ELECTIONS, DEDICATIONS AND HOW PICTURES GET SOLD

I have missed out a couple of days, in particular the 5^th May which has been designated Europe Day. As to the rest of this mixed bag, it's difficult to put a tag on it.

On the 5^th May 1949, the Treaty of London established the Council of Europe in Strasburg. This was the first European institution working for European integration. In my submission, not a bad thing. Indeed on the 5^th May 1964, the Council declared the 5^th May as Europe Day.

On the 6^th May 1940, John Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer prize for The Grapes of Wrath.

On the 6^th May 1994, perhaps a day late in the light of Europe Day, Queen Elizabeth II and French President François Mitterrand, officiated at the opening of the Channel Tunnel.

This last event is significant as on the 6^th May 2012, the first Socialist President of France since Mitterrand has been elected in the shape of another François, François Hollande.

In Russia, on the 7^th May 2000 and today the 7^th May 2012, Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as President of Russia. This is not required viewing.

On the 7^th May 1994, Edvard Munch’s iconic painting The Scream was recovered undamaged after having been stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February. The painting sold at Sotheby’s only 5 days ago, the 2^nd May 2012 for a record $119.9 million, bought by the Royal Family of Qatar.