Stories about History from July, 2010
Haiti: Truth or Hoax?
“Yesterday, a french ‘official’ announced that France will finally pay Haiti back for the 90 million gold francs it forced Haitians to pay in compensation for French slave trade losses”: HaitiAnalysis.com wants to know if the promise of reparation is true or false.
Puerto Rico: A Sacred Run
“For many ancient Indigenous cultures runners were an important way to send messages between communities”: The Voice of the Taino People Online reports that the tradition is about to be rediscovered though a “four directions” run on the island of Boriken.
Cambodia: Oldest surviving cinema
Cine Lux is the only surviving old cinema in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. tilmanbaumgaertel took photo of the historic building.
Philippines: Grand old cinemas of Manila
tilmanbaumgaertel visited the grand old cinemas of Manila which are now in deteriorating conditions.
Brazil: “Paulista” Separatism in a State with 42 Million Inhabitants
A curious map of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, was featured on blog Strange Maps. The blogger gives some background on the “Paulista” separatist movements in that state, which he describes as the West’s Most Populous Sub-Nation.
Poland-Lithuania-Belarus: Grünwald 600 years
Belarus Digest writes about celebrations of the 600th anniversary of the battle of Grünwald, when troops from Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus defeated the Order of the Teutonic knights – a major turn in the medieval regional balance of power.
Xenophobic Singapore?
In a blogpost titled Xenophobic Singapore, blogger Freak Thoughts traces the history of the city state to remind Singaporeans not to discriminate against Chinese immigrants.
Czech Republic: A story of right-wing populism
Dr. Sean's Diary addresses the short history of the populist Czech Republican Party, summarizing a recent conference article he has written.
Serbia: One Pair of Shoes, One Life
Charged with genocide by the Hague Tribunal for the brutal deaths of more than 8000 Muslims in this Bosnian town on 11 July 1995, General Ratko Mladic has not been arrested yet.
Brazil: Afro-Brazilian Claims to Affirmative Action Denied
After nearly a decade discussing the Racial Equality Statute, last month the Brazilian senate finally approved it. Out of the document are the most controversial demands from Afro-Brazilian movements: a quota system of affirmative action in both education and the job market.
Cuba: Remembering the Massacre
Uncommon Sense remembers the '13 de marzo’ tugboat massacre.
Cuba: No Real Progress?
Blog for Cuba comments on a statement from the Vatican with regard to the “progress” taking place on the island: “I ask which of Cuba's repressive laws has been rescinded? None, absolutely none, and a maneuvered release and exile of dissidents is an old ploy used by the regime to...
Bosnia Herzegovina: Roman influence in Srebrenica
The Daily Seyahatname writes about the historical Roman influence on the town of Srebrenica and Bosnia in general.
Nigeria: Documentary on Babangida
Max Siollun posts links to a documentary critical of General Ibrahim Babangida, military ruler of Nigeria from 1985-1993 and a likely contender in the 2011 election. “An oldie but a goodie,” Siollun writes of the video, which focuses on Babangida's relationship with Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a close friend who was...
Russia-US: Cold war separation anxiety
Sean's Russia Blog writes about the crave for a renewed cold war among old-time balance-of-power players in East and West, as the US-Russian spy scandal has begun to unravel, after a period of Obama-Medvedev détente.
Bosnia Herzegovina: History of a bridge
The Daily Seyahatname reflects upon the Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge – immortalized by Ivo Andric's novel “Bridge on the Drina” – and its history in a broader perspective.
Estonia: Sangaste castle
Quickthink takes a brief glance at Estonian Sangaste castle and its history.
Lithuania: Visiting Vilnius KGB museum
Wu Wei tells about her reactions to a visit to the Vilnius KGB museum, and reflects upon historical and current parallels between prison systems.
Bahamas: national pride
Nicolette Bethel reports on the recent popularity of Bahamas National Pride Day: “a step or two towards understanding ourselves and our country, the fact that we the people made the choice to celebrate our nationality and took matters into our own hands.”
Colombia: 200 Years of Independence
The blog Realidades Colombianas [es] writes about the bicentennial of the independence of Colombia, thanking those who sacrificed their lives for the “new generations, meaning us.”
Arab World: Remembering Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah
Lebanon's Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, a leading Shiite figure, has died at the age of 75 yesterday. The religious leader, with a huge following, was remembered by bloggers from across the region.