Trotsky, the Bolshevik Revolution & me

Today is the 142nd birthday of Leon Trotsky and the 104th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution (aka as the October Revolution due to the Russian Gregorian calendar). 

A great music video from my misspent youth.

By coincidence it is also my birthday. Many thanks to all the kind comments on Facebook. 

The "Spanish" flu epidemic & a Canadian Bolshevik Revolt in Wales

For the reasons given in my post from 2008 (see below) I have been conscious of the impact of viral pandemics from an early age.

There are some 80 graves of Canadian soldiers at the Marble Church in Bodelwyddan, North Wales.

Up to 76 of them may have died from the 1918/19 flu epidemic and at least 4 were killed after a violent confrontation between military authorities and those wanting to go home to Canada asap after the end of the first world war (including some who wanted to set up a Bolshevik revolutionary Soviet in the nearby military camp).

Check out Spanish flu - Wikipedia and I think that most people will recognise some striking similarities (as well as differences) with our present crisis.

https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2008/05/come-on-bolsheviks-first-british-soviet.html

Happy Birthday Bolshevik Revolution, Trotsky &... Grayee!

Today is the 102nd anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution (also known as the October Revolution due to the Russian Gregorian Calendar ) and it is also Leon Trotsky's 140th birthday as well.

This morning at the start of a 5 hour budget meeting the elected representatives of the Peoples Republic of Newham also offered Grayee birthday best wishes (in return for cream cakes)

Hat tip Red Army Choir. Echelon's song (Song for Voroshilov). A civil war classic. 

Happy 101st Birthday Bolshevik Revolution

Today is the 101st anniversary of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution. Who knew? and it is Trotsky's birthday as well. Today I attended a Newham Council Audit meeting and 3 people present out of 15 or so also had their birthdays today. Spooky or what?

Hat tip Red Army Choir. 

Russian Revolution Birthday

Today is the 98th anniversary of the Russian (also known confusingly as the October or Bolshevik) Revolution. The 7th November is also the birthday of my unlikely Scorpio twin :)

Happy Birthday Bolshevik Revolution, Trotsky & Grayee...

November 7th is the 97th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and the 135th birthday of Lev Davidovich Bronshtein.

I will of course be celebrating tonight both events (and one other) with good UNISON trade union comrades in a Peoples Republic of Newham public bar(s) and restaurant :)

Happy 96th Birthday: the Bolshevik Revolution

Today is the 96th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution which took place in Russia on 7 November 1917 (Julian calendar). Hope you enjoy this Youtube clip "Soviet Anthem with Propaganda Posters". It is also the birthday of some other folk. I am sharpening my ice pick in his memory :)

The Inaugural George Lansbury Memorial Lecture - 7 November 2013

The Inaugural George Lansbury Memorial Lecture

Thursday 7 November, 6.30pm

'George Lansbury's Legacy for the Labour Party'

Speaker: Jon Cruddas MP

The Great Hall, People's Palace
Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS"

"George Lansbury (1859-1940) remains amongst the best-loved figures in East End history, most famous for his part in the Poplar rates rebellion in 1921. His long and varied career also included his pioneering role in the development of the Labour movement, his early support for women's suffrage, the founding and editing of left-wing newspapers and prominence as a Christian Socialist and Pacifist. From 1932-35 he was the Leader of the Labour Party.

The George Lansbury Memorial Committee was formed in 2011 to celebrate his life, work and legacy, encourage awareness of his contribution to local and national life, and to promote contemporary reflection upon the various causes Lansbury made his own. It is therefore particularly appropriate for us to have Jon Cruddas as the first George Lansbury Memorial lecturer. Jon is the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham and the party’s Policy Co-ordinator. We are delighted that someone with this position and responsibility will be reflecting on Lansbury’s legacy for the party he helped to start and shape.

Booking Information This event is free to attend, but please book tickets online in advance. If you have any questions regarding this event, please email: events@qmul.ac.uk." hat tip Tower Hamlets Libraries and Archives newsletter. 

(NB I use to be the estate officer for George Lansbury House in Bow. 7 November is also the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and Trotsky's Birthday!)

95th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution (and a 133rd & 50th Birthday!)

The 7 November is the 95th anniversary of the October (or Bolshevik) Revolution (and some unlikely Birthday Twins) :)

94th Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution

Today is the 94th anniversity of the Bolshevik (aka October) Revolution; the 132nd Birthday of a certain Lev Davidovich Bronstein (and some other bloke's birthday).

I thought I would mark the occasion with the Red Army Choir - The song about the 27th division. "The song describes history of the 27th division from Civil war to the end of the Great patriotic war.
Visit http://english.pobediteli.ru/"