Today is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. It’s June 21 2020. Father’s Day. Mine has been gone for several years but I often say something and hear my dad speaking. I learned a lot from him. Mostly by how he lived his life. It’s funny how our parents start out by being our heroes and then kinda stupid when we’re teenagers and gradually over time become our heroes again. Anyway, today has a big list: Go Skateboarding Day (not happening), Atheist Solidarity Day, International Day of Yoga (not happening), National Peaches and Cream Day, National Gong Day, National Selfie Day, World Giraffe Day, World Music Day and National Turkey Day. I will celebrate Father’s Day. This is the day in 1788 that the US Constitution comes into effect when New Hampshire is the 9th state to ratify it. On this day in 1834 Cyrus McCormick patents the reaping machine. This was a very big deal if you lived on a farm. This is the day in 1877 that 10 Irish immigrants believed to be Molly Maguires, are hanged in PA. The Molly Maguires were a secret society fighting for better working conditions in the coal mines. On this day in 1893 the 1st Ferris wheel premieres at Chicago’s Columbian Exposition. They were looking for something to compare with the Eiffel Tower in Paris. George Ferris Jr, a 33 year old engineer came up with the idea of the Ferris Wheel (that’s how it got it’s name). They built it, 1.4 million people paid 50 cents for a 20 minute ride. After the Exposition ended, there were lawsuits and financial problems and George died broke at the age of 37. The End. This is Jean-Paul Sartre, French existentialist philosopher and writers birthday (1905). He said, “Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat.” This is the day in 1527 Niccolo Machiavelli, Florentine statesman and author, dies at 57. He said, “It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.” That is enough for this day. Have a great Father’s Day. Stay safe. Abide
