JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: So, sometimes I like to look at these "What happened on this date" sites for ideas on topics I might write about here. (It's also very useful when you're setting fiction in the past - a quick and easy way to remind yourself of world events and entertainments trends your characters would have experienced. Let me tell you: January 30th takes it to a new level.
It turns out January 30th is some sort of Day of Destiny. Don't believe me? Check it out:
1848 - California Gold Rush
James Marshall finds the first gold nugget at Coloma, California, leading to more than half a million people racing westward to find the precious metal (and incidentally giving the state it's nickname.)
1933 - The rise of Hitler
After the Nazi Party retained its position as the largest party in the November 1932 parliamentary elections, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor by German president Paul von Hindenberg.
1948 - Mahatma Gandhi assassinated
After the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan, sectarian violence spiked across India. Mohandas Gandhi responded by traveling to troubled areas, fasting and praying for peace and meeting with local leaders of all religions. He was
keeping a vigil in New Delhi when he was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist.
1968 - the Tet Offensive
The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese army launched a series of well-coordinated surprise attacks in South Vietnam, the largest military action of the war up to that point. Although it failed to cause the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, the Tet Offensive started a major escalation of the war, which would see an additional 200,000 American soldiers deployed, and led in time to the collapse of public and political support for the war in the US. 
1969 - Beatles last public performance
The Beatles make their last public performance in an
impromptu concert (meant to be the climax of the documentary Let It Be) on the roof of their Saville Row recording studio. In April 1970, Paul McCartney formally announced the group's
breakup. 1972 - Bloody Sunday
In Londonderry, Northern Ireland, British soldiers shot 26 unarmed demonstrators, protesting the British policy of internment without trial. British authorities had ordered the march banned, and sent
troops to confront the demonstrators when it went ahead. The soldiers
fired indiscriminately into the crowd, killing 13 and
wounding 17.
You see what I mean? That's a lot to take on one day. (Today is also the birthday of Dick Cheney and FDR - make of that what you will.) Going from historical precedent, I'd suggest this is a good day to stay snug at home - or to take a refreshing walk with no one else around. What personal history are you going to be making today, dear readers?
My goodness, that’s a lot of history-making for one day!
ReplyDeleteConsidering the frigid temperatures today, I think I’ll just stay snug at home and read a book . . . .
Probably the safest thing to do, considering.
DeleteI gave brith to twins on January 30th, a boy at 11:10 and a girl at 11:22 am. They were born at 32 weeks and had no developmental or health problems. They are both happy, healthy adults, both engineers. my daughter is a design engineer for Roche, designing medical devices that diagnose disease. My son has the best job he blows up batteries and looks for product defects at Lab126 which is a Amazon company. We are celebrating their birthday by doing a virtual wine tasting. You get the wine and food shipped to your home and enjoy. Tasting with wine educator via zoom.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has opened up in the Bay Area, we will go to the winery in Sonoma in the next couple of weeks, outdoor tasting only. We always have two birthday cakes. My son married a PHD student from Italy and her birthday is January 30th too. Definitely a momentous date in our family.
I'll say! Happy birthday to all.
DeleteHappy birthday to everyone, Susan, and congratulations on raising such cool, clever kids! I always thought it would be so sweet and romantic to have twins... until I had a baby. Then I realized there was no way I could manage two at the same time. Kudos!
DeleteI gave brith to twins on January 30th, a boy at 11:10 and a girl at 11:22 am. They were born at 32 weeks and had no developmental or health problems. They are both happy, healthy adults, both engineers. my daughter is a design engineer for Roche, designing medical devices that diagnose disease. My son has the best job he blows up batteries and looks for product defects at Lab126 which is a Amazon company. We are celebrating their birthday by doing a virtual wine tasting. You get the wine and food shipped to your home and enjoy. Tasting with wine educator via zoom.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has opened up in the Bay Area, we will go to the winery in Sonoma in the next couple of weeks, outdoor tasting only. We always have two birthday cakes. My son married a PHD student from Italy and her birthday is January 30th too. Definitely a momentous date in our family.
