Art in the Olympics...

Photo courtesy of Discovery Communications, LLC

What would you say if I told you that a 73 year-old won an Olympic medal?  Would you believe me?  Hopefully, you do believe because it is true.  John Copley, a British graphic artist, won a silver medal in 1948 for one of his drawings. (Discovery Communications, LLC, 2012)  See, what many of us do not know is that there was an art competition as a part of the Olympics.  

When the Olympic Games were revived in 1896, many organizers strongly expressed a need to also include the thought entertained by the ancients, and unite intellectual feats to the physical displays at Olympic Competitions. (The Swedish Olympic Committee, 1912)  The most notable proponent of the arts in the Olympics was Baron Pierre de Coubertin.  In addition, according to the Smithsonian:

"At the turn of the century, as the baron struggled to build the modern Olympics from scratch, he was unable to convince overextended local organizers of the first few Games in Athens, St. Louis and Paris that arts competitions were necessary. But he remained adamant. “There is only one difference between our Olympiads and plain sporting championships, and it is precisely the contests of art as they existed in the Olympiads of Ancient Greece, where sport exhibitions walked in equality with artistic exhibitions,” he declared." (paragraph 5)

The baron did not give up on the idea of including the arts in the competition and strongly believed that art added value to his vision of the Olympics.  "In connection with this idea, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, President of the International Olympic Committee has been a very ardent champion for the establishment of art competitions in connection with the modem Olympic Games..." (The Swedish Olympic Committee, 1912, p. 806) Originally, the Concours d'Art was to take place with the 1908 Olympic games, but due to timing the inaugural event did not occur until the following Olympiad.

Thus, the International Olympic Committee announced the establishment of an art competition as a part of the 1912 Olympics.  The competition was meant for amateurs.  In this regard, in order to be considered, the works could not be previously published, exhibited, or performed, or having any direct connection with support.  In addition, the following categories were included in the competition: architecture, sculpture, painting, music and literature.  (The Swedish Olympic Committee, 1912, p. 806) "From 1912 to 1952, juries awarded a total of 151 medals to original works in the fine arts inspired by athletic endeavors."  (Stromberg, 2012)

Unfortunately, support for the art competitions was limited.  The art world viewed the competition with distrust.  Especially since those that had initiated the competition did not have a background in the arts and that the entries had to be sport-themed led many prominent entrants to believe the competition was not worthy of their time or submissions. (Stromberg, 2012).  Nonetheless, the competition continued to draw local crowds.  However, when World War II came about and much of the world engulfed in this deadly battle, the Olympics were put on hold.  Moreover, when the war was over, there was another hurdle to face: International Olympic Committee was adamant on its policy for amateurism.  "After heated debate, it was eventually decided that the art competition would be scrapped."  Thus, in 1948, the art competition had ended and the medals that had been awarded between 1912 and 1948 were stricken from the record.

If you are interested in more information on the Art Olympians, click on this great resource provided by Discovery Channel.  Here you will get more information on the history, some of the notable competitors - including the only woman to win a medal for her artwork.

The Olympics of Art, 1912-1948

Works Cited

Discovery Communications, LLC. (2012, December 12). The Olympics of Art, 1912-1948. Retrieved from DiscoveryNews.com: http://news.discovery.com/history/art-history/olympics-art-london-games-120807.htm

Stromberg, J. (2012, July 25). When the Olyjmpics Gave Out Medals for Art. Retrieved from Smithsonian.com: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-the-Olympics-Gave-Out-Medals-for-Art-163705106.html

The Swedish Olympic Committee. (1912). The Official Report of the Olympic Games of Stockholm 1912. Stockholm: Wahlstrom & Widstrand.

