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Root-Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band: This Date in History

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Did you ever wonder? ‪The motto has always struck me as a good bit of prideful humility — NC is, after all, a paradox of a place. ‬ Well, ‪#OTD (Feb. 21) in 1893 the N.C. General Assembly adopted ‘Esse Quam Videri’ (To Be, Rather Than To Seem) as the state motto. The phrase has associations with Cicero (de Amnicitia), Aeschylus, Socrates, and in modern times Albert Camus.

The phrase was chosen by that 1893 General Assembly as one “expressive of some noble sentiment and indicative of some leading trait of our people.” The 1890s saw the rise of the Populist Party in North Carolina and that 1893 congress, dominated by conservative Democrats must have been aware of the growing dissatisfaction in the outlands. The Farmers Alliance was a major — really THE major factor — in that movement to reform finance, transportation, and education, wrestling control of all three from the state’s, and the region’s, historic elites. The Populist’s national goal, outlined in its Omaha Platform, went so far as to call for government ownership of railroads.

The 1892 election had resulted in the Democrat, Elias Carr only taking 48% of the vote. Carr was a reluctant populist of sorts, a former leader of the Farmers Alliance, but an advocate of stronger railroad regulation rather than the seizure of ownership by the state. Despite his relatively conservative stance, it must have been clear that radical ideas were gaining in The Old North State and perhaps farther afield.

Indeed, an alliance of Populists (young, disgruntled one-time Democrats) and Republicans (the party of African Americans in those days in The South) did take control of the NC General Assembly in 1894. This was termed as ‘Fusion’ and held great promise for Progressive policies. This Fusion would even take the office of Governor in 1896. Outrageously NC conservatives would mount a White Supremacist campaign in 1898 and retake the reins of government, install Jim Crow, and suppress the African American vote until the 1964 Voting Rights Act began the still ongoing effort to re-enfranchise voters.

But back to 1893…remembering this backdrop of challenge of the status quo by Populists, farmers mainly, from The Left, I have long wondered about the choice of “To Be Rather Than To Seem” as a motto. The phrase seems hardly the kind that a traditional ruling class such as still maintained control of the General Assembly in 1893 would promote. It is…well…too human, even humane. Did some radical thinking slip into the Sanctum Santorum of that conservative plurality in the General Assembly still hanging on in 1893 and infuse those legislators with, at least briefly, a sense of humility such as would have given them pause to choose such a humble, even self-effacing, motto as “Esse Quam Videri?” Or should I imagine the phrase as rather a bone tossed to the masses in a time when the state’s traditional elite were casting about anywhere for painless ways to pacify a populace on the rise? Perhaps I’ve overthought it - only more digging will probe one way or the other. At any rate, it IS my second favorite humble brag — after “A Vale of Humility Between Two Mountains of Conceit” of course.

Classical Origins of the State’s Motto ‬ ‪Kudos to @ncpedia for the research into the original texts. State Motto of North Carolina: Esse Quam Videri
 
Always loved the motto. Too bad so many folk don't live this way. Then again, Donald seems to be exactly as he is.
 
For @SnoopRob fir calling out us commies on the hockey thread.

On this day, the Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, was first published; the pamphlet became hugely influential.

The Communist Manifesto, (“Manifesto of the Communist Party”), pamphlet (1848) written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels to serve as the platform of the Communist League. It became one of the principal programmatic statements of the Europeansocialist and communist parties in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Communist Manifesto embodies the authors’ materialistic conception of history (“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”), and it surveys that history from the age of feudalism down to 19th-century capitalism, which was destined, they declared, to be overthrown and replaced by a workers’ society. The communists, the vanguard of the working class, constituted the section of society that would accomplish the “abolition of private property” and “raise the proletariat to the position of ruling class.”

The Communist Manifesto opens with the dramatic words “A spectre is haunting Europe—the spectre of communism” and ends by stating, “The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workingmen of all countries, unite.”

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These guys went on to live interesting lives as well.
 
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For @SnoopRob fir calling out us commies on the hockey thread.

The Communist Manifesto, (“Manifesto of the Communist Party”), pamphlet (1848) written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels to serve as the platform of the Communist League. It became one of the principal programmatic statements of the Europeansocialist and communist parties in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Communist Manifesto embodies the authors’ materialistic conception of history (“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”), and it surveys that history from the age of feudalism down to 19th-century capitalism, which was destined, they declared, to be overthrown and replaced by a workers’ society. The communists, the vanguard of the working class, constituted the section of society that would accomplish the “abolition of private property” and “raise the proletariat to the position of ruling class.”

The Communist Manifesto opens with the dramatic words “A spectre is haunting Europe—the spectre of communism” and ends by stating, “The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Workingmen of all countries, unite.”

1740145615831.jpeg

These guys went on to live interesting lives as well.


