Lumas 29, 30.

- I spent a few hours exploring and reading at the New York Public Library yesterday. I'm almost inclined to call it the awesomest library I've ever been in, but the fact that their literature and tour guide were so cocky in asserting their awesomeness cheapens it a bit. Still, good times, good times.

- ALMANAC SAYS -
The U.S.S. Machias, first steel-hulled ship built in Maine, commissioned, 1893.

- COUNTRY OF THE WEEK -
England.

- QUESTION OF THE DAY -
The Golden Age of Greece lasted for two short generations between the Persian and Peloponneasian Wars. Roman letters peaked in the century prior to Christ, when the Republic was falling apart, but its cultural and material prosperity peaked during the Principate. The great monarchies of Western Europe, France, Spain, and England foremost, achieved their most uniform success during the 17th and 18th centuries, and remained the dominant world powers until the mid-20th century. Assuming that these statements are more or less correct, and that these "golden ages" are all political hegemonies (Athenian/Roman/European), 1) would you call the post-WWII era, and particularly the post-Cold War era an American hegemony, 2) do you think that material prosperity correlates to cultural ferment, and 3) where in this arc would you situate the U.S.?