Technological Triumph to Tragedy of the Century

Photo courtesy of NBCNews.com

The Titanic was meant to be the technological triumph of the 20th Century.  This 46,000 ton vessel would set records in crossing the Atlantic, while its elaborate interior was befitting of the World's elite.  Thus, in 1912, the Titantic represented wealth, power, and status. Nicknamed the "Millionaire's Special," the rich and famous flocked to get this seat on this historical voyage.  The combined wealth aboard the Titanic exceeded $100 Million.  "[T]ransatlantic passenger trade was highly profitable and competitive, with ship lines vying to transport wealthy travelers and immigrants."  In addition to the rich and famous that were travelling on the ship, its designer, Thomas Andrews, was aboard the Titanic.  (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013) The ship was scheduled to leave from Southhampton, England and travel to New York City.

The Titanic was the result of two competing shipping lines, the White Star Line and the Cunard.  The technology involved in making the liner was remarkable at this time.  Cunard was known for its record speed across the Atlantic Ocean.  The turbine engines were powered by 29 coal fire boilers that were powerful enough to the move the Titanic, which weighed approximately 46,000 ton, by 22 knots per hour.  In 1907, the company set a world record for the fastest transatlantic crossing and it held the record for 22 years. (History.com, 2013)  It's need to cross the Atlantic in record time would also lead to the demise of the Titantic and all of those aboard this most talked about ship.  "The Titantic was one of the biggest and most state-of-the-art ocean liners of its day.  With all of the ship's safety measures, the Titanic was thought to be unsinkable."  (Bolan, 2013) Unfortunately, for the hundreds of passengers aboard the ship, this would prove to be untrue.

Nonetheless, the Titantic was built with 15 or 16 compartments that would contain water in a specific area if the ship became compromised and the Cunard claimed that up to four of those compartments could be flooded at one time and still keep afloat. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013)

According to an article published by History.com:

"Titanic was doomed from the start by the design so many lauded as state-of-the-art. The Olympic-class ships featured a double bottom and 15 watertight bulkheads equipped with electric watertight doors which could be operated individually or simultaneously by a switch on the bridge. It was these watertight bulkheads that inspired Shipbuilder magazine, in a special issue devoted to the Olympic liners, to deem them “practically unsinkable.” But the watertight compartment design contained a flaw that may have been a critical factor in Titanic’s sinking: While the individual bulkheads were indeed watertight, water could spill from one compartment into another. Several of Titanic’s Cunard-owned contemporaries, by contrast, already boasted innovative safety features devised to avoid this very situation. Had White Star taken a cue from its competitor, it might have saved Titanic from disaster." (paragraph 5)

Couple that with the fact that there was not nearly enough lifeboats on board.  It has been reported that these lifeboats could only accommodate 1/3 of the passengers aboard, and the Titanic was carrying approximately 3,300 passengers.  (History.com, 2013)

The Titanic set sail for its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912 from England bound to New York.  It would travel through the icy waters of the North Atlantic.  Throughout the day, the Captain had received iceberg warnings.  The course was changed, but the speed of the vessel was never lowered.  At around 11:40 PM the ship scrapes alongside an iceberg, and soon after, the mail room begins fill with water.  Other reports come in of water filling in at least five of the ship's compartments.  The ships designer, Mr. Andrews, surveyed the damage and estimated that the ship had only one to two hours before sinking. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013)  

The Titanic is one of the most memorable tragedies of the 20th Century.  Over 1,500 perished when the world's unsinkable ship was sunk.

Works Cited

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2013). Titanic: The Unsinkable Ship. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Brittannica, Inc.: http://www.britannica.com/titanic/timeline?tocId=9574268

History.com. (2013). Titanic. Retrieved from A&E Television Networks, LLC: http://www.history.com/topics/titanic

Balkin Wars... The Beginnings of WWI?

Photo courtesy of Wikispaces.com

Were the Balkan Wars the prelude to WWI and WWII?  I believe so... 

While the world was engaged in the 1912 Olympics and while Americans witnessed a fiery campaign run by the Bull Moose, across the Atlantic a different much more serious historical event was taking shape. A nationalist movement was on the rise. 

