A quiet notice V2Melody closes at midnight on , Spanish time.

Closes

A note from Richard

V2Melody will close at midnight on 20 January 2028

This site has been a retirement project in musical poetry: poems chosen with care and set to music, offered freely for as long as it felt right to keep the garden open.

The work no longer holds the place it once did in my life. I have gone as far with it as I wish to go. Like a sand mandala, it was made to be completed and then released. I am not attached to its permanence, and I do not believe any of it needs to last beyond the time it was given.

I want a simpler life, without the hassle of being online. The work of maintaining a server, the monitoring, and the residual obligations that come with keeping a site alive no longer fit the life I want.

From 4 November 2026 I will not be adding new poems or musical poems to the site.

Until midnight on 20 January 2028, Spanish time, everything remains available exactly as it is. That is when my VPS server contract comes to an end, and it will not be renewed. After that, the server will be switched off and the site will disappear.

Thank you to anyone who found a poem, a track, or a quiet moment here.

The pleasure was in the making.

Richard


On 28 July in poetry and history

Poets born or who died on this date, plus historical events that happened on this day across history.

610 poets with calendar dates · 6,535 events with calendar dates in the catalogue

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5 birthdays · 3 death anniversaries · 8 world events on 28 July

Birthdays

Death anniversaries

World events on this day

  • 28 July 1750

    Johann Sebastian Bach dies

    Johann Sebastian Bach died in Leipzig in 1750. His death is often used as a symbolic boundary between the Baroque period and later musical styles. Much of his reputation grew after later rediscovery and performance.

    Event 1750

  • 28 July 1976

    The Great Earthquake of 1976 in Tangshan

    On July 28, 1976, a catastrophic earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.5, struck the industrial city of Tangshan in Hebei province, China. The quake killed an estimated 242,000 people, though some estimates are much higher, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in history. The city was almost completely destroyed, and the disaster was a major blow to the Chinese economy and morale. The event led to significant changes in China's approach to urban planning and seismic safety.

    Event 1976

  • 28 July 2005

    IRA Statement on Arms Decommissioning

    On July 28, 2005, the Provisional IRA issued a statement formally ordering an end to its armed campaign and instructing its volunteers to pursue political objectives through peaceful means. The IRA also agreed to decommission its weapons under the supervision of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. The statement was a major step in the peace process, effectively ending the IRA's military role in the conflict.

    Event 2005

  • 28 July 1914

    Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia

    On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This declaration activated a complex web of alliances and set off a chain reaction that led to the outbreak of World War I. The war would have profound and lasting effects on global politics, society, and the course of history in the 20th century.

    Event 1914

  • 28 July 1917

    NAACP Silent Protest Parade

    On July 28, 1917, over 10,000 African Americans participated in the NAACP Silent Protest Parade along Fifth Avenue in New York City, a powerful response to the rampant lynchings and racial violence occurring in the United States. This historic event, organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, aimed to raise awareness of racial injustice and advocate for civil rights. The parade marked a significant moment in the early civil rights movement, highlighting the urgent need for social change and solidarity among African Americans.

    Event 1917

  • 28 July 1643

    Battle of Gainsborough

    Parliamentarian cavalry under Oliver Cromwell defeated Royalist forces near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire on 28 July 1643. The victory briefly relieved the town, although superior Royalist forces soon compelled a withdrawal. It enhanced Cromwell's reputation as a forceful cavalry commander.

    Event 1643

  • 28 July 1943

    Founding of the IKEA Furniture Retail Model

    In 1943, Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA, introducing a revolutionary flat-pack furniture retail model that democratized home furnishings. By offering stylish and affordable furniture that customers could assemble themselves, IKEA transformed the furniture industry and consumer shopping habits. This innovative approach not only made home decor accessible to a broader audience but also emphasized sustainability and efficiency in production. IKEA's impact on global retail and design continues to resonate, shaping how people furnish their homes.

    Event 1943

  • 28 July 1364

    The Battle of Cascina

    The Battle of Cascina, fought on July 28, 1364, between the Republic of Florence and the Republic of Pisa, is a minor but symbolically important engagement in the ongoing Tuscan wars. The Florentine forces, despite initial tactical difficulties, ultimately triumph, and the victory is later immortalized in a famous fresco by Michelangelo. The battle reflects the intense political rivalries and military traditions of Italian city-states.

    Event 1364
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