FYI January 10, 2020

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On This Day

49 BC – Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signalling the start of civil war.[1]
The Great Roman Civil War (49–45 BC), also known as Caesar’s Civil War, was one of the last politico-military conflicts in the Roman Republic before the establishment of the Roman Empire. It began as a series of political and military confrontations, between Julius Caesar (100–44 BC), his political supporters (broadly known as Populares), and his legions, against the Optimates (or Boni), the politically conservative and socially traditionalist faction of the Roman Senate, who were supported by Pompey (106–48 BC) and his legions.[1]

Prior to the war, Caesar had served for eight years in the Gallic Wars. He and Pompey had, along with Marcus Licinius Crassus, established the First Triumvirate, through which they shared power over Rome. Caesar soon emerged as a champion of the common people, and advocated a variety of reforms. The Senate, fearful of Caesar, demanded that he relinquish command of his army. Caesar refused, and instead marched his army on Rome, which no Roman general was permitted to do. Pompey fled Rome and organized an army in the south of Italy to meet Caesar.

The war was a four-year-long politico-military struggle, fought in Italy, Illyria, Greece, Egypt, Africa, and Hispania. Pompey defeated Caesar in 48 BC at the Battle of Dyrrhachium, but was himself defeated much more decisively at the Battle of Pharsalus. The Optimates under Marcus Junius Brutus and Cicero surrendered after the battle, while others, including those under Cato the Younger and Metellus Scipio fought on. Pompey fled to Egypt and was killed upon arrival. Scipio was defeated in 46 BC at the Battle of Thapsus in North Africa. He and Cato committed suicide shortly after the battle. The following year, Caesar defeated the last of the Optimates in the Battle of Munda and became Dictator perpetuo (Dictator in perpetuity or Dictator for life) of Rome.[2] The changes to Roman government concomitant to the war mostly eliminated the political traditions of the Roman Republic (509–27 BC) and led to the Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 476).

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Born On This Day

1898 – Katharine Burr Blodgett, American physicist and engineer (d. 1979)
Katharine Burr Blodgett (January 10, 1898 – October 12, 1979)[2] was an American physicist and chemist known for her work on surface chemistry, in particular her invention of “invisible” or nonreflective glass while working at General Electric. She was the first woman to be awarded a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge, in 1926.[3]

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FYI

Vector’s World: Tired, Recycle reuse and more ->
 
 
 
 
Atlas Obscura: The Queer History of London’s Public Loos; Colorado: Dinos and Dunes in the Desert; An A-Maizing Tower and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Virginia Morell, Science: These parrots are the first birds observed showing kindness to others
 
 
 
 
By Jessica Wildfire, Medium: How to Scorch a Casual Gaslighter A few simple strategies
 
 
 
 
By Whitney Johnson, Director of Visual and Immersive Experiences, National Geographic: TODAY’S BIG QUESTION: WHAT’S BEHIND THE ICONIC IMAGES OF AUSTRALIA’S MASSIVE FIRES?
 
 
 
 
Fast Company Compass: Dear Victoria’s Secret: Here’s how to recover from your death spiral; ‘Just Mercy,’ the new Michael B. Jordan drama, wants to spark a criminal justice revolution; These bamboo houses are designed to stay standing during earthquakes and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Lorhainne Eckhart: It’s Free-Book-for-a-Review Friday!
 
 
 
 
By Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, Speaking of Suicide: Do You Wish You Could Go to Sleep and Never Wake Up?
 
 
 
 
Open Culture: “Mr. Tambourine Man” & Other Bob Dylan Classics, Sung Beautifully by Kids; 14 Paris Museums Put 300,000 Works of Art Online: Download Classics by Monet, Cézanne & More; Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
 
 
 
 
Today’s email was written by Stacy Conradt, edited by Annaliese Griffin, and produced by Tori Smith. Quartz Obsession: Clowns: No, you’re creepy
 
 
 
 
The Rural Blog: Kentucky stringed instrument-making school helps give recovering opioid addicts a sense of purpose; Quick hits: old rural hospitals need widespread repairs; rural Italian restaurant gives felons a second chance and more ->
 
 
 
 
Kathryn’s Report: Dynamic Rollover: Safari 400, N104CV; accident occurred April 10, 2019 in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee and more ->
 
 
 
 
By Jason Turbow, Grub Street, New York Times: How New York’s Bagel Union Fought — and Beat — a Mafia Takeover The mob saw an opportunity. Local 338 had other ideas.
 
 
 
 
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Recipes

By Maura, Happy Deal: Homemade Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe with Pudding
 
 
Molly Yeh’s Top Recipes: Asian Scotch Eggs Everything Grilled Cheese Peanut Butter Krispy Squares Monster Cookie Dough Turkish Coffee Brownies Fortune Cookies
 
 
The Kitchn: Baked Buffalo Wings With Blue Cheese-Yogurt Dip
 
 
The Frayed Apron: Curried Chicken Egg Salad in Collard Green Wraps; Creamy Carob Mousse (a no-cook, dairy free pudding) and more ->
 
 
By Linda Wilson, New Life On A Homestead: Basic Sourdough Starter