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…in 1504, Christopher Columbus used a lunar eclipse to convince Native Americans to provide him supplies
…in 1892, St. Petersburg, Florida was born
…in 1956, Dwight Eisenhower announced his intentions to seek a second term as President of the United States
And in 1976, my father finished medical school. Happy 9th anniversary of doctoring, Dad.
…in 1812, “Old Ironsides”, better known as the U.S.S. Constitution (a.k.a., a favorite of our recent trip to Beantown), was given its name. On August 19, 1812, the ship was involved in a battle off the coast of Nova Scotia. Though made of wood, it was built so solidly that the British shells fired from the H.M.S. Guerriere seemed to bounce off of the Constitution’s side, as if hitting iron.
Originally constructed to protect American commercial ships from the Barbary pirates in the late 1790s, Old Ironsides destroyed or captured eight British ships during the War of 1812 (including the Guerriere), and today remains the oldest actively sailing ship in any Navy in the world.
In 1821, Napolean Bonaparte died in exile;
In 1862, Mexicans defeated the French in a battle that caused future Americans to overindulge on margaritas;
In 1891, Carnegie Hall opened;
In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space, with a 15-minute suborbital flight;
and in 1984, my uncle Joe and aunt Jeannie were married.
I don’t know why I remember that date so vividly, but I do. This May, I want to wish them a particularly happy and blessed Anniversary, as my uncle Joe will be [God-willing] returning this month from fulfilling his service to his country through completion of a tour in Afghanistan. While none of us wait as anxiously as Jeannie, we all count the hours awaiting his safe return. Whomever you pray to at night, tonight please join me in praying for Joe’s safe return, and the safety of all those in the service of our country. I can’t imagine a better Anniversary present.
Joe and Jeannie, happy 27th.
It has come to my attention that yesterday was an important day in the history of our family. It marked the 76th anniversary of the first canned beer. The first shipment of Kreuger’s Fine Beer hit the shelves in Richmond, Virginia on January 24, 1935, forever changing our world for the better. Free from bottle deposits and stacking dilemmas, the Old Dominion Brewing Company paved the way for the beer drinkers everywhere. I know my grandfathers would have toasted this special day with an Iron City and a Pabst Blue Ribbon.
…in 1789, the US State Department was formed (it was originally called the Department of Foreign Affairs);
…in 1940, Warner Brothers released the cartoon short Wild Hare, marking the debut of Bugs Bunny;
…in 1953, the Korean War ended;
…in 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend the first article of impeachment against Richard Nixon;
And on this day, 2010, Moo turns 8 years old, which hardly seems possible. I’d say she’s a wee bit excited, since she asked to go to bed at 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Happy Birthday to the State Department, Bugs Bunny, and to Maggie…Chocolate Cake and Chicken Fingers for Everyone!
May 20th is a busy day in our family, and in aviation history. In some cases both.
In 1891, Thomas Edison first showcased his “kinetoscope” and the movie industry was born. Men everywhere who quote movies in every available conversation owe Mr. Edison a debt of gratitude on this day. Also, in-flight movies were made possible (had to tie it to the theme).
In 1927, Charles Lindburgh left New York en route to Paris on the first non-stop solo transatlantic flight. Five years later, Amelia Earhart started the first solo transatlantic flight by a female pilot, this time heading to Ireland and leaving from Newfoundland.
Also on this day (or perhaps it was May 19, my family will correct me) in 1936, my grandfather crashed a plane while testing for the US Army Air Corps. He fell into a coma and doctors gave him little chance for survival. Like most people in our family, he stubbornly refused to listen to others, and lived for nearly 60 more years, passing on this day in 1995. I wish my kids had met him, because he was a treasure, worthy of some musings on these pages at a later date.
In 1977, my sister was born. Happy Birthday Sister! She probably won’t be able to check this, so I should send a card.
And in 2005, my sister (a different one) brought my nephew into the world. Happy Birthday George!
On this day in in 753 BC, Romulus and Remus founded Rome. It’s a little known fact that the names Romulus and Remus are Latin for Harold and Kumar.
In 1509, Henry VIII took the throne of England. That went well.
In 1918, the Red Baron was shot down. Not by Snoopy though, unfortunately.
In 1925, Secretary’s Day was founded; of course, we can’t say that anymore, we have to say "Administrative Assistant." They swear on TV but heaven forbid we refer to secretaries as secretaries.
And on this day, yesterday (you follow?) in 1999, the Boy crawled for the first time. Yes, it was a tragic day for other sad reasons, which is why we remember the day, but the silver lining was the Boy’s first "steps on all 4". In a way, it was the end of my youth, because he was mobile. Of course now, my youth becomes an increasingly distant memory every time he has to buy a new pair of shoes because his feet are growing (i.e., every other week).
In 1542, Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of Scotland. Yes, she was “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary”
In 1799, George Washington died.
In 1836, the Toledo War ended. I bet you didn’t know that Ohio and Michigan once fought over Toledo. Absurd, right?
In 1903, the Wright Brothers made their first flight attempt at Kitty Hawk, NC.
In 1911, Roald Amundson became the first man to reach the South Pole.
In 1946, Patty Duke and her identical cousin were born.
In 1947, the National Association of Stock Car Racing was formed in Daytona Beach, Florida. [So appropriate...wait for it]
In 1972, Gene Cernan became the last man to walk on the moon.
In 2009, Annimal celebrated the day she turned, in her words, “five and eleven-twelves”
And in 1983, my sister was born. I remember visiting her in the hospital a few days later, her big brown eyes staring at me from her little peanut head. I had wanted a brother until I saw the little four-pound booger (she was born a month premature). She’s been one of the (three) best sisters a guy could have. Happy B-day Miss Allegretti.
In 1803, composer Hector Berlioz was born. You’d know Berlioz if you watched the Little Einsteins, which Annie and I did approximately 347.3 times back in the good old days when she didn’t have to go to school and do all that fancy book-learnin’
In 1917, Lithuania declared its independence from Russia. This reminds me that I need to get my haircut tomorrow. [Note that the formal declaration was made in February of 1918. Maybe today is the day someone yelled it in the streets? I don't know, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to reference my Lithuanian barber]
[This one is for the Boy, our resident WWII expert] In 1941, the US declared war on Germany and Italy because Germany and Italy declared war on the US because the US declared war on Japan three days earlier. Follow that?
In 2008, Bernie Madoff was arrested. Doesn’t that seem like it was 5 years ago, not 1?
And in 1816 19, Indiana became the 19th state in the Union. Imagine that, the day before Jim Nabors’ “And a half” birthday.
As many of you know, this coming Monday marks the 40th anniversary of “one giant leap for mankind.”
This website, http://www.wechoosethemoon.org/ allows you to follow the mission in re-broadcasted real time. In other words, you will be listening to the actual transmission between Mission Control and Apollo 11, as it would have occured exactly 40 years ago, all leading up to the July 20th landing.
Enjoy.