I gave brith to twins on January 30th, a boy at 11:10 and a girl at 11:22 am. They were born at 32 weeks and had no developmental or health problems. They are both happy, healthy adults, both engineers. my daughter is a design engineer for Roche, designing medical devices that diagnose disease. My son has the best job he blows up batteries and looks for product defects at Lab126 which is a Amazon company. We are celebrating their birthday by doing a virtual wine tasting. You get the wine and food shipped to your home and enjoy. Tasting with wine educator via zoom.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has opened up in the Bay Area, we will go to the winery in Sonoma in the next couple of weeks, outdoor tasting only. We always have two birthday cakes. My son married a PHD student from Italy and her birthday is January 30th too. Definitely a momentous date in our family.
Wow!’
DeleteSorry about the multiple posts! Blogger thought it was worth repeating! I only posted it once.
DeleteJanuary 30th is indeed a major date in history, Julia. For me personally, it just means I only have two more days to get to February, one of my favorite months. February brings birthdays, my brother and sister, and while my sister Arretta is deceased, my brother Henry will celebrate a big birthday, his 70th. Feb. 14th brings both Valentine's Day and my older granddaughter's birthday. Then towards the end of the month comes my birthday. So, I really just try to get through January to when the fun begins.
ReplyDeleteMy anniversary of meeting Hugh is on Valentine's Day, so I like February too.
DeleteMy best friend and her sisters, plus a couple of their children, all have birthdays in February, too, Kathy. It's funny how families often have birthday clusters.
DeleteKaren, I knew a woman who was one of nine kids, six or seven of whom were all born in a two week cluster... nine months after their parents' anniversary. I guess every year they went to a fancy restaurant, shared a bottle of wine, and then...
DeleteOh, and Kathy, I can't imagine anything sweeter than a Valentine's Day birthday! You have the party colors and themes set for the rest of your life.
DeleteWow, I'll say. As it's 7 degrees out, it's definitely a good day to stay in and safe.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start plotting my 29th novel today - a personal first!
Go Edith go!
DeleteEdith, congratulations! Can't wait to read it.
Delete29th! Edith, that is a milestone. You're amazing.
DeleteWow, both good and bad things have happened on January 30 historically.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I am starting the day by warming up the apartment by baking the blueberry scones that Judy provided the recipe link for yesterday. We will see how these scones compared with my other blueberry scone recipes. I like the recipes on Sally's Baking Addiction.
Since we are in frostbite warning territory both today and tomorrow, we will see how much I go outside. My next focus is to set up my new grow lights and to plant some veggie seeds in her indoor garden.
And then I am going to try and make my own pork/chive/cabbage Asian dumplings. I watched an oniine class last week, and have all the ingredients. Wish me luck!
Good luck Grace !
DeleteGood luck, Grace. Be sure to set the timer...
DeleteDANIELLE AND AMANDA: Thanks! And I THOUGHT I had set my alarm but it was turned off when I checked it. Oh well, at least the dumplings are boiled and pan-fried, so I just need to be at the stove.
DeleteGood luck, Grace. I missed the blog yesterday and have blueberries, too. Are scones in my future? The dumplings sound delicious. Let us know how they turn out.
DeleteGRACE: That tip about chilling the dough so the butter is hard when the scones go into the oven for baking was a big AHA cooking moment for me. The British Bake-Off folks are always going on about making sure the butter doesn't leak and 'explodes' properly when put into the over. Yesterday's video that you pointed us to made me understand the 'why' of all those exhortations. So, thanks so much for that!
DeleteAMANDA: I am glad the Food52 video provided that explanation. My fridge and freezer are packed to the brim so I am glad for the sub-zero temperatures to use my balcony as an alternate storage location. Except, my nemesis Satan the squirrel came visiting this morning and was rummaging through the boxes.
