Liam O'Mara IV, PhD
@liamomaraiv.bsky.social
Snarky history professor and political commentator; bibliophile; anti-nationalist libsoc antifa mountain man; geeky cat & bird dad; views are entirely my own, not my employer's.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1975, #Spain dumped #WesternSahara in the #MadridAccords. Division of the land between #Morocco and #Mauretania came early in '76. #Algeria & the #PolisarioFront opposed it, leading to a 17-year war. #Polisario continues to fight for #Sahrawi independence.
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1975, #Spain dumped #WesternSahara in the #MadridAccords. Division of the land between #Morocco and #Mauretania came early in '76. #Algeria & the #PolisarioFront opposed it, leading to a 17-year war. #Polisario continues to fight for #Sahrawi independence.
The 1995 #GovernmentShutdown began on #ThisDayInHistory. It ran from 14-19 Nov. & 16 Dec.-6 Jan. and was based on #Republican #BudgetCut demands. The longest previous one had been six days. No other country shuts down government functions like this; US is uniquely dysfunctional.
November 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The 1995 #GovernmentShutdown began on #ThisDayInHistory. It ran from 14-19 Nov. & 16 Dec.-6 Jan. and was based on #Republican #BudgetCut demands. The longest previous one had been six days. No other country shuts down government functions like this; US is uniquely dysfunctional.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1960, #RubyBridges transferred to an all-white school and had to be escorted by Federal Marshals throughout the school year due to violent #conservative/#neofascist #segregationist/#KKK fuckwits who threatened to murder her for learning to read and count.
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1960, #RubyBridges transferred to an all-white school and had to be escorted by Federal Marshals throughout the school year due to violent #conservative/#neofascist #segregationist/#KKK fuckwits who threatened to murder her for learning to read and count.
In 1973 on #ThisDayInHistory, #AthensPolytechnicUprising began. Students gathered to protest the #MilitaryJunta ruling #Greece since 1967. It turned to open revolt. On the 17th a tank rolled onto campus; 40 students were killed, 2000 wounded. The régime fell a few months later.
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
In 1973 on #ThisDayInHistory, #AthensPolytechnicUprising began. Students gathered to protest the #MilitaryJunta ruling #Greece since 1967. It turned to open revolt. On the 17th a tank rolled onto campus; 40 students were killed, 2000 wounded. The régime fell a few months later.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2012, Israel launched Operation #PillarOfDefence, an invasion of the #GazaStrip to kill #Palestinian resistance fighters. In eight days it killed ~103 civilians and 55 militants, but only strengthened #Hamas's control, which remained Israeli policy then.
November 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2012, Israel launched Operation #PillarOfDefence, an invasion of the #GazaStrip to kill #Palestinian resistance fighters. In eight days it killed ~103 civilians and 55 militants, but only strengthened #Hamas's control, which remained Israeli policy then.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2015, #Islamists associated with #Daesh (#ISIS) attacked #Paris, killing 130 people and injuring ~416. The main targets were the #Bataclan theatre and the #StadeDeFrance, though six sites were hit. The attacks were widely condemned in the #Muslim world.
November 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2015, #Islamists associated with #Daesh (#ISIS) attacked #Paris, killing 130 people and injuring ~416. The main targets were the #Bataclan theatre and the #StadeDeFrance, though six sites were hit. The attacks were widely condemned in the #Muslim world.
Here is #rapper #Dzsúdló of #Hungary.
youtu.be/HarFaDxCoxE
youtu.be/vz6y3DDBTXA
youtu.be/2EHZKyo2teI
youtu.be/GsN5BnDCCHQ
#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
youtu.be/HarFaDxCoxE
youtu.be/vz6y3DDBTXA
youtu.be/2EHZKyo2teI
youtu.be/GsN5BnDCCHQ
#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
November 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1577, #TychoBrahe first observed the #GreatComet. His very precise measurement of this non-periodic comet's movement helped his student, #JohannesKepler, develop a theory of elliptical orbits. Brahe himself was unable to shake the dogma of geocentrism.
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1577, #TychoBrahe first observed the #GreatComet. His very precise measurement of this non-periodic comet's movement helped his student, #JohannesKepler, develop a theory of elliptical orbits. Brahe himself was unable to shake the dogma of geocentrism.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1887, in #TrafalgarSquare, the #BloodySunday protests resulted in 400 arrests and at least 75 serious injuries. #WorkingClass English #socialists and #IrishNationalists were protesting against the Irish Coercion Acts and the high unemployment rate.
