Laika became the first dog in space today in 1957. She became the prototype for Pigs In Space if you're a Muppet fan. Come to think of it, she became the prototype for Pigs In Space if you're not a Muppet Fan. The Russians sent her into orbit on board Sputnik 2 and she reached Sirius (the Dog Star, get it?) last month. The Sputnik deniers of course don't believe a word of this.
What can you do with people like that?
In other news ...
Remember when American Presidents had cool names, usually of a classical or Biblical bent? There was Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant. What have we got today? Barack Obama. And tomorrow, if we're very unlucky? Mitten Romney!
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
2nd February
New Amsterdam became New York today in 1665. The British drove out the Dutch settlers who had bought Manhattan from the Native Americans for a broken mirror and a pack of hula hoops and were led by their thoroughly unpleasant chain-smoking Governor Peter Stuyvesant (he of the silver leg - what a terrible birth defect). Stuyvesant was a rabid Puritan who imprisoned people for playing tennis (actually, not a bad idea) and no one was sorry to see him go.
Song lyric writers of course are particularly grateful. Imagine getting your tongue and guitar chords around 'New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam' - so good they renamed it.
In other news ...
One of the all-time survivors of History was born 258 years ago today. His name was Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord and as you've probably guessed, he was of the French persuasion. As an aristocrat, he became adviser to Louis XVI, he of the less-than-happy encounter with Madame Guillotine, but bounced back to become adviser to the Revolutionary Government. When Napoleon Bonaparte seized power, who should be at his elbow but Talleyrand and when the Emperor was defeated at Waterloo, b****r me, he's there again, giving sound and sensible advice to his successor, Louis XVIII.
I don't know if you've noticed the occasional PR presentation by Barack Obama from the White House, but there's a little old boy with a wig and breeches in the background who I can't help but think looks a little familiar ...
Song lyric writers of course are particularly grateful. Imagine getting your tongue and guitar chords around 'New Amsterdam, New Amsterdam' - so good they renamed it.
In other news ...
One of the all-time survivors of History was born 258 years ago today. His name was Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord and as you've probably guessed, he was of the French persuasion. As an aristocrat, he became adviser to Louis XVI, he of the less-than-happy encounter with Madame Guillotine, but bounced back to become adviser to the Revolutionary Government. When Napoleon Bonaparte seized power, who should be at his elbow but Talleyrand and when the Emperor was defeated at Waterloo, b****r me, he's there again, giving sound and sensible advice to his successor, Louis XVIII.
I don't know if you've noticed the occasional PR presentation by Barack Obama from the White House, but there's a little old boy with a wig and breeches in the background who I can't help but think looks a little familiar ...
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