen Victoria gave her approval […]
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, one of the key people of the Age of Enlightenment, was born June 28, 1712 in the city of Geneva, Republic of Geneva. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) Part of Switzerland's Pro Patria 1962 set Engraver: Karl Bickel Jr. J.J. Rousseau (1712-1778) Part of France's Famous people (1956 II) series Designer: Michel Ciry Engraver: […]
On June 29, 1888, Handel’s Israel in Egypt was recorded onto wax cylinders at London’s Crystal Palace, the first known classical music recording. Sir August Manns conducted an orchestra composed of 500 musicians and 4,000 voices. Over 23,000 people were in the audience for the afternoon concert. American Colonel George Gouraud took his Edison recording […]