Executed Today
August 12, 2008 10:04 PM Subscribe
Executed Today offers "each day the story of an historical execution that took place on this date, and the story behind it."
I've only read today's entry but if this is typical of the quality, then this is definitely a site to bookmark. Thanks for posting.
posted by pandaharma at 10:23 PM on August 12, 2008
posted by pandaharma at 10:23 PM on August 12, 2008
"Quite accidentally, the senseless destruction this day of a respectable veteran helped set the put-upon gay underground upon its long march towards mainstream acceptance."
Why is it that stupid rules only get seriously questioned when respectable people fall victim to them?
posted by Pseudology at 10:34 PM on August 12, 2008
Why is it that stupid rules only get seriously questioned when respectable people fall victim to them?
posted by Pseudology at 10:34 PM on August 12, 2008
Why is it that stupid rules only get seriously questioned when respectable people fall victim to them?
Sorry this just reeks of when my old school had an expulsion policy for smoking pot and they only decided to change this rule when they were forced to expel their highest GPA student who was also captain of the rowing team.
posted by Pseudology at 10:49 PM on August 12, 2008
Sorry this just reeks of when my old school had an expulsion policy for smoking pot and they only decided to change this rule when they were forced to expel their highest GPA student who was also captain of the rowing team.
posted by Pseudology at 10:49 PM on August 12, 2008
Certainly a worthy project.
I was curious who might be the Christmas Day representative. None other than Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, The "Genius of the Carpathians" and his wife. I guess they don't always go with a sympathetic example.
posted by longsleeves at 11:35 PM on August 12, 2008
I was curious who might be the Christmas Day representative. None other than Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, The "Genius of the Carpathians" and his wife. I guess they don't always go with a sympathetic example.
posted by longsleeves at 11:35 PM on August 12, 2008
Interesting stories. I had never heard of the word 'pelf'.
posted by tellurian at 11:40 PM on August 12, 2008
posted by tellurian at 11:40 PM on August 12, 2008
Extraordinary list. Thanks for the link.
I was glad they hadn't yet reached September in their archives. I wanted but not wanted to read about an execution on my birthday.
posted by Kerasia at 5:07 AM on August 13, 2008
I was glad they hadn't yet reached September in their archives. I wanted but not wanted to read about an execution on my birthday.
posted by Kerasia at 5:07 AM on August 13, 2008
I had never heard of the word 'pelf'.
It occurs memorably in Patrick Leigh Fermor's Between Wind and Water when he falls in with a young German who has taught himself English by reading Shakespeare. He advises our hero to avoid certain women "for they desire only pelf".
posted by IndigoJones at 5:34 AM on August 13, 2008
It occurs memorably in Patrick Leigh Fermor's Between Wind and Water when he falls in with a young German who has taught himself English by reading Shakespeare. He advises our hero to avoid certain women "for they desire only pelf".
posted by IndigoJones at 5:34 AM on August 13, 2008
Indigo: I also know it from Apemantus's Grace in Timon of Athens.
"Immortal God, I crave no pelf
I pray for no man but myself,
Grant I may never prove so fond
To trust man on his oath or bond,
Or a harlot for her weeping
Or a dog that seems a-sleeping.
Amen."
posted by athenian at 5:44 AM on August 13, 2008
"Immortal God, I crave no pelf
I pray for no man but myself,
Grant I may never prove so fond
To trust man on his oath or bond,
Or a harlot for her weeping
Or a dog that seems a-sleeping.
Amen."
posted by athenian at 5:44 AM on August 13, 2008
It was possible, for a time, to take the London Underground to a public hanging.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:56 AM on August 13, 2008
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:56 AM on August 13, 2008
This provides just the bracing start to the day I've been looking for.
posted by Phanx at 7:48 AM on August 13, 2008
posted by Phanx at 7:48 AM on August 13, 2008
I was glad they hadn't yet reached September in their archives.
Is it September 11? I propose Beatrice Cenci for 'planned patricide'. It would be the first in the category. 'Planned' after her father imprisoned and raped her. Pope Clement VIII did her in.
posted by tellurian at 8:44 AM on August 13, 2008
Is it September 11? I propose Beatrice Cenci for 'planned patricide'. It would be the first in the category. 'Planned' after her father imprisoned and raped her. Pope Clement VIII did her in.
posted by tellurian at 8:44 AM on August 13, 2008
I look forward to the day when 'Executed Today' can only report ancient history.
posted by tellurian at 9:01 AM on August 13, 2008
posted by tellurian at 9:01 AM on August 13, 2008
The entry for my birthday was a great read. A terrific find. Thanks for the post.
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 10:32 AM on August 13, 2008
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 10:32 AM on August 13, 2008
History teachers take note: this is how to get students to pay attention! Thanks for the think.
posted by up in the old hotel at 12:30 PM on August 13, 2008
posted by up in the old hotel at 12:30 PM on August 13, 2008
Indigo: I also know it from Apemantus's Grace in Timon of Athens.
"Immortal God, I crave no pelf
On further reflection, I believe the young German did say crave.
Good work!
posted by IndigoJones at 8:52 AM on September 5, 2008
"Immortal God, I crave no pelf
On further reflection, I believe the young German did say crave.
Good work!
posted by IndigoJones at 8:52 AM on September 5, 2008
« Older "I don't kill them because they're bad people. I... | Conducting an orchestra. How hard could it be? Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by pompomtom at 10:11 PM on August 12, 2008 [2 favorites]