Archive for February, 2010

Social-Economic Problems within the USSR: Underproduction and Demotivation

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Students compare and contrast communism and capitalism and produce a written summary outlining the inherent weaknesses of the Soviet system.

Chopin was born: 22nd Feb.1810 (200 years ago today)

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Wikipedia Link

Political Tensions within the USSR: The “Gerontocracy”

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Students investigate the “Rule by Geriatrics” – Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko – and how this lack of flexibility led to the tragedy of the Korean Airliner incident of 1983.

100 Years Ago Today: Douglas Bader, WW2 Fighter Ace, is born

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Born 21st Feb. 1910.
In 1928, Bader joined the RAF, but, on 14 December 1931 at Woodley airfield near Reading, lost both of his legs in an aircraft crash attempting a slow roll at very low level following jibes about his not wanting to perform aerobatics that day. Bader recovered, undertook refresher training, passed his check flights, and attempted to stay in the RAF but was retired for medical reasons on 30 April 1933. After the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, he re-entered the armed forces and requested that he be assigned to the RAF. Posted to a fighter squadron in 1940 Bader scored his first kills during the Battle of France, over Dunkirk.
[Wikipedia Link]

100 Years Ago Today: Old Trafford hosted its first football match

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Old Trafford, Manchester United football ground, opened (100 years ago today).
The stadium hosted its inaugural game on 19 February 1910, with United playing host to Liverpool. However, the home side were unable to provide their fans with a win to mark the occasion, as Liverpool won 4–3. A journalist at the game reported the stadium as “the most handsomest [sic], the most spacious and the most remarkable arena I have ever seen. As a football ground it is unrivalled in the world, it is an honour to Manchester and the home of a team who can do wonders when they are so disposed”.
[Wikipedia Link]

Political Tensions within the USSR: Dictatorship and Corruption

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Students compare and contrast democracy and dictatorship and produce a written summary outlining the inherent weaknesses of the Soviet system.