Hmmmm. Did something happen #OTD in relation to The Communist Manifesto?
 
Might I recommend this film?




BTW, I'm much more of a fan of The Philosophical and Economic Manuscripts of 1844...a much more vulgar and romantic (in the classical sense) Marx.

“The less you eat, drink and read books...the less you think, love, theorize, sing, paint, fence, etc., the more you save - the greater becomes your treasure which neither moths nor dust will devour - your capital. The less you are, the more you have.”

Short and to the point.

 
Missed this by a couple of days (and technically one year). I don't know how many people actually know about this blog (which is on hiatus at present) dedicated to the photography of Hugh Morton.

Hugh Morton’s 103rd – A View to Hugh

Who was Hugh Morton anyway? He was definitely for a good deal of his life kind of the UNC Forrest Gump with a camera.

Here's a Biography: Hugh Morton - Grandfather Mountain Founder
A relatively rare wealthy individual who did well for society in general, the state of NC, and last but not least, UNC. This, with his own unique photographic abilities.
 
A relatively rare wealthy individual who did well for society in general, the state of NC, and last but not least, UNC. This, with his own unique photographic abilities.


Grandpa Hugh MacRae was born in Chatham County (very #DeepestChatham) and was a gadfly of Tar Heel business projects and ideas. He was, unfortunately, very involved in the Coup d'etat side of the Wilmington Massacre of 1898.

"In 1898, he was a leader in the conspiracy to overthrow the legitimate elected Black-white fusionist leadership of Wilmington, North Carolina. MacRae organized the white supremacist mob and campaign that kept Black voters from the polls during the 1898 election and then led a vigilante group, along with Alfred Waddell, that took to the streets in Wilmington to murder Black citizens the next day. The ensuing violence and slaughter that took place in the city has become known as the Wilmington Coup. Members of the white supremacist group, led by Alfred Waddell, later wrote, and implemented a white supremacist manifesto, a set of resolutions called the 'White Declaration of Independence.'"

 
The Miracle on Ice

During the 1980 Winter Olympics, against the backdrop of the Cold War, the U.S. ice hockey team defeated the favoured Soviet team in one of the greatest upsets in the history of the Olympic Games.

The "Miracle on Ice" was an ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. It was played between the hosting United States and the Soviet Union on February 22, 1980, during the medal round of the men's ice hockey tournament. Although the Soviet Union was a four-time defending gold medalist and heavily favored, the United States achieved an upset victory, winning 4–3.

The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in five of the six previous Winter Olympic Games, and they were the favorites to win once more in Lake Placid. The Soviet team consisted of professional players with significant experience in international play.[1] By contrast, the United States team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, was composed mostly of amateur players, with only four players with minimal minor-league experience. In addition, the United States had the youngest team in the tournament and in U.S. national team history.

In the group stage, both the Soviet and American teams were undefeated; the U.S. achieved several surprising results, including a 2–2 draw against Sweden,[2] and a 7–3 upset victory over second-place favorite Czechoslovakia.[3][4]

For the first game in the medal round, the Americans played the Soviets. Finishing the first period tied at 2–2, and the Soviets leading 3–2 following the second, the U.S. team scored two more goals to take their first lead midway in the third and final period, then held out to win by a score of 4–3.[5][6] Two days later, the U.S. secured the gold medal by defeating Finland 4–2 in their final game, while the Soviet Union claimed the bronze medal with a dominant 9–2 victory over Sweden.[7][8]

The victory became one of the most iconic moments of the Games and in U.S. sports. Equally well-known was the television call of the final seconds of the game by Al Michaels for ABC, in which he declared: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the "Miracle on Ice" the top sports moment of the 20th century.[9] As part of its centennial celebration in 2008, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) named the "Miracle on Ice" as the top international ice hockey story of the past 100 years.[10]

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#OTD 1945 b. William Oliver Swofford in N.Wilkesboro. A Morehead Scholar @UNC, his college band unsuccessful, he recorded ‘Good Morning Starshine’ from the musical ‘Hair’ as OLIVER & hit #3 on the Billboard Easy Listening Charts in ‘69. Two months later, ‘Jean’ hit #2. He had modest success in the ‘70s, left music, had a good career in sales, & passed away in 2000. Brother John was Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference & Quarterbacked @UNC. Another brother played football @dook.

Oliver, North Wilkesboro Native, a Sixties Pop Sensation

 
#OTD 1945 b. William Oliver Swofford in N.Wilkesboro. A Morehead Scholar @UNC, his college band unsuccessful, he recorded ‘Good Morning Starshine’ from the musical ‘Hair’ as OLIVER & hit #3 on the Billboard Easy Listening Charts in ‘69. Two months later, ‘Jean’ hit #2. He had modest success in the ‘70s, left music, had a good career in sales, & passed away in 2000. Brother John was Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference & Quarterbacked @UNC. Another brother played football @dook.

