Puccini

THURSDAY (right after Wednesday)

Today is Freedom Day in Portugal. It celebrates the 1974 Revolution that ended the dictatorship and started a democracy. It also commemorates the first free elections that took place a year later on April 25th 1975.

The peaceful uprising was nicknamed the “Carnation Revolution” after the flowers protesters placed in the military’s guns and tanks in a rare example of a military coup staged to install democracy.

The 1974 revolt by a group of idealist young military captains quickly turned into a popular uprising when the troops were joined by jubilant crowds.

The revolution began on April 25th 1974, in Lisbon. Meeting little resistance from loyalist forces they took less than 24 hours to topple the dictatorship that had ruled Portugal with an iron fist since 1926 under Antonio de Oliveira Salazar and from 1968 under Marcelo Caetano. The events of April 25th transformed the Portuguese regime from an authoritarian dictatorship to a democracy.


Introverts…


Design…


Today is the anniversary of the premiere performance, in 1926 of Turandot by Giacomo Puccini two years after his death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suj-2sbSFKs

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, opera

It’s December…and FRIDAY!

Today is Farmers Day in Ghana, a public holiday. The holiday is intended to recognize the significance of agriculture and fishing in Ghana’s economic growth. Open gatherings are organized in the 16 regions across Ghana to award prizes to deserving farmers and fishers as far as best practices and outputs are concerned.

Since it was introduced by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 1988, the first Friday in December has been set aside to honor farmers and fishermen for their efforts in feeding the nation and recognize the vital contributions of a strong agricultural sector to the prosperity of the Ghanaian economy.

This holiday reflects the importance of agriculture in Ghana. According to the CIA World Factbook, Agriculture accounts for about 20% of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders.


SIGNZZZZZ

Yesterday was the birthday, in 1858, of Giacomo Puccini, famous for his operas and who gave us music like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ovcNw8xr64

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, opera

Rainy Monday

spellcheck.

itsPeteski
Thank you CDC

Bada bing!

What’s considered trashy if you’re poor, but classy if you’re rich?  Manipulating the stock market.

My friend couldn’t afford to pay his water bill.So I sent him a “get well soon” card.

My mother-in-law drowned in a well.I didn’t know that wells still existed, let alone granted wishes.

My personal trainer said I did so well on the treadmill that next week she’ll turn it on.

I know the guy who invented Cliff’s notes. I asked him how, he said “Well, to make a long story short…”

I’m addicted to placebos. I could quit, but it wouldn’t matter.

I crastinated part-time for seven years before I went pro.

Signs…

On this day (in 1896), La bohème by Giacomo Puccini premiered at the Royal Theater in Turin. Here’s a wonderful bit. Isn’t she amazing?

Posted by Tom in Humor, Music, opera