Stories about History from May, 2010
Philippines: Destroying another landmark
Torn and Frayed in Manila blogs about the impending destruction of another historical landmark in Manila – Sta Ana Racetrack.
Algeria ,France: Film “Of Gods and Men” Sparks Conversation about Spirituality, Terrorism
Cannes 2010 award-winning film "Of Gods and Men" discusses the killings of the French monks of Tibhirine monastery in 1996. The movie sparks various reactions, from praises to spiritual debates, from bloggers in Algeria, France and around the world.
Sri Lanka: Unique Perspectives On The End Of War
Sanjana Hattotuwa at ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) informs that GroundViews, the Sri Lankan citizen media platform, has published a special edition on the end of the war against LTTE.
Jamaica: Situation Improving?
Four days into the state of emergency imposed on the Jamaican capital, the situation is becoming clearer - not simply in terms of statistics - but in understanding the chain of events that led to the current impasse. There are also reports that life in the capital city may slowly be returning to normal.
Russia: “Circassian Nationalism and the Internet”
At OpenDemocracy.net, Zeynel Abidin Besleney writes about “the role played by the internet as a lifeline linking otherwise isolated activists and communities and reinforcing the Circassian nationalist cause.”
Russia-USA: Like father like son
Windows to Russia turns attention to the only American soldier in the second world war serving in both the US and Soviet armies, who allegedly was also the father of current US ambassador to Russia.
South Korea: The sinking of ROKS Cheonan
Ask a Korean! addresses the issue of the sinking of ROKS Cheonan by answering what you need to know and what you need to think about the issue.
Latvia: May 9 in Riga
Arnis Balcus posts photos from the May 9 celebrations in Riga and writes: “In Latvia 9 May is more than just a victory celebration, it is also an expression of collective identity for local Russians.”
Ukraine: Medvedev in Kyiv; Yanukovych & the Wreath
Reactions to the Russian president's visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, last week (which included the Ukrainian president being hit by a wreath during a commemoration ceremony at the Unknown Soldier Monument) – at Kyiv Scoop, Ukrainiana (here and here), and Leopolis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Indian Arrival Day
“Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack”: TriniGourmet.com will be commemorating the occasion with a few tasty Indian dishes.
Africa: Celebrating Africa Day
South African blogger Zamo Nkatshu writes a post in celebration of Africa Day: “This year’s theme focuses on building and maintaining peace in Africa through sport. So let us then celebrate and rally behind the six African teams (The Six Pack) which will represent the continent during the World Cup.”
France : At Cannes Film Festival, Hors-La-Loi Addresses Taboo, Raises Controversy
"Hors-La-Loi", a film directed by award-winning director Rachid Bouchareb, stirred up quite a controversy before and after its showing at the Cannes Film Festival. The film addresses the often dividing history of Algeria-France relations after the killings of Setif. Bloggers' reactions to the film are reviewed in this article.
Bahrain: The Nazi is Coming
The Nazi is coming … to Bahrain. Check out Mahmood's Den to see what the furor is all about.
Japan: 1300 years in the making, celebration in Nara
While both culturally and physically a long ways from the modern capital of Tokyo, tracing back well over a thousand years into Japanese history one comes across Nara, a quiet, highly rural area which was established as the capital in 710. In doing so, a more centralized national administration was...
Argentina: Celebrating the Bicentennial on the Web
Argentina has been celebrating 200th anniversary of the beginning of the process of independence from Spain. A group of local bloggers have created a site called Your Bicentennial that will provide realtime coverage of the festivities.
Egypt: A walk along a Mameluke street
Maryanne Stroud Gabbani invited her friend Patricia Canfield to write about her tours of Cairo and share the photographs she took. Patricia profoundly wrote about Khan El Khalili, Al Mu’izz Street and other touristic places in the capital city.
Cameroon: Historical Dictional of Cameroon available
Dibussi reports that the Fourth Edition of Historical Dictionary of Cameroon is now available.
Diaspora: Youth and violence
Ianyan comments on yet another killing in Los Angeles and says that it's about time that Armenians stopped focusing on the past in order to resolve their problems in the here and now.
USA: Recessions better for right than left?
American journalist Doug Henwood argues that the political right does better than the left in elections during recession periods in his blog Left Business Observer.
USA: Hemp History Week, Saving Plant and Planet
In tough economic times, why would anyone ban industrial farming of a highly profitable and useful plant that requires almost no pesticides?
Cuba: Monitoring Arrests
Ever since the February, 2010 death of Orlando Zapato Tamayo, the first Cuban hunger striker to perish in 40 years, the situation in the island appears to have become even more tense.
