We’ve now entered the space/time of April, 2020. It’s the 1st day of what will prove to be a very long month filled with “not much”, “same as yesterday” and “doing the best we can”. Did you know that ABC Store deliverers? Yes they do. Each day does have a small bright spot around 5 O’clock. There are so many special occasions today that I’ll only give you a few of the best ones: Boomer Bonus Day, International Fun at Work Day, National Atheist’s Day, National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day, National Sourdough Bread Day and St. Stupid Day which is an annual parade in San Francisco on April 1st founded by Ed Holmes of the First Church of the Last Laugh to celebrate that the unifying bond in society is stupidity. That’s my pick of this list. Now to the history of April 1st. In 1778 New Orleans businessman Oliver Pollock creates the “$” symbol. Now you know where it came from. In 1866 on April 1st, the US Congress rejects presidential veto giving all equal rights in US. This was the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which gave equal rights to African Americans and was vetoed by Andrew Johnson who assumed the presidency after Lincoln’s assignation. Finally, on this day in 1970 US President Richard Nixon signs bill limiting cigarette advertisements. If you recall, up until that point, the Cigarette companies were pretty much the main sponsor of everything. This is the birthday (1926) of the Science Fiction writer, Anne McCaffrey. She said, “Mostly I’m telling people that they don’t have to be victims.” I think that speaks to her formula for coming up with a story. This is the day in 1984 that Motown legend, Marvin Gaye, was shot to death by his father Marvin Gaye Sr in LA at 44. Marvin said, “If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.” Now you should know a couple of things you didn’t know a few seconds ago. Hope your day will be as uneventful as mine. Abide.
