1509 Venice (IT), Religion: Pope Julius II ex-communicated the state of Venice. The Venetian Senate kept this fact secret from its population and the word did not get out. When the geo-political situation changed, the Pope rescinded it. If one thing distinguished Venice, it is the ability to keep secrets, those masks are more than symbolic, as indicated in the books on Venice discussed elsewhere on this blog, as well as Donna Leon’s krimis.
1895 Colombo (SL), Technology: The World Transportation Commission visited Ceylon. The Commission was sponsored by the Field Museum in Chicago to gather information about foreign transportation systems, especially railroads. It included engineers, photographers, artists, and translators on a three-year tour. Below is a street shot from the Commission. We have been to the Field Museum.
1904 Canberra, Politics: The first Labor government in the world is sworn in. Thirty-seven year old Chris Watson was Prime Minister. This government lasted until August 1904. By the way, Watson was born in Valparaiso Chile. He was the stepson of Mr Watson. He is in the centre of the front row below with cabinet members. Watson is a Canberra suburb where I stayed once when in residence at ANU.
1971 Fremantle (WA), History: Relics and artefacts form the wreck of the Dutch trading ship Batavia (lost in 1629) were recovered. The Dutch government transferred all rights to its wrecks found in coastal waters to Australia, and these specimens are now in the Maritime Museum in Fremantle. We have been to this museum. The Batavia figures in Nicholas Hasluck’s intriguing novel ‘The Bellarmine Jug’ (1984).
1981 Palo Alto (CA), Technology. Xerox included a ball mouse as part of the 8010 Star Information System workstation. Eeek! The mouse entered the marketplace.
Skip to content