In "end of the war" news today, we have two events separated by 30 years. As the Nazi regime collapsed, Allied forces liberated one gruesome concentration camp after another. On this day in 1945 American troops took over the oldest of these, Dachau in Bavaria. In 1975, Saigon fell as the last American civilians and the embassy guard pulled out. Vietnamese civilians that couldn't get into the Embassy grounds were tossing their children over the fence in hopes that the next generation would live free. Incidentally, one of the most famous photos from this day purports to show the escape from the Embassy roof, but is actually at the Pittman Apartments and involves an Air America Huey, not the military Hueys involved at the much-larger Embassy site.

One of the great princes of the media was born today in 1863, at least he lived like royalty and was feared like many monarchs. In tight competition with Pulitzer, Hearst was ferocious in building and defending a domain that included newspapers, magazines, and motion picture properties. He was widely credited with starting the Spanish American War. It may even be true, he certainly tried to. Exposing scandal was his favorite tool for building circulation, but he didn't shrink from simply hiring the best journalists and demanding tight editing and good stories for the front pages.

Regular readers know I like feisty women, and in today's holiday section we have the Roman Catholic commemoration of Saint Catherine of Siena. In a world where the eldest male child was the most prized, she was female and the 24th child in the family. She was illiterate, but felt the calling of the Spirit strongly and didn't hesitate to chastise kings and queens, popes and cardinals, and others in power. She also fasted frequently to the point of anorexia, which is apparently why she only lived 33 years.

1607 - The first Anglican (Episcopal) church in the American colonies was established at Cape Henry, Virginia.

1945 - U.S. troops liberated the oldest of the Nazi concentration camps - Dachau - in Bavaria. It is estimated that nearly 32,000 prisoners (mostly Jews) perished at Dachau during its 12-year existence as a Nazi detention camp.

1975 - Twenty-five months after the US military had withdrawn from Vietnam, Saigon falls. 140,000 Vietnamese and American civilians are evacuated during the month, including the last 11 Marines from the roof of the US Embassy. South Vietnamese surrender, the city is renamed Ho Chi Minh City.

1988 - Only a year after the last wild California condor is captured to join the breeding program at San Diego Wild Animal Park, Molloko became the first condor to be both conceived and hatched in captivity. Ten years later there were 150 Condors, with 35 of those reestablished in the wild, compared to the census of 60 in the first half of the century.

St Catherine of Siena, Roman Catholicism - Illiterate 24th daughter of a Sienese dyer, went forth to preach at age 20. Attracted disciples, some of whom took her dictation - powerful letters to kings (the told Charles V "Enough of this stupid blindness! Make Peace!), told Pope Gregory XI to move back to Rome, told his successor, Urban VI, to watch his temper, rebuked cardinals, practiced shuttle diplomacy between warring city states, supported Urban against the anti-pope in Avignon. Born in 1347, she was canonized just 81 years after death in 1380.

Midori-no-Hi, Japan - Greenery Day currently, Japan's Arbor Day, but originally Emperor Day, the birthday of the late emperor Showa. Upon his death in 1989, it was renamed and designated a national holiday.

1863 - William Randolph Hearst, US publisher, moviemaker - Born in San Francisco to a millionaire miner and rancher, as "Billie Buster" grew his father prospected from Mexico to Alaska, partner in three huge mineral strikes. The elder Hearst, by now a US Senator, accepted the San Francisco Examiner as payment of a gambling debt. Young Will asked for the paper and additional capital, and upgraded everything - particularly talent. Moved to New York 1895, bought New York Journal, then the Chicago American, eventually two dozen papers. Twice US Representative from New York. Hearst Metrotone News made newsreels for money, promoted Hearst's mistress in Hollywood for love - without losing his wife. His five sons were all in the media business when Hearst died in Beverly Hills, California, on 14 August 1951.

1899 - Edward Kennedy Ellington, Born in Washington, D.C., Duke was a handsome, talented, sharply dressed teenager. Won poster contest and art scholarship, but left school to paint signs. Piano playing attracted girls, so Ellington gave up his brushes. Played with the Elmer Snowden Band, led it from 1925 on. Lived, played, and broadcast from the Cotton Club in New York from 1927 to 1931, then hit the road. Helped create big band jazz, responsible for over 1,000 pieces including film scores, operas, ballets, Broadway show tunes, and gospel in addition to jazz. Received the Medal of Freedom on 70th birthday in 1969. Died 24 May 1974.

1901 - Tenno Showa - Hirohito, Japanese politician - Born in the royal palace, graduated from the Crown Prince's School in 1921 and toured Europe for six months - which was unprecedented. Declared regent in 1921, 124th emperor on Taisho's death Christmas 1926, enthroned Kyoto 1928. The last survivor of the World War II leaders, longest reigning monarch on earth, longest reign as emperor in Japan's history (62 years). Worshipped as god until end of war. Died 7 January 1989.

Every publisher should have an older brother who is a pimp. After all, the publisher needs someone he can look up to and borrow money from.
     - Bob Hofkin

Men have prayed in prison, men have prayed in slums and concentration camps. It's only the middle classes who demand to pray in suitable surroundings.
     - Graham Green

Our prejudices are our mistresses; reason is at best our wife, very often needed but seldom minded.
     - Lord Chesterfield

Nationalism: One of the effective ways in which the modern man escapes life's ethical problems.
     - Reinhold Niebuhr

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Copyright 2000 G. Armour Van Horn, all rights reserved. This document may be distributed freely. Please forward the complete message including this copyright notice.