On this Day…

August 24

A hobby is an activity that one does for relief and relaxation from the tedium of everyday life; it is not an excuse for indolence.

— Have a Hobby, The Freeman Lifestyle, February 22, 2014

• In 1814, the British captured Washington, D.C., and set fire to the White House. They were using a secret new rocket that threw the U.S. capital’s defenders into confusion, and only eight men were killed. President Madison briefly distinguished himself by becoming the only incumbent president to face enemy fire. He galloped to the fight with a pair of borrowed pistols – but when he saw how badly things were going, he fled in the opposite direction. Mrs. Madison was more collected. She rescued the White House

silver and saved her pet parrot! • In 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted and the town of Pompeii was covered by noxious fumes and ashes. The most famous victim of the volcano was Pliny the Elder, who was killed by his own curiosity. He insisted on studying the eruption at first hand, and at the end of the day showed his unconcern by taking a long hot bath and going to bed. He suffocated. Paradoxically, the eruption destroyed Pompeii, but also preserved it for all time.

— from Today’s the Day! By Jeremy Beadle • In 1896, the Philippine Revolution began. In a secret assembly of the Katipunan held in the Manila suburb of Balintawak, a decision was reached to start a general uprising against Spain.

— from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos