Happy St Andrews Day

Saint Andrew is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. He is the reason why we have a Saltire (or St Andrews cross) as the flag of Scotland.

Snow day number 2. Wrap up warm.

Native

Today back in 1864 The Sand Creek Massacre occurred in Colorado when a militia led by Colonel John Chivington, killed at least 400 peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians who had surrendered and had been given permission to camp.

We should always remember that the place that we know today as the USA was not discovered but rather always had its own indigenous people living there for thousands of years.

Snow day today so school is off. I know I should be sad as a teacher but....

Have fun.

Let it snow

On this day in History it snowed some more in Glasgow. Here is the picture from my bedroom window.

Have fun if there is snow where you are today. If not then have some fun anyway.

The Way of the Dragon

Today back in 1940 one of the worlds most famous movie actors Bruce Lee was born. . He is considered one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century, and a cultural icon.

Sadly Bruce died at only 32 in 1973, there are many rumours surrounding his death but one thing is for sure he made some kick ass movies.

It snowed in Glasgow last night and it was -2 on my cars dashboard.

Bang Bang

Today in 1867 Alfred Nobel patented dynamite. He was a Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator, and armaments manufacturer.

He was condemned by a French newspaper for his invention of dynamite and this is said to have brought about his decision to leave a better legacy after his death. He left money is his will to set up the Nobel Prizes. Explosive stuff.

Green Onions

One of the finest bass players of all time celebrates his birthday today Donald "Duck" Dunn (Booker T. & the MG's). Don't let the name fool you he could play (see video for evidence). A white boy with soul.

Wild Wild West

William H. Bonney aka Billy the Kid was born on this day back in 1859. His actual true life story is hard to separate from the myth. A relative unknown during his own lifetime, he was catapulted into legend the year after his death when his killer, Sheriff Pat Garrett, along with co-author M.A. "Ash" Upson, published a sensationalistic biography titled 'The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid'.

According to legend, he killed 21 men, but he is generally accepted to have killed between four and nine.

As a historian the truth is the most important thing but as a fan of a tall tale sometimes I don't want to believe it.

Iron lady starts to rust!

On this day back in 1990 Baroness Thatcher quit as Prime Minister of Britain. John Major succeeded as Tory leader five days after Mrs Thatcher's resignation.

I don't really know what to say about this woman other than she was not very popular amongst a lot of people in Scotland but no matter what I or anyone else thinks of her; she will always be the first female British Prime Minister.

She certainly had a face for politics.

Last night a DJ saved my life

Back in 1877 on this day Thomas A. Edison announced the invention of his phonograph (An type of record player). Edison was an American inventor, scientist, and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the aforementioned phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb.

Just imagine what the world would be like if we didn't have some way of playing music in our homes. Although many people no longer have a turntable in their home (I do) and some of you might never have seen a vinyl record, this invention was an amazing leap forward in home entertainment and all the DJ's around the world owe Thomas a little something.

Killer Queen

With all the talk of royal weddings I thought you might like to know that today in 1947 Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh in Westminster Abbey.Of course we don't call her Princess any more as she is now the queen.

Truth be told I am not a royalist in any shape or form but I do find the Duke of Edinburgh very funny (for all the wrong reasons).

Pants!

Today back in 1942 Calvin Klein was born. I wonder if he realises how many bums his pants have covered.

Have a great weekend.

Never Forget

Today back in 1916 Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force in World War I, called off the Battle of the Somme in France. The offensive began on July 1, 1916.

The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest battles of the First World War: by the time fighting had petered out in late autumn 1916 more than 1.5 million casualties had been suffered by the forces involved, making it one of the bloodiest military operations ever recorded. To put this in to some sort of perspective that's approximately a quarter of Scotland's population.

Elizabeth my dear

Well with all the news being filled with regal news why should this blog be any different. Today in 1558 Elizabeth I ascended the English throne upon the death of Queen Mary Tudor. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and her relationship with Mary Queen of Scots was an interesting one. In fact her life is so interesting it has been made in to more than one film.

Speaking of films It's also the birthday of one of my favourite directors Martin Scorsese.

They say it's your birthday!

