Signpost 30 (16 November)
Good afternoon,
Each week we like to remember the anniversaries of historical events. From births and deaths to political events and film premiers, the Signpost time machine has commemorated over 300 dates since it began earlier this year. Some weeks are more difficult than others to provide a good range of occasions, but this week we were awash with historic events. Each of the links in this week’s Signpost are connected to things that happened during this week throughout history. We hope that you enjoy this Signpost, and please keep in touch with feedback and suggested future content.
51 years ago this week, the Apollo 12 mission landed on the moon, 28 years ago a fire damaged a major part of Windsor Castle, and 26 years ago Camelot conducted the first National Lottery draw.
REFLECT
- 70 years ago this week, a 15-year-old boy named Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama, the foremost spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Since then he has continued to provide spiritual advice and reflection to people across the world. The Dalai Lama’s website provides a wealth of information about him and his reflections on a range of topics including “Compassion as the Source of Happiness” and “Countering Stress and Depression”.
CONNECT
- During this month in 1906, the international Morse code distress signal, or ‘SOS’ became the worldwide standard. If you want to become an expert in Morse code, this website explains the history as well as helping you to practice every day. Alternatively, you can use this Morse code translator. (--. --- --- -.. /.-.. ..- -.-. -.-)
LEARN
- This week in 1959, the last Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music" opened on Broadway. The real-life story of the Von Trapp family has inspired books and films as well as the Broadway musical and eventually one of the most famous musical films of all time. You can read all about the real story of the Von Trapps, the Broadway musical, and the making of the movie on The Sound of Music website. But if you are missing the music, try “Do-Re-Mi”, “Sixteen going on Seventeen” or even “The Lonely Goatherd”.
- 75 years ago this week, the Nuremberg trials began. The BBC has a number of audio documentaries to commemorate this anniversary and to give further insight into the trial itself. You can listen to Ben Ferencz talking about being one of the US prosecutors or Holocaust survivor Ernest Michel talking about reporting on the trials as a journalist and being asked to meet Hermann Goering.
DO
- To celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 92nd Birthday, why not have a go at drawing him with help from Walt Disney Studios.
FUN
- To celebrate the 73rd wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, test your knowledge with this Royalty quiz!
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