August 2022 has finally arrived. It’s the sixth month of the ancient Roman calendar originally known as Sextilus. In 8 BC this month was renamed August in honor of Augustus Caesar who was the first Roman emperor. Now you know. 08/01/2022 is International Childfree Day, National Girlfriends Day, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day, Planner Day, Play Ball Day, Respect for Parents Day, Scout Scarf Day, Spider-Man Day, and my pick, Homemade Pie Day. Now let’s find out what was going on back then. On this day in 30 BC Augustus entered Alexandria and bringing Egypt under the control of the Roman Republic. This is the day in 1774 that the English chemist Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen by isolating it in it’s gaseous state. On this day in 1794 the Whiskey Rebellion began in western PA. The new government had taxed the production of whiskey. It didn’t go over well. This is the day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act went into effect ending slavery throughout the British Empire. This is the day in 1900 that the Michelin Guide was published as a hotel and restaurant reference guide to encourage more road travel and thus boost tire sales. This is the day in 1941 that the first Jeep was produced. This is the day in 1944 that Anne Frank made her last diary entry. 3 days later she was arrested. Yesterday I learned that Bill Russell died. He was a great basketball player and a great human being. Bill said, “the most important measure of how good a game I played was how much better I’d made my teammates play.” “Leaning is a daily experience and a lifetime mission. We work to become, not to acquire.” “If you really have integrity, there are very few people who can insult you or honor you.” Last one: “You can do anything you want to do if you want it bad enough.” Abide.
