Today is Agricultural Reform Day, a public holiday in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe observed on September 30th each year.
This holiday marks the anniversary of the nationalization of the swiddens (slash-and-burn agricultural land) on this day in 1975.
At the time of independence from Portugal in 1975, Portuguese-owned plantations occupied 90% of the cultivated area. To make the most of the fertile but mountainous land, swiddens were used. Swidden agriculture is a form of shifting agriculture in which the forest is cleared and burned prior to the rains. The resulting clearing, or swidden, is planted with a number of crops.
During a rally, on September 30th 1975, the nationalization of the swiddens was announced. This was a significant milestone in the development of agriculture in the fledgling country. The holiday is an occasion to remember this and to also promote the development of agriculture in the country.
Today is the birthday, in 1947, of Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld), English guitarist, singer, songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the glam rock band T. Rex. Bolan was one of the pioneers of the glam rock movement of the 1970s. He had the 1971 UK No.1 single ‘Hot Love’, plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles, and the 1972 US No.10 single Bang A Gong, (Get It On). Bolan was killed in a car accident on 16th September 1977 aged 29 a fortnight before his 30th birthday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZkTh_T75QY
