Smile of the Day Friday, November 6, 2020

Friday November 6, 2020 Smile for the Day: The Bolshevik Revolution

On Today’s Date:

The Bolshevik revolution begins with bombardment of the Winter Palace in Petrograd during the Russian October Revolution.

Now, I know it is November…the difference has to do with the fact that in 1917, Russia had yet to switch from the old Julian to the new Gregorian calendar.

Because the Julian was 11 days behind the Gregorian calendar, when they finally made the switch after the Bolshevic Revolution, both of the events were recalculated and converted under the new calendar and that’s the reason why the events appear to be in the following month.  Hence the October revolution’s anniversary is in November (according to the Useless Info Junkie).

First, a Story:

Where do Russians go to buy their coffee? Tsarbucks.

Second, a Song:

There are many songs that evoke images of Russia.  After all, Russia is the birthplace of many famous composers and songs.  However, this time I have chosen a song that was composed by a Frenchman, Maurice-Alexis Jarre (sort of the musical equivalent to the October revolution being in November, but I digress). But it is a song set in the Bolshevik revolution and indeed, it is hauntingly beautiful.

In 1967, “Somewhere, My Love” won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. It lost to “Michelle” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles (per Wikipedia). 

I hope you enjoy this version of “Somewhere, My Love” by André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu, a Dutch violinist and conductor and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoIaoVE8lkU&pbjreload=101)

Thought for the Day:

“If women can be railroad workers in Russia, why can’t they fly in space?” – Valentina Tereshkova (The first lady in space).

Have a great day!

© 2020 David J. Bilinsky and Colleen E. Bilinsky