· August, 2009

Stories about History from August, 2009

Israel: Influence of Hippies on Israeli Culture

“Israel's always had a little more than its share of hippie tendencies,” writes My Urban Kvetch's Esther Kustanowitz, “From communal living arrangements (kibbutzim, moshavim, the army) to sandals and other footwear… Plus, unkempt beards, long hair, songs about peace.”

Israel: For the Love of Food

With the Jewish High Holidays approaching, food seems to be on everyone's minds. The Jewish blogosphere is ripe with sumptuous tidbits and contemplations about the cultural implications of food, food and identity, and the history and culture of our favorite culinary delights.

Hungary: St. Stephen

  30 August 2009

Hungarian Spectrum writes: “Because there are so many references to St. Stephen nowadays in Hungary I thought I ought to write a post on what ‘Hungary’ looked liked in his days.”

East Timor: “Happy Day” of freedom vote

  30 August 2009

Timorese bloggers have celebrated the 10th anniversary of the popular referendum which led to the territory's formal independence. One commemorates the "happy day", another recalls his determination to drive out the Indonesian military occupiers, and yet another uses the day to question the current moment in Timor.

Japan: We will not forget Hiroshima and Nagasaki

  30 August 2009

64 years ago, on the 6th and the 9th of August, atomic bombs were dropped by the U.S. forces on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Over 200,000 people died and every year, ceremonies are held to commemorate those victims and to remind humanity of the horrors of war and of the use...

Guinea : Remembering Aug. 27, 1977

  29 August 2009

32 years ago, on August 27, 1977, the people of Guinea first rose up against the abuses of Sékou Touré's regime. Oumar, blogging (Fr) for Konngol Afirik at maneno.org, explains the background and speaks up for the duty of memory.

Russia: Stalin at Renovated Kurskaya

  26 August 2009

LJ user russos posts photos (RUS) of the newly renovated Kurskaya-Koltsevaya metro station in Moscow, which now sports this line from the 1944 version of the Soviet anthem: “Stalin brought us up – on loyalty to the people, he inspired us to labor and to heroism!” The post has so...

Laos: Patuxay Monument

  26 August 2009

Patuxay Monument in Vientiane is the most famous symbol of Laos nationhood. It is always compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Global: Ramadan Mubarak

  24 August 2009

With the advent of Ramadan around the globe this weekend, Muslim and non-Muslim bloggers everywhere are wishing each other Ramadan mubarak (or "blessed Ramadan").