Rob Smallwood
@robjsmallwood.bsky.social
I’m from Nottingham, England. Interested in a whole bunch of stuff - history/music/literature etc. etc. My world views? I like world leaders to tell the truth and not to be autocratic 😊 Ω
95 years ago today, on November 2nd 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned as Emperor of Ethiopia, known as Haile Selassie, meaning “Power of the Trinity.” According to Ethiopian imperial tradition, he was a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, through their son Menelik I.
November 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
95 years ago today, on November 2nd 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned as Emperor of Ethiopia, known as Haile Selassie, meaning “Power of the Trinity.” According to Ethiopian imperial tradition, he was a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, through their son Menelik I.
75 years ago today, on November 1st 1950, Puerto Rican nationalists Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola tried to assassinate President Truman at Blair House to promote Puerto Rican independence. A shootout killed Torresola and a guard; Truman survived, and Collazo was jailed.
November 1, 2025 at 11:10 AM
75 years ago today, on November 1st 1950, Puerto Rican nationalists Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola tried to assassinate President Truman at Blair House to promote Puerto Rican independence. A shootout killed Torresola and a guard; Truman survived, and Collazo was jailed.
61 years ago today, on October 14th 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to tackling racial segregation and discrimination in the US. Through peaceful protests and powerful speeches, he inspired millions, advancing civil rights, equality and justice.
October 14, 2025 at 6:58 AM
61 years ago today, on October 14th 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to tackling racial segregation and discrimination in the US. Through peaceful protests and powerful speeches, he inspired millions, advancing civil rights, equality and justice.
89 years ago today, on October 4th 1936, London’s East End saw the Battle of Cable Street. Tens of thousands of anti-fascists - Jews, Irish, and socialists - united to block Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists march. Clashes with police led to the march being abandoned.
October 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
89 years ago today, on October 4th 1936, London’s East End saw the Battle of Cable Street. Tens of thousands of anti-fascists - Jews, Irish, and socialists - united to block Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists march. Clashes with police led to the march being abandoned.
50 years ago today, on September 22nd 1975, President Gerald Ford narrowly escaped assassination in San Francisco when Sara Jane Moore fired a revolver at him at close range. Ex-Marine Oliver Sipple deflected her shot, preventing tragedy - just 17 days after another attempt on Ford’s life.
September 22, 2025 at 7:49 AM
50 years ago today, on September 22nd 1975, President Gerald Ford narrowly escaped assassination in San Francisco when Sara Jane Moore fired a revolver at him at close range. Ex-Marine Oliver Sipple deflected her shot, preventing tragedy - just 17 days after another attempt on Ford’s life.
Ray Bradbury was born 105 years ago today. He warned in Fahrenheit 451 of a future where books are banned and burned, and shallow entertainment replaces knowledge - highlighting the dangers of censorship and the loss of critical thinking.
August 22, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Ray Bradbury was born 105 years ago today. He warned in Fahrenheit 451 of a future where books are banned and burned, and shallow entertainment replaces knowledge - highlighting the dangers of censorship and the loss of critical thinking.
114 years ago today, Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, believing it belonged in Italy. Hidden for 2 years, it was recovered in 1913 in Florence, where Peruggia had attempted to sell it.
August 21, 2025 at 7:05 AM
114 years ago today, Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, believing it belonged in Italy. Hidden for 2 years, it was recovered in 1913 in Florence, where Peruggia had attempted to sell it.
114 years ago today, Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, believing it belonged in Italy. Hidden for 2 years, it was recovered in 1913 in Florence, where Peruggia had attempted to sell it.
August 21, 2025 at 7:04 AM
114 years ago today, Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, believing it belonged in Italy. Hidden for 2 years, it was recovered in 1913 in Florence, where Peruggia had attempted to sell it.
The stench of desperation.
#EpsteinFiles
#EpsteinFiles
August 19, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The stench of desperation.
#EpsteinFiles
#EpsteinFiles
85 years ago today, on August 18th 1940, 3,000 people gathered at Camp Nordland, New Jersey, for a joint KKK–nazi rally. The event, featuring a Klan wedding and cross burning, promoted both white supremacy and fascism.
newspapers.ushmm.org/historical-a...
newspapers.ushmm.org/historical-a...
August 18, 2025 at 6:55 AM
85 years ago today, on August 18th 1940, 3,000 people gathered at Camp Nordland, New Jersey, for a joint KKK–nazi rally. The event, featuring a Klan wedding and cross burning, promoted both white supremacy and fascism.
newspapers.ushmm.org/historical-a...
newspapers.ushmm.org/historical-a...
60 years ago today the Beatles were playing in Atlanta, Georgia. www.beatlesbible.com/1965/08/18/l...
August 18, 2025 at 6:26 AM
60 years ago today the Beatles were playing in Atlanta, Georgia. www.beatlesbible.com/1965/08/18/l...
In the UK 50 years ago today, there was a broadcast of what was at that time the latest episode of Alias Smith and Jones. I’m pretty sure that I would have been watching it with my dad, as it was one of the family’s favourite cowboy series. Anyway, here’s my piano version of the theme tune.
August 17, 2025 at 8:25 PM
In the UK 50 years ago today, there was a broadcast of what was at that time the latest episode of Alias Smith and Jones. I’m pretty sure that I would have been watching it with my dad, as it was one of the family’s favourite cowboy series. Anyway, here’s my piano version of the theme tune.
80 years ago today, George Orwell’s Animal Farm was first published, on August 17th 1945. The novel shows how totalitarianism crushes freedom through fear, violence, and propaganda. Apathy, like Benjamin the donkey’s indifference, enables corruption. Silence can be as deadly as tyranny.
