Fanny Yefimovna Kaplan, a Russian political revolutionary, attempted to assassinate Vladimir Lenin on this date in 1918.

Following the attempt, she stated, “My name is Fanya Kaplan. Today I shot Lenin….I had resolved to kill Lenin long ago. I consider him a traitor to the Revolution.”

The Feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist by Caravaggio.

Maureen Tucker, drummer for The Velvet Underground, born in 1944.

Sometime vocalist.

The EP Chronic Town was released in 1982.

Born in 1936. Wilt Chamberlain, American basketball player.

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;  and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.“

Icon of the Transfiguration by Theophanes the Greek, 15th century

On August 18, 1634.  French priest Urbain Grandier, was accused and convicted of sorcery, and burned alive in Loudun, France.

Born in 1876. Ivan Bilibin, Russian illustrator.

Previously: E.F. Schumacher

August 15 is the first day of two week celebration of Wafaa El-Nil, or the Flooding of the Nile. Rains in the southern mountains bring the annual flood, keeping the land fertile.

For ancient Egyptians, the rising waters came from the tears of Isis, weeping for her dead husband, Osiris.