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This Happened

This Happened — October 2: Josephine Baker's Debut

Josephine Baker's debut in Paris on this day in 1925, was a pivotal moment in her career and played a significant role in her rise to international stardom.

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How did Josephine Baker start in Paris?

On October 2, 1925, Josephine Baker made her debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris as part of the cast of the revue "La Revue Nègre." This marked her first performance in Paris and was the beginning of her career in the city.

How was Josephine Baker received in Paris?

Josephine Baker's exotic dance style was met with enthusiasm and applause. During her debut in "La Revue Nègre," she performed various dances, including her famous "Danse Sauvage" (Savage Dance) wearing little more than a skirt of artificial bananas.

How did Josephine Baker's career progress after her debut in Paris?

Following her debut, Josephine Baker's career continued to soar. She performed at prestigious venues such as the Folies Bergère and gained recognition as a singer and actress as well. She became one of the most celebrated and highly paid performers in Europe, achieving worldwide fame.

What was Josephine Baker's impact on race relations and civil rights?

Josephine Baker's presence in Paris allowed her to escape the racial segregation and discrimination she faced in the United States. She used her fame to advocate for civil rights, and she refused to perform in segregated American venues. She later became involved in the civil rights movement and was a supporter of the NAACP.

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FOCUS: Israel-Palestine War

Hostage Release: The "Psychological Terror" Of Awaiting Your Loved One's Return

Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to exchange 50 Israeli hostages held in Gaza for a four-day pause in fighting and the return of Palestinian prisoners. Orna Dotan, leading a team of therapists tasked with aiding these hostages and their families, takes us inside a uniquely charged personal and political situation.

Photograph of posters depicting children and relatives that have been kidnapped by Hamas.

November 6, 2023, Jerusalem: Relatives and friends of those kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas attack hold photos of their loved ones

Pavel Nemecek/ZUMA
Fabiana Magrì

TEL AVIV — Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to exchange 50 of the hostages held in Gaza for a four-day pause in fighting and the return of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The families of the hostages, who have lived through the past seven fraught weeks, are now being thrown into a new experience as they await the possible release of their loved ones.

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They are living in a "state of psychological terror," one relative of a hostage said Thursday morning on Israeli radio after learning that there was a delay in the agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Volunteers have urged the media to handle the situation with respect and sensitivity as the next few hours are expected to be "exceedingly stressful" for these families. After six weeks without news of their children, husbands, wives, grandchildren, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents, these hours are the final barrier to embracing their loved ones.

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