The tiny rock on the edge of the Milky Way galaxy that we call home has now reached the time space of October 19, 2020. To give you a measure of our insignificance, there are 500 solar systems in the Milky Way and there are over 2 million galaxies in the universe. I’m continually amazed that I/we exist at all. Moving from the macro to the micro, lets see what we can celebrate today: We can Dress Like A Dork Day, Evaluate Your Life Day (always a good thing to do), Multicultural Diversity Day, New Friends Day, International Lobster Bisque Day, Rainforest Day and my pick, International Gin And Tonic Day. I suspect that most of you will celebrate with me. Now to the history of this day. In 1781 on this day, at Yorktown, British General Cornwallis signs the terms of surrender ending the Revolutionary War. On this day in 1856 James Kelly and Jack Smith fight bare knuckle for 6h15m in Melbourne. I can’t imagine a fight lasting that long, especially one without boxing gloves. Wow. On this day in 1914, the US post office 1st used an automobile to collect and deliver mail. On this day in 1951 President Truman formally ends state of war with Germany. Finally, this is the day in 1960 that Martin Luther King Jr. is arrested in the Atlanta Sit-in. Today is Peter Max’s birthday (1937). Called the psychedelic artist. A true child of the 1960s. Peter said, “Seven days a week, I’m always drawing, doodling, or painting, whether I’m in the studio or on a plane.” He loved what he did. This is also the day in 1745 that the writer Jonathan Swift (Gulliver’s Travels) died at the age of 77. He said, “Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old.” I can attest to the accuracy of that quote. That’s a wrap for today. The rest of this day is yours to make of what you will. Abide.
