Beware the Ides of March! That would be today, dear folks. But what does that mean? That means it's the 15th day of March. There are also "ides" of May, July and October that fall on the 15th of their respective months. The ides were originally created to honor the Roman God of War, Mars. However, people were warned to "Beware the Ides of March" when Julius Cesar was stabbed to death on March 15, 44BC (as immortalized in Shakespeare's classic play "Julius Cesar"). Shakespeare also gave us "et tu, Brute?" (even you, Brutus?), since it was he who lead the coupe in the Roman Senate.
Other interesting tidbits that happened on March 15th throughout history:
1521 - The Phillipine Islands are discovered by Magellan
1767 - Andrew Jackson was born (became the 7th President of the USA)
1820 - Main is welcomed as the USA's 23rd state
1913 - First presidential news conference is held by Woodrow Wilson
1916 - President Wilson sends US troops into Mexico to try to capture the infamous Pancho Villa
1919 - The American Legion meets for the first time in Paris
1937 - The very first blood bank is opened in Chicago
1966 - Watts riots break out in California
1975 - Aristotle Onasis (Greek shipping tycoon and 2nd husband of Jackie O...thus, the "O") dies
1990 - Four LA police officers are indicted for the Rodney King beating
If you like this, take a gander at these:
Record-Breaking at Daytona 500
Annotating Your YouTube Videos
Dancing Kings at the Budweiser Shoot Out
Google Honors Thomas Edison's Birthday
Like Apple, Active Rain Has "A Group for That"
Comments(5)