Slavery is synonymous with the old American South before the American Civil War. Amongst a white population of 8,000,000, however, how many actually owned slaves?
Answer: 383,637.
Source: Dictionary of American Quotations by Margaret Miner and Hugh Rawson
1861 – In the a seminal event of the American Civil War, Fort Sumter, South Carolina, surrenders to Confederate forces.
1941 – A pact of neutrality is signed between the USSR and Japan. When Japan surrenders in 1945, the USSR will take geographic advantage of Japan’s defeat.
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A short, sharp hit of history in video format. Acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde was the toast of London society in the 1890s until things came decidedly unstuck through an association with a young British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as ‘Bosie’.
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Last week’s answer:
Francisco Goya (1746-1828)
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“If a cat gets hold of a German irregular verb – goodbye cat”.
American humorist and author Mark Twain. Twain became rich from his writing and lecturing but lost a fortune on business ventures. To pay off his considerable debts he went on a world lecturing tour which was enormously successful. His visit to Germany elicited many humorous observations.
French intellectual and man of letters, famed for his witty conversations, which made him welcome at the French Court and the Jacobin Club alike. During the Reign of Terror he committed suicide. The gems of his wit are recorded in his uncompleted Maximes et Pensees.
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