The Week of June 29

"The past is never dead. It's not even past" – William Faulkner

The United States Declaration of Independence

Adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776

The Second Continental Congress formally adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. The document states that all men are created equal and are endowed with the right to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Thought: “All men are created equal” except for those who are not (slaves, for example).

For further reading: Wikipedia: United States Declaration of Independence

The First Tour de France Begins | July 1, 1903

The world's most famous cycling race, the Tour de France, starts for the first time from the town of Montgeron, outside Paris. The race was originally founded to increase the circulation of the sports newspaper "L'Auto" and has become a global tradition that tests the limits of human endurance.

Thought: Sometimes, economic and marketing interests can align with the human desire (perhaps the human need?) to create a global tradition that tests the limits of human capability.

For further reading: Wikipedia: Tour de France

Binyamin Ze'ev Theodor Herzl

The Passing of Theodor Herzl | July 3, 1904

Binyamin Ze'ev Theodor Herzl, the visionary of the Jewish state and founder of the political Zionist movement, passed away in Austria at the age of 44. Although he did not live to see its establishment, his diplomatic efforts and organizational work laid the essential foundation for the establishment of the State of Israel.

Thought: How did he dare to dream like that? The actions he took were unequivocal proof that he genuinely acted to realize his vision, believing it was both right and realistically achievable. Amazing!

For further reading: Wikipedia: Theodor Herzl

The original text of the Law of Return

The Knesset Approves the Law of Return | July 5, 1950

The first Knesset passes the Law of Return, granting every Jew the right to immigrate to Israel and receive citizenship. The law is one of the cornerstones of the State of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people.

Thought: The Law of Return amplified to historically unforeseen dimensions (who in history predicted there would be a Jewish state again?) the question "Who is a Jew?" and more precisely, the question "Who defines who is a Jew?". The questions became political with consequences beyond what anyone could have imagined.

For further reading: Wikipedia: Law of Return

Signing of the Civil Rights Act in the U.S. | July 2, 1964

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a pivotal moment in the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

Thought: And to think that until 1964, this was legal(!) in the United States of America. Has the United States truly managed to escape from this difficult place of racial discrimination?

For further reading: Wikipedia: Civil Rights Act of 1964

Operation Jonathan | July 4, 1976

The IDF's special operations force carries out a daring commando operation to rescue hostages at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. In the operation, 102 out of 106 passengers of an Air France plane hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists were rescued. The commander of Sayeret Matkal, Yoni Netanyahu, was killed in the operation.

Thought: There are cases where the action of individuals serves a myth and pathos for decades to come, far beyond the immediate significance of that action.

For further reading: Wikipedia: Operation Entebbe

Hong Kong and China

Handover of Hong Kong to China | July 1, 1997

Britain transfers sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China after 156 years of British rule. The event, which symbolized the end of the British Empire, was based on the "one country, two systems" principle, which was supposed to guarantee Hong Kong's autonomy.

Thought: Can two fundamentally different systems coexist under one flag for a long time, or is convergence to a single model inevitable?

For further reading: Wikipedia: Handover of Hong Kong

iPhone models over the years

Launch of the First iPhone | June 29, 2007

Apple Inc. launches the first-generation iPhone for sale, a device that combined a mobile phone, a music player, and internet browsing capabilities. The launch revolutionized the mobile industry, created the modern smartphone category, and forever changed the way we communicate, work, and consume information.

Thought: Is the benefit greater than the harm?

• I don't know.

For further reading: Wikipedia: iPhone (1st generation)