Anniversaries and commemorations come and go daily. Most of us, even the best historians, miss most occasions. If we think of history as events then we are faced with a continually showering in the grains of sand. Nevertheless, we do pick out certain patterns in the remembrance of historical dates. The blog here reminds us of some dates where the local, state, national, and global perspectives entwine.
What Time is It? It is flow of a sandstorm that will on each day compress somewhere into a structure – sandstone, selected and only remembered in the longue durée.
On 18 May 1895, The first motor race in Italy is held. It runs on a course from Turin to Asti and back, a total of 93 km (58 mi). Five entrants start the event; only three complete it. It is won by Simone Federman in a four-seat Daimler Omnibus, at an average speed of 15.5 km/h (9.6 mph).
On Wednesday, 18 May 1960, Real Madrid beats Eintracht Frankfurt 7–3 at Hampden Park, Glasgow and wins the 1959–60 European Cup (football).
On Sunday, 18 May 1980, The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington (state) kills 57 and causes US$3 billion in damage.
On Sunday, 18 May 1980, Ian Curtis, singer-songwriter of acclaimed English post-punk band Joy Division, is found hanged.
On Sunday, 18 May 1980, Gwangju Uprising: Students in Gwangju, South Korea begin demonstrations, calling for democratic reforms.
On Friday, 18 May 1990, German reunification: East Germany and West Germany sign a treaty to merge their economic and social systems, effective July 1.
Images Citations in Composite: ID 17208541 © Anhong | Dreamstime.com; ID 35001957 © DiversityStudio1 | Dreamstime.com; ID 156394527 © Gerd Zahn | Dreamstime.com
Neville Buch
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