Janusz Korczak, Polish pediatrician, educator, children's author and humanitarian was born July 22, 1878 in Warsaw. Korczak was a highly respected and deeply loved doctor who dedicated his life to helping and protecting children. He established two orphanages in Warsaw, later moving them to the Ghetto when the Nazis invaded. Janusz Korczak was the pen […]
One of Botswana's great leaders Quett Masire was born July 23, 1925 in Kanye, Bechuanaland Protectorate. Quett Ketumile Joni Masire was Botswana's second PM, from 1980 to 1998, when the country was hit by a long, devastating drought. Masire quietly led the fragile former colony to prosperity and stability through a policy of encouraging education, […]
French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas was born July 24, 1802. Among his best known books are The Count of Monte Cristo and the The Three Musketeers. The swashbuckling Three Musketeers have been turned into a movie at least 31 times, an animated film 8 times, 10 TV series and a host of spin off […]
One of the aviation's watershed moments, Louis Blériot's flight across the English Channel, took place July 25, 1909. It's summer here. Time for a repeat from last season. I'm feeling lazy, have a bit of double vision and decided to offer up a seasonal hit, instead of a new episode. Promise to behave tomorrow. With […]
Polish engineer and inventor Stefan Drzewiecki was born July 26, 1844. Known as the Submarine Tsar, Drzewiecki developed working submarines as early as 1877. He first designed and built a 2 man then 4 man sub and operated them during the Russo-Turkish War. Stefan Drzewiecki and his Submarine From Poland's 1973 Polish Scientists series Designer: […]
Bugs Bunny was introduced to the world on July 27, 1940. No classic was too sacred for Bugs to take on, whether it was a an assault on Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Hyde and Hare) or his cross dressing staring role as Brunhilde. Literary greats, movies, fairy tales and music were all fodder for […]
Dutch Golden Age master artist Judith Leyster, Golden Age, was baptised July 28, 1609. Leyster specialised in portraying everyday life in the Netherlands. Self portrait by Judith Leyster (1609-1660) Part of the 17th c Dutch Art set Issued by Netherlands in 1999 Designed by Piet Gerards The portrait was painted around 1630 Often overlooked, Leyster […]
Happy Ólavsøka Day Faroe Islands! Ólavsøka Day From 1998 Faroe Islands EUROPA / C.E.P.T.: Festivals and National Celebrations set Ólavsøka’s literal meaning is "Saint Olaf's Wake" (vigilia sancti Olavi in Latin). Ólavsøka is a celebration of the Norwegian king Olaf Haraldsson II (Ólavur Halgi in Faroese), who died in the battle at Stiklestad Norway in 1030. […]
England won their only World Cup July 30, 1966. 98,000 fans packed London's Wembley Stadium to watch England beat West Germany 4-2. The final score doesn't do justice the the nail biter the game was. The match remained tied, until extra time when Geoff Hurst scored two goals in rapid succession, giving England their first, […]
Hungarian pianist, composer and conductor Franz Liszt died July 31, 1886. He was a phenomenon the world had never seen—a figure who transformed not only the sound of music but its very experience. Franz Liszt: visionary piano superstar who had women swooning | Classical Music 2nd Stamp Exhibition - Franz Liszt (1811-1886) This souvenir sheet […]
On August 1, 1980, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became the world's first democratically elected female head of state, and Iceland's fourth president. Vigdís’s impact on Iceland and the world is immeasurable. She was a trailblazer who broke down barriers, challenged stereotypes, and paved the way for women in politics. Her legacy lives on in the many young […]
The colony of British Columbia was formed August 2, 1858, with Sir James Douglas appointed as the first governor. BC was created as a response to growing threats by American expansionist interests. What the Americans did not count on was that the gold rush forced Britain’s hand. This distant part of the world was not as useless […]