Operation Charnwood was a Second World War Anglo-Canadian offensive to capture the German-occupied French city of Caen that took place from 8 to 9 July 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. It was also hoped to forestall the transfer of German armoured units to the American sector of the front. Preceded by a controversial bombing raid that destroyed much of Caen's historic Old City, Charnwood began with three infantry divisions attacking German positions supported by artillery and tanks. British I Corps made gradual progress against the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend and 16th Luftwaffe Field Division. By the end of the first day, the 3rd Canadian and British 3rd and 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Divisions had reached Caen's outskirts. Entering the city the following morning, the Allies encountered resistance from German units withdrawing across the Orne river. Carpiquet airfield was captured, and by evening the Allies had reached the Orne's north bank. The operation was then halted as the bridges south were defended or impassable and German reserves were positioned to oppose their crossing. Despite I Corps' losses, Charnwood was a tactical success. Operationally, it achieved mixed results. (Full article...)
... that a storm on Lucy Island(pictured) unearthed 5,500-year-old remains of a woman whose DNA has been directly linked to a modern-day descendent, a Tsimshian woman living near Prince Rupert?
... that the song "Ice Cream Truck" by Cazwell was originally written for the 2010 film Spork, before it was suggested by his manager that a music video be done for the song?
The English comic actor Dan Leno (1860–1904) performed various songs, sketches and monologues that earned him vast popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. In addition to his acting roles on the London stage, Leno originated and popularised many songs, sketches and monologues in his music hall acts, and he recorded some of his work shortly before he died. Although his recording period was brief (1901–03), he produced around thirty recordings that were released by the Gramophone and Typewriter Company. For his music hall sketches, Leno created characters who relayed comic observations on everyday life in London. He aided his repertoire by purchasing songs from the foremost music hall writers and composers of the day, including Harry Dacre, Joseph Tabrar and George Le Brunn. Le Brunn's compositions earned Leno the most success: "The Detective", "The Jap", "All Through a Little Piece of Bacon" and "The Detective Camera" proved popular with London audiences and elevated Leno to the forefront of music hall entertainment. (Full list...)
Francisco Goya (1746–1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker regarded as both the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns. Goya was a court painter to the Spanish Crown, and through his works was both a commentator on and chronicler of his era. This portrait was completed when Goya was 80 years old.
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