Great Impression

Today in 1841 the artist Pierre Auguste Renoir. He was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style. The painting on the right is Lise with a Parasol.

Also a big thanks to all the kids that made it to school today and stuck it out to the end. Especially those that were so well behaved during our visit today. I think the snow will clear tomorrow so we will all have the joy learning more about our world.

Red letter day

Today in 1848 The Communist Manifesto was published. It was written by communist theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. No matter what your political position (if you have one) there is no denying that this particular piece of work was the spark that ignited a new way to think about society.

Scouts Honour!

Today was the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell founder of the Scout. He was born in 1857 and On his return from Africa(where he had served in the British Army) in 1903, Baden-Powell found that his military training manual, Aids to Scouting, had become a best-seller, and was being used by teachers and youth organisations. Later he went on to start the Scouts.

I was a Cub Scout, Scout and Venture Scout and think that there should be a lot more organisations for young children outside of school which make the most of this wonderful countryside we have in this country.

King Monkey

Today is the birthday of one Ian Brown, former lead singer of one of my al l time favourite bands The Stone Roses. Of course Ian has had a very successful solo career since then and I have seen him in concert a few times and I even met him once while watching Public Enemy in a field in Ayrshire (no joke).

Off to watch some footie today, lets hope its fun.

Art

Today in 1564 the artist Michelanglelo died in Rome. He was was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer.

Interesting theory!

Today in 1766 Thomas Malthus was born. Malthus' most well known work 'An Essay on the Principle of Population' was published in 1798. Malthus was a British scholar, influential in political economy and demography.

He argued that increases in population would mean that people would become unable to feed ithemselves and based this conclusion on the thesis that populations expand in such a way as to overtake the development of sufficient land for crops. This idea has went in and out of favour over the years but often people write about ideas being 'Malthusian' and this is where that term comes from.

Colo Colo

Today in 1541 The city of Santiago, Chile was founded.This is home to a few friends of mine and my favourite team in Chile Colo Colo.

Well we have a long weekend and I for one will try to make the most of it. I'm off to see Hot Chip tonight.

Have fun!!!