On this Day... October 13

• In 1925, Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first woman prime minister, was born. As leader of the Conservative Party, she has an image – carefully cultivated by the advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi – that is a curious blend of housewife and politician. She has often been photographed shopping, though in fact she has a full-time housekeeper; admits to having “a little cry” now and then, despite being called the Iron Maiden; and once showed the common touch by confiding, in regard to her cutlery, “Most of us have stopped using silver for everyday.” Her more serious pronouncements are equally intriguing; “If your only opportunity is to be equal,” she once said, “then it is not equality.”

• In the year 54, Stubborn Emperor Claudius was murdered in stages by his wife Agrippina. First she fed him a dish of poisoned mushrooms at dinner. He collapsed, but his servants just thought he was drunk again and carted him off to his room. At that point Agrippina got impatient; since Claudius was still alive, she got the physician to come and tickle the back of his throat with a feather dipped in poison. Then they gave him a poisoned enema. But Claudius kept on breathing – so in the end they had to smother him with a cushion!

— from Today’s the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history

• In 1877, English devotional poet Frances Ridley Havergal penned the words to the hymn “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” based in 1 Chronicles 12:1-8.

— from This Day in Christian History

By William D. Blake

In the Philippines

• In 1930, Benigno Ramos released a printed newspaper, called Sakdal (accuse or accusation). The original purpose of the paper was to accuse high government officials of acts, which they declare to be detrimental to the country and the Filipino people. The paper tackled issues which were of interest to the Filipino masses such as corruption and mismanagement under the Nacionalista Party administration, immediate independence for the Philippines, and the land reform problem. Its radical populist stance on such issues won it a large following in the Manila hinterland and in the rural areas, such that by 1933, subscribers of the newspaper met in a convention in Manila to form the Sakdal Party. They did unexpectedly well in the Philippine elections of 1934, although still unable to pose a challenge to Nacionalista Party dominance. The Sakdal Party advocated independence from the United States of America, which later led them to collaborate with Japan because they believed Japan could liberate the Philippines and grant true independence. The insurrection, suppressed by the Philippine Constabulary, resulted in approximately 100 dead. Consequently, Ramos went into exile in Japan. Benigno Ramos was born in 1893, educated in Bulacan and went on to work there as a teacher and later as a Philippine Senate Staff. He became a member of the Nacionalista Party and a close associate of Manuel L. Quezon. In 1930 he joined a “wildcat strike” by teachers in Manila, causing Quezon to demand his resignation.

— www.kahimyang.info

In Cebu

• Gabriel M. Reyes was formally installed as Bishop of Cebu. (year not specified)

— from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos

As the saying goes; “Power begets power.” The bulk of [these artists’] creations are found in the treasure chests of those who can afford or have exquisite artistic taste, or both.

— Czars of Haute Couture

The Freeman Lifestyle, February 6, 2015