#ThrowbackThursday – 5 September
It’s 5 September, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1698 – The Burden of Beards
On this day in 1698, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia imposed a “beard tax”. Yes, he actually taxed beard-wearers.
But why? Because, after travelling around Europe for two years, he believed that Russia had to step up its efforts to become a global, modern superpower in the same vein as Britain, Austria and France. This meant reforming the country’s economy, government, religion, culture … and fashion sense.
Since beards were apparently out of vogue with his European neighbours, Tsar Peter wanted every man to shave off his beards so that they could fit the image of the “modern man” (he set an example for this by shaving off his own facial hair at his welcome-back reception). For those who refused to pursue the clean-shaven route, they were to be taxed accordingly: merchants and members of the Russian nobility were to pay 100 rubles annually while commoners had to pay one kopek.
Failure to adhere to the beard tax resulted in one’s beard being forcibly shaved off by Russian guards. So, for those who did pay, it was pretty important to carry on their persons “beard tokens” (silver for merchants/nobility, copper for commoners), proof that they had paid for the right to wear beards.
Naturally, the beard tax was not popular, especially with the Russian Orthodox Church, who required its clergymen and laymen to grow beards. Shaving them off would be a sin, according to their teachings.
Thankfully, on 6 April 1772 – nearly 74 years after the beard tax was introduced – Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, abolished it. Since then, beard-wearers have been able to wear their facial hair in Russia with pride!
1946 – Remembering Freddie Mercury
Today marks what would have been the 78th birthday of British musician and Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury.
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town, Zanzibar on 5 September 1946, he was arty and musically-inclined from a young age, learning how to play the piano and compose songs. In 1970, Bulsara struck up a friendship with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, who were members of a band called Smile.
When the lead singer of Smile left, Bulsara stepped in, adopting the name Freddie Mercury and rebranding the group as Queen. In the years that followed, Queen achieved global fame with iconic tracks like “I Want to Break Free”, “Radio Ga Ga”, “We Will Rock You” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
As the band’s frontman, Mercury was known for his powerful vocal range, his glamorously flamboyant on-stage persona, and his gender/sexual fluidity; he was also known to abuse alcohol and drugs, and for his sexual escapades while on and off the road.
In spite of his troubles, Mercury was beloved by his fans, who were distraught when he announced on 23 November 1991 that he had HIV/AIDS – they were even more distraught when he passed away at the age of 45, just one day after making the announcement. Per reports, Mercury died from AIDS-related complications, specifically suffering from bronchial pneumonia.
Although he may be gone, Freddie Mercury’s spirit lives on in his music, which continues to resonate with millions around the world and has inspired countless artists across multiple genres.
2019 – Twinning Life at 74
For Erramatti Mangamma, 5 September will always hold a special place in her heart for two reasons: the birth of her twins, and also the day she became the world’s oldest living mother.
At the age of 74, Mangamma delivered two healthy baby girls via Caesarean section at a hospital in Hyderabad, India. The tykes were conceived via in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) – a method their mother pursued in 2018 after she and her 80-year-old husband, Sitarama Rajarao, struggled to conceive naturally during their 57-year marriage.
“People looked at me with accusing eyes as if I had committed a sin,” Mangamma said in a previous interview, referring to the feelings of judgement she faced for not having children.
“We are the happiest couple on Earth today,” Rajarao said in an interview following the birth of his daughters. “We [finally] have our own children.”
Although many local medical professionals disagree with women of Mangamma’s age giving birth via IVF, it cannot be denied that she found true happiness after attaining motherhood after all these years.
