1914, when it learned that the United Kingdom had declared war on
Germany a day earlier. The British territory of Southern Rhodesia
provided over 8,000 soldiers to the British Army during the
hostilities, including 1,720 officers. About two-thirds of these
servicemen came from the country's white minority—about 40% of the
colony's white men enlisted—and these fought primarily on the Western
Front in Belgium and France (Rhodesian platoon pictured). Other Southern
Rhodesian troops, including 2,500 black soldiers, took part in the
South-West African and East African campaigns. Over 800 Southern
Rhodesians of all races lost their lives on operational service. The
colony's contributions played a part in the UK's decision to grant self-
government in 1923, and remained prominent in the Rhodesian national
consciousness for decades. Since 1980, when the country became Zimbabwe,
the government has removed many memorial monuments and plaques from
public view, regarding them as unwelcome vestiges of white minority rule
and colonialism. The country's war dead today have no official
commemoration, either there or overseas.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia_in_World_War_I>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1278:
King Alfonso X of Castile was forced to abandon the Siege of
Algeciras, the first of many on the city during the Spanish Reconquista.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Algeciras_(1278)>
1600:
Scottish nobleman John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, died during
a failed attempt to kidnap King James VI.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ruthven,_3rd_Earl_of_Gowrie>
1864:
American Civil War: Rear Admiral David Farragut successfully
led the Union fleet through a mine field to victory in the Battle of
Mobile Bay.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mobile_Bay>
1916:
First World War: The British Empire's Sinai and Palestine
Campaign began with a victory in the Battle of Romani.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Romani>
2010:
War in Afghanistan: Ten foreign aid workers of the
International Assistance Mission were killed by persons unknown in Kuran
wa Munjan District of Badakhshan Province.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Badakhshan_massacre>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
dog days:
1. The days between early July and early September when Sirius (the Dog
Star) rises and sets with the Sun.
2. Hot, lazy days
3. A period of inactivity, laziness, or stagnation.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dog_days>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as
ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have
ever prepared for war.
--Wendell Berry
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wendell_Berry>
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