THE ARTISTIC AND ROMANTIC BOND BETWEEN BERTHE MORISOT AND ÉDOUARD MANETColleague Sebastian Smee. Berthe Morisot and her sister Edma were talented painters from a haute bourgeois family who successfully exhibited at the Salon, though society expected them to eventually prioritize marriage over art. In 1869, the unmarried Berthe met Édouard Manet at the Louvre, leading to a complex relationship that resembled a Jane Austen novel. Manet, struck by Berthe's dark, Spanish features, asked her to pose for his painting The Balcony. Although Manet was married to Suzanne—a Dutch pianist he had wed under complicated circumstances involving a hidden son—he and Berthe engaged in a mutual flirtation. Their families became close, attending weekly soirées together, but Manet's marriage remained an impediment to any romantic union with Berthe. Despite the social restrictions requiring chaperones, Manet's influence drove Berthe's artistic development, just as her presence influenced his work. NUMBER 2

1872

THE 1874 EXHIBITION AND THE BIRTH OF IMPRESSIONISM Colleague Sebastian Smee. In the spring of 1874, a group of painters including Degas, Monet, Pissarro, and Renoir gathered at the studio of the photographer Nadar to exhibit their work outside the established "Salon" system. This group, organizing themselves as the "Société Anonyme," had grown tired of the Salon's hierarchical preference for large-scale history and religious paintings over landscapes and contemporary life. The movement received its name from a critic who wrote a parody of the exhibition, seizing upon the title of Claude Monet's painting, Impression, Sunrise, to mock the work as unfinished sketches lacking structure or deep meaning. While photography existed, these painters sought to tell the story of their times through a revolutionary style that defied convention. Notably absent from this founding exhibition was Édouard Manet, the group's "blood brother" and inspiration, who still believed success required acceptance within the official Salon. NUMBER 1

1849 MONET

.SURVIVAL STORY: WOMAN OUTLASTS SNAKE TRAPPED IN HER SHOE Colleague Jeremy Zakis. In Southwest Sydney, a woman survived a bite from a deadly eastern brown snake that became entangled in the loop of her trainer shoe. Displaying remarkable calm, she remained still to slow the venom's spread while waiting for emergency services. A snake catcher carefully removed the heat-stressed reptile before the woman was treated at a hospital. Zakisnotes that her quick thinking and composure likely saved her life.

ENGLAND SECURES SURPRISE VICTORY AMIDST ASHES CONTROVERSY Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakisreports that England unexpectedly won the fourth Ashes test despite playing poorly earlier in the series. The match ended quickly, causing controversy regarding the Melbourne pitch and accusations of poor play on both sides. Commentators blame England's aggressive "Bazball" style and lack of technical skill for previous losses. Conversely, Australianbowlers are praised for successfully mixing brute force with technical precision to dismantle English batting throughout the contest.

1862 ASHES AT MELBOURNE

DALLAS THE DOG TEAMS UP WITH MAGPIES TO FIGHT COCKATOOS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakisrecounts how his dog, Dallas, successfully chased destructive cockatoos off their property. While usually friendly, Dallasidentified the birds as enemies, aided by territorial magpies that swooped in to drive the cockatoos away. Although cockatoos are often considered pests that raid trash bins and damage homes in New South Wales, Dallas's vigilance has protected Zakis's yard, forcing the birds to target the neighbor's roof instead.

SUN, SAND, AND SANTAS IN BOARD SHORTS: AN AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Jeremy Zakis describes Christmas in Australia as the polar opposite of the Northern Hemisphere, featuring clear skies and temperatures in the mid-80s ideal for outdoor barbecues. While Queensland faced heavy rain and floods, most of the country enjoyed hot weather perfect for beach visits. Zakis details traditions like the Boxing Day cricket test and notes that while mall Santas wear wool, outdoor Santas often don board shorts and flip-flops.

1933 SYDNEY

THE ATOMIC BOMB AND POST-WAR LEADERSHIP Colleague Craig Symonds. Nimitz and King believed a naval blockade could force Japan's surrender without a costly invasion, which they feared would result in millions of deaths. Nimitz was informed early about the atomic bomb to ensure it wouldn't interfere with operations. After the war, despite resistance from the aviation community and Secretary Forrestal, Nimitz served a two-year term as Chief of Naval Operations. Spruance, denied a fifth star in favor of Halsey, took the high road by leading the Naval War College, ensuring future officers learned from the Pacific war's lessons. NUMBER 8

1945 OKINAWA TEN YEAR OLD SURRENDERS WITH WHITE FLAG

TYPHOONS, KAMIKAZES, AND UNFORGIVING WARFARE Colleague Craig Symonds. Halsey's aggression led to disaster when he twice steered the fleet into typhoons, causing significant loss of life and ships. Despite inquiries recommending Halsey's removal, Nimitz retained him to maintain public morale. The war grew grimmer with the invasion of Iwo Jima, where Marines felt unsupported by naval gunfire, and the emergence of Kamikaze suicide attacks off Okinawa. Nimitz, now based in Guam, observed the terrifying effectiveness of the Kamikazes, which he noted was the only wartime development the Naval War College had failed to anticipate. NUMBER 7

1945 OKINAWA FLAME THROWER DUGOUT

THE TURKEY SHOOT AND THE WORLD WONDERS Colleague Craig Symonds. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Spruance prioritized protecting the Saipan beachhead, resulting in the "Turkey Shoot" that decimated Japanese air power but allowed enemy ships to escape. Later, at Leyte Gulf, the Japanese lured Halsey's Third Fleetaway with empty carriers, leaving the invasion force vulnerable. Nimitz, breaking his rule against interfering, sent a query asking the location of Task Force 34. Padding in the encrypted text added the phrase "the whole world wonders," which insulted Halsey and caused him to throw a tantrum during a critical hour of the battle. NUMBER 6

1945 OKINAWA

AMPHIBIOUS LESSONS AND INTERNAL RIVALRIES Colleague Craig Symonds. The Central Pacific drive began with the bloody assault on Tarawa, revealing the difficulties of amphibious warfare against coral reefs and the temper of Marine General Holland "Howlin' Mad" Smith. Nimitz also managed friction with his deputy, John Towers, an aviator who believed only pilots should command carriers. Applying "calculated risk," Nimitz overruled subordinates to strike directly at Kwajalein in the Marshalls, a decision that proved successful. He also gave Marc Mitscher a second chance, allowing him to eventually become a legendary carrier commander despite Spruance'slingering reservations. NUMBER 5

1945 OKINAWA