DeleteUPDATE: I finished making and cooking the Asian pork-cabbage-scallion dumplings. They were tasty. The dough is very delicate, though, so several broke up in the pan during frying.
DeleteHere's the recipe, if you are interested in trying to make your own.
https://www.wifemamafoodie.com/asian-style-dumplings/
And I ended up making a Taiwanese spiced pork bowl from the Milk Street cookbook with the leftover pork. I posted pics on my FB feed, for those of you who are interested.
Both dishes were yummy. I have not been to a dim sum restaurant since the summer but my cravings for dumplings have been satisfied, for now.
Grace, one of these days, you need to make a cooking video and share it with us.
DeleteJULIA: Maybe some day. But I feel bad that I have not been able to share a video of me doing a nighttime snowshoe hike (with headlamps) that I promised Hank this winter. Sadly, we have not had enough snow, and more importantly, Quebec has imposed a 8:00 pm curfew so I can't go across the river to doing any nighttime hiking in Gatineau Park.
DeleteGrace,your day keeping warm baking and cooking sounds divine. Let us know how everything turns out.
ReplyDelete40 years ago family was arriving from all over to celebrate our wedding on Sunday morning, February 1. I was just thinking about those loved ones, now long gone. (Sigh.)
Happy wedding anniversary!
DeleteJUDY: The blueberry scones were good, but I overbaked them (I thought I set my alarm but it did not go off, GRRR). Chilling the dough/scones before baking is a great tip. It is 0F/-18C right now so I placed the baking sheet outside on my balcony for 15 minutes, and that worked just fine. I like the crunchy sugar topping which is similar to the banana bread scones.
DeleteThose sound so yummy , Grace!
DeleteAnd happy anniversary, Judy!
An early happy anniversary, Judy! Our 39th is a month later.
DeleteThank you for the good wishes, everyone! I hope the scones were still good. Boy, I hate it when I miss hearing an alarm or forget to set one. Gr-r-r is right!
DeleteJUDY: I will try and make the scones again, and remember to check the alarm/timer! The bottoms were a bit blackened, so that was my oops.
DeleteJudy, it's very wistful to look back and remember all those loved ones, now gone. I had grandparents, aunts, uncles and of course my mom and dad at my wedding, and of all those people, only four are left. I take consolation at all the people who weren't even imagined on that day who are so important now: my kids, my nephews, their significant others, and someday, grandchildren!
DeleteJulia, thank you. How true. There are children and grandchildren and of course, all of my cousins who were there have children and some have grandchildren. But, it is sobering to realize where we are in our lives, now.
DeleteJudy, felt that way especially when my mother died. I realized I was the one responsible for answering questions about cooking and cleaning and life.
DeleteNot exactly sure I am making history, but I suppose my family might think so. I am doing more geneaology. We've known for quite some time that Lincoln was a cousin. But now I have recently discovered that we had an ancestor on the Mayflower, one who even survived for years. That info spurred me on and now I know of at least one other presidential cousin as well as other notable ones. I was watching Finding Your Roots with Glenn Close and when they talked about a certain ancestor I recognized a name as being in my tree too. Turns out we are cousins, not very close, but blood relatives just the same. So far no crooks or other bad guys, at least none that I have found. Mostly this has just been a fun way to impress my family.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun to dig into the family history!
DeleteThat is amazing, Judi.
DeleteJudi, geneaology is SO interesting - history come to life, as it were. I had a great-aunt who was very into it (she did almost all the family trees and biographical details we have written down) and she would say it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on :-)
DeleteThat's funny, Julia. I have used that expression often but never in terms of genealogy!
DeleteNothing to make the papers or history.
ReplyDeleteDespite the frigid temperature, it is sunny and it makes me feel better.
Walking, reading, exploring the possibilities of my new IPad, hot soup and hot beverages will make the 30th for me.
Sounds wonderful!
DeleteA new iPad sounds like a fun thing to explore, Danielle. I'm continually reminding myself that I really don't need one...do I?
