February 14th 2022 has arrived. It is Valentine’s Day. This traditional day of romance and love gets its name from Saint Valentine who was a Christian martyr in the 3rd century in Rome. Before his execution he is reported to have restored the sight of a blind daughter of one of his jailers. He wrote the daughter a note and signed it “Your Valentine”. There are other things to celebrate today such as International Quirky Alone Day for those of you who prefer being single. It’s also National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day, World Marriage Day, National Ferris Wheel Day, Frederick Douglass Day, National Football Hangover Day, Oatmeal Monday, Clean Out Your Computer Day and National Poop Day. I’m sure we can all celebrate that one. Now to other historical footnotes: On this day in 1349, 900 Jews were burned alive in Strasbourg after being blamed for the Black Death. In 1794 on this date the 1st US textile machinery patent granted, to James Davenport, Philadelphia. Very big deal at the time. In 1849 In New York City, James Knox Polk became the first serving US President to have his photograph taken. In 1870 Seraph Young was the first woman to legally vote. In 1889, the 1st train load of fruit (oranges) left LA for the East coast. In 1929 the St Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago took place and 7 gangsters were killed on Al Capone’s orders. Today we will stop at the grave of Hugh Downs who was born on this date in 1921. Hugh said, “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” He also said, “Life starts when you do.” Before I leave there’s one more grave worth stopping at. Jack Benny was born on this day in 1894. Jack said, “Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese. Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Happy Valentine’s Day. Abide.
