This is the 15th day of 2021’s second month. It’s been interesting so far. We seem to be in the transition phase between pandemic and the new normal. I for one am grateful to all of the people who studied long and hard to become the doctors and scientists who created the vaccines I’ve been lucky enough to receive. Thanks. Now let us see what the Commission has for us: It’s National Hippo Day, Annoy Squidward Day (think Sponge Bob), I Want Butterscotch Day, President’s Day, Remember the Maine Day, World Whale Day and Susan B. Anthony Day. I think I’ll celebrate annoying squidwards just because I do like Sponge Bob. It was a TV show that my grandchildren and I could agree on. Now to the history of today. In 399 BC Philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death by the city of Athens for corrupting the minds of the youth of the city and for impiety. This is interesting. The trial of Socrates is held in public. 3 people argued against him for 3 hours and he provided a defense for the same period of time. The jury was 500 people who voted guilty 280 to 220. His penalty was death by poison. In 1768 the 1st mustard was manufactured in America and advertised in Philadelphia. In 1804 New Jersey became the last northern state to abolish slavery. In 1879 the US Congress authorized women lawyers to practice before Supreme Court. In 1903 1st Teddy Bear was introduced in America. In 1927 the silent film “It” was released in the US starring Clara Bow. She was one of the few stars that made it to “talkies”. She said, “The more I see of men, the more I like dogs.” Finally, in 1936 on this date, Adolf Hitler announced the construction of the Volkswagen Beetle. This is Susan B. Anthony’s birthday (1820). She was a social reformer and women’s suffrage movement leader. She said, “Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.” This is the day that Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist, and art critic died at the age of 52 in 1781. He said, “Let us be lazy in everything, except in loving and drinking”. Not a bad philosophy, especially if you’re retired. Have an excellent day. Abide.