Nationalism was a response to colonialism; whereby, nations sought to create their own identities, traditions, freedoms, and independence from the power and rule of the occupying governments. In addition, as a result of the Industrial Revolution, which attempted to modernize societies, nations outside of Europe struggled to keep their identity and traditions. Nations struggled with the concept of embracing technology and changes that were occurring across the global landscape.

Thus, October 1912 represents the beginning of an era in European history dominated by nationalism and conflict; so much so that the Great Powers of Europe would intervene. (Hall, 2000)  What many did not know was that the political unrest and the nationalist movement in the Balkan region would soon culminate into one the world's deadliest wars of all time - WWI.

Prior to the start of the war, the Balkan League (Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Montenegro) was formed in the spring of 1912 to take Macedonia away from Turkey. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013)  So, when the war broke out in the fall, the Balkan League had decided it was time to liberate the Balkan states from the control of the Ottoman Empire and by the summer of 1912, the Ottoman control of the Balkans had deteriorated.  "The fighting begun in October 1912 in the Balkan Peninsula had not ended completely by July 1914, when all Europe became enveloped in war."  (Hall, 2000)

As a result of the First Balkan War, the Ottoman forces were defeated.  "Under a peace treaty signed in London on May 30, 1913, the Ottoman Empire lost almost all of its remaining European territory, including all of Macedonia and Albania."  (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013)  Eventually, this would lead to a Second Balkan War as Serbia, Greece and Romania argued with Bulgaria over the division of Macedonia.  "The political consequences of the wars were considerable.  Bulgaria, frustrated in Macedonia, looked to Austria for support, while Serbia had been forced by Austria to give up its Albanian conquests, regarded with Vienna with greater hostility than ever."  (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013).  

The straw that broke the camels back was the assassination of Austrian Archduke, Francis Ferdinand, his wife Sophia. Check out this YouTube video on the assassination of the Archduke entitled, Cause of World War One - Franz Ferdinand 2.

Ultimately, what would transpire would be a war of epic proportion, World War I, and is considered the bloodiest war in the history of civilization. The Allied forces of Germany, Austria and Hungry warred against the Central powers of France, Great Britain and Russian. It is estimated that nearly ten million people lost their lives as a result of the war.   

Twenty years later, as a result of WWI, we be engaged in the second World War. Thus, one could conclude that the First Balkan War is ultimately responsible for the deadliest series of wars the world has ever seen, and it all began in 1912.

Before I leave post, here is some food for thought... Check out this video!

Sounds like the U.S. and Afghanistan War could be a repeat of world history... With Bush being the new Rockefeller???

Works Cited
Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2013). Balkan Wars. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Brittannica, Inc.:                             http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/50300/Balkan-Wars
Hall, R. C. (2000). The Balkan Wars 1912-1913. London: Routledge.

Bull Moose Births a New Political Party

What a year in 1912...

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

The former Rough Rider himself, President Teddy Roosevelt, had had enough of Taft's conservatism.  After leaving the presidency in 1909, Roosevelt ran for President in 1912 on the Progressive ticket.  (Presidents, 2013).  

The irony of the Roosevelt's run for president is that he supported his close friend, William Taft, and selected him to succeed him as presidential candidate in 1908. However, "Roosevelt became increasingly disillusioned with Taft and eventually decided to mount a challenge for the next Republication nomination. 'My hat is in the ring,' Roosevelt declared in February 1912. 'The fight is on and I stripped to the buff.'" (Greenspan, 2012)

By all accounts, the campaigning during the primary was vicious.  Campaigning around the country, Roosevelt attacked Taft by any means necessary.  There was name calling on both sides... Statements like "fathead" and "brains of a guinea pig" were not uncommon during the primary. (Greenspan, 2012)  

Does any of this sound familiar?  For some reason I am having flashbacks of the 2012 GOP Primary... Mitt Romney, Ron Paul... Just to name a few.  We tend to think that the dirty campaigns and name callings have only recently appeared in politics, but these tactics have been going on for at least the past 100 years.  

