The Almanac

February 23, 1821: John Keats Dies

February 23, 1821: John Keats Dies February 23, 1821: John Keats Dies

Mark Van Doren wrote 100 years later about the poet's "plunges and dips and quivers of syntax."

Feb 23, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 22, 1732: George Washington Is Born

February 22, 1732: George Washington Is Born February 22, 1732: George Washington Is Born

Recalling “the small and cheerful world” into which Washington was born… well, maybe if you were rich, male and white.

Feb 22, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 20, 2005: Hunter S. Thompson Dies

February 20, 2005: Hunter S. Thompson Dies February 20, 2005: Hunter S. Thompson Dies

The Nation gave Thompson his first big break in journalism in 1965.

Feb 20, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

February 21, 1972: Nixon Goes to China

February 21, 1972: Nixon Goes to China February 21, 1972: Nixon Goes to China

The Nation had a few questions about Nixon’s change of mind: Why, how and when?

Feb 20, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 19, 1942: FDR Orders the Internment of the Japanese

February 19, 1942: FDR Orders the Internment of the Japanese February 19, 1942: FDR Orders the Internment of the Japanese

The Nation applauded the government’s “commendable energy and realism.” Eek!

Feb 19, 2015 / The Almanac and Richard Kreitner

February 18, 1885: ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ Is Published in the United States

February 18, 1885: ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ Is Published in the United States February 18, 1885: ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ Is Published in the United States

A Nation appreciation of this “tour de force of sustained impersonation.”

Feb 18, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 17, 1913: The Armory Show Opens in New York

February 17, 1913: The Armory Show Opens in New York February 17, 1913: The Armory Show Opens in New York

“Art is at the brink either of genuine revolution," The Nation’s critic observed, "or, as we believe, of a monstrous aberration.”

Feb 17, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 16, 1923: Archaeologist Discovers King Tut’s Sarcophagus

February 16, 1923: Archaeologist Discovers King Tut’s Sarcophagus February 16, 1923: Archaeologist Discovers King Tut’s Sarcophagus

“Prying modern eyes,” The Nation rejoiced, “shall not see the Pharaoh stripped to his dry, rattling skin.”

Feb 16, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 15, 1898: A Mysterious Explosion Sinks the USS ‘Maine’ in Havana Harbor

February 15, 1898: A Mysterious Explosion Sinks the USS ‘Maine’ in Havana Harbor February 15, 1898: A Mysterious Explosion Sinks the USS ‘Maine’ in Havana Harbor

The Nation had warned when the ship set sail that it probably wasn’t such a hot idea.

Feb 15, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

February 14, 1989: Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran Issues a Fatwa Calling for the Murder of Salman Rushdie

February 14, 1989: Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran Issues a Fatwa Calling for the Murder of Salman Rushdie February 14, 1989: Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran Issues a Fatwa Calling for the Murder of Salman Rushdie

In The Nation, Christopher Hitchens called the episode ”a moment of education to fix in the mind.”

Feb 14, 2015 / Richard Kreitner and The Almanac

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