Today is the Day of Songun (meaning ‘military-first’. ‘Son’ meaning ‘First’ and ‘Gun’ meaning ‘Military’.), a public holiday in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It marks Kim Jong-il’s inspection visit to the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Armored Division of the Korean People’s Army on this day in 1960. This tank division was part of the main advance from Seoul to Taejon (Daejeon) during the Korean War, and the leaders visit to the unit is regarded as the start of the Songun revolutionary leadership by the North Korea government.
Songun, officially ‘Songun Politics’, prioritizes the military in all aspects of Korean society and has boosted the importance of the Korean People’s Army in politics, society and culture.
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Today is the birthday, in 1918, of American composer, pianist, conductor, Leonard Bernstein. His best-known work is the Broadway musical West Side Story, and he conducted the New York Philharmonic aged 25. Bernstein was the recipient of many honors, including seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, sixteen Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement, and the Kennedy Center Honor. He died on 14th October 1990 age 72. Here he both conducts and plays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH2PH0auTUU
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