Unfortunately, Teddy came up short of delegates at the Republican National Convention in Chicago.  (Greenspan, 2012)  His unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination caused him to form the Progressive Party, which was also known as the Bull Moose Party. "Nicknamed the Bull Moose Party from a quote by Theodore Roosevelt.  When asked whether he was fit to be president, he responded that he was fit as a 'bull moose.'" (Kelly, 2013)

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

So, on August 7, 1912, the Progressive Party was formed.  The platform called for the direct election of U.S. senators, woman suffrage, reduction on the tariffs, and many social reforms.  (History.com, 2013)  The Progressive Party also wanted easier processes to amend the U.S. Constitution.  (Kelley, 2013)

During his presidential campaign, there was an assassination attempt on his life. On October 14, 1912, Roosevelt was shot on the right side of his chest outside of the Hotel Gilpatrick.  (Rauchway, 2008) "Roosevelt who suffered only a flesh wound from the attack went on to deliver his scheduled speech, declaring, 'You see, it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose!'" (History.com, 2013)

Although Roosevelt recovered from this ordeal, it was not enough to capture the presidency for a third term.  "Taft and Roosevelt came away with a combined popular vote of 50% whereas Wilson ended up with 43% of the vote.  Many historians believe the Bull Moose Party split the Republican vote thereby leading Wilson's victory..." (Kelly, 2013)

Another familiar message... The Republicans and the Tea Party?  Does any of this ring a bell?  In present day, the extreme message of the Tea Party is giving a perception that the entire Republican party shares these far right views.  It is creating tensions within the Republican party; particularly with the Moderate Republicans.  Most recently, debates have broken out regarding the viability of the Republican party to put forth a viable candidate in the 2016 election.   

Unfortunately, Roosevelt's loss in 1912, marked the near end of the Progressive Party. "The party did hold a convention in 1916 and nominated Roosevelt to run again.  When he refused, the party tried to give the nomination to Charles Evan Hughes, governor of New York, which caused the party to be entirely dissolve."  (Kelly, 2013)

Bringing this back to present day American politics, it makes me wonder if the Tea Party will ever be dismantled.  Will American politics find a way to ensure that they are working properly for the people?  Or, will we continue to birth more and more radical movements and be subjected to the likes of people such as Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.  In the words of our dearly departed, Rodney King, can't we all just get along?

Will we continue to elect a Congress that would rather shut down the government than come to the table to hash out our disagreements for the sake of the American people? Will we continue to use derogatory remarks of disrespect against our President to show that we are NOT a United States?  Terms such as "Obamacare" and "Food Stamp President" seem to really get under my skin.  Moreover, the media has significantly contributed to the exaggerations and hype over issues, such as, Benghazi and the IRS scandal.  All of these recent tactics by both parties have taken away from the nation's need to unite and rebuild a stronger and much improved United States.

Finally and off subject, the 1912 Presidential Election was historical in its own rights.  This election proved to be the only election in U.S. history that would pit a former president, a current president and a future president against each other.  (Greenspan, 2012)

Here is an additional article on this Election of 1912 - Roosevelt & Taft... In case you are interested. http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2012/10/the-election-of-1912-a-century-ago-a-bruiser-that-foreshadowed-todays-political-melee/

Works Cited

Greenspan, J. (2012, November 2). Remembering the 1912 Presidential Election. Retrieved from History.com: http://www.history.com/news/remembering-the-1912-presidential-election

History.com. (2013, August 7). This Day in History. Retrieved from A&E Television Networks: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/teddy-roosevelt-nominated-as-bull-moose-candidate

Kelly, M. (2013). Bull Moose Party. Retrieved from About.comAmerican History: http://americanhistory.about.com/od/politicalparties/p/bull_moose.htm

