Liam O'Mara IV, PhD
@liamomaraiv.bsky.social
Snarky history professor and political commentator; bibliophile; anti-nationalist libsoc antifa mountain man; geeky cat & bird dad; views are entirely my own, not my employer's.
Here is #BancoDelMutuoSoccorso of #Italy.
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#PsychedelicSunday #LunchtimeListens
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#PsychedelicSunday #LunchtimeListens
December 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
One of the first marine #OilSpills (#paraffin) was #ThisDayInHistory in 1907, when #ThomasWLawson wrecked off the coast of #Cornwall, #UK. The largest #SailingShip ever built without a backup engine, she was a steel-hulled, seven-masted #schooner, and too heavy to be profitable.
December 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
One of the first marine #OilSpills (#paraffin) was #ThisDayInHistory in 1907, when #ThomasWLawson wrecked off the coast of #Cornwall, #UK. The largest #SailingShip ever built without a backup engine, she was a steel-hulled, seven-masted #schooner, and too heavy to be profitable.
Here's a fun one: On #ThisDayInHistory in 1951, #NYC's #Jewish #bagel bakers went on #strike, shuttering 32 of 34 bakeries. National coverage had to explain to readers what a bagel is! A deal was made in January to improve conditions and wages, ending the city's "bagel famine".
December 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Here's a fun one: On #ThisDayInHistory in 1951, #NYC's #Jewish #bagel bakers went on #strike, shuttering 32 of 34 bakeries. National coverage had to explain to readers what a bagel is! A deal was made in January to improve conditions and wages, ending the city's "bagel famine".
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2006, the #Labour gov. of #TonyBlair quashed an investigation into the bribes, reportedly in the 100s of millions of pounds, paid by UK #WeaponsContractors for a deal in #SaudiArabia. Blair defended ignoring corruption as being in the "national interest".
December 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2006, the #Labour gov. of #TonyBlair quashed an investigation into the bribes, reportedly in the 100s of millions of pounds, paid by UK #WeaponsContractors for a deal in #SaudiArabia. Blair defended ignoring corruption as being in the "national interest".
The deadliest #SchoolShooting at an elementary school was on #ThisDayInHistory in 2012. A 20-year-old killed his own mother with her gun, then shot up #SandyHook with semi-auto weapons, killing 20 children between six & seven years old and six adult staff, then took his own life.
December 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The deadliest #SchoolShooting at an elementary school was on #ThisDayInHistory in 2012. A 20-year-old killed his own mother with her gun, then shot up #SandyHook with semi-auto weapons, killing 20 children between six & seven years old and six adult staff, then took his own life.
Dissatisfaction built steadily in "#Communist" #Poland, helped by a wage freeze & rise in food prices beginning in 1970. Wildcat #strikes became the norm, like one that began on #ThisDayInHistory in 1970 in the #Gdansk shipyards. A few weeks later the state backed down.
December 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Dissatisfaction built steadily in "#Communist" #Poland, helped by a wage freeze & rise in food prices beginning in 1970. Wildcat #strikes became the norm, like one that began on #ThisDayInHistory in 1970 in the #Gdansk shipyards. A few weeks later the state backed down.
To break the #PathetLao & #HoChiMinhTrail, the US on #ThisDayInHistory in 1964 launched #OperationBarrelRoll: a secret, illegal bombing of #Laos. Over nine years, more bombs were dropped here than on Germany & Japan in WWII. 10% of the population was killed: over 200,000 people.
December 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
To break the #PathetLao & #HoChiMinhTrail, the US on #ThisDayInHistory in 1964 launched #OperationBarrelRoll: a secret, illegal bombing of #Laos. Over nine years, more bombs were dropped here than on Germany & Japan in WWII. 10% of the population was killed: over 200,000 people.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1936, male #homosexual relations were banned in #Palestine by the British Mandate. Most countries restricting #LGBTQ are former UK colonies. The #WestBank is not among them; it was decriminalized there before it was in Britain.
zurl.co/V5eiC
zurl.co/V5eiC
December 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1936, male #homosexual relations were banned in #Palestine by the British Mandate. Most countries restricting #LGBTQ are former UK colonies. The #WestBank is not among them; it was decriminalized there before it was in Britain.
zurl.co/V5eiC
zurl.co/V5eiC
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1981, #Israel annexed the #GolanHeights with the #GolanHeightsLaw. To the present day, only one country recognizes this move -- the United States. For everyone else, they remain a part of #Syria and their status will only change with a formal peace deal.