August 17, 2025 at 6:01 AM
80 years ago today, George Orwell’s Animal Farm was first published, on August 17th 1945. The novel shows how totalitarianism crushes freedom through fear, violence, and propaganda. Apathy, like Benjamin the donkey’s indifference, enables corruption. Silence can be as deadly as tyranny.
206 years today on August 16th 1819 in Manchester, cavalry attacked a crowd of 60,000 peaceful people who were seeking political reform. Eighteen were killed and hundreds injured. Though met with repression, the ‘Peterloo Massacre’ became a lasting symbol of democracy and workers’ rights in Britain.
August 16, 2025 at 9:49 AM
206 years today on August 16th 1819 in Manchester, cavalry attacked a crowd of 60,000 peaceful people who were seeking political reform. Eighteen were killed and hundreds injured. Though met with repression, the ‘Peterloo Massacre’ became a lasting symbol of democracy and workers’ rights in Britain.
89 years ago today on August 16th 1936 the Stars and Stripes and the Swastika flag were displayed next to eachother at the closing ceremony of Hitler’s Berlin Olympics.
youtu.be/sgfVoU-CZrw?...
youtu.be/sgfVoU-CZrw?...
August 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
89 years ago today on August 16th 1936 the Stars and Stripes and the Swastika flag were displayed next to eachother at the closing ceremony of Hitler’s Berlin Olympics.
youtu.be/sgfVoU-CZrw?...
youtu.be/sgfVoU-CZrw?...
Oscar Peterson was born 100 years ago today, on August 15th 1925. A legendary Canadian jazz pianist famed for his virtuosity, swing, and improvisation, he recorded 200+ albums, won 8 Grammys, played with jazz greats, and earned the title “Maharaja of the Keyboard.”
August 15, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Oscar Peterson was born 100 years ago today, on August 15th 1925. A legendary Canadian jazz pianist famed for his virtuosity, swing, and improvisation, he recorded 200+ albums, won 8 Grammys, played with jazz greats, and earned the title “Maharaja of the Keyboard.”
80 years ago today, on August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima during WWII, killing tens of thousands instantly and devastating the city in the first use of nuclear weapons in war.
www.nps.gov/articles/tru...
www.nps.gov/articles/tru...
August 6, 2025 at 8:09 AM
80 years ago today, on August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima during WWII, killing tens of thousands instantly and devastating the city in the first use of nuclear weapons in war.
www.nps.gov/articles/tru...
www.nps.gov/articles/tru...
100 years ago today, on July 21st 1925, teacher John T. Scopes was found guilty in the famous "Monkey Trial" for teaching evolution, violating Tennessee's Butler Act. The case spotlighted the clash between science and religion and fueled lasting debate on education in the U.S.
July 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
100 years ago today, on July 21st 1925, teacher John T. Scopes was found guilty in the famous "Monkey Trial" for teaching evolution, violating Tennessee's Butler Act. The case spotlighted the clash between science and religion and fueled lasting debate on education in the U.S.
Here’s the scene from Planet of the Apes in which Charlton Heston discovers the Statue of Liberty and the Epstein Files.
July 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Here’s the scene from Planet of the Apes in which Charlton Heston discovers the Statue of Liberty and the Epstein Files.
For the first time in 116 years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has not invited the sitting president to its 2025 convention, citing Trump’s actions as unconstitutional, anti-democratic, and contrary to civil rights, labeling his policies as fascist and un-American.
July 12, 2025 at 6:36 AM
For the first time in 116 years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has not invited the sitting president to its 2025 convention, citing Trump’s actions as unconstitutional, anti-democratic, and contrary to civil rights, labeling his policies as fascist and un-American.
65 years ago today, on July 11th 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird was first published. It depicts the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of rape yet convicted by an all-white jury despite clear evidence of his innocence, showing how racism distorts morality and corrupts institutions.
July 11, 2025 at 5:32 AM
65 years ago today, on July 11th 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird was first published. It depicts the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of rape yet convicted by an all-white jury despite clear evidence of his innocence, showing how racism distorts morality and corrupts institutions.
Lady Jane Grey,fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Italian, was declared Queen of England at the age of 15, 472 years ago today on July 10th 1553, by Protestant men who did not want the Catholic Mary Tudor to reign. Jane was Queen for 9 days. She was imprisoned and executed for treason, aged 16.
July 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Lady Jane Grey,fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Italian, was declared Queen of England at the age of 15, 472 years ago today on July 10th 1553, by Protestant men who did not want the Catholic Mary Tudor to reign. Jane was Queen for 9 days. She was imprisoned and executed for treason, aged 16.
US President Zachary Taylor died whilst in office 175 years ago today, on July 9th 1850. It is believed that he had either acute gastroenteritis or food poisoning. His body was exhumed in 1991 due to speculation that he had been poisoned, but tests ruled out the possibility of foul play.
July 9, 2025 at 6:56 AM
US President Zachary Taylor died whilst in office 175 years ago today, on July 9th 1850. It is believed that he had either acute gastroenteritis or food poisoning. His body was exhumed in 1991 due to speculation that he had been poisoned, but tests ruled out the possibility of foul play.
Jean Moulin, a key WWII French Resistance leader, died 82 years ago today on July 8th 1943. Captured by the Gestapo and tortured by ‘The Butcher of Lyon’, Klaus Barbie, he never revealed his secrets. Honoured as a national hero, his ashes were placed in the Panthéon in 1964.
July 8, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Jean Moulin, a key WWII French Resistance leader, died 82 years ago today on July 8th 1943. Captured by the Gestapo and tortured by ‘The Butcher of Lyon’, Klaus Barbie, he never revealed his secrets. Honoured as a national hero, his ashes were placed in the Panthéon in 1964.