Keppler, U. J. Salvation is free, but it does not appeal to him. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

Presidents. (2013). Retrieved from The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt/

Rauchway, E. (2008, October 14). I am all right, and you cannot escape listening to my speech either. Retrieved from The Chronicle Blog Network: http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/edgeofthewest/2008/10/14/i-am-all-right-and-you-cannot-escape-listening-to-my-speech-either/

Theodore Roosevelt Picture Gallery. Reproduction #:LC-USZ62-7220. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

The Stockholm Games of 1912

The Stockholm Games of 1912

The 1912 Olympics were held May 5^th to July 27 in Stockholm, Sweden and were officially opened by King Gustav V of Sweden.  “The 1912 Olympics at Stockholm were known as the "Swedish Masterpiece" because they were so well organized.”  (Rosenberg)  The Stockholm Games represented efficiency with the introduction of new technologies by the Swedes; i.e., automatic timing devices for the track events, the photo finish and a public address system.  In addition, this was the first time in Olympic history that competitors from all five continents were represented, and for the first time in Olympic history, Japan participated.  “The modern pentathlon, women’s swimming and women’s diving all made their Olympic debuts.” (Stockholm 1912)  Ironically, for all of its efficiencies and innovations, the last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912.  (Rosenberg)

The most memorable and controversial story of the Stockholm Games is the story of Jim Thorpe…

I remember when I was first introduced to this name, about five years ago.  My former supervisor had to attend a meeting out in Jim Thorpe, PA.  I remember thinking: what kind of a name is that for a town?  All I knew about this place was that it was out in the central mountains of Pennsylvania.  I later learned that it was named after a Native American athlete; however, I never bothered to see who he was or why.  It wasn’t until doing this assignment that I managed to obtain any clarity on Jim Thorpe... Interesting.

When Jim was 24 years old, he sailed with the American team to participate in the 1912 Games.  Jim Thorn, a Native American from Oklahoma, was described by King Gustav V of Sweden as "the greatest athlete in the world" and won the pentathlon and decathlon by huge margins. (Stockholm 1912) Tragically, Jim was stripped of his medals and his records were removed from the books because he had played semi-professional baseball for a modest sum of money.  Unfortunately, the Olympics Committee had strict policies regarding receiving compensation for professional sports, and this adversely affected Jim Thorpe.  However, in 1982, Thorpe's medals were finally restored to him posthumously in 1982. In addition, and most importantly to his family, his name was put back into the record books.  (Biography: The Estate of Jim Thorpe)

Later in life, and after athletics, two monumental honors were bestowed unto Thorpe in 1950 when he was named "the greatest American football player" and the "greatest overall male athlete" by the Associated Press.  Moreover, in 1950, the nation's press selected Jim Thorpe as the most outstanding athlete of the first half of the 20th Century and in 1996-2001, he was awarded ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century. (Biography: The Estate of Jim Thorpe)

In the end, I am wondering why Jim Thorpe was targeted whereby his name and reputation had to be damaged and surrounded by so much controversy.  I hate to make everything racial, but deep down that is the only conclusion that I come up with it.  Who could accept that a Native American could very well be the “World’s Greatest Athlete" in 1912?  My guess would be not many. 

Works CitedBiography: The Estate of Jim Thorpe. (n.d.). Retrieved 14 October, 2013, from The Estate of Jim Thorpe:                    http://www.cmgww.com/sports/thorpe/bio/bio.htmlRosenberg, J. (n.d.). History of the Olympics, 1912 Stockholm, Sweden. Retrieved October 14, 2013, from                    About.com: http://history1900s.about.com/od/fadsfashion/a/olympics1912.htm
Stockholm 1912. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2013, from Olympic.org:                                                                      http://www.olympic.org/content/olympic-games/all-past-olympic-games/summer-games/stockholm-1912/