An Australian TV crew were in Israel for an archaeological documentary at the start of the Six Day War and needed no prompting to switch their focus to the war. It was remarkable coverage and I'd love to see it again. One thing I remember clearly is that the Israeli soldiers, surrounded by hostile nations and heavily outnumbered, were so upbeat and cheerful about going into battle. A journalist asked, "Why are you so confident? What do you think is the difference between you and the Arab soldiers?" And one man replied, "The direction we'll be running."
That's how it proved to be and the world watched astonished as Israel showed that Jews could no longer be slaughtered with impunity.
It was inspiring and, I couldn't help thinking at the time, that had it happened in historical times it would have been labelled as much a miracle as the destruction of Sennacherib. In this case the miracle had an eye-patch, and his name was Moshe Dayan.
Just for you my Aussie friend, on my second birthday. The Australian destroyer HMAS Voyager sank after colliding with aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, killing 82.
On the very day I was born was the day that the USSR exchanged spy Francis Gary Power to US for Rudolph Abel.
In 1942 the first Gold Record ever awarded was given to Glenn Miller for Chattanooga Choo Choo.
And in 1535 twelve nude anabaptists ran through Amsterdam streets. (Anabaptists are Reformation-era Christians who rejected infant baptism in favor of believer's baptism.)
All interesting stuff, Gator. Thanks. I'd heard of the Anabaptists but didn't know who they were.
The Voyager affair was shameful. Captain Duncan Stevens was killed in the accident so the Navy declared that he had been at fault. They also claimed that he had been drunk which led the media of the time to label him "Drunken Duncan". How could they resist a cheap shot like that? If memory serves, years later his son accused the Navy of vilifying his father and demanded an apology. Again, from memory, I think he got it, though I'm not sure if compensation was involved.
And, since I know when the accident happened, you're a year younger than my oldest, and a year younger than my second. :)
January 29th - nothing fun ever seemed to have happened, I looked it up. But this could only be a good thing. 'Ice cream cone rolling machine patented in Cleveland'.
Note that in 1258, the Mongols were defeated by Dai Viet at the Battle if Dong Bo Dau.
There you go.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at January 20, 2017 8:24 PM MST
That's actually pretty good, Lucia. It means that since we swung down from the trees YOUR birth was the defining event for January 29. I am honoured that you answered.
On my birthday in 1983 The Challenger launched with Dr. Sally Ride aboard making her the first woman in space. This was no the day of my birth, but it did happen on my birthday.
Baba 