Alexander II Zabinas (c. 150 BC – 123 BC) was a Seleucid monarch
of the Hellenistic period who reigned as King of Syria between 128 BC
and 123 BC. Most historians, ancient and modern, maintain that he was a
pretender to the throne, although his coinage suggests that he claimed
descent from Antiochus IV (died 164 BC), the brother of King
Seleucus IV (died 175 BC). Descendants of both brothers were
contending for the throne. In 128 BC, King Demetrius II of Syria, the
representative of Seleucus IV's line, invaded Egypt to support his
mother-in-law Cleopatra II in a civil war. Demetrius was killed while
trying to find refuge in the city of Tyre, and Alexander II became the
master of the kingdom. Egypt's Ptolemy VIII did not want a strong king
on the Syrian throne, and in 124 BC an alliance was established between
Egypt and Cleopatra Thea, ruling jointly with Antiochus VIII, her son
by Demetrius II. Alexander II was defeated and was probably executed
by Antiochus VIII.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_II_Zabinas>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1795:
The Batavian Republic was established the day after William V
fled the Dutch Republic as a result of the Batavian Revolution in
Amsterdam.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavian_Revolution_in_Amsterdam>
1915:
World War I: The first major attack of the German bombing
campaign against Britain took place when Zeppelins bombed several towns
in Norfolk.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_strategic_bombing_during_World_War_I>
1996:
A tank barge and a tug grounded on a beach in Rhode Island,
U.S., spilling an estimated 828,000 U.S. gallons (3,130,000 l) of home
heating oil.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Cape_oil_spill>
2007:
Turkish-Armenian journalist and human-rights activist Hrant
Dink was assassinated by a Turkish nationalist in Istanbul.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Hrant_Dink>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
gumption:
1. (Britain) Common sense, initiative, resourcefulness.
2. (US) Boldness of enterprise; aggressiveness or initiative.
3. (US) Energy of body and mind, enthusiasm.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gumption>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
We are here knowing that we are at an inflection point in the
history of our world. We are at an inflection point in in the history of
our nation. We are here because the American Dream and our American
democracy are under attack and on the line like never before. We are
here at this moment in time because we must answer a fundamental
question: Who are we? Who are we as Americans? So, let’s answer that
question. To the world. And each other. Right here. And, right now. …
We can heal our nation. We can give our children the future they
deserve. We can reclaim the American Dream for every single person in
our country. We can restore America’s moral leadership on this planet.
So let’s do this. And let’s do it together. And let's start now.
--Kamala Harris
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Kamala_Harris>