its large but elegant appearance and is usually gray, although chestnut
and black are also allowed by the French breed registry. Its origins
trace to a period before the Crusades; Spanish Barb, Arabian and
Andalusian blood were added during the 17th century to create the modern
type. Originally there were several sub-types, but they were crossbred
until only one is seen today. The smallest type was used to pull carts
of fresh fish from Boulogne to Paris, while the larger varieties
performed heavy draft work on farms and in the cities. During the early
1900s, the Boulonnais were exported in large numbers to the United
States. Wars in the 20th century nearly led to the breed's extinction,
but it revived in France in the 1970s as a popular choice for horse
meat. From an estimated population of over 600,000 in the early 1900s,
there are thought to be fewer than 1,000 Boulonnais presently in
Europe, mostly in France. Studies as early as 1983 indicated a danger of
inbreeding within the Boulonnais population, and a 2009 report suggested
that the breed should be a priority for conservation within France.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulonnais_horse>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1825:
After no presidential candidate received a majority of
electoral votes, the U.S. House of Representatives elected John Quincy
Adams president.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams>
1920:
The Svalbard Treaty was signed, recognizing Norwegian
sovereignty over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, but all signatories
were also given equal rights to engage in commercial activities on the
islands.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard>
1945:
World War II: A force of Allied aircraft unsuccessfully
attacked a German destroyer in Førdefjorden, Norway.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(1945)>
1964:
English rock band The Beatles made their first appearance on
American variety show The Ed Sullivan Show before a record-breaking
audience, beginning a musical phenomenon known as the British Invasion.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Invasion>
2001:
The American submarine USS Greeneville accidentally collided
with the Ehime Maru, a Japanese training vessel operated by the Uwajima
Fishery High School.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehime_Maru_and_USS_Greeneville_collision>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
set the Thames on fire:
(idiomatic) To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings
great public acclaim.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/set_the_Thames_on_fire>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
You just call out my name And you know wherever I am I'll come
runnin' to see you again Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, All you have to
do is call And I'll be there You've got a friend.
--Carole King
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carole_King>
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