November 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1887, in #TrafalgarSquare, the #BloodySunday protests resulted in 400 arrests and at least 75 serious injuries. #WorkingClass English #socialists and #IrishNationalists were protesting against the Irish Coercion Acts and the high unemployment rate.
In 1956 on #ThisDayInHistory, #SCOTUS ruled in #BrowderVGayle that #segregation on buses was illegal. It began with the first four women arrested for refusing to surrender their seat. This did not start with #RosaParks, though the #MontgomeryBusBoycott that followed her helped.
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
In 1956 on #ThisDayInHistory, #SCOTUS ruled in #BrowderVGayle that #segregation on buses was illegal. It began with the first four women arrested for refusing to surrender their seat. This did not start with #RosaParks, though the #MontgomeryBusBoycott that followed her helped.
In 1895 on #ThisDayInHistory a statue of #SlaveTrader #EdwardColston was unveiled in #Bristol, UK. Despite Colston's ownership of the #RoyalAfricanCompany, which enslaved about 100,000 West Africans, it stayed there until #AntiRacist activists dumped it in the harbour in 2020.
November 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In 1895 on #ThisDayInHistory a statue of #SlaveTrader #EdwardColston was unveiled in #Bristol, UK. Despite Colston's ownership of the #RoyalAfricanCompany, which enslaved about 100,000 West Africans, it stayed there until #AntiRacist activists dumped it in the harbour in 2020.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1947, the #AK47 #AssaultRifle was introduced in the #USSR. The most popular firearm in history, this #Kalashnikov makes up about a fifth of guns in the world. Not especially accurate, its rate of fire and plentiful spare parts keep it in use worldwide.
November 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1947, the #AK47 #AssaultRifle was introduced in the #USSR. The most popular firearm in history, this #Kalashnikov makes up about a fifth of guns in the world. Not especially accurate, its rate of fire and plentiful spare parts keep it in use worldwide.
The #IrishCitizenArmy was formed on #ThisDayInHistory in 1913 by #union leader #JamesConnolly. Originally led by Jack White and facing off against #police, Connolly later took charge and moved it towards nationalist goals, with #ICA participating in the #EasterRising in 1916.
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The #IrishCitizenArmy was formed on #ThisDayInHistory in 1913 by #union leader #JamesConnolly. Originally led by Jack White and facing off against #police, Connolly later took charge and moved it towards nationalist goals, with #ICA participating in the #EasterRising in 1916.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1922, the #SCOTUS unanimously ruled in #ZuchtVKing that federal #VaccineMandates were legal, and that #unvaccinated students could be excluded from #PublicSchools. Scientifically illiterate and dangerous people still oppose sensible #PublicHealth policy.
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1922, the #SCOTUS unanimously ruled in #ZuchtVKing that federal #VaccineMandates were legal, and that #unvaccinated students could be excluded from #PublicSchools. Scientifically illiterate and dangerous people still oppose sensible #PublicHealth policy.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1974, #KarenSilkwood was killed in a car crash in OK while on her way to meet a #NYTimes reporter with evidence her employer #KerrMcGee was engaged in health violations. Her car was rammed to push it into a head-on collision and the evidence disappeared.
November 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1974, #KarenSilkwood was killed in a car crash in OK while on her way to meet a #NYTimes reporter with evidence her employer #KerrMcGee was engaged in health violations. Her car was rammed to push it into a head-on collision and the evidence disappeared.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1966, Israel's #OperationShredder into #Jordan, killing 16 Jordanian military personnel. The excuse was independent #PLO #fedayeen attacks. Israel was censured by #UNSC for this large-scale invasion, and the #BattleOfSamu helped lead to the #1967War.
November 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1966, Israel's #OperationShredder into #Jordan, killing 16 Jordanian military personnel. The excuse was independent #PLO #fedayeen attacks. Israel was censured by #UNSC for this large-scale invasion, and the #BattleOfSamu helped lead to the #1967War.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1002, King #ÆthelredTheUnready ordered a #genocide against #Danes living in #England. #StBricesDayMassacre inspired the invasion of England by #SweinForkbeard, whose son became #CnutTheGreat, founder of a #NorthSeaEmpire linking England, Norway, & Denmark.
