Total Recall is a 1990 American science-fiction action film directed by Paul Verhoeven (pictured). Based on a 1966 short story by Philip K. Dick, the film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox, and Michael Ironside. It tells the story of Douglas Quaid (Schwarzenegger) and the shadow organization that tries to prevent him from recovering memories of his past as a Martian secret agent. Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco Pictures to develop the film with him as the star, after the project had lingered in development hell at multiple studios over sixteen years. The film was one of the most expensive ever made at the time, and became the fifth-highest-grossing film of the year. Reviewers liked its themes of identity and questioning reality, but criticized content perceived as vulgar and violent. The practical special effects were well received, earning the film an Academy Award, and the score by Jerry Goldsmith has been praised as one of his best works.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Recall_%281990_film%29

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1864:

Under the leadership of Henry Dunant and the International Committee of the Red Cross, twelve European states signed the First Geneva Convention, establishing rules for the protection of victims of armed conflict. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Geneva_Convention

1914:

First World War: German forces captured Rossignol in Belgium, taking more than 3,800 French prisoners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rossignol

1961:

Ida Siekmann jumped from a window in her tenement building trying to flee to West Berlin, becoming the first person to die at the Berlin Wall. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Siekmann

2012:

A series of ethnic clashes between the Orma and the Pokomo in Kenya's Tana River District resulted in at least 52 deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%932013_Tana_River_District_clashes

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

asymptomatic: 1. (pathology) Not exhibiting any symptoms of disease, as for example in a case which is subclinical (“without signs detectable by physical examination or laboratory test”). 2. A person or an animal that exhibits no symptoms of disease. 3. Preceded by the: people or animals that exhibit no symptoms of disease regarded collectively. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/asymptomatic

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment. She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency. And she is one of the most dignified — a tribute to her mother, to my mother, and to your mother too. The embodiment of the stories we tell ourselves about this country. Her story is your story. It’s my story. It’s the story of the vast majority of Americans trying to build a better life. … Kamala knows, like we do, that regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love, how you worship, or what’s in your bank account, we all deserve the opportunity to build a decent life. All of our contributions deserve to be accepted and valued. Because no one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American. No one. Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation, not by spewing anger and bitterness, but by living a life of service and always pushing the doors of opportunity open to others. She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth. If we bankrupt a business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. No. We don’t get to change the rules so we always win. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top. No. We put our heads down. We get to work. In America, we do something. And throughout her entire life, that’s what we’ve seen from Kamala Harris, the steel of her spine, the steadiness of her upbringing, the honesty of her example, and yes, the joy of her laughter and her light.   --Michelle Obama https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Michelle_Obama