A Box of Candy – 7 February 2005
Today is one of those days when history is a hodgepodge. Every turn is a surprise, like in the movie “Forest Gump”, a box of Chocolates.
We start our trek through time with Sir Thomas More in 1478. This was a man for all reasons. In 2000 he was proclaimed the patron saint of politicians by Pope John Paul II. He has to be a saint; he lost his head for Henry the VIII.
In 1804 the farmer’s friend was born, John Deere. Everyone has seen the green machines which bear his name. Just a few years later, 1812, Charles Dickens saw the light of day for the first time. To this day he is a beacon to the literary world. 1817 greeted another man worth noting, Frederick Douglass. His life is worthy of the telling and retelling. A man owned by another, yet rose to a height he never dreamed possible in his day. Next we have Laura Ingalls Wilder, in 1867. We all have seen “Little House on the Prairie” at least once.
In 1883 James Hubert Blake entered the world. Eubie Blake as the world of music knew him; gave us greats such as “Shuffle Along” and “I’m Just Wild about Harry”. Just two years later, in 1885 Sinclair Lewis entered the realm of the living. Who can forget books like “Arrowsmith” and “Elmer Gantry”?
In 1962 Oklahoma greeted one of modern Country music’s greats, Garth Brooks. Even if you are not into that genre of the music world, you have heard of him.
In 1795 the 11th amendment to the constitution was ratified. “The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.”
1904 saw the Baltimore fire destroy more than 1500 structures. Carter G. Woodson started “Black History Week” in 1926. The week has evolved into a month of learning and understanding. 1964 saw the Beatles on American soil for the first time. In 1971 the women of Switzerland were finally granted suffrage. I’d say it was a little behind the times, but at least they got it.
1974 the island of Grenada gained independence from Great Britain. If you remember, we had to go in and keep it free a short time later. In 1978 New England was under a snow storm which dumped 50 inches of the white stuff in some areas. 1986 saw “Baby Doc” Duvalier leave Haiti. Even after he left, the country is still in trouble. 1988 saw snow in Louisiana, 1 to 4 inches blanketed the state in white.
In 1990 the Soviet Union decided to allow other political parties to run for office and vie for power. The beginning of the downfall to the communistic death gripe they had on the country. 1991, we are back to Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was sworn in as the first democratically elected president to the nation. That didn’t end their problems.
On a personal note, in 1999 my wife, Cathy Williams retired from the United States Air Force Reserves. She had spent over twenty years in the military, either on active duty or in the reserve forces. This is not to say she left the service of our nation, only that she is not in uniform any more. To this day she still works for the readiness of our military on a daily basis.
As with any day, today has a history worth looking into. Some things are just interesting, while others, we may learn from and try not to repeat. In order for history to teach us anything, we must know what it is.
Have a good Monday.
Ed Williams
©
We start our trek through time with Sir Thomas More in 1478. This was a man for all reasons. In 2000 he was proclaimed the patron saint of politicians by Pope John Paul II. He has to be a saint; he lost his head for Henry the VIII.
In 1804 the farmer’s friend was born, John Deere. Everyone has seen the green machines which bear his name. Just a few years later, 1812, Charles Dickens saw the light of day for the first time. To this day he is a beacon to the literary world. 1817 greeted another man worth noting, Frederick Douglass. His life is worthy of the telling and retelling. A man owned by another, yet rose to a height he never dreamed possible in his day. Next we have Laura Ingalls Wilder, in 1867. We all have seen “Little House on the Prairie” at least once.
In 1883 James Hubert Blake entered the world. Eubie Blake as the world of music knew him; gave us greats such as “Shuffle Along” and “I’m Just Wild about Harry”. Just two years later, in 1885 Sinclair Lewis entered the realm of the living. Who can forget books like “Arrowsmith” and “Elmer Gantry”?
In 1962 Oklahoma greeted one of modern Country music’s greats, Garth Brooks. Even if you are not into that genre of the music world, you have heard of him.
In 1795 the 11th amendment to the constitution was ratified. “The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.”
1904 saw the Baltimore fire destroy more than 1500 structures. Carter G. Woodson started “Black History Week” in 1926. The week has evolved into a month of learning and understanding. 1964 saw the Beatles on American soil for the first time. In 1971 the women of Switzerland were finally granted suffrage. I’d say it was a little behind the times, but at least they got it.
1974 the island of Grenada gained independence from Great Britain. If you remember, we had to go in and keep it free a short time later. In 1978 New England was under a snow storm which dumped 50 inches of the white stuff in some areas. 1986 saw “Baby Doc” Duvalier leave Haiti. Even after he left, the country is still in trouble. 1988 saw snow in Louisiana, 1 to 4 inches blanketed the state in white.
In 1990 the Soviet Union decided to allow other political parties to run for office and vie for power. The beginning of the downfall to the communistic death gripe they had on the country. 1991, we are back to Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was sworn in as the first democratically elected president to the nation. That didn’t end their problems.
On a personal note, in 1999 my wife, Cathy Williams retired from the United States Air Force Reserves. She had spent over twenty years in the military, either on active duty or in the reserve forces. This is not to say she left the service of our nation, only that she is not in uniform any more. To this day she still works for the readiness of our military on a daily basis.
As with any day, today has a history worth looking into. Some things are just interesting, while others, we may learn from and try not to repeat. In order for history to teach us anything, we must know what it is.
Have a good Monday.
Ed Williams
©
posted by Ed | 14:23
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