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1002, King #ÆthelredTheUnready ordered a #genocide against #Danes living in #England. #StBricesDayMassacre inspired the invasion of England by #SweinForkbeard, whose son became #CnutTheGreat, founder of a #NorthSeaEmpire linking England, Norway, & Denmark.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1980, the #NASA probe #Voyager1 made its closest approach to #Saturn and captured stunning images of its ring system. The craft is still functional after 48 years, contining to send data despite having crossed the #heliopause to interstellar space in 2012.
November 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1980, the #NASA probe #Voyager1 made its closest approach to #Saturn and captured stunning images of its ring system. The craft is still functional after 48 years, contining to send data despite having crossed the #heliopause to interstellar space in 2012.
Here is some #violin-based #neofolk music from #MehdiKhosravi of #Iran.
youtu.be/EDO_0QjykCI
youtu.be/pGij0O3wOXg
youtu.be/f4KdnoLAvXs
youtu.be/9DYvlcN4P0o
#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
youtu.be/EDO_0QjykCI
youtu.be/pGij0O3wOXg
youtu.be/f4KdnoLAvXs
youtu.be/9DYvlcN4P0o
#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Here is some #violin-based #neofolk music from #MehdiKhosravi of #Iran.
youtu.be/EDO_0QjykCI
youtu.be/pGij0O3wOXg
youtu.be/f4KdnoLAvXs
youtu.be/9DYvlcN4P0o
#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
youtu.be/EDO_0QjykCI
youtu.be/pGij0O3wOXg
youtu.be/f4KdnoLAvXs
youtu.be/9DYvlcN4P0o
#LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
Piece of shit #neonazi #CharlesManson was born on #ThisDayInHistory in 1934. He apparently taught his #MansonFamily that their murders were meant to start #HelterSkelter -- a #RaceWar that black people would win, but they would then need his leadership due to low intelligence...
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Piece of shit #neonazi #CharlesManson was born on #ThisDayInHistory in 1934. He apparently taught his #MansonFamily that their murders were meant to start #HelterSkelter -- a #RaceWar that black people would win, but they would then need his leadership due to low intelligence...
One way to see the daylight between #KarlMarx and many so-called #Marxists is to note his preamble to the general rules of the #FirstInternational, published #ThisDayInHistory in 1864: "the emancipation of the working classes must be conquered by the working classes themselves."
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
One way to see the daylight between #KarlMarx and many so-called #Marxists is to note his preamble to the general rules of the #FirstInternational, published #ThisDayInHistory in 1864: "the emancipation of the working classes must be conquered by the working classes themselves."
#EllisIsland closed on #ThisDayInHistory in 1954. The #immigrant-processing facility handled 12 million people between 1892 and 1954. Prior to the #racist immigration laws of the 1920s, the only inspections were medical and financial; the US still had effectively #OpenBorders.
November 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM
#EllisIsland closed on #ThisDayInHistory in 1954. The #immigrant-processing facility handled 12 million people between 1892 and 1954. Prior to the #racist immigration laws of the 1920s, the only inspections were medical and financial; the US still had effectively #OpenBorders.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2013, #PYD (the Syrian branch of #PKK) declared the #Rojava area an autonomous part of #Syria and divided it into three governorates -- Afrin, Kobani, Jazira. Since then it has operated under #socialist, #DemocraticConfederalist administration as #DAANES.
November 12, 2025 at 6:15 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2013, #PYD (the Syrian branch of #PKK) declared the #Rojava area an autonomous part of #Syria and divided it into three governorates -- Afrin, Kobani, Jazira. Since then it has operated under #socialist, #DemocraticConfederalist administration as #DAANES.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1940, secret negotiations opened in Berlin regarding the #USSR formally joining the #AxisPowers. They hoped to build on the previous year's #MolotovRibbentropPact to divide Eastern Europe. #Hitler never seriously considered the alliance; #Stalin did.
November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1940, secret negotiations opened in Berlin regarding the #USSR formally joining the #AxisPowers. They hoped to build on the previous year's #MolotovRibbentropPact to divide Eastern Europe. #Hitler never seriously considered the alliance; #Stalin did.