12/20/2020. Only a few more days until Christmas. Edna Ferber said, “Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a feeling.” Calvin Coolidge said, “Christmas is not a time nor a season but a state of mind.” Norman Vincent Peale said, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” Whatever you call it, however you describe it, I’ve got it. Today is Go Caroling Day, National Sangria Day, Sacagawea Day and Dot Your I’s Day. I’m going with Sangria. I’m sure no one is surprised by my selection. Onto history: On this date in 1669 the 1st jury trial in Delaware is held and Marcus Jacobson was found guilty of insurrection and sentenced to flogging, branding & slavery. Trying to overthrow the government was treated harshly then, not so much now. On this day in 1790 the 1st successful US cotton mill began spinning yarn in Pawtucket, Roade Island. In 1893 on this date the 1st state anti-lynching statute approved in Georgia. I’m always a little surprised when a law is passed to make what is obviously a crime, a crime. In 1920, Bob Hope becomes an American citizen. Turns out Bob was born in England and moved here. This is the day that Carl Sagan died at the age of 62. Lots of excellent quotes to choose from. Here are a few: “One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth.” “We live in a society dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.” He also said, “Nothing disturbs me more than the glorification of stupidity.” This is also the day that John Steinbeck died. I’ll end with one of his quotes that I love: “If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.” Hope you’ve enjoyed my musing. Abide.
