August 19, 2023. I’m still here. I live on a tiny rock spinning around a smallish sun which is one of 250 billion in the Milky Way galaxy which is one of the 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe. And, we’re flying through space at 483,000 miles per hour. Are we lucky to be here? I think so. Today is Break the Monotony Day, Chef’s Appreciation Day, International Bow Day, International Orangutan Day, National Honey Bee Day, National Hot and Spicy Food Day, National Root Beer Float Day, National Soft Ice Cream Day, and Potato Day. I’ll probably celebrate 3 or 4 of those today. Moving on: On this day in 1692 five people were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. On this day in 1791Benjamin Banneker sent a copy of his Almanac and wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson criticizing his pro-slavery stance and asking for justice for African American’s using language from the Declaration of Independence. On this day in 1839 Louis Daguerre’s photographic process, complete with instructions, was published as France’s gift to the world. On this day in 1919 after 100 years of British control, Afghanistan declared itself independent. On this day in 1944 the last Japanese troops were driven out of India (I didn’t know they were ever in India). On this day in 1955 WINS Radio (NYC) announced it would not play ‘white’ cover versions of R&B records. In this case it was Fats Domino’s ‘Ain’t That A Shame’ vs. the copy made by Pat Boone. Today’s advice comes from James Loewen who was a historian, author and sociologist. James observed “The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history but honest and inclusive history.” “History is important. More than any other topic, it is about us. Whether one deems our present society wondrous or awful or both, history revels how we got to this point.” “Students will start finding history interesting when their teachers and textbooks stop lying to them.” “We preach democracy while supporting dictatorships.” I’ll wrap this post up with a quote that I’ve verified: “Columbus not only sent the first slaves across the Atlantic, he sent more slaves than any other individual.” Not a fact that I was ever taught. Ah well. Abide.
