A Little History
Well. I hunted around and couldn't find any interesting NEW news, so figured I'd do a little history for today.
Of interest to our friends to the south, today in 1933, the 20th amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect. It basically lays out the procedure for the succession of presidents, and the beginning and ending of terms for elected officials.
In 1952, Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II on the death of her father, King George VI. At the exact moment of her succession to Queen, the 25 year-old Princess was in a treehouse at the Treetops Hotel in Kenya.
And it was exactly 1 year ago that Stephen Harper and the Conservatives became a minority government after 13 years of Liberal dictatorship.
Some birthdays... Aaron Burr, 1756....Babe Ruth, 1895....Ronald Regan,1911...Eva Braun,1912...Mary Leakey,1913....
And deaths....Kings Charles II, 1685, and George VI, 1952....Chris Gueffroy, 1989, the last person killed trying to escape over the Berlin Wall...
And some holidays... Bob Marley Day in Jamaica (Mahn) and Ethiopia....Waitangi Day in N.Z....Sami National Day in Finland and Scandanavia...and Ronald Regan Day in The U.S.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
Of interest to our friends to the south, today in 1933, the 20th amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect. It basically lays out the procedure for the succession of presidents, and the beginning and ending of terms for elected officials.
In 1952, Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II on the death of her father, King George VI. At the exact moment of her succession to Queen, the 25 year-old Princess was in a treehouse at the Treetops Hotel in Kenya.
And it was exactly 1 year ago that Stephen Harper and the Conservatives became a minority government after 13 years of Liberal dictatorship.
Some birthdays... Aaron Burr, 1756....Babe Ruth, 1895....Ronald Regan,1911...Eva Braun,1912...Mary Leakey,1913....
And deaths....Kings Charles II, 1685, and George VI, 1952....Chris Gueffroy, 1989, the last person killed trying to escape over the Berlin Wall...
And some holidays... Bob Marley Day in Jamaica (Mahn) and Ethiopia....Waitangi Day in N.Z....Sami National Day in Finland and Scandanavia...and Ronald Regan Day in The U.S.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
posted by Justthinkin at 7:48 PM
As you point out, 55 years ago, on February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth Windsor ascended the Throne upon the sudden death of her beloved father, King George VI. She was just 25 years old.
Now at age 80, Queen Elizabeth II has reigned longer than all but four British/Canadian monarchs. Still healthy and active, Her Majesty may soon become the longest-reigning Monarch in history.
She has already surpassed the 44-year reign of her namesake, Elizabeth I (1558-1603).
She will soon surpass Henry III who ruled England for 56 years (1216-1272), and James VI who ruled for 57 years as King of Scotland (1567-1625).
On May 12, 2011, Elizabeth II will surpass the 59-year reign of King George III (1760-1820).
And on September 9, 2015, Elizabeth will surpass Queen Victoria's reign of 63 years- 7 months- and 3 days (1837-1901), becoming history's longest-reigning Monarch.
+ + + + +
On her 21st birthday in 1947, Elizabeth solemnly declared "... that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great Commonwealth family to which we all belong."
For over half a century, Her Majesty has never once wavered from that commitment. She reigns with total integrity -- if only all leaders so conducted themselves! Fittingly her name, Elizabeth means "God is my oath" in Hebrew. Indeed He is. God save our gracious Queen!