Stories about History from September, 2010
Mexico: Celebrating the Bicentennial in the Middle of Chaos
This year Mexico will commemorate the bicentennial of its Independence from the Spanish Crown and the centennial of its Revolution with an extensive program of events. Although this year is meant to be special, some Mexicans consider that amid the problems the country is facing the money the government is spending on the celebrations could be used on other important issues. Mexicans have shared their thoughts on the bicentennial celebrations through the web.
Ethiopia: Ethiopia's rich history, legend and culture
Justin discusses Ethiopia's rich history and culture on travel blog:”One of the first places we went was to Addis Ababa University, the site where Haile Sellasie's former palace was located. We were able to go into his former bedroom and even his bathroom. Haile Sellasie was the former emperor of...
Angola: Market Closed and Merchants Moving
Hukalilile – Don't Cry for me Angola blog [pt] announced that the popular Roque Santeiro market was officially closed down on September 5. Reportedly, many merchants have already been transferred from Sambizanga to Panguila, 30km away.
Guatemala: The National Symbol of the Quetzal Bird
With the independence of Guatemala coming up on September 15, Guate360 [es] shares a picture of a Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. The blog post also explains that the bird symbolizes freedom, autonomy and independence; it is also the name of the currency in Guatemala.
East Timor: History of Atáuro Island
Return to Rai Ketak refers to the proposal to house a detention center in Atáuro Island in East Timor for those seeking asylum in Australia as “insensitive” to the controversial colonial history of the place.
Japan, Korea: Traces Of Japan-Korea History Within The Zainichi Community
August 10th, 2010 will remain a historical date in the Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations as the Japanese Prime Minister apologized for past crimes during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Still, some bloggers found themselves wanting for a clearer apology and a mention of the Zainichi community, the largest Korean community in Japan.
Brazil: Independence Day and East Timorese Self Determination
“To talk about Brazil, I chose East Timor”, wrote [pt] Leonardo Sakamoto, on the 188th anniversary of the Brazilian “political independence”, September 7. He talks about dignity and self-determination, while reflecting on the lessons learnt from the recent history of East Timor, that voted for independence in a popular referendum in August 1999.
Guinea Bissau: Reconstructing the Puzzle of Colonial War Memory
Collective blog Luis Graça & Camaradas da Guiné [pt] brings together an impressive collection of stories focusing on the experience of the colonial war that lasted from 1963 to 1974. According to the editor, Luis Graça, the blog aims to help ex-combatants, both from Portugal and Guinea Bissau, “to reconstruct...
Cape Verde: Six Cities Become Twenty Four
Net-citizens from Cape Verde have been discussing the recent decision made by the Government to promote eighteen former towns and villages to cities, leading to a total of twenty four. In question is the lack of infrastructures: reportedly, some of the new cities don't have water supply or even streets....
Japan, Brazil: Dirty Hearts, a movie on first-generation Japanese-Brazilians after WW2
Jamaipanese reports [en] that next year will be released in Brazil the new film by Brazilian filmmaker Vicente Amorim titled Coracoes Sujos (Dirty Hearts). The movie is about an underreported conflict that divided the Japanese immigrants in Brazil [en] following Japan’s World War II defeat. The trailer of the movie...
Africa: African Merchants in Ancient China
Eccentric Yoruba discusses African merchants in ancient China: “In my previous post I mentioned that I had read somewhere that two slaves given as gifts to the a Chinese Emperor by an Arab delegation were the first Africans to enter ancient China.”
Zimbabwe: What makes a Zimbabwean hero?
What makes a hero in Zimbabwe?: “In Zimbabwe, it would seem that the definition of heroism is controlled by Zanu PF alone. Hero designation has always been in the hands of the ZANU-PF Politburo, though non-Zanu PF parties have recently demanded that the designation process be made more inclusive to...
Guatemala: 100 Good Things Before September 15
Guate Cambia [es] is coming up with 100 good things about Guatemala before September 15; users can send their suggestions to admin@guatecambia.com.
Trinidad & Tobago: Coup Enquiry
KnowTnT.com reports that The Commission of Enquiry into the 1990 Coup was launched yesterday.
Vietnam: Pre-1975 music
Eric Burdette blogs about pre-1975 songs in Vietnam which he discovered through a Vietnamese music website. Eric thinks that young Vietnamese do not know the songs anymore because many records and record players were destroyed in 1975, the end of the Vietnam War.
Honduras: September in History
The blog Nacer en Honduras [es] posted a list of historical events that took place in Honduras in the month of September, ranging from 1525 to 2009.
Trinidad & Tobago: On Boscoe
Nicholas Laughlin is “bemused and bothered” by certain aspects of an interview given to the New York Review of Books blog about artist Boscoe Holder’s work, while Pleasure ruminates on the late artist's male nudes.
Jamaica: Pottinger the Pioneer
The National Gallery of Jamaica Blog posts the first in a series of features on the pioneers of modern Jamaican art.
Japan: Ancient medical woodblock prints
Pinktentacle published [en] some images of a health-themed woodblock prints collection that dates back to the 19th century. The series of 400 prints is maintained by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and “offers a unique look at Japanese medical knowledge in the late Edo and early Meiji periods.”
Armenia: Literary Capital 2012
Ianyan provides a comprehensive report on news that Yerevan, the Armenian capital, will become UNESCO World Book Capital for 2012. The blog says that the city will be the 12th to hold the title, coincidentally in the same year that marks the 500th anniversary of the first printed book, but...
Timorese on Facebook
In the last year and a half there has been something of a surge in the use of the social media by East Timor netizens. While blogs are proliferating, Facebook appears to be increasingly the platform of choice. GV author Keta Haluha provides a definitive overview of Facebook links about East Timor