Well today in history I started this blog. It's only been a year but a lot has went on. I have been in different schools with different pupils (almost all good).

Anyway Happy Birthday to the blog.

See you later Pedro II

Today in 1889, the Brazilian military staged a coup d'etat, dethroning Pedro II. and ending the monarchy. Brazil was proclaimed a republic, and the institution of slavery was abolished, the separation of church and state proclaimed. The new republic was referred to as the United States of Brazil; provinces had become states.


I love Brazil and hope to visit my good friend Fabio there one day soon and see his beautiful country for myself.

Manchester

No posts for the last couple of days as I have been visiting friends in Manchester. Its a great place and actually reminds me a lot of Glasgow. The name Manchester originates from the Ancient Roman name Mamucium.

Hope you all had a good weekend. Its getting cold out there.

Lest we forget.

It's not important what we do to mark the occasion but that we remember.

Can you tell me how to get, How to get to.......

Today in 1969 "Sesame Street" made its debut on PBS. I don't know anyone that didn't have this as part of their early childhood. I bet you all did. Truth be told I still love the show.

Feel a lit better today, but still have a sore head. Back in school tomorrow for sure!!!!

Here is a classic from the street.

JFK

Today in 1960 the USA saw Narrow victory for John F Kennedy in the race to become President. His term ran for just two years before he was assassinated in Dallas on 22 November 1963, an event that left the nation totally stunned.

His Presidency was short but non the less interesting, what with the bay of pigs (google it), Vietnam and civil rights at home. There were also lots of juicy rumours about his personal life.

In bed very unwell today, but I hope to return to school ASAP.

Mona Lisa

Today back in 1793the Louvre Museum, in Paris, opened to the public for the first time. In a city that is famed for its culture it is the home to the most famous smile on the most famous painting ever.

I don't fell well today.

Cloud Nine

Although I normally write about things that have happened a long time ago, today I thought I might talk about a piece of history I witnessed happening yesterday. I went to watch Celtic play Aberdeen yesterday and it finished 9-0. This was Aberdeen's worst ever defeat in their history and also it set a new SPL goal scoring record.

It was also the 123rd anniversary of the foundation of Celtic Football Club, what a way to mark the occasion.

Fire

Well there could really be only one story today and it happened back in 1605. The "Gunpowder Plot" attempted by Guy Fawkes failed when he was captured before he could blow up the English Parliament. Guy Fawkes Day is to celebrate his failure to blow up all the members of Parliament and King James I.

Fawkes had been trying to assassinate the King so as to restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. On 5 November 1605 Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King's escape from assassination by lighting bonfires, "always provided that 'this testimony of joy be careful done without any danger or disorder'". An Act of Parliament designated each 5 November as a day of thanksgiving for "the joyful day of deliverance", and remained in force until 1859. Although he was only one of 13 conspirators, Fawkes is today the individual most associated with the failed Plot.

Have fun and be safe!

Red State

Today in 1956 Soviet troops poured into the capital city of Hungary ,Budapest, in a massive dawn offensive in response to a national uprising led by Prime Minister Imre Nagy. Encouraged by an apparent promise of help, Nagy appealed to the UN and Western governments for protection. But with the Suez crisis in full swing and no real appetite for fighting the USSR over a crisis in Eastern Europe, the West did not respond.

Some 30,000 people were killed in Budapest alone and about 200,000 Hungarians sought political asylum in the West.

The cold war was no where near thawing out.

Golden Brown

Today back in 1839 The first Opium War between China and Britain erupted. They came about with the aim of securing economic benefits from trade in China.
The success of the First Opium War allowed the British to resume the drug trafficking within China. It might seem funny now that we battle to keep drugs out when back in the 19th century we were the drug pushers!

Scary Monsters

The computer-animated movie "Monsters, Inc." opened today back in 2001. The film recorded the best debut ever for an animated film and the 6th best of all time.

The first time I saw it I couldn't get away with how fluffy Sully's fur looked. I love Disney/Pixar movies.

Up on the roof

Today way back in 1512 Michelangelo's paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were first exhibited to the public.

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (or Michelangelo for short) was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Despite making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he took up was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival and fellow Italian, Leonardo da Vinci.