The bluebuck (Hippotragus leucophaeus), now extinct, was a South African
antelope. Classified in the same genus as the roan antelope and sable
antelope, it was smaller than either. The largest mounted bluebuck
specimen is 119 centimetres (47 in) tall at the withers, with horns
measuring 56.5 centimetres (22.2 in) along the curve. The bluebuck's
coat was bluish-grey, with a pale whitish belly. It was a grazer, and
may have calved where rainfall would peak. When encountered by
Europeans, it was confined to a 4,300-square-kilometre (1,700 sq mi)
grassland habitat of the southwestern Cape, but fossils and rock
paintings give evidence of a larger distribution. The first published
mention of the bluebuck is from 1681. The few 18th-century illustrations
appear to have been based on stuffed specimens. Hunted by European
settlers, the bluebuck was the first large African mammal that went
extinct in historical times, around 1800. Only four mounted specimens
remain, in museums in Leiden, Stockholm, Vienna, and Paris; other
museums contain skulls and horns.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebuck>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1292:
John Balliol was chosen to be King of Scots over Robert de
Brus.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Balliol>
1796:
French Revolutionary Wars: French forces defeated the Austrians
at the Battle of Arcole in a manoeuvre to cut the latter's line of
retreat.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arcole>
1839:
Giuseppe Verdi's first opera Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio,
was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberto_(opera)>
1905:
Influenced by the result of the Russo-Japanese War, the Empire
of Japan and the Korean Empire signed the Eulsa Treaty, effectively
depriving Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Korea_Treaty_of_1905>
1993:
General Sani Abacha ousted Ernest Shonekan to become chairman
of the Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sani_Abacha>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
roots-rock:
(music) A genre of popular rock music influenced by Americana and roots
music.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/roots-rock>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Those who, by the essence of their belief, are committed to Direct
Action only are — just who? Why, the non-resistants; precisely those
who do not believe in violence at all! Now do not make the mistake of
inferring that I say direct action means non-resistance; not by any
means. Direct action may be the extreme of violence, or it may be as
peaceful as the waters of the Brook of Siloa that go softly. What I say
is, that the real non-resistants can believe in direct action only,
never in political action. For the basis of all political action is
coercion; even when the State does good things, it finally rests on a
club, a gun, or a prison, for its power to carry them through.
--Voltairine de Cleyre
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Voltairine_de_Cleyre>