The Boulonnais is a heavy draft horse breed from France. It is known for its large but elegant appearance and is usually gray, although chestnut and black are also allowed by the French breed registry. Its origins trace to a period before the Crusades; Spanish Barb, Arabian and Andalusian blood were added during the 17th century to create the modern type. Originally there were several sub-types, but they were crossbred until only one is seen today. The smallest type was used to pull carts of fresh fish from Boulogne to Paris, while the larger varieties performed heavy draft work on farms and in the cities. During the early 1900s, the Boulonnais were exported in large numbers to the United States. Wars in the 20th century nearly led to the breed's extinction, but it revived in France in the 1970s as a popular choice for horse meat. From an estimated population of over 600,000 in the early 1900s, there are thought to be fewer than 1,000 Boulonnais presently in Europe, mostly in France. Studies as early as 1983 indicated a danger of inbreeding within the Boulonnais population, and a 2009 report suggested that the breed should be a priority for conservation within France.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1825:

After no presidential candidate received a majority of electoral votes, the U.S. House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams president. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams

1920:

The Svalbard Treaty was signed, recognizing Norwegian sovereignty over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, but all signatories were also given equal rights to engage in commercial activities on the islands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard

1945:

World War II: A force of Allied aircraft unsuccessfully attacked a German destroyer in Førdefjorden, Norway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(1945)

1964:

English rock band The Beatles made their first appearance on American variety show The Ed Sullivan Show before a record-breaking audience, beginning a musical phenomenon known as the British Invasion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Invasion

2001:

The American submarine USS Greeneville accidentally collided with the Ehime Maru, a Japanese training vessel operated by the Uwajima Fishery High School. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehime_Maru_and_USS_Greeneville_collision

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

set the Thames on fire: (idiomatic) To achieve something amazing; to do something which brings great public acclaim. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/set_the_Thames_on_fire

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

You just call out my name And you know wherever I am I'll come runnin' to see you again Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, All you have to do is call And I'll be there You've got a friend.   --Carole King https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carole_King