Ranavalona III (1861–1917) was the last sovereign of the Kingdom of
Madagascar. Her reign from 1883 to 1897 was marked by ultimately futile
efforts to resist the colonial designs of the government of France. She
entered into a political marriage with Rainilaiarivony who, in his role
as Prime Minister of Madagascar, largely oversaw the day-to-day
governance of the kingdom and managed its foreign affairs. Throughout
her reign, Ranavalona tried to stave off colonization by strengthening
trade and diplomatic relations with the United States and Great Britain.
However, French attacks ultimately led to the capture of the royal
palace in 1895, ending Madagascar's autonomy. The newly installed French
colonial government initially permitted Ranavalona and her court to
remain as symbolic figureheads until the outbreak of a popular
resistance movement led the French to send her into exile. The queen,
her family and the servants accompanying her were provided an allowance
and enjoyed a comfortable standard of living, but she was never
permitted to return to Madagascar despite her requests. She died at her
villa in Algiers at the age of 55; her remains were returned to
Madagascar in 1938.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranavalona_III>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
41:
Cassius Chaerea and the disgruntled Praetorian Guards murdered
Roman emperor Caligula, replacing him with his uncle Claudius.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula>
1848:
James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill
(reconstruction pictured) in Coloma, California, leading to the
California Gold Rush.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Gold_Rush>
1978:
The Soviet satellite Kosmos 954, which used nuclear power for
propulsion, burned up during reentry, scattering radioactive debris
across Canada's Northwest Territories.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_954>
1993:
Turkish journalist and writer Uğur Mumcu was assassinated by a
car bomb outside his home in Ankara.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U%C4%9Fur_Mumcu>
2011:
A suicide bomber killed at least 37 people at Domodedovo
International Airport in Moscow.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domodedovo_International_Airport_bombing>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
alicorn:
(now historical) The horn of a unicorn considered as a medical or
pharmacological ingredient.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/alicorn>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I'm searching for a heart, Searching everyone. They say love conquers
all. You can't start it like a car, You can't stop it with a gun.
--Warren Zevon
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Warren_Zevon>