Tag Archives: History

October 24, 1931~ George Washington Bridge dedicated; opens to traffic the next day

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George Washington Bridge,
Riverside Drive and 179th Street, Manhattan
by Berenice Abbott

1936 / Gelatin silver print / 9 15/16”x7 15/16” / Various, incl. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

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Previous October 24 posts:

Autumn~ October 24

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/24~

October 22, 1721~ Peter the Great officially proclaimed Emperor of All Russia

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Portrait of Emperor Peter I  by Bartolomeo Carlo Rastrelli

1723-1729 / Bronze / 40”x35 2/5”x15 3/4” / The State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia

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Previous October 22 posts:

Autumn~ October 22

The Abu Simbel Sun Festival~ 2/22 & 10/22

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/22~

October 20, 1973~ Opening of the Sydney Opera House

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Front Cover illustrating the Spherical Solution by Jørn Utzon

Back Cover indicating his inspirational sources by Jørn Utzon

1962 / 38 pages of plans, sections and elevations known as the Yellow Book
/ ©Utzon Archives / Aalborg University & Utzon Center

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Previous October 20 posts:

Autumn~ October 20

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/20~

October 16, 1384~ Jadwiga is Crowned King of Poland

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The Oath of Jadwiga by Józef Simmler

After Jadwiga wed Gniewosz of Dalewice, a Polish knight and courtier who had opposed the marriage, spread gossip that she was having an affair. Jadwiga took a solemn oath stating that she had only had marital relations with her husband. After all the witnesses confirmed her oath, Gniewosz confessed that he had lied. The medieval penalty was to force Gniewosz to publicly get under a table, say: “I lied like a dog”, and bark a few times. Despite this, Gniewosz continued his career at the court even after Jadwiga’s death.

1867 / Oil on canvas / 114”x84 2/5” / National Museum, Warsaw, Poland

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Previous October 16 posts:

Autumn~ October 16

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/16~

October 15, 1939~ Dedication of NY Municipal Airport (later LaGuardia Airport)

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Flight (detail), a mural by James Brooks

1939-1942; sealed and painted over 1952; uncovered and restored late 1970s; rededicated September 18, 1980
Painting on curved canvas panels / 12’x237’ / Marine Air Terminal, Terminal A, LaGuardia Airport

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Previous October 15 posts:

Autumn~ October 15

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/15~

October 13, 1399~ Coronation of England’s Henry IV at Westminster Abbey

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Bolingbroke Claims the Crown by the Virgil Master

c.1401-1405 / From “Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II” by Jean Creton
Colors and gold with ivy leaf border / 11”x4 1/5” / British Library, London, UK

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Previous October 13 posts:

Autumn~ October 13

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/13~

October 11, 1987~ AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed for the first time in DC

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NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall,
photographed by Mark Thiessen in 1996

Fabric, decorative objects, and personal belongings / Panels measuring 3′ by 6′ assembled into larger
12′ by 12′ blocks / In November 2019, the National AIDS Memorial became the permanent caretaker and steward of the Quilt

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Previous October 11 posts:

Autumn~ October 11

Artist Birthday Quiz for 10/11~