On This Day
1535 – The sun dog phenomenon is observed over Stockholm,[3] as later depicted in the famous painting Vädersolstavlan.
Vädersolstavlan (About this soundpronunciation (help·info); Swedish for ‘The Sun Painting’) is an oil-on-panel painting depicting a halo display, an atmospheric optical phenomenon, observed over Stockholm on 20 April 1535. It is named after the sun dogs (Swedish: Vädersol, lit. ‘weather sun’) appearing on the upper right part of the painting. While chiefly noted for being the oldest depiction of Stockholm in colour,[1] it is arguably also the oldest Swedish landscape painting and the oldest depiction of sun dogs.
The original painting, which was produced shortly after the event and traditionally attributed to Urban målare (“Urban [the] Painter”), is lost, and virtually nothing is known about it. However, a copy from 1636 by Jacob Heinrich Elbfas held in Storkyrkan in Stockholm is believed to be an accurate copy and was until recently erroneously thought to be the restored original. It was previously covered by layers of brownish varnish, and the image was hardly discernible until carefully restored and thoroughly documented in 1998–1999.
The painting was produced during an important time in Swedish history. The establishment of modern Sweden coincided with the introduction of Protestantism and the break-up with Denmark and the Kalmar Union. The painting was commissioned by the Swedish reformer Olaus Petri, and the resulting controversies between him and King Gustav Vasa and the historical context remained a well-kept secret for centuries. During the 20th century the painting became an icon for the history of Stockholm and it is now frequently displayed whenever the history of the city is commemorated.
1894 – Norway formally adopts the Krag–Jørgensen bolt-action rifle as the main arm of its armed forces, a weapon that would remain in service for almost 50 years.
The Krag–Jørgensen is a repeating bolt action rifle designed by the Norwegians Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen in the late 19th century. It was adopted as a standard arm by Denmark, the United States and Norway. About 300 were delivered to Boer forces of the South African Republic.
A distinctive feature of the Krag–Jørgensen action is its magazine. While many other rifles of its era use an integral box magazine loaded by a charger or stripper clip, the magazine of the Krag–Jørgensen is integral with the receiver (the part of the rifle that houses the operating parts), featuring an opening on the right hand side with a hinged cover. Instead of a charger, single cartridges are inserted through the side opening, and are pushed up, around, and into the action by a spring follower. Later, similar to a charger, a claw type clip would be made for the Krag that allowed the magazine to be loaded all at once, also known as the Krag “speedloader magazine”.
The design presents both advantages and disadvantages compared with a top-loading “box” magazine. Normal loading was one cartridge at a time, and this could be done more easily with a Krag than a rifle with a “box” magazine. In fact, several cartridges can be dumped into the opened magazine of a Krag at once with no need for careful placement, and when shutting the magazine-door the cartridges are forced to line up correctly inside the magazine. The design was also easy to “top off”, and unlike most top-loading magazines, the Krag–Jørgensen’s magazine could be topped up without opening the rifle’s bolt. The Krag–Jørgensen is a popular rifle among collectors, and is valued by shooters for its smooth action.
Born On This Day
1923 – Mother Angelica, American nun and broadcaster, founded Eternal Word Television Network (d. 2016)
Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA (born Rita Antoinette Rizzo; April 20, 1923 – March 27, 2016), also known as Mother Angelica, was a Catholic American Poor Clare nun best known for her television personality. She was also the founder of the internationally broadcast cable television network Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the radio network WEWN. EWTN became a voice for Catholics worldwide.
In 1981, Mother Angelica started broadcasting religious programs from a converted garage in Birmingham, Alabama. Over the next twenty years, she developed a media network that included radio, TV, and internet channels as well as printed media.
Mother Angelica hosted shows on EWTN until she had a stroke in 2001. She continued to live in the cloistered monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, until her death at age 92 on March 27, 2016.[1]
1916 – Estella B. Diggs, American businesswoman and politician (d. 2013)
Estella B. Diggs (April 21, 1916 – April 18, 2013) was an American businesswoman, writer and politician from New York.
Life
She was born on April 21, 1916, in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Pace College, City College of New York and New York University. She was in the real estate and catering businesses and was a career counselor. She was also a writer.[1]
Estella Diggs was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1973 to 1980, sitting in the 180th, 181st, 182nd and 183rd New York State Legislatures. She represented the Morrisania section of the Bronx. She helped write more than 70 bills and was responsible for the first Women’s, Infants, and Children’s program in the state and the first sobering-up station in the Bronx.[2] On November 7, 2011, Estella Diggs Park was dedicated in the Morrisania neighborhood.[3]
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wikimedia
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