December 10, 2023. Do you realize that your family tree represents between 250,000 and 350,000 generations? That’s the estimated number of times that two specific people mated to create you. One headache, one missed opportunity and you would be someone else. You and I beat the overwhelming odds to exist. Yes, we’re very lucky. This day’s holidays are the Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales, Human Rights Day, National Lager Day, Nobel Prize Day, World Choral Day, and Worldwide Candle Lighting Day. It’s also the first day of Lager Beer Week. Now to history: On this day in 1520 Martin Luther burns a papal edict demanding he recant. The surprising part of this footnote is that Martin Luther was murdered because of it. On this day in 1869 women suffrage was granted in Wyoming Territory (national’s first). This is the day in 1884 that Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was first published. On this day in 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt became the 1st American awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On this day in 1934 Fascist dictator of Latvia began building concentration camps because that what Fascist dictators do. On this day in 1948 the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. If you search on it and read the summary, you’ll be glad you did when you have your next political “debate” with one of your friends. This is the day in 1896 that Alfred Nobel, the inventory of dynamite and who founded the Nobel Prize died at the age of 63. Alfred believed that his discovery would end war. Obviously not. Here are a few of Alfred’s quotes: “I have a thousand ideas and only one turns out to be good, I am satisfied.” “Contentment is the only real wealth.” “Worry is the stomach’s worst poison.” “For my part, I wish all guns with their belongings and everything could be sent to hell, which is the proper place for their exhibition and use.” Alfred Nobel was an interesting guy. He grew rich by enhancing the ability of men to kill other men with greater efficiency and became troubled by his creation. He gave away 95% of his wealth to fund the Nobel Prizes in an attempt to redeem his reputation and improve how he would be remembered after his death. He’s been at least partially successful. Enough. Abide.
