Stories about History from August, 2008
Kazakhstan: Re housing construction under Soviet Union
Marat posts some statistics about housing construction and the affordability of housing in Kazakhstan in Soviet times.
Indonesia: Olympic gold and Independence Day
Double celebration for Indonesia last week after its badminton players won a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics; and just in time for the commemoration of the country's Independence Day.
Indonesia: Reflections on Independence Day
Indonesian bloggers therrysays and Rima Fauzi ponders about the essence of independence (or the lack of it) in contemporary Indonesian society.
Latvia: Soviet Murals
Three photos of Soviet-time murals in Latvia – at Arnis Balcus’ Photo Blog.
Czech Republic: “Memories of the Russian Invaders”
“Memories of the Russian Invaders” – at The Czech Daily Word.
Russia: Three Anniversaries
Window on Eurasia writes about “the lessons of three anniversaries”: “Today is the 10th anniversary of Russia’s default on its international financial obligations and the 17th anniversary of the launch of the failed coup against Mikhail Gorbachev that precipitated the end of the Soviet Union, and tomorrow is the 40th...
Egypt: Parliamentary Fire Reactions
People's reactions here are really confusing ... ehm ... and amusing as well. Ok, believe it or not, but some people here were really happy that a fire has destroyed Egypt's iconic Parliamentary building.
China: Hua Guofeng
DANWEI has a sum up on mainstream report and blogosphere commentary on the passing away of old communist leader Hua Guofeng.
Jamaica: “Lightning” Strikes Twice at Beijing Olympics
Jamaica's Usain Bolt continued his phenomenal run at the Beijing Olympics with a record-breaking win in the men's 200m Wednesday and Caribbean bloggers are celebrating just as much as he is!
Jamaica: Bolt Wins 200m
Jamaica's Abeng News Magazine is thrilled to report that lightning does indeed strike twice as Usain Bolt cops the Gold – and sets a new World Record – in the 200m event.
Guyana: Embracing Your Heritage
Guyana Providence Stadium visits The Guyana Heritage Museum, calling it “one of my most enjoyable experience every time I visit the homeland.”
Barbados: Crop-Over Culture
Although the recent Crop Over celebrations were well attended, Barbados Underground thinks that should not be the only criterion for measuring success: “Cultural development and expression are important to the well being of any nation. While the fete element in Crop Over seems to be flourishing, we are concerned that...
Hungary: Pál Schmitt
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Pál Schmitt, the head of the Hungarian Olympics Committee.
Estonia: Olympics Champion; Song Festival
Itching for Eestimaa writes about an Estonian Olympics champion Gerd Kanter and last night's song festival that “served various functions”: “Ostensibly, it was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the major events of the Singing Revolution. But it was also a celebration of independence on the eve of the...
Slovakia: New Euro Coins
The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia reports that “the state mint located in Kremnica began minting Slovak euro coins” this week.
Egypt: Parliament on Fire
Egyptian bloggers are in a daze, after the country's iconic Parliament Building, went up in flames earlier today. And while an official reason has yet to be announced for the cause of the fire in the 19th century palace, which houses the lower parliament or Shura (consultative) council, bloggers are seething - though not lost for words.
Lebanon: The Beijing Olympics
Lebanon presence in the Beijing Olympics might be in small numbers, but it is interesting to note that the Lebanese athletes were only absent once since 1948. Ajnabiya gives us a refreshing overview on the Lebanon's participation in this year's event in her latest post.
Egypt: Death of Three Arab Cultural Icons
The Arab world lost three of its cultural icons in the spam of a month. They are Egyptians philosopher Dr Abdelwahab El Mesery and film maker Yousef Chahine and Palestinian poet Mahmood Darwish. Egyptian Blogger, ElGharep, or The Stranger, reflects on the loss in this post [Ar].
Japan: Intangible Cultural Heritage
Ampontan blogs about the nomination of 14 cultural expressions by the Agency of Cultural Affair as Intangible Cultural Heritage. One of the items is chakkirako.
Japan: Yasukuni Shrine on August 15th
James from Japan Probe has a sum-up on the demonstration at Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the Pacific War.
Ukraine, Russia: Crimea
Steve Bandera of Kyiv Scoop writes about Russian citizens and Russian ships in Crimea – as well as about Boris Yeltsin's role in stopping the Crimean separatism in the mid-1990s.
