Seeds of Fire: A People’s Chronology
Recalling events that happened on this day in history.
Memories of struggle, resistance and persistence.
Compiled by Ulli Diemer
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April 21, 1871
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The Paris Commune publishes its official manifesto, a month after the founding of the Commune. The manifesto calls for freely associated autonomous communes to be created throughout France. It states:
“The inherent rights of the Commune are:
The vote on communal budgets, receipts and expenses; the fixing and distribution of taxes; the direction of public services; the organization of its magistracy, internal police and education; the administration of goods belonging to the Commune.
The choice by election or competition of magistrates and communal functionaries of all orders, as well as the permanent right of control and revocation.
The absolute guarantee of individual freedom and freedom of conscience.
The permanent intervention of citizens in communal affairs by the free manifestation of their ideas, the free defense of their interests, with guarantees given for these manifestations by the Commune, which alone is charged with overseeing and assuring the free and fair exercise of the right to gather and publicize.
The organization of urban defense and the National Guard, which elects its chiefs and alone watches over the maintenance of order in the city.”
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April 21, 1914
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American forces invade Mexico and occupy the port of Veracruz. They leave November 23, 1914.
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April 21, 1982
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Toronto Police Morality Squad officers seize two gay magazines at the Glad Day Bookshop and charge the assistant store manager with “possession of obscene material for purpose of resale.”
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April 21, 1989
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Some 100,000 students gather in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, calling for greater democracy.
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