I’m feeling a little sentimental today because 20th November is the anniversary of the day I became a mum. So, I’m having all the usual little wanders back in time to when my child was a baby, followed by the mix of wistful sadness that they no longer are, and acceptance (and pride) that they’ve grown into a happy and well-rounded individual. How time flies.
As the end of the year draws nearer, I’m struggling to find topics to babble about, so today will be an on-this-day post. My child shares a birthday with a few famous people such as US President, Joe Biden. You can find more famous birthdays on this day here.
Also, on this day in 1947, Princess Elizabeth (Elizabeth II) married Lieutenant Phillip Mountbatten, who then became the Duke of Edinburgh.
Public Domain
Books Related Events
As this is supposed to be a book and history blog, I should babble about some book-related facts about 20th November.
- Leo Tolstoy died on 20th November 1910. I’ve read none of his novels, which include Anna Karenina and War and Peace (although I watched the TV adaptation of War and Peace a few years ago. I loved the costumes, but the story was rather depressing. I was pleasantly surprised by the HEA). People hail Tolstoy’s work as some of the best writing in history, but the subjects are heavy for my taste, so I’ve never tried it. Maybe I should change that.
- In 1820, a sperm whale struck the Essex, an American whaling vessel which later sank. This event inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick in 1851. Another novel I’ve not touched.
Major Historical Events
There have also been some important historical events on this day.
- France and its allies signed the Treaty of Paris in 1815, which ended the Napoleonic Wars and required France to pay compensation after the Battle of Waterloo.
- In 1947, the Nuremberg Trials commenced, and judges of the Allied powers tried 24 Nazi leaders.
Anything else?
Oh, yes, Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, premiered in Austria, and, if you’re into cycling, you might already know that Geo Lefevre and Henri Desgrange created the Tour de France in 1902.
Now I’ve finished babbling, I’m going to get back to re-writing my WIP (I’m making slow progress, but it’s better than nothing) and I have to make a birthday cake.
If you want to add anything to my list, leave a comment.
