Zhao Chongguo (137 BCE – 52 BCE) was a Chinese military commander and official during the Western Han dynasty. Emperor Wu, impressed by Zhao's military service, promoted him, and he served as chief of staff for the supreme head of cavalry units. In 74 BCE, Zhao collaborated with the political leader Huo Guang to depose the newly enthroned emperor Liu He in favor of Emperor Xuan. For this, he was appointed Marquis of Yingping and promoted to general of the rear. He volunteered to lead a campaign against the Qiang people in 62 BCE. Joined by his son, he persuaded the Qiang to defect to the Han cause. Zhao rejected proposals by his fellow generals and the Emperor to continue offensive operations, believing that a protracted occupation would subdue the Qiang through attrition. He was able to implement a policy of tuntian (farming garrisons) in spite of imperial opposition. This gained him acclaim and influenced later tacticians. He retired in 60 BCE after his son caused a scandal.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Chongguo

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1883:

A massive eruption destroyed the island of Krakatoa, Indonesia, ejecting so much volcanic ash that average global temperatures fell by as much as 1.2 °C (2.2 °F) over the next year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1883_eruption_of_Krakatoa

1955:

Pather Panchali, the first film in The Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, was released and went on to win many Indian and international film awards. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pather_Panchali

1970:

Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women organized the Women's Strike for Equality in New York City, in which 50,000 women protested the continuing lack of gender equality. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Strike_for_Equality

2015:

Two American journalists were murdered on live television while conducting an interview in Moneta, Virginia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Alison_Parker_and_Adam_Ward

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

lie doggo: (intransitive, slang) To lie quiet and still in order to avoid detection; also (by extension), to stay hidden by being discreet and not drawing attention; to keep a low profile, to lie low. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lie_doggo

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Civilisation needs more than the law to hold it together. You see, all mankind are not equally willing to accept as divine justice what is called human law.   --John Buchan https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Buchan