Tuesday, August 22, 2006

What Is It About Ahmadinejad and August 22?

Ahmadinejad has specified Tuesday, August 22 as the day he will give the US his answer about Iran's nuclear development.

The question is--why has Ahmadinejad picked that particular date?

A number of experts on Islam, such as Bernard Lewis and Robert Spencer have offered a possible answer. No one can know for sure, but thanks to Wikipedia, we can consider the full spectrum of possibilities. Here are some things that happened on August 22:
  • 565 - St. Columba reported seeing a monster in Loch Ness, Scotland
  • 1654 - Jacob Barsimson arrives in New Amsterdam. He is the first Jewish immigrant to what is later the United States
  • 1775 - King George III declares the American colonies to be in open rebellion
  • 1902 - Theodore Roosevelt became the first President of the United States to ride in an automobile
  • 1942 - World War II: Brazil declares war on the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan)
  • 1969 - Elvis Presley begins performing live again in Las Vegas
  • 1979 - Led Zeppelin released their album, In Through The Out Door.
  • 1989 - Nolan Ryan strikes out Rickey Henderson to become the first Major League Baseball pitcher to record 5000 strikeouts.
Who can truly the pierce the unscrutable mind of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has made up its mind, and on the nuclear program and other issues it is up against it will continue powerfully on its path, putting its faith in God and with patience and perseverance, and it will obtain its sweet fruit".
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, state television, 21 August 2006

Update:
Pajamas Media notes
The date is significant not only to Islam followers, but also to Crusading Christians: “On August 22, 725 AD, the Bishop of Nantes became the martyred St. Emilian while leading the French against the invading muslims.”
Since Ahmadinejad denies the Holocaust, it is doubtful he will own up to the history of Moslems as one of the great occupying armies of all time.

Technorati Tag: and and .

2 comments:

Mottel said...

Perhaps it's the day when that rebellious (1775)monster (565) first let Jews (1654)live in its lands.

Daled Amos said...

I suppose.
Personally, I just assumed he was a Led Zeppelin fan.