This is December 20, 2023 and it’s going to be an excellent day. At least I’m 99 % sure of that. I’m going to a Christmas party with 250 of my best friends. That means I will make some memories today. Making good memories is one of life’s pleasures. I’m grateful for the opportunity. Today is also Dot Your I’s Day, Games Day, Go Caroling Day, International Human Solidarity Day, Mudd Day, National Fried Shrimp Day, National Sangria Day, Poet Laureat Day, and Sacagawea Day which is named after the daughter of a Shoshone chief who at age 16 served as an interpreter for an expedition that explored the Louisiana Territory. Now some more history: On this day 1669 the 1st trial was held in Delaware when Marcus Jacobson was found guilty of insurrection and sentenced to flogging, branding and slavery. Yikes! On this day in 1699 Russian Tsar Peter the Great ordered the Russian New Year changed from September 1 to January 1. On this day in 1820 Missouri imposed a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men between the ages of 21 & 50 which they happily paid. On this day in 1860 the South Carolina General Assembly voted 169 to 0 to secede from the United States which was quickly followed by the other Southern states triggering the Civil War. On this day in 1893 the 1st state anti-lynching statute was approved in Georgia. On this day in 1920 Bob Hope became a US Citizen. He had emigrated from England at age 4. On this day in 1946 “It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered in NYC. On this day in 1957 Elvis Presley received his draft notice. This is the day in 1989 that US troops invaded Panama to oust Manuel Noriega. This is the day in 2018 that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned his position due to differences with Trump. This is the day in 1962 that John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath) died at 66. I’ll finish up with some of his quotes: “Only mediocrity escapes criticism.” “If you understand each other, you will be kind to each other.” “If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.” “You know how advice is. You only want it if it agrees with what you wanted to do anyway.” “What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Abide.
