Author: Ciscography

Creator, Writer, Blogger.

On This Day 1936 — Edward VIII Talks to the Nation and the World

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On this day in 1936 the instrument of the abdication of King Edward VIII was endorsed by the Westminster parliament in London.

Later on the same day, Edward spoke to the nation and the world via radio, his faltering voice revealing the deep sadness he felt, that could not fulfill his kingly duties and at the same time marry the woman that he loved, the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Never formally crowned King, his younger brother, George VI would be coronated the following year. Edward, known as ‘David’ to intimates, would spend the rest of his life in exile with his wife, taking the title ‘Duke of Windsor’. He died in 1972 in Paris.

Copyright Francis 2020

December 11 1931 — The Statute of Westminster

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In one of its more significant and, in fact, truly historic moves, the Westminster parliament in London approved the Statute of Westminster on this day, December 11 1931.

Whilst largely forgotten today, this act effectively began the major phase of reducing the power and reach of the British Empire, marking the beginning of the Commonwealth. The dominions of Canada, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland were granted equal status and full autonomy, whilst still adhering allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain.

A lot has changed since then; Newfoundland is now a province of Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador since March 31 1949), for example. The Republic of Ireland is truly independent, whilst within the bounds of the EU.

Even the integrity of Great Britain itself has come under threat with strong nationalist movements in Wales and particularly Scotland.

Time will tell if the United Kingdom breaks apart, or re-constitutes itself, once outside the of the EU.

Copyright Francis Barker 2020

Saint of the Day – 11 December – Saint Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople (c 409–493) — AnaStpaul (Reblog)

Saint of the Day – 11 December – Saint Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople (c 409–493) Priest, Monk, Abbot, Hermit, miracle-worker – born in c 409 at Maratha, Syria and died in 493 near Constantinople of natural causes. Daniel was born in Maratha, Syria in 409 and became a monk in nearby Samosata on the […]

Saint of the Day – 11 December – Saint Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople (c 409–493) — AnaStpaul

Advent Reflection – 11 December – ‘… I want to love You with all my heart.’ — AnaStpaul (Reblog)

Advent Reflection – 11 December – Friday of the Second week of Advent, Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalms 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6, Matthew 11:16-19 Let us adore the Lord, the king who is to come. “For John came, neither eating nor drinking and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man […]

Advent Reflection – 11 December – ‘… I want to love You with all my heart.’ — AnaStpaul

EVERY BILLBOARD HOT 100 SINGLE 1970: #584: “YOUR SONG”- ELTON JOHN — slicethelife (Reblog)

Every Billboard Hot 100 Single 1970: #584: “ Your Song“- Elton John. November 28, 1970. Single:“ Your Song“- Elton John Record Company- Uni Genre: Pop Rock Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Time: 3:57 B side:“ Take Me To The Pilot“ Album- Elton John Grade: A+ Peaked at #8 14 weeks in Billboard Hot […]

EVERY BILLBOARD HOT 100 SINGLE 1970: #584: “YOUR SONG”- ELTON JOHN — slicethelife