10 October: 283

It’s the 10^th day of the 10^th month and also the 283^rd day of the year (non-leap years). 10 fun facts about 283.

1. 283 is the 61st prime number.

2. 283 Emma is a large Asteroid discovered by Auguste Charlois in 1889, in Nice, France. The reason for its name is unknown.

3. The 283 series is a DC electric multiple unit train type operated by West Japan Railway Company on the Kinokuni Line in Japan.

4. Pennsylvania is 283 miles long, from east to west.

5. The A283 is a road in England, connecting Milford, Surrey and Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

6. The highest point of the territory of Minsk, Belarus is 283 meters above sea level.

7. Telephone area code 283 serves the Cincinnati, OH metro area. It includes the cities of Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Middletown.

8. The year 283 was a common year starting on Monday, known at the time as the Year of the Consulship of Carus and Carinus.

9. London Buses route 283 formerly operated between East Acton and Hammersmith Bus Station. Transport for London has withdrawn the route.

10. In numerology, this number resonates with diligence, conscientiousness, business and efficiency as well as creative self-expression, charisma, and tolerance. People under its influence make great team leaders.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/

9 October: Valencia

Today is a public holiday in Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, called the Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana. It commemorates the historic entry of King James I into the city of Valencia in 1238, marking the founding of the Kingdom of Valencia. 10 things you might not know about Valencia.

1. The name of the city derives from the name given to it by the Romans, who founded a settlement here as a reward for soldiers who had fought under Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus during the Lusitanian wars. They named it Valēntia, meaning valour or strength. Although for a while, the place was under Islamic rule, and was then known as Medina at-Tarab, which depending on the transliteration, means either “City of Sands” or “City of Joy.”

2. Valencia is responsible for several “firsts”: the first printed book, a collection of poems was published in Valencia in1474; the first psychiatric hospital, opened in 1410; the first public bank, opened for merchants in the early 1400s; dating back even further, to the year 960, the oldest functioning judicial body in the world, Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Tribunal). Every Thursday, at noon, eight farmers dressed in black sit in a circle and settle irrigation disputes in public, with no written records. And a notable “last” – Valencia was the location of the last Spanish Inquisition execution. A schoolteacher called Cayetano Ripoll was executed for not believing in God in 1826.

3. The symbol of the city is a Bat, referred to as Lo Rat Penat (the Flying Rat). The reason? A legend regarding King Jaume I, who set out to take the city back from the Moors in 1238. One night, a bat got into his room and woke him up, which was lucky for him, because it meant a raid by the Moors didn’t catch him napping! It’s said he put the animal on the city’s coat of arms in gratitude.

4. The world’s second narrowest building is here (the narrowest is in Brazil), just 107cm wide. It was built that way for tax reasons, as property tax was based on how wide a building was. It was once an actual home, although today it’s an extension to a neighbouring Tapas bar.

5. A rather larger building is The City of Arts and Sciences, futuristic edifice designed by Santiago Calatrava which cost over a billion euros to build. Inside, there are a science museum, opera house, a planetarium and the world’s largest aquarium.

6. Valencia’s largest park, Turia park, used to be a river. However, when the river flooded in 1957, causing a fatal disaster, it was decided to divert the river away from the city. The original plan was to turn it into a motorway, but locals protested against that idea and it was made into a park instead.

7. Valencia’s cathedral is home to what could be the actual Holy Grail, or so it’s claimed. There’s no definite proof, and Jerusalem and Rome make similar claims. That hasn’t stopped thousands of tourists from going to have a look, or Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI from using it ceremoniously.

8. Every March there is a famous spring festival called Las Fallas, which lasts 19 days. There’s food, processions, music, Fireworks, and giant paper mache sculptures which are burned to the ground on the last day.

9. Valencia is said to be the birthplace of Paella, since the Moors introduced it in the 10^th century. It’s also nicknamed the Orange capital of Spain as 50% of the country’s oranges are grown here.

10. Valencia has its own language – Valenciano, a regional language closely related to Catalan.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/

8 October: Les Misérables

On this date in 1985 Les Misérables premièred in London. 10 facts about the show.

1. The musical is based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, published in 1862. French lyricist Alain Boublil was inspired to turn it into a musical while watching a production of Oliver!. He saw parallels between the Artful Dodger and the character Gavroche, and imagined the latter singing on stage. From there, he imagined all the other Les Miserables characters in the same way.

2. In French, Les Misérables translates to "the miserable ones," "the wretched," or "the outcasts".

3. Initially, the show was recorded as a concept album, in French, with music composed by composed by Claude Michel Schönberg. It was released in 1980 and had a short stage run at the Palais des Sports in Paris.

4. The English lyrics were written by Herbert Kretzmer, a TV critic for the Daily Mail, and the production co-directed by John Caird and Trevor Nunn.