Oliver, North Wilkesboro Native, a Sixties Pop Sensation


You forgot to mention brother John's success in behind the scenes maneuvers as the cause of all of ncsu athletic woes. Stil to this day.
 
Unless you want a bad ear worm I suggest NOT listening to that song.

Saba siby saba nooby abba naba…
 
#OTD 1945 b. William Oliver Swofford in N.Wilkesboro. A Morehead Scholar @UNC, his college band unsuccessful, he recorded ‘Good Morning Starshine’ from the musical ‘Hair’ as OLIVER & hit #3 on the Billboard Easy Listening Charts in ‘69. Two months later, ‘Jean’ hit #2. He had modest success in the ‘70s, left music, had a good career in sales, & passed away in 2000. Brother John was Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference & Quarterbacked @UNC. Another brother played football @dook.

Oliver, North Wilkesboro Native, a Sixties Pop Sensation


Oliver (Swofford) appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. After Oliver had sung his song(s), Ed Sullivan walked on stage to stand next to Oliver and motioned out into the audience and a camera zoomed in on Oliver's parents and John Swofford. Ed Sullivan introduced them and they got a round of applause. Then Ed Sullivan announced that John Swofford held the UNC record for the most touchdown passes in a single game. A bigger round of applause ensued. My older brother told me that in a home game against the Air Force Academy, starting QB (maybe Gayle Bomar) had gotten injured early on and John Swofford played most of the game. The Air Force Academy was notorious in those days for having a poor defense and John Swofford just tore them apart with his passing.
 
Oliver (Swofford) appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. After Oliver had sung his song(s), Ed Sullivan walked on stage to stand next to Oliver and motioned out into the audience and a camera zoomed in on Oliver's parents and John Swofford. Ed Sullivan introduced them and they got a round of applause. Then Ed Sullivan announced that John Swofford held the UNC record for the most touchdown passes in a single game. A bigger round of applause ensued. My older brother told me that in a home game against the Air Force Academy, starting QB (maybe Gayle Bomar) had gotten injured early on and John Swofford played most of the game. The Air Force Academy was notorious in those days for having a poor defense and John Swofford just tore them apart with his passing.
I saw that Ed Sullivan show
 
One of my neighbors growing up was right there. Fought with these guys. Had a photo album to prove it. Could have joined them to raise flag but basically said:

Fuck that! I"m tired as hell. Ain't going to climb no hill. Going to sit back and smoke a cigarette.

1945 Six U.S. servicemen raised the American flag over Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War I

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Iwo Jima, island that is part of the Volcano Islands archipelago, far southern Japan. The island has been widely known as Iwo Jima, its conventional name, since World War II (1939–45). However, Japan officially changed the name to its Japanese form, Iō-tō (Iō Island), in 2007.

Iwo Jima lies in the western Pacific at a point about 760 miles (1,220 km) south-southeast of Tokyo. The island is irregular in shape; it is about 5 miles (8 km) long and ranges from 800 yards to 2.5 miles (730 metres to 4 km) wide. It has an area of about 8 square miles (20 square km). Administratively, it is part of Tokyo metropolis.

Iwo Jima was under Japanese administration until early in 1945, when it became the scene of a fierce battle between Japanese and invading U.S. troops during the last phases of World War II. The island was strategically important because, if captured, it could serve as a base for U.S. fighter planes to accompany U.S. heavy bombers flying to Japan from bases on Saipan, an island 700 miles (1,100 km) farther south that U.S. troops had taken in 1944. Two U.S. Marine divisions landed on Iwo Jima February 19–21, 1945, and were followed by a third later in the month. The island’s Japanese defenders had entrenched themselves so effectively in caves that weeks of preliminary naval and air bombardment failed to appreciably weaken their ability to offer tenacious resistance to the Marines’ amphibious landing. The struggle for possession of the island continued for almost a month before it was officially pronounced captured by the United States. The hardest struggles were for the occupation of a height that U.S. forces labeled Meatgrinder Hill, in the north, and Mount Suribachi, an extinct volcano in the south.

The raising of the American flag over Mount Suribachi (February 23), which was photographed by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press, resulted in one of the best-known photographic images of the Pacific war. This picture was widely reprinted, and statues, paintings, and a U.S. postage stamp were based on it. (The photograph actually depicts the second flag raising over Mount Suribachi, after a first flag raised an hour or two earlier had proved too small to be visible to other U.S. troops on the island.)

About 21,000 Japanese troops were killed and some 1,000 captured in the main battle and subsequent operations. U.S. casualties totaled about 28,000, including about 6,800 killed. Iwo Jima and the other Volcano Islands were administered by the United States from 1945 until they were returned to Japan in 1968.
 
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