The jukong is a type of sailing boat found in the Australian Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands where it is the preferred mode of transport across the atoll. It is more akin to the European whaleboat than to the similarly named jukung from Indonesia. The latter is also known as a cadik and is a traditional outrigger canoe used for fishing. The double outrigger … Continue reading Jukong Boat of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
On March 8, 1576, Spanish explorer Diego García de Palacio first sighted the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Copán. This is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. Today, it lies within the municipality of Copán Ruinas in the department of Copán. It is in a fertile valley among foothills at 2,300 feet … Continue reading The Spanish “Find” Copán
The Ross Dependency is a region of Antarctica defined by a sector originating at the South Pole, passing along longitudes 160° east to 150° west, and terminating at latitude 60° south. It is claimed by New Zealand. Since the Antarctic Treaty came into force in 1961, Article IV of which states: “No acts or activities taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall … Continue reading Ross Dependency, Scott Base, and HMNZS Endeavour
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni — more commonly known solely by his first name Michelangelo — was born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, known today as Caprese Michelangelo, a small town situated in Valtiberina, near Arezzo, Tuscany. He would become an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance born in the Republic of Florence, who exerted an unparalleled influence on the … Continue reading Michelangelo: Painter, Sculptor, Architect
March 5 in the People’s Republic of China is marked as Learn From Lei Feng Day (向雷锋同志学习 / 向雷鋒同志學習), This is a propaganda campaign encouraging imitation of Comrade Lei Feng, a young People’s Liberation Army soldier who died at age 22. Lei Feng was held up as an example of communist ideals, including a strong work ethic, self-sacrificing nature, and unquestioning dedication to Mao Zedong … Continue reading Learn from Lei Feng Day
On March 4, 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in México in search of the Aztec civilization and its wealth. The expedition (entrada) of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of what is now mainland México under the rule of the King of Castile in the early … Continue reading Hernán Cortés & His Conquest of the Aztec Empire
World Hearing Day is a campaign held each year by Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health Organization (WHO). Activities take place across the globe and an event is hosted at the World Health Organization on March 3rd. The campaign’s objective is to share information and promote actions towards the prevention of hearing loss and improved hearing care. The first event … Continue reading World Hearing Day
On March 2, 1933, the film King Kong opened at New York’s Radio City Music Hall to rave reviews. Directed and produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, the screenplay by James Ashmore Creelman and Ruth Rose was developed from an idea conceived by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. It stars Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot and Robert Armstrong. It has been ranked by Rotten … Continue reading King Kong’s Film Debut
A Stamp A Day 