Tagged: Datebook

King Louis XII reigned from 1498 to 1515 and was called the "Father of the People," known for leading France through a period of transition (La Guerre folle, aka The Mad War), domestic policy, and the messy Italian War in which he seized and lost and seized again parts of Italy. 

Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, aka Sai Zhenzhju, was an American writer who lived in China for much of her early life, until penning The Good Earth, the best-selling book in the United States in 1931-32, which also won the Pulitzer in 1932. In 1938, she won the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China and for her biographical masterpieces." 

Around these parts it seems like every day is catfish day. Nevertheless, by Presidential Proclamation (President Reagan in 1987), June 25 is officially recognized to celebrate "the value of farm-raised catfish." 

Paul Morphy was the greatest chess player of his era and unofficial World Chess Champion. He was called "The Pride and Sorrow of Chess" because of his brief and brilliant career, early retirement, and unusual death. 

Oda Nobunaga was a fierce and ambitious warlord, who lived a life of continuous military conquest. By the time of his death, he had conquered a third of Japan, and paved the way for unification which ruled the island nation until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. 

On this day in 1837, a young Victoria awoke to the announcement that her uncle, King William IV had died and that she was Queen. 

Juneteenth, aka Emancipation Day, honors African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865. Today, it is recognized as a state holiday or observance in 42 states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois. 

The War of 1812 began on this day in... what was that year again? Several reasons prompted this war, including trade restrictions brought about by Britain's ongoing war with France, the seizing of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, outrage over insults to national honor after humiliations on the high seas, and possible American desire to annex Canada.