October 13 in history.
What happened on today’s date – October 13 – in history? Let’s have a look.
On October 13, 1949, Vilhelm Moberg’s book “Utvandrarna” (The Emigrants) was published. Parts of the book were considered scandalous at the time, and politician Axel Rubbestad (Center Party) wanted to see Moberg imprisoned, while another politician Axel Mannerskantz (Moderate Party) threw the book into the fire while singing “Du gamla, Du fria” with his wife. Moberg’s book along with the sequel “Invandrarna” (“Unto a Good Land”) later became the foundation for the movie “The Emigrants”, 1971, directed by Jan Troell.
On the same day, October 13, but in 1956, Harry Martinsson’s poem “Aniara” was published. “Aniara” is a poem of science fiction, the title comes from the ancient Greek word for “sad” or “despairing”. It consists of 103 so-called cantos that together relate the tragedy of a space ship originally bound for Mars. Harry Martinsson shared the Nobel Prize in literature with Eyvind Johnsson in 1974 - a highly criticized awardee selection at the time since both authors were part of the awarding Swedish Academy (and the likely reason it took so long for Tranströmer to receive this year's prize in literature).
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The comedian duo Hasse & Tage - Hans Alfredsson and Tage Danielsson started their road into every Swedish home with the first broadcast of Mosebacke Monarki in 1958, American singer songwriter Paul Simon was born on this day (1941) as was Swedish 'iconic' dance band leader Sven-Erik Magnusson of 'Sven-Ingvars' (1942)
The record chart “Svensktoppen” at Sveriges Radio premiered on October 13 in 1962, and it still airs. The first host was Barbro Lindström, then followed hosts like Carl-Uno Sjöblom, Ulf Elfving, Pekka Langer, Arne Weise, Kent Finell, Annika Jankell and the current host Carolina Norén. The song that has stayed on the chart the longest is “Du är min man” with Benny Anderssons Orkester & Helen Sjöholm. It stayed on the list for 278 weeks, 2004-2009; second is “Om du lämnade mig nu” with Lars Winnerbäck & Miss Li (200 weeks, 2007-2011), and third “Håll mitt hjärta” with Björn Skifs (142 weeks, 2003-2006).
