Happy Prime New Year!

1. Happy Prime New Year! 2011 is a prime number… and not just that but one that can be decomposed into a prime number of consecutive prime numbers? 157+163+167+173+179+181+191+193+197+199+211 = 2011 [2017 is the next prime and 2027 is the next sum of consecutive primes (29-139) of which there are 15] Mic Porter

2. 14th January 2011 Mic Porter

3. Events 1514 – Pope Leo X issues an anti-slavery papal bull. 1814 – Frederick VI of Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden in return for Pomerania. [Treaty of Kiel.] 1924 –US Dept of Agriculture reports a possibility of growing lettuce indoors in “simple greenhouse-like buildings that do not cost very much to construct”. 1933 – The Bodyline tour of Austrialia hits the headlines when Jardine hits Australian captain Woodfull over his heart. • – The secretary of state for Scotland forbids the capture or shooting of the Loch Ness Monster; described as a sea serpent over 50 ft (15.25M) long. Mic Porter

4. Events A Franklin D. Roosevelt triple... 1942 – Signs Executive Order 9066 authorising the internment of all Japanese Americans into camps. (NB Pearl harbour was 7(US)/8(J) 12/41) 1943 – He becomes the first US President of the to travel by airplane while in office (flying from Miami to Casablanca). A this conference (ends 29th) the strategy for the next phase of WW2 is decided upon. Stalin is not invited (nothing about the Eastern front on the agenda). de Gaulle is, belatedly invited but thinks it “cheek” as he is the “accepted” leader of the Free French and the meeting is on French territorial soil! Mic Porter

5. Events 1950 – The maiden flight the Russian MiG-17. 1954 – Marilyn Monroe marries Joe DeMaggio (9 mth.) 1960 – US Army makes draftee Elvis Presley Sgnt. 1969 – Sir Matt Busby [60] retires from managing Manchester United announcing "It's time to make way for a younger man”. He returns, briefly, during the 1970/1 season. [He was a player for City & Liverpool.] . 2002 – After 3 “case free” months the UK is declared foot-and-mouth free. 2004 – The “five cross” national flag of Georgia, is re-adopted to official use after c500 years. Mic Porter

6. Ins… 1875 – Albert Schweitzer, Physician & 1952 Nobel Peace laureate (d. 1965) 1892 – Hal Roach, film & TV producer (d. 1992) 1904 – Sir Cecil Beaton, photographer (d. 1980) 1926 – Warren Mitchell, actor. 1934 – Richard Briers, “comic” actor. 1940 – Sir Trevor Nunn, theatre & film director. 1941 – Faye Dunaway, actress 1946 – Harold Shipman, GP & serial killer (d. 2004) 1965 – Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Eton & Oxford, ex River Cafe chef (too untidy) eccentrically organic/fishy! 1968 – Ruel Fox, (sometime Maggie) footballer. Mic Porter

7. Outs… 1742 – Edmond Halley, astronomer, geophusicist, mathematician, meteorologist and computer of the orbit of the comet that carries his name. 1753 – George Berkeley, philosopher, theologian and poet who advanced the theory of “immaterialism” (subjective idealism) that postulates that individuals can only know sensations and ideas of objects not abstractions (eg “matter”) and that ideas depend on perceiving minds for their very existence. In 1866 (according to local histories) the area which became the town and University campus was named after him. 1776 – [Lieutenant General] Edward Cornwallis, founder of Halifax (Nova Scotia) Mic Porter

8. Outs… 1872 – Skye terrier Greyfriars Bobby allegedly guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years “until death”. Commemorated in Edinburgh with a stature and fountain. 1957 – Humphrey Bogart, actor and film star (b. 1899) (Casablanca link acknowledged) Today is: Thailand’s “National Forest Conservation Day” for the promotion of conservation of the nation's forests and the work against deforestation. Mic Porter

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