The Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe (who ate at the first Thanksgiving) ate pumpkins and other squashes that are native to New England. In the year 1619, the first African slaves are brought to New England (though actually they were not the first ones) (August), 38 colonists from England land in Berkeley Hundred, Virginia and give thanks to God (considered by some to be the first Thanksgiving in the Americas) (Dec 4), Kajaani Castle in central Finland is built, the Danish–Dutch whaling settlement of Smeerenburg is founded in Svalbard, a Spanish expedition sails around Tierra del Fuego, mapping the coast of South America - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

This time in “First Names First” it is all about Charlotte! Follow one of those Wikipedia links to read about the person, and then see what if anything she could contribute your life with. Inspiration, passion, enlightenment, encouragement, empathy, etc. Or just thoughts for the day. Charlotte of Savoy* queen of France as the second spouse of Louis XI – Savoy, France (1441) Charlotte, Queen of Cyprus* – Nicosia, Cyprus (1444) Continue reading

One of the most memorable movies of the last century. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, directed by Miloš Forman. Many of us have seen it at least once, some quite a few times. Some of us read the book by Ken Kesey before seeing the movie, and noticed how the main character switched from the Chief to the white guy. But nevertheless the film was every bit as good, if not better. Continue reading

This time we head for Sigtuna in our article series Streets & Squares. A small town northwest of Stockholm which became the capital of the Swedes during the 970s. King Eric the Victorious, the founder of Sigtuna, lived there as did many kings after him, so Sigtuna remained an important town. It did that for almost 300 years until Stockholm took over as the number one city in Sweden. These days it is a nice place to visit for both domestic and foreign tourists with its long history and idyllic sites. Continue reading

In the year 1656, the first Jewish doctor in the Thirteen Colonies of America, Jacob Lumbrozo, arrives in Maryland (Jan 24), the Dutch capture the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, marking the start of Dutch Ceylon (May 12), the pendulum clock is invented by Christiaan Huygens (Dec), the Stockholm Banco, the first bank to issue banknotes, is founded in Stockholm, Sweden – and all these fine people were born: 1656-xxxx Petronella Oortman* Dutch dollhouse enthusiast - Amsterdam (1716/60) Continue reading

Pocahontas (c.1595-1617), daughter of Chief Powhatan, wife of John Rolfe In the year 1607, Jamestown, Virginia, is established as the first permanent English settlement in North America, beginning the American frontier (May 14), the first known performance of a Shakespeare play outside England in English takes place as Hamlet is performed aboard the East India Company ship Red Dragon off the coast of Sierra Leone (Sep 5), Halley’s Comet is seen by Johannes Kepler (Oct 27), Captain John Smith of the Jamestown Colony is captured by the Opchancanough tribe, and sent to Chief Powhatan for execution, but Pocahontas rescues him (Dec), Spain is effectively bankrupt - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

Music heals. In the deepest abysses of sorrow, music heals, soothes, takes us somewhere with no time and space. Listening to a piece by Garth Brooks, Time by Hans Zimmer, Schindler’s List by John Williams etc etc, through the earphones at top volume and sobbing in rhythm with it all can be an utterly cleansing, cathartic experience. Here’s one more. On The Nature of Daylight by the British composer Max Richter. Continue reading

In the year 1673, impostor Mary Carleton is hanged at Newgate Prison in London (Jan 22), Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid premiers in Paris (Feb 10), Test Act decreed that Roman Catholics and others who refuse to receive the sacrament of the Church of England cannot vote, hold public office, preach, teach, attend the universities or assemble for meetings in England (Mar 29), Dutch forces recapture New York from the English; the city is known as New Orange until regained by the English the following year (Aug 9) – and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

I, years ago, visited Paris for the first time during one of my Interrail trips - the kind of traveling by train done by many young Europeans in the 1970s and 1980s, and which is still popular - I tried to get to see one of the most famous sights in the city, the Arc de Triomphe at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. And like an arch I walked around that big square, trying to find an entrance. Continue reading

Hudson River, originating in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York and flowing southward toward the Atlantic Ocean In the year 1611, Denmark declares war on Sweden, then captures Kalmar (Apr 4), the Authorized King James Version of the Bible is published for the first time, in London (May 2), a mutiny on the ship Discovery leads to captain Henry Hudson (for whom both Hudson River and Hudson Bay are named), his son and seven crewmen to being set adrift in or near Hudson Bay, never to be seen again (Jun 22), Gustav II Adolf becomes the King of Sweden (Oct 30) - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

