It’s a new day. It’s May 4th, 2020. Never been here before. Once done, it’s gone forever. What will you do with it? My plan is to be as pleasant, kind and gracious to everyone I come in contact with today. My goal is to make other people’s day better. “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” Galatians 6:7. It’s National Candied Orange Peel Day, Anti-Bullying Day, Bird Day, International Firefighters Day, International Respect for Chickens Day, National Orange Juice Day (I like mine with vodka), World Give Day, Star Wars Day and Poem On Your Pillow Day. Now to the history of this date. In 1535 Five Carthusian monks were hung, drawn and quartered in London, for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. My guess is that the remaining monks quickly decided to acknowledge Henry. On this day in 1846 Michigan abolished the death penalty. In 1878 on this day Thomas Edison’s phonograph was shown for the 1st time. On this day in 1886 what began as a peaceful protest in Chicago to support a labor strike for the 8 hour work day turned into the Haymarket riot when a bomb exploded killing 7 policemen. This is Horace Mann’s birthday (1796). He was an educational reformer and politician committed to promoting public education. He said, “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” On May 4th, 2010, baseball fans lost Ernie Harwell who called the action for the Detroit Tigers for 42 years. Ernie said, “I look on life as a joyous adventure.” Me too Ernie. Me too. Abide.
