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Ivan Illich. Born in 1926.

The pupil is “schooled” to confuse teaching with learning, grade advancement with education, a diploma with competence, and fluency with the ability to say something new. His imagination is “schooled” to accept service in place of value. Medical treatment is mistaken for health care, social work for the improvement of community life, police protection for safety, military poise for national security, the rat race for productive work. Health, learning, dignity, independence, and creative endeavor are defined as little more than the performance of the institutions which claim to serve these ends. (Deschooling Society)

In 1838, Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery.

“I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” 

Born in 1929, American film director and editor, Hal Ashby.

Image from Ashby’s film, Being There.

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.