Last night November 12, 2023 became the present. We get to live another day. Be grateful for the 86,400 seconds. Today we have a short, but excellent, list of celebratory events to choose from: Chicken Soup for the Soul Day, Fancy Rat and Mouse Day, National Pupusa Day, Happy Hour Day, National French Dip Day, National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, and National Nathaniel Day. Now let’s see what mischief our ancestors created on this day. In 1775 General Washington forbid recruiting officers from enlisting black troops. In 1847 a British physician first used chloroform as an anesthetic. In 1892 on this day Pudge Heffelfinger was paid $500 and became the 1st professional football player in American history. On this day in 1900 the World’s Fair in Paris closed after hosting 50 million visitors. In 1926 on this day the first aerial bombing of US soil took place. There was feud between rival liquor gangs in Williamston Country. Illinois and one of the gangs had a plane. On this day in 1933 the Nazis received 92% of the vote in the German parliamentary election. In 1940 a blizzard hit the Midwest and 154 people died. 69 of them were on a boat on the Great Lakes. In 1968 the Supreme Court declared that Arkansas law banning teaching evolution in public schools to be unconstitutional. In 1980 on this day the Mayor of NYC, Ed Koch, admitted to trying marijuana. Today’s wisdom comes from Stan Lee who wrote comic books. Stan said, “We all wish we had super powers. We all wish we could do more than we can do.” “Nobody likes to be preached to.” “I don’t really see a need to retire as long as I’m having fun.” Last one: “I guess one person can make a difference.” Stan was a remarkable guy. He was able to be successful and live his life creating fairy tales for adults. Now let’s start the day. Abide.