DeleteAmanda, it depends. I have no PC and no laptop, I have only an Ipad for all my transactions on the Net. My new IPad is not a luxury as my old one was eight years old, almost full and not up to date.
DeleteDanielle, getting a new tablet/laptop/phone is always such a delight for me, usually because, like you, I wait until my old device is YEARS out of date and stuffed to the brim. Then the newer, faster device seems like magic!
DeleteYesterday I watched a zoom presentation by an art therapist, describing how she treated abused children. The anguish and horror are still with me.
ReplyDeleteI'll make a pot roast for dinner.
Oh, Margaret, that sounds so hard. Here's wishing you a day of peace and calm and gentle, comforting pleasures.
DeleteThis has been a busy time for me at work, and I have a work event tomorrow afternoon, too, making today my one day of R&R this week. I will grocery shop (the one non-R&R activity on the list) and otherwise, hang out at home prepping food and clothing for the week ahead, reading, and spending quality time with my loved ones. Perhaps not making history, but I hope making very pleasant memories.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely, Susan!
DeleteIt's stormy here in Texas today, (Cue the Stevie Ray Vaughan: https://youtu.be/evjMjpd4PNM) so it will be a good day to stay in and read a good book. I need to do some writing for work today, with a grant proposal due on February 1, so I'll be doing that. But there was this one January 30 . . .
ReplyDeleteI used to hang out at Craig's Music in Weatherford, Texas, which is a pretty dang good independent guitar and stuff shop. In those days, Craig's inhabited a long, narrow, two-story building with a flat roof. Craig was a huge Beatles fan, and he convinced his favorite Beatles tribute band to get in costume and recreate the whole Rooftop Concert. It might have been the 30th anniversary. It was cloudy and cold that day, but not raining. Craig spread the word around town, and called a local TV station. People heard the music and began to gather in the parking lot across the street. The TV cameraman showed up and did a short bit for the night's news. We all had a great time, and raised some money for the local women's shelter. A day to remember, for sure.
What a lovely memory to have, Gigi. Nothing like live music with a crowd, raising money for a good cause.
DeleteIt was a fun day.
DeleteGreat memory, Gigi. You rock!
DeleteI agree with Judy, Gigi. You have has some of the coolest art-related experiences of anyone I know.
DeleteI was doomed to the arts from the beginning, Julia. My mother was an art teacher, my dad taught drafting and design, and my sister is an artist as well. I headed toward music and theater in self-defense.
DeleteIt's 10 F and windy here, no snow for us until Tuesday if the predictions are accurate. I missed yesterday's blog, but I'm checking out the blueberry scone recipe. It will be a fabulous occupation during a writing break!
ReplyDeleteJanuary 30 is quite the day in history. The this day in history page is a favorite!
Next time we do a cooking post here, we'll have to collect everyone's pictures of their blueberry scones!
DeleteThe sun is out here but the wind chill factor is 11 degrees so I think I'll stay in today. I did go out earlier to refill the bird feeders but that's it for the day. It's hardly history-making but I do plan to try a recipe from the Milk Street cookbook today, North African Chicken Couscous. Other than that, curling up with a good book, a cup of tea and a cat or two on my lap sounds about right.
ReplyDeleteThe wind chill is at 8F/-13C here today, Chris, so now I'm home from errands and have the fires going, I plan to spend the rest of my day in quite the same fashion!
DeleteIt is so cold here! I think it’s 9°. I have so much to do, I can’t even begin to tell you… But I have many many many thank you notes to write for the Mary Higgins Clark Award nominations, and for my cover reveal! so that is my absolute goal for the day.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am the editor of the Bouchercon short story anthology this year, and wow, the stories are fantastic! So I will be working on editing that today, too.
And I absolutely must come up with an idea, today! For my new book. Yikes.
Also we have to fill the birdfeeder. Very important.
Good grief, Hank: You'll need several days today to get through that list. Yikes! Good luck with it all... and remember that there is always tomorrow :)
DeleteHANK: You're AMAZING! I am in awe at how you manage to do all the things on your plate. I know there's plenty more than what you listed here, including FCF every week, and interviews and more.
