"War is hazardous to children and other living things," said a bumpersticker from my youth, expressing a sentiment that has never been disputed. Today's events include two nasty examples. From the US Civil War we have the indecisive conclusion to the Battle of the Wilderness, with the forest on fire and both sides moving out. The smoky mess caused many small and informal cease fires between the two sides so that the wounded could be dragged out of the fires. The single event that brought the US into World War I happened on this day in 1915, when a German U-Boat fired on the Lusitania, killing most of the passengers. It probably was a bad strategic move, but if the second explosion was really from armaments carried by the luxury liner it may have been proper in the eyes of those who split hairs over the rules of war.
Fortunately we have a couple of artists to bring some balance to the day. The great Romantic composer Brahms was born on this day in 1833, and the mystic Indian poet Tagore was born in 1861.
The inventor of the Polaroid Land Camera was born on this day as well. His three-year-old daughter asked why she had to wait for the pictures Land took, and it started the wheels in motion. He also invented tools for high-altitude reconnaissance photography, leading to the U2 spy plane, which the US admitted to on this day in 1960.
1864 - After two days of heavy fighting between the Army of the Potomac under Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of Northern Virginia under Robert E. Lee, the Battle of the Wilderness ends with minor Confederate skirmishes against the Union retreat, and over 200 additional men dying from brush fires in the undergrowth. Counted as a Confederate victory, Grant's "retreat" was in a forward direction and the two armies met again at Spottsylvania two days later. Casualties during the three-day campaign totaled nearly 18,000 for the North and 7,500 for the South.
1915 - Kapitan-Leutnant Walther Schwieger of the German U-20 fired a single torpedo at a range of 700 yards against the Royal Mail Ship Lusitania, twenty minutes later she sank, killing 1198 men, women and children, including 128 Americans. Germany had placed ads in New York papers stating that any ships to or from Britain would be fired upon, but few believed this would actually happen to a passenger ship. Reports from the 764 survivors indicated that there was a second explosion after the torpedo, suggesting the possibility that the Lusitania was carrying ammunition, which would have made it a legitimate target. The sinking of the Lusitania was crucial to bringing the US into the war.
Festa di San Nicola, Bari, Italy - Celebrates the translation (moving) of his relics to the Basilica di San Nicola there. We know the saint as Nicholas, his feast day is 6 December and is the occasion of giving gifts to Children. Or we stretch the Dutch Sinter Klaus to Santa Claus. But on or about this day in 1087 merchants from Bari stole relics (bones) alleged to be from the 4th-century Turkish Bishop of Myra and brought them home. The rites, costumed procession (Sagra), and extravagant fireworks occur on the first Saturday and Sunday of May.
1833 - Johannes Brahms, German pianist, conductor, composer - Born at Hamburg, studied piano from age 7, composition from 13. Wanted position of respectability, demands of such jobs got in the way of composing. Knew many of the contemporary composers, disagreed with many, didn't like Wagner. The German Requiem (1869) and Variations on the St. Antony Chorale (1873) were well received, providing respect and income. Destroyed all incomplete works 1890. Prolific Romantic composer, wrote everything but opera, influenced by German and Gypsy folk music. Died at Vienna, 3 April 1897
1861 - Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet, painter - Born in Jorasanko to a Sanskrit scholar, home schooled. Dreamed, and wrote what he saw, first poem at age 7, first published volume of poetry at 17. Lived among Bengali poor, appreciated their plight and impacts of Western culture. Won Nobel prize in literature 1913, knighted 1915. The Jallianwalla Bagh massacre in 1919 caused him to renounce his title and support nationalist causes. Wrote lyrics to India's national anthem, Ghandi called him "The Great Sentinel." Died in Calcutta 7 Aug 1941.
1909 - Edwin Herbert Land, US inventor, scientist, businessman - Born Bridgeport, Connecticut, left Harvard to develop the first sheet polarizer, left again to start laboratory, incorporated as Polaroid in 1935. Investigated the nature of color perception in human eye. Invented instant camera late 1940s, received patent 1951. Proposed high-altitude photography system which led to the U2 spy plane, received the Medal of Freedom in 1963. Received a total of 535 patents, second only to Thomas Edison at the time of his death on 1 March 1991.
If both factions, or neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about
right. Beware of being assailed by one and praised by the other.
- Abraham Lincoln
A wise man does not try to hurry history. Many wars have been avoided
by patience, and many have been precipitated by reckless haste.
- Adlai Stevenson
There never was a good war or a bad peace.
- Benjamin Franklin
You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.
- Jeannette Rankin
It is well that war is so terrible - we shouldn't grow too fond of it.
- Robert E. Lee
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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.