On This Day…1903

21 February 1903

On this day in 1903 acclaimed diarist and author Anaïs Nin was born Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell in Neuilly, France

Anaïs Nin is best known for her works Delta of Venus, A Spy in the House of Love and Henry & June.  However, during her lifetime, she was better known as a diarist.  Her diaries spanned several decades and provided a window into the lives and loves of Nin over many years and with many prominent authors, psychoanalysts and contemporary thinkers.

The erotic literature for which she is now best known was not published, for the most part, until after her death.

At one stage she confessed to having spun so many lies throughout so many relationships that she confided to a friend:

I tell so many lies I have to write them down and keep them in the lie box so I can keep them straight.

On This Day…2005

20 February 2005

On this day in 2005 Hunter Stockton Thompson, father of gonzo journalism and author of cult classic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, took his own life. 

Hunter S Thompson was known for his work as a journalist through his groundbreaking work in documenting the inside workings of the Hell’s Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Club, for his lifelong substance use and abuse including of alcohol, LSD and Mescaline among others, his love of firearms and his hatred of Richard M Nixon.

On This Day…1933

17 February 1933

On this day in 1933 The Blaine Act was passed by the US Senate starting the process by which the 21st Amendment was ratified thereby repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to Prohibition in the United States of America

Wisconsin Senator John J Blaine sponsored the Act which bore his name the passing of which set in motion the events making it possible to repeal the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America thereby bringing an end to prohibition.  

Prohibition had been in place in the United States since 1920 and forbade the sale, manufacture or transportation of alcohol but was widely regarded as a failure even by its supporters.

The 21st Amendment did away with it by repealing the 18th Amendment.  That process was completed on 5 December 1933. 

RealityGraphs – Why You Drink

Divers find survivors aboard Costa Concordia

Rescue divers searching the stricken cruise ship, Costa Concordia, have found two survivors within the wreckage of the stricken cruise liner.

The two men from Glasgow, Scotland, were found alive and well in one of the bars aboard the ship.

However, when approached by the rescue divers they told their rescuers to “F*ck Off!” and leave them alone as they had pre-paid for their drinks for the entire voyage.

Too soon?