hiphistory.tumblr.com puts historical events into the context of ordinary human lives.
September 6, 2006 - The first male child to be born to the Japanese royal family in 41 years first saw the light on this day. The birth averted the horror of the royal line passing through a male-less generation. Prince Hisahito is said to enjoy riding his tricycle, playing hide and seek, and returning Japan to its rightful place as ruler of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere.
“Monarchy? Really?”
September 6, 1977 - Japanese Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa shares a birthday with Prince Hisahito. What a nice 29th birthday present the little prince must have been for him, spoiling all his birthdays forever. No worries, as he is a form of royalty himself… He is known as the “Prince of Enka” because he is so unbelievably young (at 33) to be performing in such a traditional art form.
The Prince of Enka
Enka is not a traditional Japanese form, but it has traditional roots and a traditional air about it. Hikawa is something of a modernizer in Enka. He often does not wear the traditional kimono while performing. Enka has some performers who are not from Japan. Among them Pittsburgh’s own Jero, who performs in a #86 Hines Ward jersey!
Pittsburgh’s Enka Prince!
September 6, 1960 - Martin & Mitchell sounds like a good name for a comedy duo, just like Sacco & Vanzetti sounds like a good name for an escalator company. Unfortunately, this dynamic duo were not comedians, jugglers, or even lowly fire-spinners, but rather defectors to the Soviet Union. At the time of their defection they were cryptanalysts at the NSA. On this day, the Soviet Union held a press conference in which William Martin and Bernon Mitchell revealed to the world they were defectors. The reason they gave was concern for US aggression and a general desire for world peace.
The U.S. government sprung into action. Two men, who have known each other for years travelling on a boat from Mexico City? Two unmarried men at the impossibly decadent ages of 31 and 29? No children by 30? What madness is this? Who do they think they are? The Emperor of Japan? Two unmarried men who had served in the Navy? They’re both cryptANALysts? I think you get the picture.
The NSA and other secretive organizations soon initiated a purge and policy shift aimed at “sexual deviates”. To make sure all employees and recruits had proper erections, polygraph tests became an even more integral part of spy agencies (despite the fact that they are utter, fictional hogwash). The NSA managed to root out 26 “perverts” in the ensuing months. Naturally, this witch-hunt was misguided for many reasons, not least of which was the fact that neither defector was homosexual. Thankfully, the anti-gay climate inside sensitive military institutions has since been remedied.
The Seattle Weekly has a long, decadent article on the matter.
35 - Old Enough to be President:
September 6, 1977 - Steven Biko, anti-apartheid activist and leader was beaten severely in jail on this day, which would result in his death five days later. Biko and his Black Consciousness Movement were instrumental in the Soweto Uprising, which brought the plight of South Africans to the forefront of world consciousness. Unfortunately, it brought Biko to the forefront of Police attention.
“Black is Beautiful”
If you are unfamiliar with the Black Consciousness Movement, you probably know at least one aspect. Biko coined the phrase “Black is Beautiful.” He was a more poetic and inspirational leader than pragmatic politician. It is a shame he died so young. Biko never saw the free South Africa for which he and countless thousands of others paid with their lives. But thanks in part to his actions, South Africa held their last racially divided election 12 years later…
September 6, 1989 - I was in the midst of moving into my first apartment when South Africa turned away from the leadership of P.W. Botha to the comparatively enlightened leadership of F.W. de Clerk. Under de Klerk, Apartheid was dissolved, and in the 1994 elections, Nelson Mandela became President.
If your 21st birthday happens to be today, hoist a glass in honor of the election that lead to the end of Apartheid, like you need an excuse…
Quickies:
September 6, 1945 - Our beloved Senator McCain’s grandfather, John S. McCain died of a heart attack this day. He was an Admiral, and was present at the Japanese surrender ceremony just a few days prior despite poor health. He left immediately afterward, and died at his home in California. The stress of the war had worn him down to 100 pounds.
September 6, 1938 - The last of the Nuremberg Rallies is held, ramping up Germany for the occupation of Czechoslovakia. That was 72 years ago, meaning in terms of a human life, the Nuremberg Rallies are now Exceeding All Expectations.