Month: December 2018
16th December – On This Day In History
Born:
1770 Ludwig van Beethoven (composer)
Died:
1980 Colonel Sanders (founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken)
On This Day:
1838 Battle of Blood River (Zulu armies defeated by the Voortrekkers in Natal, South Africa)
Have a good Sunday, 16th December
To Mr. Lawrence
Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son,
Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire,
Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire
Help waste a sullen day, what may be won
From the hard season gaining? Time will run
On smoother, till Favonius reinspire
The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire
The lily and rose, that neither sowed nor spun.
What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice,
Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise
To hear the lute well touched, or artful voice
Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air?
He who of those delights can judge, and spare
To interpose them oft, is not unwise.
– John Milton
15th December – On This Day In History
Born:
37 Nero (Roman Emperor)
Died:
1944 Glenn Miller (band leader)
On This Day:
2001 The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens (after 11 years and $27 000 000 spent to fortify it without rectifying its lean)
Have a good Saturday, 15th December
When I Consider How My Light Is Spent
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
– John Milton
14th December – On This Day In History
Born:
1979 Michael Owen (footballer / soccer player)
Died:
1799 George Washington (1st President of the USA)
On This Day:
1819 Alabama becomes the 22nd State of the USA
Have a good Friday, 14th December
Sonnet XVI – Cromwell,Our Chief Of Men
To the Lord General Cromwell
On the Proposals of Certain Ministers of the Committee
for the Propagation of the Gospel
Cromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud
Not of war only, but detractions rude,
Guided by faith and matchless fortitude,
To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed,
And on the neck of crowned Fortune proud
Hast reared God’s trophies, and his work pursued,
While Darwen stream with blood of Scots imbrued,
And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud,
And Worcester’s laureate wreath. Yet much remains
To conquer still; peace hath her victories
No less renowned than war: new foes arise,
Threat’ning to bind our souls with secular chains:
Help us to save free conscience from the paw
Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw.
– John Milton
13th December – On This Day In History
Born:
1929 Christopher Plummer (actor)
Died:
2006 Lamar Hunt (NFL owner – KC Chiefs)
On This Day:
1643 The Battle of Alton, in Hampshire, takes place (English Civil War)
Have a good Thursday, 13th December
