The 3rd day of February 2023 has begun. Ra will soon begin his daily ride across our sky providing the energy that powers all life on this ball of rock called Earth. I will do my best to enjoy my good fortune of being alive. Today is Bubble Gum Day, Doggy Date Night, Elmo’s Birthday, International Golden Retriever Day, Give Kids a Smile Day, National Carrot Cake Day, National Wear Red Day, National Take a Cruise Day, and The Day the Music Died. Next comes the history part of this post: On this day in 1377 the mass execution of the population (between 2,500 and 5,000) of Cesena, Italy took place by the Papal troops of Pope Gregory XI. This is a bit harsh even for the Middle Ages. On this day in 1740 Charles de Bourbon, King of Naples, invited Jews to return to Sicily. On this day in 1783 Spain recognized US independence. In 1815 on this day the world’s first commercial cheese factory was established in Switzerland. On this day in 1855 the Wisconsin Supreme Court declared US Fugitive Slave Law unconstitutional. On this day in 1876 Albert Spalding invested $800 to start a sporting goods company manufacturing the first official baseball, tennis ball, basketball, golf ball and football. On this day in 1941 the US Supreme Curt upheld Federal Wage and Hour Law and in so doing, set the minimum wage and maximum work hours. On this day in 1959 the plane carrying buddy Holly, Richie Valens, J.P. Richardson (the Big Bopper), crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa. Today’s first dead person is President Woodrow Wilson who said, “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” Next is Norman Rockwell who said, “The view of life I communicate in my pictures excludes the sordid and ugly. I plant life as I would like it to be.” I’ll finish this post with the poet Gertrude Stein who said, “Every day is a renewal, every morning the daily miracle. This joy you feel is life.” “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness didn’t know where to shop.” “It is awfully important to know what is and what is not your business.” “There ain’t no answer. There ain’t gonna be any answer. There never has been an answer. That’s the answer.” Abide.
