Day Tripping: June 4

Stunts, Speeches, and Squares

Suicide Mission

English suffragette Emily Wilding Davison attended the 1913 running of the Epsom Derby for a singular purpose. Before slipping under the rail, she donned the flag of WSPU, the Women’s Social and Political Union, and snuck onto the track just as the field of horses approached. Emily then stood in front of the charging horse of King George V, Anmer, and attempted to grab onto the reins. She was kicked over and trampled, and four days later she died in hospital from her injuries.

Though she was likely not trying to commit suicide, the dangerous stunt gained worldwide press coverage and became a pivotal moment in the women’s suffrage movement in the UK. Her fight for equal opportunities was borne out of frustration she felt for being discounted for certain jobs though she had earned the same education as men.

Confidence Builder

Basking in the light of the miraculous rescue of 380,000 soldiers trapped at Dunkirk, Winston Churchill gave his famous “We shall fight” speech in 1940. Looking to encourage his countrymen and build on the growing confidence that victory was possible, Churchill’s oratory stirred the imagination of all Britons. Standing as Prime Minister in the British House of Commons he said,

“we shall fight on the beaches we shall fight on the landing grounds we shall fight in the fields and in the streets we shall fight in the hills we shall never surrender?”

Citizens had suddenly become gravely aware of the possibilities of a German invasion of the island. Churchill’s speech was a warning of imminent danger as much as it was a rallying cry.

Gruesome Showdown

People’s Liberation Army tanks and troops enter Tiananmen square in 1989 to clear the area of student protestors demonstrating for democracy. The Chinese Government declared martial law after failing to quell the protests which were now in their third month. The end result was a massacre that claimed the lives of as many as ten thousand victims and wounded thousands more.

The original estimate of 700 to 1,000 deaths in the initial hours after the event was later revealed to have been falsely reported. Formal lines of soldiers open fire on the crowded square as tanks rolled through, crushing people under their tracks.

Musical Milestones

Ariana Grande returned to Manchester, England in 2017 to host the One Love Manchester concert in honour of victims from the aftermath of her concert the previous year. Guest appearances by Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, and others took place on a cricket grounds just three miles from the Manchester Arena, the site of the terrorist bombing that killed 22 people. All proceeds for the hugely successful event went in aid of victims’ families.

Narratives

Priscilla Presley, the widow of Elvis Presley unveiled a stamp with her late husband’s image which was issued by the US Post Office in 1992. In a public vote on the appropriate likeness, young Elvis beat out the older version by three to one.

Remembrance

An Italian author and adventurer, Giacomo Casanova was best known for his affairs with women. Casanova was often arrested on charges of indecency and once escaped prison. He died in 1798 at age 73.

Notable Births

1936 — Twice nominated actor for an Academy Award, Bruce Dern

1975 — Oscar-winning actress, activist for the world’s refugee children, and estranged daughter of Jon Voight, Angelina Jolie

K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca

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