As you may recall, I have two editions of Mary Emogene Hazeltine’s Anniversaries and Holidays: A Calendar of Days and How to Observe Them. The first edition was published in 1928; the second, “completely revised,” in 1944. I have the second printing of the 2nd ed., published in ’65.

As I noted last week, there are interesting differences between the two editions.

July 22

Gregor Johann Mendel born 1822. “Austrian priest and botanist; discoverer of Mendel’s law of heredity. … See also Priestly, clergyman and chemist, Mar 13.” (1928)

… “Austrian botanist and Augustinian monk, originator of the Mendelian law of heredity. … See also Hugo de Vries… who brought Mendel to public attention.” (1965)

Mendel was not a priest. He was a monk schooled in mathematics and the natural sciences. [1] He was the schoolmaster at the monastery in Brünn. He did his pea breeding experiments in his leisure time. The results of his experiments were published in an obscure journal (to be rediscovered by de Vries and others). In 1868 Mendel was appointed head of the monastery. Soon after, the Austrian parliament sought to tax monasteries– an idea that was thought menacing. Mendel fought against this for 12 years, 

defying penalties and warrants of distaint, but finally he broke down completely under the struggle, contracting a sickness that resulted in his death in 1884. Thus fell one of the pioneers of modern biology as a champion of Catholic clericalism– in its way an irony of fate. [1]

July 24

Alexander Dumas born 1802. “French romantic novelist.” (1928)

… “… of Negro decent; creator of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. (1965)

Amelia Earhart born 1898; “American aviator, writer and lecturer; one of the first woman pilots in the United States.” (1965 only)

July 25

The Netherlands declared their independence from Spain 1581. (1965 only)

July 26

New York ratified the Constitution (1928, 1965)

July 27

Laying of the Atlantic cable successfully completed 1866. (1965 only)

Thus, the world becomes smaller. 

July 28

Austria declared war on Serbia 1914. “The actual beginning of World War I.” (1965 only)

National Joseph Lee Day “honors the founder of playgrounds.” (1965 only)

July 29

Benito Mussolini born 1883. “Italian patriot, leader of the Fascisti; prime minister 1922- ” (1928)

… “Italian Fascist leader; as premier, he was dictator of Italy 1922-43.” (1965)

What a difference a war makes! 

And now for the glaring omission.


Ulysses S. Grant died on July 23, 1885. [2] There is no mention of his death in either crappy old Anniversaries book! It is not because the books do not note anniversaries of deaths. Last week I noted that Spode died on July 16, 1827. One would think the anniversary of a Union General, not to mention United States President, would be as notable as the death of a potter.

By the end of 1884, Grant was penniless and dying of cancer. It was then he decided to write his memoirs thinking that if the book were a success, the royalties would provide for his wife and family. [2] 

He wrote mainly of his military career, but also of his confidence that Northerners and Southerners would once again be fast friends. ‘I cannot stay to be a living witness to the correctness of this prophesy,’ he wrote, ‘but I feel it within me that it is to be so.’ “

He finished the manuscript on July 18, 1885.
~~

References:

[1] Erik Norenskiold. The History of Biology: A Survey. Tudor Publishing Co., New York. 1928

[2] William J. Bennett and John T.E.. Cribb. The American Patriot’s Almanac. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Dallas. 2008