Day in History 19 August – Augustus – John Wesley Hardin – Federico García Lorca – Groucho Marx – Tony Scott – Dick Gregory

García Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblematic member of the Generation of ’27, a group consisting of mostly poets who introduced the tenets of European movements (such as symbolism, futurism, and surrealism) into Spanish literature. His body has never been found. In 2008, a Spanish judge opened an investigation into Lorca’s death. The García Lorca family eventually dropped objections to the excavation of a potential gravesite near Alfacar, but no human remains were found.

The Final Footprint

Author Ian Gibson in his book The Assassination of García Lorca alleges that he was shot with three others (Joaquín Arcollas Cabezas, Francisco Galadí Melgar and Dióscoro Galindo González) at a place known as the Fuente Grande (‘Great Spring’) which is on the road between Víznar and Alfacar. Police reports released by radio station Cadena Ser in April 2015 conclude that Lorca was executed by fascist forces. The Franco-era report, dated July 9, 1965, describes the writer as a “socialist” and “freemason belonging to the Alhambra lodge,” who engaged in “homosexual and abnormal practices.” 

Significant controversy exists about the motives and details of Lorca’s murder. Personal, non-political motives have been suggested. 

The site of the excavation as it was in 1999

The location of his grave is unknown. In late October 2009, a team of archaeologists and historians from the University of Granada began excavations outside Alfacar. The site was identified three decades previously by a man who claimed to have helped dig Lorca’s grave. Lorca was thought to be buried with at least three other men beside a winding mountain road that connects the villages of Víznar and Alfacar.

In late November 2009, after two weeks of excavating the site, organic material believed to be human bones was recovered. The remains were taken to the University of Granada for examination. But in mid-December 2009, doubts were raised as to whether the poet’s remains would be found. The dig produced “not one bone, item of clothing or bullet shell”, said Begoña Álvarez, justice minister of Andalucia. She added, “the soil was only 40cm (16in) deep, making it too shallow for a grave”.

Close to the olive tree indicated by some as marking the location of the grave, there is a stone memorial to Federico García Lorca and all other victims of the Civil War, 1936–39. Flowers are laid at the memorial every year on the anniversary of his death, and a commemorative event including music and readings of the poet’s works is held every year in the park to mark the anniversary. On 17 August 2011, to remember the 75th anniversary of Lorca’s assassination and to celebrate his life and legacy, this event included dance, song, poetry and dramatic readings and attracted hundreds of spectators.

At the Barranco de Viznar, between Viznar and Alfacar, there is a memorial stone bearing the words “Lorca eran todos, 18-8-2002” (“All were Lorca”). The Barranco de Viznar is the site of mass graves and has been proposed as another possible location of the poet’s remains.

#RIP #OTD in 1977 comedian, actor, writer, stage, film, radio, television star, vaudeville performer, master of quick wit Groucho Marx died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, aged 86. Cremated remains in the Eden Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles

#RIP #OTD in 2012 director (Top Gun, Days of Thunder, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, Unstoppable) Tony Scott died after jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge, Los Angeles aged 68. Cremated remains Hollywood Forever

#RIP #OTD in 2017, comedian, civil rights and vegetarian activist Dick Gregory died from heart failure in Washington, D.C., at the age of 84. Historic Mausoleum Building 15, Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Maryland.