Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 August 7

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The election in 1860 for the position of Boden Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Oxford was a hotly contested affair between two candidates with different approaches to Sanskrit scholarship. Monier Williams (pictured), an Oxford-educated Englishman who taught Sanskrit to those preparing to work in British India, regarded the study of Sanskrit as a way to help convert India to Christianity. Max Müller, an internationally regarded scholar in comparative philology (the science of language), thought that his work, while it would assist missionaries, was valuable as an end in itself. They battled for the votes of the electorate (the Convocation of the university, consisting of over 3,700 graduates) through manifestos and newspaper correspondence. The election came at a time of public debate about Britain's role in India after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Although generally regarded as the superior scholar, Müller had the double disadvantage (in some eyes) of being German and having liberal Christian views. Special trains to Oxford were provided for non-residents to cast their votes. Williams won the election by a majority of over 220 votes, and held the chair until his death in 1899. (Full article...)

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In the news

More than 160 people are killed in flash floods across Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The World Aquatics Championships conclude with the United States winning the most medals, including six gold medals by Missy Franklin.

Robert Mugabe (pictured) is re-elected as President of Zimbabwe.

In rugby union, the Chiefs defeat the Brumbies to win the Super Rugby championship.

Former U.S. intelligence analyst Edward Snowden is granted temporary asylum in Russia.

Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation upholds the four-year sentence of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud.

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On this day...

August 7: Independence Day in Ivory Coast (1960)

1782 – The Bronze Horseman (pictured), an equestrian statue of Peter the Great that serves as one of the symbols of Saint Petersburg, Russia, was unveiled.

1909 – Fifty-nine days after leaving New York City, Alice Huyler Ramsey, with three friends, arrived in San Francisco to become the first woman to drive an automobile across the U.S.

1933 – An estimated 3,000 Assyrians were slaughtered by Iraqi troops during the Simele massacre in the Dahuk and Mosul districts.

1938 – Prisoners from Dachau concentration camp were sent to begin construction of Mauthausen, which would later be part of one of the largest labour camp complexes in German-occupied Europe.

1998 – Car bombs exploded simultaneously at the American embassies in the East African capital cities of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, killing more than 200 people and injuring more than 4,500 others.

More anniversaries: August 6 – August 7 – August 8

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Arlington Row, a row of Cotswold stone cottages in Bibury, Gloucestershire, England. Built in 1380 as a monastic wool store, the buildings were converted into weavers' cottages in the 17th century. William Morris declared the village to be the most beautiful in England.

Photo: Saffron Blaze

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