From today's featured article
|
The Covent-Garden Journal was an English literary periodical published twice a week for most of 1752. It was edited and almost entirely financed by novelist, playwright, and essayist Henry Fielding (pictured), under a pseudonym. The Journal incited the "Paper War" of 1752–1753, a conflict between a number of contemporary literary critics and writers, which began after Fielding declared war on the "armies of Grub Street" in the first issue. His proclamation attracted multiple aggressors and instigated a long-lasting debate argued in the pages of their respective publications. Initially waged for the sake of increasing sales, the Paper War ultimately became much larger than Fielding had expected. Further controversy erupted in June, when Fielding expressed support for a letter decrying the Government's 1752 Disorderly House Act in the Journal. His remarks were viewed by the public as an endorsement of the legality of prostitution. The final issue of the Journal was released on 25 November 1752. In its last months, poor sales had resulted in a transition from biweekly to weekly release. Ill-health and a disinclination to continue led Fielding to end its run after the 72nd number. (Full article...)
Recently featured: Kenneth Walker – Prosperity theology – State of Vietnam referendum, 1955
|
Did you know...
|
From Wikipedia's newest content:
... that the Rimac Concept One (pictured) has been described as the world's first electric supercar?
... that Nikola Stoyanov, the financier who led negotiations on Bulgaria's foreign debt during the interwar period, also authored the first Bulgarian astronomical study printed abroad?
... that young cusk-eels hide between the spines of the sea urchin species Phormosoma placenta to find protection from predators?
... that Colonel Noel Wild, head of Ops (B), was one of the architects of Operation Fortitude, the deception plan to cover the 1944 Normandy landings?
... that the free-to-play video game Gravity Bone uses id Software's Quake 2 engine and incorporates music by Asian filmmaker Wong Kar-wai?
... that French theatre actress and singer Suzanne Lagier made her début at age thirteen at the Théâtre des Variétés in 1846?
... that the listed buildings in Lymm, Cheshire, include three aqueducts, a cross, a water tower, a well, an icehouse, a pigeon house, a mounting block, a milepost and the stocks?
|
|
|
In the news
|
|
On this day...
|
January 6: Armed Forces Day in Iraq
1066 – Harold Godwinson, widely regarded as the last Anglo-Saxon king before the Norman conquest, was crowned King of England.
1322 – Having defeated his half-brother Stephen Constantine in battle, Stephen Dečanski (fresco pictured) was crowned King of Serbia.
1839 – The most damaging storm in 300 years swept across Ireland, with 100-knot winds damaging or destroying more than 20% of the houses in Dublin.
1953 – The first Asian Socialist Conference, an organization of socialist political parties in Asia, opened in Rangoon, Burma, with 177 delegates, observers and fraternal guests.
1993 – Indian Border Security Force (BSF) units killed 55 Kashmiri civilians in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, in revenge after militants ambushed a BSF patrol.
2005 – About 60 tons of chlorine gas were released when two Norfolk Southern trains collided in Graniteville, South Carolina, US.
More anniversaries: January 5 – January 6 – January 7
|
|