December 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1981, #Israel annexed the #GolanHeights with the #GolanHeightsLaw. To the present day, only one country recognizes this move -- the United States. For everyone else, they remain a part of #Syria and their status will only change with a formal peace deal.
The #FrenchInvasionOfRussia ended #ThisDayInHistory in 1812. #Napoléon assembled a 600,000+ #GrandeArmée, the largest army in Europe to that point, but only 120,000 escaped #Russia, with most dying due to extreme weather and disease. Moscow was the the French Empire's graveyard.
December 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The #FrenchInvasionOfRussia ended #ThisDayInHistory in 1812. #Napoléon assembled a 600,000+ #GrandeArmée, the largest army in Europe to that point, but only 120,000 escaped #Russia, with most dying due to extreme weather and disease. Moscow was the the French Empire's graveyard.
Good morning, world! On #ThisDayInHistory in 2008, #Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi (Muntazer al-Zaidi) hurled his shoes at Dubya Bush as a "good-bye kiss". Given the #WarCrimes that should have had Bush before The Hague, I cheered at the audacity; shame they missed the mark.
December 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Good morning, world! On #ThisDayInHistory in 2008, #Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi (Muntazer al-Zaidi) hurled his shoes at Dubya Bush as a "good-bye kiss". Given the #WarCrimes that should have had Bush before The Hague, I cheered at the audacity; shame they missed the mark.
Here is singer #SultanAlomane from #Oman.
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#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
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#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
December 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
#HomeSecretary #JackStraw of #Labour lied to the #HouseOfCommons on #ThisDayInHistory in 2005. He claimed the UK was not involved in #rendition (illegal kidnappings). A report from 2018 showed Britain was involved in 100s of such offences, with agents even present for #torture.
December 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
#HomeSecretary #JackStraw of #Labour lied to the #HouseOfCommons on #ThisDayInHistory in 2005. He claimed the UK was not involved in #rendition (illegal kidnappings). A report from 2018 showed Britain was involved in 100s of such offences, with agents even present for #torture.
In 1294 on #ThisDayInHistory, Pope (now saint) #CelestineV did one of the most respectable things a pope can do: he quit. Formerly an #ascetic hermit, founder of the #CelestineOrder, he resigned after five months, missing the simple life, but was imprisoned and died in captivity.
December 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
In 1294 on #ThisDayInHistory, Pope (now saint) #CelestineV did one of the most respectable things a pope can do: he quit. Formerly an #ascetic hermit, founder of the #CelestineOrder, he resigned after five months, missing the simple life, but was imprisoned and died in captivity.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1545 the #CouncilOfTrent opened. Initially aiming to reconcile #Catholic & #Lutheran churches, it refused to consider doctrinal points raised by ##Luther. It is unfair, though, to call it a #CounterReformation, as the #CatholicReformation did change a lot.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1545 the #CouncilOfTrent opened. Initially aiming to reconcile #Catholic & #Lutheran churches, it refused to consider doctrinal points raised by ##Luther. It is unfair, though, to call it a #CounterReformation, as the #CatholicReformation did change a lot.
The #MassachusettsBayColony on #ThisDayInHistory in 1636 showed that "defence" is often used for offence. It organized three #militia regiments against the #PequotIndians -- a nation against which they committed #genocide. The day is used as the founding of the US #NationalGuard.
December 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The #MassachusettsBayColony on #ThisDayInHistory in 1636 showed that "defence" is often used for offence. It organized three #militia regiments against the #PequotIndians -- a nation against which they committed #genocide. The day is used as the founding of the US #NationalGuard.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1971, #Ovambo workers in #SouthAfrica-occupied #Namibia used #DirectAction against #apartheid with a lengthy and nationwide #strike demanding basic dignity for workers, and that gained an end to #racist #ForcedWork contracts and gained free #HealthCare.
December 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1971, #Ovambo workers in #SouthAfrica-occupied #Namibia used #DirectAction against #apartheid with a lengthy and nationwide #strike demanding basic dignity for workers, and that gained an end to #racist #ForcedWork contracts and gained free #HealthCare.
We have two big #EuropeanUnion events for #ThisDayInHistory:
In 2002, #EU said #Cyprus, #Czechia, #Estonia, #Hungary, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Malta, #Poland, #Slovakia, & #Slovenia would join in 2004.
