24 August

The Three Mile Island nuclear plant before the incident in 1979

Today marks the anniversary (in 1979) of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant near Middletown, Pa. And on this day in 1935, aviator Amelia Earhart began her solo trip across the Pacific Ocean. Also on this day, in 1349, Jews of Cologne, Germany set themselves on fire to avoid baptism and in 1391, the Jews of Palma Majorca were massacred. 

But in 1456 the printing of the Gutenberg Bible was completed. 

Today a year ago, the late Steve Jobs resigned his job as CEO at Apple. 

And as mentioned yesterday, on this day in the year 79, Mt Vesuvius exploded in one of history's most dramatic volcanic events.

So there, some food for your and my weekend small talk.

23 August

Mt Vesuvius

Starting this blog just for fun. It may appeal to those who have scatter-brained, easily distracted, interested-in-everything minds.  

Today is actor, writer, entertainer, popular user of twitter and Apple products and all-round clever guy Stephen Fry's birthday - which he shares with millions of other people, but among others also the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, the South African cricket player Adrian Kuiper and Louis XVI, King of France.

Today also marks the day, in the year 79, when Mount Vesuvius began stirring - on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire (it erupted a day later, burying the cities of Pompeii & Herculaneum). So now you know all of that too.