Category: On This Day

Chernobyl Disaster

DAVID HOLT, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

On this date 35 years ago, in what is now the Ukraine, what was then part of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl Disaster began. This was the world’s worst nuclear power plan accident, resulting in incredible environmental destruction, hundreds of lives lost in the immediate disaster, and untold thousands of humans deaths as long term consequences unfolded over the years.

Find out more:

International Atomic Energy Agency

UNSCEAR (United Nations)

Chernobyl: National Geographic

World Health Organization

United Nations Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance

Let’s Talk Science

YaleEnvironment360

Wired: Nuclear Power

Greenpeace

Is nuclear power a feasible alternative to fossil fuels? The contribution of the burning of fossil fuels to the crisis of climate change must be accounted for, but are the risks associated with nuclear power too great? Check out the websites and books listed above, and then look for more resources to dig deeper to find out where scientists stand on these issues. Get informed and be a positive part of the decisions that will affect our future.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

In 2005 the United Nations designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The term “Holocaust” refers to the period in history in which the Nazi regime of Germany murdered over 6 million Jews, as well as millions of other victims, including Roma, homosexuals, people with physical and mental disabilities, and more. The Nazi persecution of the Jews began in the early 1930’s and reached its most horrific and brutal peak during the period of 1941-1945, as the Nazis adopted as official policy the “Final Solution,” the attempt at completely annihilating the entire Jewish population.

Holocaust RemembranceSource: CC / Sienda
Source: CC / Sienda

The Holocaust is not the only example of genocide in human history. What makes the Holocaust stand out amongst the long and plentiful list of human atrocities and evil?  Germany was amongst the most powerful nations of the world and a leader in science, technology, medicine and engineering.  The German contributions to art, music, literature and philosophy put German culture at the heart of what we would call Western Civilization. And yet this supposedly civilized people turned their great achievements and progress towards planning and carrying out ruthless genocidal murder with scientific and economic efficiency.

Children selected for extermination
source: wikimedia commons / public domain

The date of January 27 was chosen for this solemn observance as the death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated on January 27, 1945.

Auschwitz Death Camp
source: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, License CC-BY-SA 3.0

For more on the Holocaust:

Yad Veshem

US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Jewish Virtual Library

Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre

United Nations / UNESCO

Martin Luther King Jr.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on this day in 1929.

Dr. King was the leading figure of the Civil Rights Movement, as African-Americans struggled for freedom and equality in the United States. Dr. King was a brilliant orator and an inspirational leader. Dr. King was committed to the principals to non-violence, in part based on the example of Gandhi in India.  He believed that the only path towards a peaceful resolution of the plight of black people in the United States was through non-violence, civil disobedience, and peaceful protest.

source: CC / Wes Kandela

For more on the life of Dr. King:

Rick Rypien & Mental Health

source: National Post

Rick Rypien was born on this day in 1984. Rypien was a hockey player and a fan favourite during his time with the Vancouver Canucks. Sadly, he took his own life in 2011. Rypien suffered from the devastating effects of depression and other mental health issues.

Former team-mates, friends and family have honoured the memory of Rick Rypien in many ways, not least through the connection to Foundry (formerly known as Mindcheck.)

To find out more about mental health and some of the resources available to those who need help with mental health, visit the Foundry.

 

Bob Marley

Reggae legend Bob Marley was born on this day in 1945 in Nine Miles, Jamaica. Sadly, he died far too young, at only 36 years old, in 1981.  For more on the life of this amazing artist, take a look at some of the many books we have here in the school library.

Online you can also check out:

Believe in Yourself

Ziggy Marley was born on this day in 1968.  One of the children of reggae legend Bob Marley, Ziggy would go on to become a famous musician in his own right.  Many might disagree, but some feel his best work was “Believe in Yourself.”

“Believe in Yourself” is the theme song for “Arthur” the beloved animated program based on the books by Marc Brown.

ISLM and CLM Connections: Arthur gave us a library anthem, the “Library Card Song.”

Sputnik and the Space Race

On this day in 1957, the USSR launched Sputnik,  first artificial earth satellite. In the context of the Cold War, this event was shocking to many who had assumed that the U.S. and other western nations were clearly advanced in terms of science and technology.  Many consider that the success of Sputnik triggered the “Space Race” of the 1950’s and 1960’s, eventually leading to the Moon Landing of 1969.

Find out more in these and other fascinating  books that look at the Space Race and space exploration.

Susan B. Anthony

American Suffragist Susan B. Anthony was born on this day in 1820.  Anthony is considered to be one of the foremost figures in the 19th Century struggle for women’s rights and equality. She was also a heavily involved in the abolition movement, fighting against the horrific institution of slavery.

 

Find out more:

Jackie Robinson

jroPro baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919. An outstanding player who would go on to win MVP awards and Championships, Robinson will forever be remembered as the first African-American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He stood up to unspeakable racism with dignity and grace. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his breaking the colour barrier, Major League Baseball retired Jackie’s number, 42.