In 2007, the #TreatyOfLisbon was signed, amending previous membership treaties.
In 2002, #EU said #Cyprus, #Czechia, #Estonia, #Hungary, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Malta, #Poland, #Slovakia, & #Slovenia would join in 2004.
In 2007, the #TreatyOfLisbon was signed, amending previous membership treaties.
December 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
We have two big #EuropeanUnion events for #ThisDayInHistory:
In 2002, #EU said #Cyprus, #Czechia, #Estonia, #Hungary, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Malta, #Poland, #Slovakia, & #Slovenia would join in 2004.
In 2007, the #TreatyOfLisbon was signed, amending previous membership treaties.
In 2002, #EU said #Cyprus, #Czechia, #Estonia, #Hungary, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Malta, #Poland, #Slovakia, & #Slovenia would join in 2004.
In 2007, the #TreatyOfLisbon was signed, amending previous membership treaties.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1981, #WojciechJaruzelski declared #MartialLaw in #Poland mainly due to the #Solidarność / #Solidarity movement. It was the first #Communist military régime. Showing how little such #Marxists understood Marx, they argued the state came before the workers.
December 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1981, #WojciechJaruzelski declared #MartialLaw in #Poland mainly due to the #Solidarność / #Solidarity movement. It was the first #Communist military régime. Showing how little such #Marxists understood Marx, they argued the state came before the workers.
The #Neuengamme #ConcentrationCamp opened on #ThisDayInHistory in 1938, providing #SlaveLabour for the #Nazis throughout the war. 43,000 were killed at the site. After the war, the city of #Hamburg demolished it and built new prisons on the site, showing how little people learn.
December 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The #Neuengamme #ConcentrationCamp opened on #ThisDayInHistory in 1938, providing #SlaveLabour for the #Nazis throughout the war. 43,000 were killed at the site. After the war, the city of #Hamburg demolished it and built new prisons on the site, showing how little people learn.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1937, the Japanese colonial occupiers of China began a six-week orgy of violence, the #NanjingMassace / #RapeOfNanking. An estimated 300,000 residents were killed with up to 80,000 rapes. Such atrocities are a hallmark of #racist, #nationalist imperialism.
December 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1937, the Japanese colonial occupiers of China began a six-week orgy of violence, the #NanjingMassace / #RapeOfNanking. An estimated 300,000 residents were killed with up to 80,000 rapes. Such atrocities are a hallmark of #racist, #nationalist imperialism.
The #Nazi forces in Greece responded to a Greek #partisan #WarCrime (executing 78 Wehrmacht soldiers) with a #CrimeAgainstHumanity: murdering 693 civilians. In #KalavrytaMassacre, #ThisDayInHistory in 1943, they shot all the men and tried to burn all the women & children alive.
December 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The #Nazi forces in Greece responded to a Greek #partisan #WarCrime (executing 78 Wehrmacht soldiers) with a #CrimeAgainstHumanity: murdering 693 civilians. In #KalavrytaMassacre, #ThisDayInHistory in 1943, they shot all the men and tried to burn all the women & children alive.
The first naval engagement of #WWII was on #ThisDayInHistory in 1939, when three British cruisers engaged the #Kriegsmarine pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee. In the #BattleOfTheRiverPlate the cruisers all took damage, but the #Nazi vessel was fatally wounded and soon scuttled.
December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The first naval engagement of #WWII was on #ThisDayInHistory in 1939, when three British cruisers engaged the #Kriegsmarine pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee. In the #BattleOfTheRiverPlate the cruisers all took damage, but the #Nazi vessel was fatally wounded and soon scuttled.
Here again is #hiphop artist #Rockfam of #Haiti.
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#FlashbackFriday #LunchtimeListens
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#FlashbackFriday #LunchtimeListens
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Mixed in among the more serious posts this morning, I want to share my #MorningCoffee with you and toast #FrankSinatra, who was born this day in 1915. I adore this song. "They put coffee in the #coffee in #Brazil!"
zurl.co/ZduoD
zurl.co/ZduoD
December 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Mixed in among the more serious posts this morning, I want to share my #MorningCoffee with you and toast #FrankSinatra, who was born this day in 1915. I adore this song. "They put coffee in the #coffee in #Brazil!"
zurl.co/ZduoD
zurl.co/ZduoD