DeleteHank, you make me think of the saying: if you want something done, ask a busy person. :-)
DeleteWhile Edith is plotting her 29th book I am plotting my expanded garden plots. Last week I received this year's seeds (yay! I was worried about shortages), and I have fruit and nut trees and other plants on order for delivery when it starts warming up a bit.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I made a good loaf of artisan bread, which we had last night with homemade potato leek soup, a fabulous recipe I've used for years. It's made in the microwave, and really fast, if anyone would like the recipe. So tonight, yummy leftovers! Not making history, though.
For awhile, Polly Iyer was posting a "This Day in History" comment on Facebook. I haven't seen one lately.
Oh, Karen, you remind me to order my seed catalogues. Is there anything as pleasurable as planning a garden in the depths of winter?
DeleteDefinitely no history happening here today, just some errands and later some planning for a workshop tomorrow. The temps are milder outside now -- milder by 30 degrees from mid-week. Crazy ups and downs...
ReplyDeleteIt's a high of 18F/-7C today, with nighttime temps predicted to fall to 0/-18, but a week from today? We're supposed to have a high of 41F/5C! I agree, it's crazy...
DeleteTomorrow is the fifth Sunday of the month so today I'm arranging flowers at church, in the morning, then in the afternoon, I have distance choir rehearsal, with masks on, outside in the church quadrangle and and plan on being cold. Then groceries and home for the duration of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteDeana, is your congregation meeting in person? Or are you streaming services? We're doing the latter, which, I've just realized, means the flower guild and altar guild still have to show up and make things look nice...
DeleteJulia, we aren't in person right now, only on Zoom from the church. We did have a few outdoor services, with limited numbers, once month. But that ended with the cold and rain.
DeleteSorry, I forgot blogger doesn't know it's me when I'm on my phone. Deana
DeleteI got nuthin'. In a former life I would be wiping my brow thanking the gods above that January and all its end of year filings was almost over. Today, who knows? It is gray and threatening rain. The boys got back yesterday from the East Texas acreage so it is a full house again. I have a craving for fried chicken and may have to send an emissary to the Colonel or Raising Cane for a fix.
ReplyDeleteTake out fried chicken for a full house sounds right on target, Pat. Speaking of end-of-the-year filings, I'm patting myself on the back because I'm more than halfway through pulling my information together for my accountant. I usually don't give him my stuff until March, so turning it in in early February will be a shock.
DeleteI have some errands to run this morning, then just catching up on stuff at home, like cleaning out the fridge and trying to figure out what to do with all the odds and ends of produce we didn't use this past week. And, believe me, they do not all go together! I'm also hoping to do some plotting and outlining.
ReplyDeleteI JUST got back from grocery shopping/post office/dog walking/bringing in wood, so I'm chiming in very late! Until my "foster daughter" (the one who brings me yummy food from Rosemont Market) gets a vehicle, I only have a car on the weekends, so the pile up of errands can get pretty ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to go back UP to Joan's comment and work my way down!
Julia, at this moment I cannot think of what happened on the 30th of January. Today I am trying to finish reading a book before book discussion today. And I am hooked on that Netflix series BORGEN.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Diana, I hadn't heard of BORGEN, but looking at the description, have to suggest it to my politics-mad daughter, Youngest. A woman climbing to the top PLUS good-looking Scandinavian men sounds right up her alley.
DeleteJulia, what is really interesting is that the actress looks like the Norwegian Princess Martha Louise. I am hooked on BORGEN. The actress, who plays Katrine, was in an episode of Midsommer Murders and it was set in Copenhagen. Hope your daughter likes the Scandinavian series.
DeleteDiana
Popcorn for breakfast? Finish writing a proposal? A nap? Yes, let's go with the nap. Reading about the history of today has left me exhausted.
ReplyDeleteALWAYS say yes to a nap, Jenn. That's been my life's philosophy, and it's never let me down.
Delete