Another July 4th has moved into the past and it is now the 5th day of this month. The ribs were good and we did watch from a distance, people explode several thousands of dollars of fireworks. That was yesterday and I’m no longer there. I’m here and it’s Bikini Day, Mechanical Pencil Day, National Apple Turnover Day, National Build a Scarecrow Day and National Graham Cracker Day. Not a long list but a good one. The bikini may or may not be a good pick. It depends on the person wearing it. I’ll go with the turnovers. Now into the way back machine. On this day in 1852 Frederick Douglass, fugitive slave, delivers his ‘What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?’ speech to the Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester. It’s worth your time to read his speech. Just search on it. This is the day in 1935 that FDR signs US National Labor Relations Act which established the right of private sector employees to organize into trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. This is the day in 1937 that Spam is first introduced into the market by the Hormel Foods Corporation. Lastly, in 1971 the 26th amendment to the US constitution reduces voting age to 18. If they could draft you and send you to war, you should be able to vote. This is the birthday (1899) of the French writer Marcel Achard who said, “It’s risky in a marriage for a man to come home too late, but it can sometimes pose an even greater risk if he comes home too early.” This is also the day in 1991 that Howard Nemerov, American poet laureate dies at the age of 71. Howard said, “I like all my children, even the squat and ugly ones.” I was going for funny quotes today. Hope they give you a smile. Abide