5. The instantly recognisable logo for the show was taken from artwork from the original novel. Hugo’s favourite illustrator was one Emile Bayard. For Les Misérables, he provided an ink drawing of Cosette sweeping the floor. The show logo is a cropped image of her face from that picture, superimposed with a tattered French Flag.

6. When it first opened, Les Misérables was panned by critics. Their comments included “a witless and synthetic entertainment,” “load of sentimental old tosh,” and one dubbed it “The Glums”. However, the public didn’t agree. In less than 24 hours after the first performance, an unprecedented 5000 tickets had been sold. Les Misérables has been running in London continuously since then, making it the longest-running musical in the West End and the second longest-running musical in the world. In America, it’s the fifth longest running Broadway show after Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, The Lion King and Cats.

7. Around 101 cast and crew are directly involved in every performance. Several costume changes mean each production has 392 costumes and 85 Wigs.

8. Back in 1985, the producers had a policy that the lead actors had to change costumes and join the chorus when they weren’t required on stage in their principal roles. Tony winner Patti LuPone, who played Fantine, hated having to do that. She tried, to no avail, protesting that she was in another show as well and had to rest her voice. In the end, she protested by not changing out of her chorus costume for the second act. Which was a man’s outfit. She started a tradition, though, and many Fantines now appear in male costume in the second act.

9. It’s not set during the French Revolution but rather between the years from 1815 to the Paris Uprising of 1832.

10. Queen Elizabeth II once held a command performance at Windsor Castle. It was to celebrate the Anglo-French alliance and took place in 2004. Those watching the 40 minute highlights performance included French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minster Tony Blair.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/

7 October: Woman's Hour

Woman's Hour was first broadcast on this date in 1946, 80 years ago. 10 things you might not know.

1. The first broadcast was presented by a man. His name was Alan Ivimey, who, according to Radio Times, was a specialist "in writing for and talking to women."

2. Needless to say, opinions have been expressed that the content of some early episodes was somewhat patronising, with features including ‘mother’s midday meal’ and ‘how to hang your husband’s suit’.

3. On the show’s first anniversary in 1947, the Countess of Albemarle, Chairman of the National Federation of Women's Institutes was one of the guests. She said, ‘It makes a welcome pause in the busy day of a countrywoman. By [2pm, the time the show was broadcast back then] she’s done anything up to six hours of manual labour, soon there will be Chickens to feed, the children to fetch from school, the evening meal to prepare, but from two to three she can relax a bit; and if she’s wise, she’ll put her legs up, turn on her wireless and listen in’.

4. At time of writing the presenters are Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani. Over the years, the voices of Woman’s Hour have included Mary Hill, Jean Metcalfe, Violet Carson, Judith Chalmers, Sue MacGregor, Jenni Murray, Carolyn Quinn, Oona King, and Amanda Platell.

5. In its earlier years, Woman’s Hour used various popular light classics as signature tunes, including H. Elliott-Smith's Wanderlust (Waltz), Anthony Collins' Vanity Fair, and the Overture from Gabriel Fauré's Masques et bergamasques. From the early 1970s, specially composed pieces were used.

6. While it is tailored toward women's interests, approximately 40% of its 3.7 million listeners are male.

7. Today, it’s on at 10am following a high profile time change from 2pm in 1991. Since 2015 there’s also Late Night Woman's Hour, on at 11pm and presented by Lauren Laverne. This show chooses one topic for discussion, and is free to talk about things deemed unsuitable for broadcast at 10am.

8. Every so often Woman’s Hour issues a Power List of influential women, which has in the past included Queen Elizabeth II, Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon, JK Rowling, Margaret Thatcher, Germaine Greer and Beyonce. Even Bridget Jones, a fictional character, has made the list. The most recent Power List released by the BBC Radio 4 program was in 2023, which celebrated women in UK sport. In 2018 the theme was women having an impact in music.

9. There is a band called Woman's Hour, based in the UK and signed to the record label Secretly Canadian, who took their name from the show.

10. For one day only in 2004, the show was re-branded as Man's Hour and presented by Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow. Since then, a series called Man’s Hour came into being for real. It’s on Radio 5 and is presented by Tim Samuels.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/

6 October: Jennifer name day

In Sweden, today is the name day for people called Jenny or Jennifer.

Jennifer is a feminine given name, the Cornish form of Guinevere. "Jennifer" may mean "the fair one". 10 famous Jennifers:

1. Jennifer Saunders: English actress, comedian and screenwriter, plays Edina in Absolutely Fabulous.

2. Jennifer Aniston: American actress, producer and businesswoman. Plays Rachel in Friends.

3. Jennifer Capriati: American former world No. 1 Tennis player.

4. Jennifer Lawrence (pictured): American actress and producer. Mystique in the X-Men film series and Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games film series.

5. Jennifer Walters: also known as She-Hulk, a Marvel Comics character.

6. Jennifer Beals: American actress and former teen model. Films include Flashdance and My Bodyguard.

7. Jennifer Rush: American pop and rock singer.

8. Jennifer Gibbons: British author, one of “The Silent Twins”. She and her sister June would only ever speak to each other.

