The sign reads 02.10.2021. The weatherperson predicts a beautiful low 80s day in Central Florida. It’s a good day to live. Actually, any day is a good day to live. Here is the list of things to celebrate today: National Cream Cheese Brownie Day, National Flannel Day, Umbrella Day and Teddy Bear Day. Don’t need an umbrella or flannel today. I’ll go with brownies. Yum. Now to the history of this date. On this day in 1676, Wampanoag Indians under King Philip killed all the men in Lancaster MA. King Phillips was a Wampanoag Indian chief trying to drive British settlers out of New England. In 1897 the NY Times began using the slogan “All the News That’s Fit to Print”. In 1916 the biggest gusher ever shot oil 600 feet in the air near Tampico, Mexico. In 1940 the “Tom & Jerry” cartoon was shown for the first time. In 1945, which is the year I was born, “Rum & Coca Cola” by Andrews Sisters hits #1. Finally, in 1954 on this date, President Eisenhower warned against US intervention in Vietnam. He said, “This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.” Did you know that we spend more on the military than the next 10 largest countries put together? We do. This date is the birthday (1775) of Charles Lamb who was a British writer. He said, “I’d like to grow very old as slowly as possible.” Me too Charles, me too. This is also the date in 1837 that Alexander Pushkin, considered to be the greatest Russian poet, stopped living. He said, “I am married and happy. My only wish is that nothing will change.” Me too Alexander, me too. You all be sure and Abide.
