Literally 'special path'. It relates to the theory that German history followed a particular, and very different, path from the rest of Europe, which created a set of unique circumstances.
Sonderweg
Fact of the Day
33 years after toilet paper was invented in Green Bay, Wisconsin, it was finally advertised as 'splinter free'.
Quote of the Day
"Foul as it is, hell itself is made more foul by the presence of John.
"
~ Matthew Paris (13th century chronicler) on King John
On This Day
1536 The trial of four of Anne Boleyn's 'lovers'. Only one confessed (under torture), which he maintained up to the point of his death.
1689 William III went to war with France. It was the start of more than a century of titanic clashes for global hegemony.
1789 William Wilberforce made his first speech to the Commons on the abolition of slavery.
1926 Limited power of unions shown as TUC calls off General Strike without consulting miners, who went back to work in November on reduced pay.
1937 In a ceremony that had originally been scheduled for his brother, Edward VIII (who had abdicated in December 1936), George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
1969 The minimum voting age in Britain was reduced from 21 to 18.
1994 The popular Labour leader John Smith died of a heart attack. He was replaced as leader by Tony Blair.