via @sryder A 3D visualization of the population as segmented by age of countries around the world. It’s a very interesting view of recent history and of what’s to come given the shift in demographics and the implications therein.
History
Kilts, Tartans, Wales and Texas
As my dad’s side of the family originates from Wales, I have some kilt-wearing blood flowing through my veins, but unlike the Scots, the Welsh don’t have a history of using tartans to recognize families or clans. In fact, there’s some argument as to how long the Welsh have worn kilts. I don’t care about the latter, but I did want to see what might be available for a Jones boy in Texas.
Luckily, I have at least two options, one for my last name and one for my home state. The first is the Jones Tartan, created in the late 1990’s (again, no history of tartans), though it is included in The Scottish Registrar of Tartans. The tartan’s designers, Rosalind Jones with input from Peter MacDonald, did an amazing job, and their explanation shows the thought put into the creation:
The design symbolises Jones roots in Wales and the name’s global spread. The heart of the sett reflects the green and white of the Welsh flag with its red dragon. From Wales people with the name of Jones moved to England, represented by pale green together with the red and white cross of St. George. Many Scots bear the name of Jones, and Scotland is represented by the blue and white perimeter. When viewed diagonally this creates the cross of St. Andrew, the Scottish saltire The black band represents the ocean deeps that separate all the people named Jones who now live far from Britain but whose roots remain here.
The second option is the official tartan of the state of Texas, created by June Prescott McRoberts of Salado to celebrate the Sesquicentennial (celebrating independence from Mexico 150 years earlier). It’s based on the Bluebonnet, our state flower, and thus uses a base of blue with a touch of red and green.
While I don’t expect to drop $500+ on a full, official kilt soon, it’s great to know that I have two great options.
I just picked up a modern kilt created by Nation Kilt, in a solid olive cloth, which I am very excited to own and plan to wear throughout South by Southwest Interactive as a part of the Five Kilts crew. There will be many photos posted.
Tartan images from The Scottish Registrar of Tartans
Rewards for Rebellion: Tiny Nation and Crown for Life
40 years ago, Leonard Casley, or as he is more formally known, His Majesty Prince Leonard I of Hutt, took his 18,500 acres and seceded from Australia. His micronation now exists in a interesting gray area.
Congress Passes Socialized Medicine and Mandates Health Insurance -In 1798
Politics, meet History.
‘In July of 1798, Congress passed – and President John Adams signed – “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance.
‘Keep in mind that the 5th Congress did not really need to struggle over the intentions of the drafters of the Constitutions in creating this Act as many of its members were the drafters of the Constitution.
‘And when the Bill came to the desk of President John Adams for signature, I think it’s safe to assume that the man in that chair had a pretty good grasp on what the framers had in mind.’
Congress Passes Socialized Medicine and Mandates Health Insurance -In 1798
Politics, meet History.
In July of 1798, Congress passed – and President John Adams signed – “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance.
Keep in mind that the 5th Congress did not really need to struggle over the intentions of the drafters of the Constitutions in creating this Act as many of its members were the drafters of the Constitution.
And when the Bill came to the desk of President John Adams for signature, I think it’s safe to assume that the man in that chair had a pretty good grasp on what the framers had in mind.
Revealing the Past
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I love history.
I love the stories, the triumphs and the tragedies.
Photos and maps of times long ago draw me in, whether they show momentous events or personal glimpses. I become enamoured with an expression, the tilt of a building or the flow of an army across a landscape. My mind retraces the steps, tries to deconstruct the scene and understand the emotions of the moment.
And then I find myself (re)constructing what likely happened or at times, what I hope happened.
The photos by Sergey Larenkov provide a very interesting connection between the past and the very real present. I love the concept. Even more, I love the creations that he has posted – merging images from World War II with photos he has taken in the present day.
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Simply awesome.
Photos courtesy of Sergey Larenkov