9. Jennifer Lopez: American singer, actress, producer and dancer.

10. Jennifer Grey: American actress and dancer, Frances in Dirty Dancing.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/

5 October: Neil deGrasse Tyson Quotes

The scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson was born on this date in 1958. 10 quotes:

1. In the end, it's the people who are curious who change the world.

2. Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.

3. The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.

4. The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.

5. Claiming there is no other life in the universe is like scooping up some water, looking at the cup and claiming there are no whales in the ocean.

6. Not only are we in the universe, the universe is in us.

7. Follow the evidence wherever it leads, and question everything.

8. We spend the first year of a child's life teaching it to walk and talk and the rest of its life to shut up and sit down. There's something wrong there.

9. Everyone should have their mind blown once a day.

10. In life and in the universe it's always best to keep looking up.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/

4 October: The Bronx Zoo

Today is world Zoo Day, so here are some facts about the Bronx Zoo in New York.

1. The zoo opened on 8 November 1899 as the New York Zoological Park. However, from the start people would refer to it as the Bronx Zoo and it officially changed its name to that in 2004.

2. As of 2010, the zoo housed more than 4,000 animals from 650 species over 250 acres, including parts of the Bronx River. More than 2 million people visit the zoo every year.

3. The zoo’s first director was William Temple Hornaday, who’s previous job was taxidermist for the Smithsonian Institution. He founded the zoo because he was concerned about declining numbers of Bison and wanted to raise awareness of it. After a row with the Smithsonian, the New York Zoological Society approached him and offered him the directorship of the zoo in 1896. He remained in the post for 30 years, and in 1906, re-introduced some of the zoo’s bison back into the wild.

4. In 2009 the zoo was called in by Tanzania to collect about 500 kihansi spray Toads, whose only habitat was threatened by a hydroelectric dam. Some of the toads lived in an artificial environment at Bronx Zoo and some at Toledo Zoo while the Tanzanian authorities worked on a way to re-create their natural environment. In 2012, it was possible to fully re-introduce the toads in Tanzania. Not all conservation efforts have been as successful. Thylacines, or Tasmanian tigers, were nearing extinction in the early 1900s. The zoo managed to acquire some, but they didn’t live long in captivity.

5. It was the first zoo to have its own animal hospital, opening in 1916, and the first to have a major exhibit of nocturnal animals which opened in the 1960s, but since had to close due to budget cuts.

6. There is a fountain at the zoo that was moved there from Lake Como in Italy. The fountain was designed by Biaggio Catella, but it caused a few problems in its original location, diverting water from other fountains nearby and after about 20 years began to tilt. The city of Como sold the fountain to an agent of William Rockefeller in 1901, and it was donated to the zoo. Another non-living attraction is the Rocking Stone, a boulder which is 7 feet tall and 10 feet wide and was carried to its current location by glaciers in the last Ice Age. It was said to be so perfectly balanced that it could be rocked with a tiny push. Though the health and safety people have set it on a firmer footing, presumably fearing lawsuits if someone pushed too hard and was crushed by a 30 ton rock.

7. In 2016, the Zoo was recognised by Guinness World Records as having the largest displayed collection of Origami elephants in the world: 78,564. As for live Elephants, not so many these days. When there were just three left, the zoo vowed not to acquire any more.

8. Since 2006 the public Toilets at the zoo have been eco-friendly. Not only do they use just 6 ounces of water per flush, therefore saving a million gallons of water a year, but the flushed waste is captured and turned into compost.

9. In 1906 the zoo actually had a human being on display: an African man named Ota Benga. He and some others from his tribe were originally brought to America for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair by anthropologist Samuel Verner. The Africans were returned to Africa, but reportedly, Benga expressed a wish to stay in America. Verner arranged for him to become an exhibit in the zoo. A combination of public outrage and Benga getting fed up of being a captive resulted in him being sent to an orphanage instead. While Benga did find a home in the African American community in Virginia and found work, he also suffered from depression and committed suicide at the age of 33. In 1963 a kind of human exhibit opened, called The Most Dangerous Animal in the World. Those words were printed above a cage which contained nothing but a mirror.

10. Animals don’t escape often but create headlines when they do. Two notable escapees were a platypus named Penelope, who had a fake pregnancy and then abandoned her mate, Cecil. An extensive search followed, but Penelope was never found. This was in 1957. In 2011 a venomous cobra made a bid for freedom, but turned up after a week she was recovered. She’d never left the reptile house. During her week of freedom, however, someone started a parody Twitter account where the snake tweeted about her adventures, which carried on long after it was recaptured.

I also write novels and short stories. If you like superheroes, psychic detectives and general weirdness you might enjoy them. 

Check out my works of fiction at https://juliehowlinauthor.wordpress.com/my-books/