Tag Archives for Nat Turner

Today's Autonomedia Jubilee Saint — Kurt Vonnegut

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NOVEMBER 11 — KURT VONNEGUT
Beloved American novelist, sardonic social critic.
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NOVEMBER 11 HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
U.S.: VETERAN’S DAY. MARTINMAS, one of four “quarter days” in Old
England when rents were paid. As celebration and consolation there
was feasting and drinking. Was also called “TEAR-STOMACH DAY.”Martin
was the patron of beggars, tavern keepers and wine growers, proba-
bly because his day coincides with the ancient “FEAST OF DIONYSUS.”
Netherlands: ELEVEN ELEVEN ELEVEN DAY.Tradition says
eleven is the number of fools. On the 11th day of the 11th month a
council of 11 begins organizing the next year’s carnival, “so anyone
can be as foolish as he or she cares to be for those three days.”

ALSO ON NOVEMBER 11 IN HISTORY
1647 — First American compulsory school law passed, Massachusetts.
1821 — Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky born, Moscow, Russia.
1831 — American slave rebellion leader Nat Turner hanged, Jerusalem, Virginia.
1880 — American feminist Lucretia Mott dies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1887 — Haymarket martyrs executed, Chicago, Illinois.
1922 — American novelist Kurt Vonnegut born, Indianapolis, Indiana.
1942 — Jimi Hendrix, rock guitar wizard, born, Seattle, Washington.
1989 — Civil Rights Memorial dedicated in Montgomery, Alabama.
2004 — Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat dies; succeeded by Mahmoud Abbas.

Excerpted from The 2009 Autonomedia Calendar of Jubilee Saints: Radical Heroes for the New Millennium by James Koehnline and the Autonomedia Collective

Today's Autonomedia Jubilee Saint — Sam Caldwell

Sam Caldwell
OCTOBER 2 — SAM CALDWELL
First American victim of marijuana criminalization laws.

OCTOBER 2, 2009 HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
Spain: FEAST OF GUARDIAN ANGELS. Bonfire on steps of church, sword
dancing and mock duel with constant interruptions from “Devil Fool”
and “Boy Angel.” Devil’s tail explodes at finale. The girls’ skirts are
pinned up to reveal panties.

ALSO ON OCTOBER 2 IN HISTORY…
1800 — Slave rebellion leader Nat Turner born, Southampton County, Virginia.
1803 — American brewer & patriot Samuel Adams dies, Boston, Massachusetts.
1869 — Indian independence fighter, pacifist theorist Mohandas K. Gandhi born.
1871 — Mormon leader Brigham Young arrested for polygamy.
1890 — Film and television comedic great Groucho Marx born, New York City.
1937 — Police raid Denver hotel, arrest Sam Caldwell for possession of two joints.
1968 — Massacre at Tlateloco; 500 rebel youths killed by Mexican troops.
2005 — Black American playwright August Wilson dies, Seattle, Washington.

Today's Autonomedia Jubilee Saint: Wesley Willis

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AUGUST 21 — WESLEY WILLIS
“Warhellrider,” Joy-rider.” Rock musician and outsider artist.
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Wesley Willis, Skyline.

August 21, 2009 HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
Ath, Belgium: FESTIVAL OF GOLIATH. Parade of giants.

ALSO ON AUGUST 17 IN HISTORY…
1831 — Nat Turner leads slave rebellion, Virginia.
1872 — Decadent British illustrator Aubrey Beardsley born.
1888 — William S. Burroughs awarded patent for adding machine.
1904 — William “Count” Basie born, Red Bank, New Jersey.
1971 — Black Panther George Jackson assassinated, San Quentin prison, California.
2003 — Outsider artist, schizophrenic musician Wesley Willis dies, Chicago, Illinois.