This day is 12.21.2020. The winter solstice is going to be a rainy day in Central Florida. That’s a good thing. We don’t get much rain in the winter months. It’s also useful to be reminded of how good our weather is by having a few less-than-good days. We have a long list of celebratory events for this day. Here are a few of them: Anne and Samantha Day, Crossword Puzzle Day, Humbug Day, National Coquito Day (Puerto Rican eggnog rum drink), National Hamburger Day (my pick), National Look On The Bright Side, National French Fried Shrimp Day and National Ribbon Candy Day. Now to the history of today: On this day in 1829 the 1st stone arch railroad bridge was dedicated in Baltimore. This is the day in 1864 that General Sherman conquered Savannah, Georgia to complete his March to the Sea. The goal of his campaign was to frighten Georgia’s civilian population into abandoning the Confederate cause. Sherman said, “make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war”. In 1891, the 1st game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, was played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1909, the 1st junior high school is established in Berkeley California. On this day in 1375 the Italian poet and humanist Giovanni Boccaccio lived his last day. He is the person who said, “Do as we say, not as we do.” He also said, “In this world, you only get what you grab for.” This is also the death day of F. Scott Fitzgerald who said, “For what it’s worth, it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be.” “To be kind is more important than to be right.” And “Here’s to alcohol, the rose–colored glasses of life.” I’ll drink to that. Abide.
