1859 Jules Leotard performed the first flying trapeze circus act in Paris wearing a garment he designed for the purpose which has since borne his name. Cannot say I have ever donned one.
1900 Art Nouveau style dominated the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris which closed after 50 million visitors. The style uses natural forms, following the Arts and Crafts movement of the previous century. The Exposition disseminated it around the world with those millions of visitors. An enduring example are the Métro entrances like the one pictured. Been on many a Métro ride.
1919 Brothers Ross and Keith Smith with two others in the crew flew from England to Australia in 27 days. Prime Minister Billie Hughes of Australia offered a prize of £10,000 for the first flight from England in less than 30 days to develop an air link to Old Blighty. That was a fortune at the time. There were six starters but only one finisher. Flown the Kangaroo Route many a time, all in less than twenty-seven days. Whew!
1923 Adolf Hitler was arrested for attempt to seize power during Beer Hall Putsch. We forget that the Nazi party vigorously campaigned in many elections and won many of them. That was the voice of the people. For details see my chapter ‘Democratic Theory and Practice’ in Australian Politics, Rodney Smith (ed.) (Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1989, 1992, 1997), pp. 35-50.
1966 Buzz Aldrin took a selfie performing extra-vehicular activity in space during the Gemini program. Aldrin remained a tireless advocate for space exploration and a bane to flat earthers. Go, Buzz! Check him out on You Tube.
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