This day is called March 22, 2023. Let’s start out by reminding ourselves of how good we’ve got it. If you’re reading this, you’re alive. Don’t really need to go further than that. We get to live another day on this small, insignificant rock flying through space at 450,000 miles per hour. That’s awesome. In addition to that fact, it’s American Red Cross Giving Day, As Young As You Feel Day, International Day of the Seal, National Bavarian Crepes Day, National Goof-off Day, National Sing out Day, and World Water Day. Despite having lived 28,418 days, I still feel young. Must be my attitude. Now some history: It was another terrible day in 1349 for the Jews living in Europe. Today’s massacre was perpetuated by the citizens of Fulda Germany who blamed them for the Black Death. On this day in 1622 the Powhatan Indians held their 1st massacre of Europeans in Jamestown Virginia killing 347. On this day in 1790 Thomas Jefferson became the 1st US Secretary of State under President Washington. On this day in 1794 Congress banned US vessels from supplying slaves to other countries. Beginning on this day in 1865 Union cavalry numbering 13,480 led by General James Wilson destroyed most of the Confederates arms manufacturing and rail capabilities in Alabama and Georgia. The raid lasted until mid-April. This is the day in 1873 that slavery was abolished in Puerto Rico. This is the day in 1933 that FDR signed the Cullen-Harrison Act legalizing the sale of beer and wine with up to 3.2% alcohol. On March 22, 1832 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German poet, novelist, and critic drew his last breath. We’re lucky that we have his quotes to share today: “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.” “Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words.” “If God had wanted me otherwise, he would have created me otherwise.” “Doubt grows with knowledge.” I’ll end with this gem of a quote: “It is not doing the thing we like to do but liking the thing we have to do that makes life blessed.” Abide.