This time in “First Names First” one of the most popular male names ever - Charles. Also the nickname derived from it, Charlie. Below you can see the list of these particular first names. Pick at least one of them, then follow the Wikipedia link to read about that person, and see what if anything he could contribute your life with. Inspiration, passion, enlightenment, encouragement, empathy, etc. Or just thoughts for the day. Continue reading

The Prime Meridian passing through it, the Royal Greenwich Observatory gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time, the precursor to UTC In the year 1675, Native American Christian John Sassamon from the Massachusett tribe is killed (Jan 29), the killers convicted (Jun 8), and this helps spark the conflict known as King Philip’s (Metacomet) War, breaking out as the Wampanoags attack Swansea in Massachusetts (Jun 24), Brandenburg defeats the Swedes in the Battle of Fehrbellin (Jun 28), construction of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London begins (Aug 10), the Narragansetts sign a treaty with the English in Boston (Sep 18), United colonial forces attack the Narragansetts at the Great Swamp Massacre in New England (Dec 19), the American Indian Wars go on - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

In the year 1680, the first documented tornado in America takes place in Cambridge, Massachusetts (Jul 8), Pueblo Indians capture Santa Fe, New Mexico from the Spanish (Aug 21), the Whigs, opposing catholicism, burn effigies of the Pope in London (Nov 14), the city of Karlskrona is founded in Sweden, the first Portuguese governor is appointed to Macau - and all these fine people were born: 1680-xxxx Gundill Trabeen** mother of Petter Carlsson Hällström/married to Carl Esbjörnsson Skotte - Helsingborg, Swedish Empire (1711/30-31) Continue reading

Fontaine Molière on Rue Molière in Paris during the fourth performance of Molière’s comédie-ballet The Imaginary Invalid ( Le malade imaginaire) on February 17th, 1673, something unexpected happens to the playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (better known by his stage name Molière) who also plays the title role of the severe hypochondriac Argan? Molière collapses on the stage in a fit of coughing and haemorrhaging. He insists though on completing his performance. Continue reading

In the year 1681, the first recorded boxing match in England takes place (Jan 6), Charles II of England grants a land charter to William Penn for the area that will become Pennsylvania (Mar 4), Canal du Midi in southern France is completed, creating a connection from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea (May 15), Roman Catholic Archbishop Oliver Plunkett is hanged in London and becomes the last Catholic martyr to die in England (Jul 1), France annexes the city of Strasbourg, previously a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire (Sep 30) - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

Photo credit Wally Gobetz In the year 1682, Robert de La Salle claims the territory at the mouth of the Mississippi River as La Louisiane for France (Apr 9), Louis XIV of France moves his court to Versailles (May 6), the reign of Peter the Great officially begins in Russia (May 7), three women are hanged for witchcraft in Exeter, the last known in England (Aug 25), the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is founded by William Penn (Oct 27) - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

Time for another Who Said That! Try to guess or remember who is behind the quotation below, and if you don’t know, you’ll see who at the very end of the article. Remember to scroll slowly. So, who said: Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. That’s something we know instinctively. That we are unique. But sometimes we may forget that the other person is that too. Continue reading

A Pinellas County fire engine in Largo, Florida In the year 1678, the first fire engine company in the future United States goes into service (Jan 27), the_ Test Act_ provides that members of both the House of Lords and House of Commons of England must swear an anti-Catholic oath, before taking office (Dec 3), about 1,200 Irish families sail from Barbados to Virginia and the Carolinas, the first chrysanthemums are planted in Europe – and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

In the year 1359, France repudiates the terms of the Second Treaty of London, dissatisfied with loss of French territory (May 25), King Erik Magnusson of Sweden dies, and sole power is restored to his father, King Magnus (Jun 21), Edward III invades France again, but is forced to accept lesser terms (Nov), Dmitry Donskoi becomes the Grand Duke of Moscow, Ismail II overthrows his uncle as King of Granada, Berlin joins the Hanseatic League - and all these fine people were born: Continue reading

There are so many languages in the world! But some of us - actually quite a few - go through life without learning - or needing to learn - any other language except the one provided to us since infancy, our mother tongue. Depending upon where you were born though, you may have been surrounded by other languages beyond your mother tongue to the extent that it has been only natural - or perhaps even necessary - to take up at least one of them. Continue reading