February 4, 2005

It is Friday and the beginning of the weekend. Today is also one of those interesting days in history. This is another ‘cluster day’, a day of firsts, beginnings and fights. Most of the events and births mentioned here, you will know right off, but others may be a little less well know to the public. Do yourself a favor and look them up, you will be surprised at what you find out.

We will start out with a man few of you will know, but need to thank for your freedom. Thaddeus Kosciusko, a polish general and freedom fighter was born in 1746. Fernand Léger, born 1881, a cubist painter who has reproductions of his murals in the U.N. Charles Lindbergh in 1902, everyone knows about “Lucky Lindy”, his flight and heartache, but there is much more to the man. There is Rosa Parks in 1913, a lady with a will who helped spark the beginning of racial equality in America. Then there is Dan Quayle, born 1947. He was vice president under George H.W. Bush, but will forever be remembered for his attacks on Hollywood. That became a real knock down, drag out fight. Speaking of fighting brings us to Oscar De La Hoya born in 1973. Just from these few births, you can see how they tie together in a cluster. A freedom fighter, fighting the standard of others, fighting gravity, and just plan fighting.

Events today include: in 1783 – England proclaimed an end to the war with America; we were a new nation under development. 1787 – Shay’s rebellion was defeated, 1789 - George Washington and John Adams elected to lead this young nation. In 1861 the Confederate States of America was formed by a delegation of six southern states in Montgomery Alabama. A nation divided. With the world at war, in 1941 the U.S.O. was formed to help our servicemen and women. In 1945, the “Big Three” met for the Yalta conference. This conference helped to set the ending of World War II and how the world would look for years to come. In 1948 Ceylon, a British holding became independent, now called Sri Lanka.

I will stop there, but you can see the firsts and beginnings. There are many more events and births worth looking at, but it is Friday and I want to keep this one short. T.G.I.F.

Ed Williams
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