This day is designated as August 25, 2023. Today around 8,000 of our fellow countrymen will die and 10,000 will be born. The American birthrate in America has dropped from 3.6 in the 1960s to it’s current 1.6 today. That spells trouble down the road but I’ll be gone before that hits us. The older I get, the less things I have to worry about. Today is Daffodil Day in Australia, Forgive Your Foe Friday, Kiss and Make Up Day, National Banana Split Day, National Park Service Founders Day, National Second-hand Wardrobe Day, and National Whiskey Sour Day. I’m fortunate not to have any foes to forgive. On this day in 1212 the Children’s Crusade led by Nicolas, who was 10-years-old reached Genoa, Italy. This crusade wasn’t sanctioned by the Church or any country. It was the result of a charismatic child and his vision that they could reach Jerusalem and convert the Muslims using divine intervention. The mission failed. On this day in 1718 hundreds of French colonists arrived in Louisiana and founded New Orleans. On this day in 1894 a Japanese scientist discovered the infectious agent of the bubonic plague and published his findings. This is the day in 1916 that the National Park Service was founded. On this day in 1944 German commander Dietrich von Colditz surrendered Paris to the Free French forces. He disobeyed Hitler’s order to destroy the city. This is the day in 1958 that Instant Ramen Noodles went on sale for the 1st time. On this day in 1844, Friedrich Nietzsche died. I’ll use his quotes today: “Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed.” “There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or steppingstones; it all depends on how you use them.” “There are two different types of people in the world, those who want to know, and those who want to believe.” “Enjoy life, this is not a dress rehearsal.” “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.” Last one: “I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.” Neither can I Friedrich. Abide.
