Stories about History from May, 2011
Nepal: Dhaka Topi, The National Identity
XNepali at Nepal Blogs writes about Dhaka Topi, an unique cap worn by many Nepalis which is considered as a national identity.
FSU: Deportations of Crimean Tatars and Soviet Colonialism
J. Otto Pohl of Otto's Random Thoughts writes about the Soviet colonialism (here and here), and about the 67th anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars (here and here), linking to his earlier posts and articles on the subject.
Mozambique: Portuguese, the Language of Mozambicanness
In Mozambique, while national languages have been introduced into the education system, the decision to ratify the new accord on the Portuguese language is being debated. Global Voices brings together a series of reflections on the role of the language in the construction of a national identity.
Cape Verde: Creole and Portuguese Languages, an Unofficial Pair
On the day that Portuguese speaking countries celebrate the Day of Portuguese Language and Culture, in Cape Verde the status of Crioulo, a mother tongue and unofficial national language, is equal to that of Portuguese.
France: Anti-Racism Group Expelled from Slavery Commemoration Event
During a National Slavery Day ceremony in Paris attended by French president Nicolas Sarkozy on May 10, eight members of anti-racism group Alliance Noire Citoyenne [Black Citizens Alliance] were expelled for wearing shirts that said “Anti Negrophobia Brigade”. A video of the action has been viewed more than 600,000 times.
Cuba: The Capital's Chinatown
Iván's File Cabinet blogs about the evolution of Havana's Chinatown.
South Korea: Cartoons Commemorating the Gwangju Massacre on May 18
May 18 is the day a mass democratization movement took place in Gwangju city, South Korea. The military regime ruthlessly clamped down the movement and over a hundred innocent civilians were killed. The nation's famous cartoonist, Kang Pull drew cartoons commemorating this tragic history in order to enlighten youth with...
Ukraine, U.S.: Chornobyl Songs Project
Maria Sonevytsky writes about the Chornobyl Songs Project: “To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, raise awareness of the continuing environmental damage created by the nuclear disaster and stimulate efforts to prevent such catastrophes from occurring in the future, a group of singers based in New York City...
Jordan: Marches to Palestine
Salem Husseini posted a Storify article on the Jordanian marches in honor of Nakba, or catastrophe, on the anniversary of the founding of Israel.
Uzbekistan: 6th anniversary of the Andijan uprising
Joshua Foust writes about the sixth anniversary of the Andijon massacre in Uzbekistan, analyzing the recent trends of falsification the tragedy's history and justification of the government's brutality.
Paraguay Celebrates its Bicentennial
On May 14 and 15, Paraguayans will celebrate 200 years since their independence from Spain. Blogger Andrés Colmán Gutiérrez criticizes [es] that festivities are centered in the capital, excluding the “‘other country’ (the country that produces and feeds the capital)”
May 11, 1981: 30 Years Ago, Bob Marley and François Mitterrand
“François Mitterrand and Bob Marley, united for eternity on May 11th 1981″, [fr] is a post on the blog Calédosphère commemorating the 30th anniversary of the passing of the “God of Reggae”, Bob Marley, and the election of former French President François Mitterrand. Bob Marley fans can visit the blog [fr]...
Ukraine: The Untold Story of the Victory Day Clashes in Lvov
Russian television footage this week showed hooded young Ukrainians attacking World War II veterans, giving Nazi salutes, and chanting nationalist slogans. As they ripped St. George ribbons from people's shirts, it seemed that Ukrainian youth had forgotten the terrible sacrifices made by the Soviet Union to defeat Germany. Will Partlett reports on what the Russian press is not saying about the May 9 clashes in Lvov, Ukraine.
Bahamas, Cuba: “The Flamingo Affair”
“Thirty years ago this month, four Defence Force marines were killed when a Bahamian patrol boat was sunk by the Cuban air force”: Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith revisits what has come to be known as “The Flamingo Affair”, saying: “Probably no-one will ever understand exactly why it happened.”
Russia, Macedonia: Victory Day Parade Impressions
Macedonian blogger VBB posted [mk] an exclusive photo report from his attendance of the 2011 Victory Day Parade in Moscow.
USA: Native Americans Take Offense at Osama Nickname
For the United States government, "Geronimo EKIA" (Enemy Killed In Action) is the code for Osama Bin Laden's death. For many Native Americans, however, comparing their folk hero Geronimo to the world's number one terrorist is offensive. Geronimo was the most famous Chiricahua Apache figure who fought against Mexican and US armies to defend Apache lands.
Macedonia: Alleged Photos of New Alexander the Great Monument
It's Tapsanov republished [mk] alleged photographs of the Alexander the Great statue that will adorn the main square in Skopje as part of the Skopje 2014 plan. Other photos of this “masterpiece that will hover over the heads of Skopjans” have been circulating in Macedonian media since last week.
India, Bangladesh: Is Rabindranath Tagore relevant today?
Is Rabindranath Tagore still relevant in present day Bengal? Anirban at Its A Miracle tries to answer that question.
Bangladesh: The Cradle Of Buddhism
Bangladesh Unlocked analyzes history to deduct that the land of the present day Bangladesh was probably the cradle of Buddhism.
China: Death of Bin Laden and the Clash of Civilizations
In the early 1990s, political scientist Samuel Huntington put forward the clash of civilizations theory that the fundamental source of conflict in the post-Cold War world will be cultural. Two Chinese writers examine the implications of the death of Osama Bin Laden on Sino-US relations, through the lens of the clash of civilizations.
Russia: Victory Day and Politics
Blogger Dmitry Sokolov-Mitrich recollects [ru] his feelings over the media coverage of the Victory Day. Due to over-politicisation and excessive advertisement through the media, the feeling of the national unity of the holiday faints, blogger claims. “I will not watch the parade this year, even on TV. But I will...
