August 12 — William Blake
Major English romantic poet, mystic, subversive.

August 12, 2009 HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
Surrey, England: MITCHAM FAIR. A “Charter Mayor” is selected, who
opens the three-day fair with a four-foot key to unlock the joys of the
fair. A great variety of games and amusements.
Scotland: THE GLORIOUS 12TH opens grouse-hunting season.

ALSO ON AUGUST 12 IN HISTORY…
1653 — First police force formed in present U.S., in New Amsterdam.
1812 — Lady Ludd leads English women in riots over bread prices.
1827 — English romantic poet William Blake dies, London, England.
1843 — First Fourierist phalanx founded in U.S.
1896 — Klondike gold rush begins, Yukon Territory, Canada and Alaska.
1955 — German novelist Thomas Mann dies, Kilchberg, Switzerland.
1992 — Anarchist composer and musician John Cage dies, New York