Hadji Ali (c. 1888–1892 – 1937) was a vaudeville performance artist famous for acts of controlled regurgitation. Thought to be of Egyptian extraction, his feats included water spouting, smoke swallowing and nut and handkerchief swallowing followed by disgorgement in an order chosen by the audience. The mainstay of Ali's act was water spouting (poster pictured). After swallowing 60 to 100 glasses of water at a time, he spouted it in a continuous stream sometimes for up to one minute. Ali's most famous stunt, and the highlight of his act, was drinking water followed by kerosene, and then acting by turns as a human flamethrower and fire extinguisher as he expelled the two liquids onto a theatrical prop. Ali had a dedicated following on the vaudeville circuit in the United States and performed for heads of state, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. After he died in England, his body was offered to Johns Hopkins University for study, though the offer was declined.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1914:

World War I: The Royal Navy dreadnought HMS Audacious was sunk by a mine, but its loss was kept secret for four years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Audacious_%281912%29

1946:

Inter-religious riots in which Hindu mobs targeted Muslim families began in the Indian state of Bihar, resulting in 2,000 to 30,000 deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946_Bihar_riots

1967:

American Catholic priest Philip Berrigan led a protest against the Vietnam War by pouring blood over Selective Service records in Baltimore, Maryland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Berrigan

1993:

Widerøe Flight 744 suffered a controlled flight into terrain while on approach to Namsos Airport, Norway, killing two crew members and four passengers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wider%C3%B8e_Flight_744

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

smell-o-vision: (originally and chiefly US, film, television, humorous) A (supposed) technology consisting of cinematography with the addition of olfaction, often portrayed as far-fetched or futuristic. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/smell-o-vision

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

It’s time to sing a new song. A song that began 248 years ago. The old notes of downfall, discord, despair, no longer resonate. Our generations of loved ones before us are whispering a prophecy, a quest, a calling, an anthem. Our moment right now. It’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? Because I am. So let’s do this!   --Beyoncé https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Beyonc%C3%A9