This Day In History – April 27th

Posted: 27 Apr 2011 06:05 AM PDT

BEETHOVEN COMPOSES FUR ELISE – APRIL 20, 1810

Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized 17 December 1770[2]–26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. The crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.

Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor for solo piano, commonly known as “Fur Elise”, is one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most popular compositions. The score was not published until 1867, 41 years after the composer’s death. The discoverer of the piece, Ludwig Nohl, affirmed that the original autographed manuscript was dated 27 April 1810.

BENITO MUSSOLINI ARRESTED – APRIL 20, 1945

Photograph by Eva Braun

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (29 July 1883 – 28 April 1945) was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism.

Mussolini became the 40th Prime Minister of Italy in 1922 and began using the title Il Duce by 1925. After 1936, his official title was “His Excellency Benito Mussolini, Head of Government, Duce of Fascism, and Founder of the Empire“. Mussolini also created and held the supreme military rank of First Marshal of the Empire.

On April 27th, 1945, Mussolini attempted to escape to Switzerland disguised as a German soldier, only to be quickly captured and summarily executed near Lake Como by Italian partisans.

Picture of Benito Mussolini and Fascist Blackshirt youth in 1935 in Rome

GROUP AREAS ACT PASSES IN SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 27, 1950

The Group Areas Act of 1950 (Act No. 41 of 1950) was an act of parliament created under the apartheid government of South Africa on 27th April 1950. The act assigned racial groups to different residential and business sections in urban areas in a system of urban apartheid.

An effect of the law was to exclude non-Whites from living in the most developed areas, which were restricted to Whites. The law led to non-Whites being forcibly removed for living in the “wrong” areas. The non-white majority were given much smaller areas to live in than the white minority who owned most of the country. Non-whites had to carry a passport to enter the ‘white’ parts of their own country.

This act was repealed 41 years later, on June 5, 1991 along with the Natives’ Land Act of 1913.

EXPO 67 (WORLD’S FAIR) OPENS IN MONTREAL, CANADA – APRIL 27, 1967

The 1967 International and Universal Exposition or Expo 67, as it was commonly known, was the general exhibition, Category One World’s Fair held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from April 27 to October 29, 1967. It was considered to be the most successful World’s Fair of the 20th century, with the most attendees (50 million visits) to that date and 62 nations participating.

It also set the single-day attendance record for a world’s fair, with 569,000 visitors on its third day. Expo 67 was Canada’s main celebration during its centennial year. The fair was originally intended to be held in Moscow, to help the Soviet Union celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution but, for various reasons, the Soviets decided to cancel, and Canada was awarded it in the fall of 1962.

Habitat 67 is a housing complex and landmark located on the Marc-Drouin Quay on the Saint Lawrence River at 2600, Pierre Dupuy Avenue in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Its design was created by architect Moshe Safdie as part of Expo 67.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON 1 WORLD TRADE CENTER – APRIL 27, 2006

Photograph by Asterix611

One World Trade Center, simply known as 1 WTC or 1 World Trade Center (formerly named and still colloquially known as the Freedom Tower), is the lead building of the new World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan in New York City, New York. The tower will be located in the northwest corner of the World Trade Center site, and will occupy the location where the original 8-story 6 World Trade Center once stood.

Construction on below-ground utility relocations, footings, and foundations for the building began on April 27, 2006. Upon completion, One World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the United States, standing at a height of 1,776 feet (541.3 m), and among the tallest buildings in the world.

Along with One World Trade Center, the new World Trade Center site will feature three other high-rise office buildings along Greenwich Street and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The construction is part of an effort to memorialize and rebuild after the original World Trade Center complex was destroyed during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Photograph by Asterix611

Photograph by Benjamin Rosamond

Picture of the Day: The Labyrinth Aquarium

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:00 PM PDT

picture-of-the-day

THE LABYRINTH AQUARIUM

Photograph via Opulent Items

Not only is this crazy aquarium real, but it can be yours for a paltry $6,500 US! The aquarium includes silk plants, 3 lights, filters, air pumps and cleaning equipment. The lights are doughnut shaped and are placed underneath the black central hoods. They include programmable timer plugs which allow you to set when the lights turn on and off. The bowls themselves are made of lucite acrylic and the dimensions are as follows:

- Height = 54″ (1.37m)
- Width = 51″ (1.29m)
- Depth = 42″ (1.07m)

Opulent Items via Reddit