“Viva la muerte!” someone shouted: “Long live death!” This barbaric battle cry was uttered on 12 October 1936 at the University of Salamanca during a solemn ceremony on Spain’s “national day” (Día de la Raza) in the midst of civil war. Accounts differ as to whether or not the phrase was shouted by Spanish Foreign Legion General José Millán Astray (1879–1954) or by one of his military escort, but no controversy exists as to an utterance that followed: “May intelligence die!” he shouted. The person at whom he was shouting was Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936), rector of the university and … Continue reading Long Live Death!