August 4: On This Day in World History … briefly
Most notable historic snippets or facts extracted from the book ‘On This Day’ first published in 1992 by Octopus Publishing Group Ltd, London, as well as additional supplementary information extracted from Wikipedia.
1875: Fairy tale ending
The death of Hans Christian Andersen is announced in Copenhagen at age 70. Andersen was famous the world over for his fairy tales and stories. He was born into poverty in Odense, the son of a cobbler and a woman who was both superstitious and illiterate. At the age of 14 he left his job as a tailor’s apprentice and went to Copenhagen to seek his fortune on the stage. The director of the Royal Theatre, Jonas Collins, took an interest in the boy, sending him to grammar school and eventually to university. His first book of fairy tales, published in 1835, soon became a bestseller throughout the world. His timeless tales do not pander to wish-fulfilment and leaves readers wiser rather than happier.
1987: Human ‘bull-board’
Luis Reina, a hard-up bullfighter from Extramadura in Spain, has to fend off attacks from an unexpected quarter. By agreeing to advertise the name of the Japanese electronics giant Akai on his embroidered matador suit, Reina brings a deluge of criticism from grizzled aficionados who regard the move as degrading to the art of bullfighting. For professional matadors, advertising spells financial survival in a game that offers handsome rewards only to the top 30 or so ‘artists’. Reina received £10 000 ($18 500) for promoting the Akai name.
2000: Queen Mother celebrates Centenary
Celebrations took place all over Britain to mark the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She was the first member of the Royal Family to reach her centenary as was said to be ‘very pleased indeed’. Many presents and cards were delivered to Clarence House, her home in London. Accompanied by Prince Charles, the Queen Mother made her way to Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage adorned with flowers. More than 40 000 well-wishers gather to watch the Queen Mother and her daughters step onto the balcony of the palace. And it was not just in London that the occasion was marked. A 21-gun salute was fired from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle in Northen Ireland. And at Glorious Goodwood, a race was named in the Queen Mother’s honour.
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