It is March 15, 2024. We’re halfway through this month that gets its name from the Romans who called it Martius and is the first month in the Roman calendar from 753 BC. Martius is named after Mars, the Roman God of War. March 15 is the “Ides of March” which means, in ancient Rome, all debts should be settled today. I don’t owe anyone any money and no one owes me. I’m good to go. Today the list of celebratory events is long. Here are some of them: It’s Brutus Day, Buzzards Day, Dumbstruck Day, International Day Against Police Brutality, International Eat an Animal for PETA Day, National Everything You Think is Wrong Day, National Peanut Lovers Day, National Shoe the World Day, and True Confessions Day. Now some history: This is the day in 44 BC when Julius Caesar was stabbed in the back. This is the day in 1812 that the 1st Russian settlement in California was established at Russian River. This is the day in 1867 that Michigan became the 1st state to tax property to support a university. On this day in 1887 William Alden Smith became the 1st salaried fish and game warden in the US (Michigan). On this day in 1913, Woodrow Wilson held the 1st Presidential press conference. Lastly, this is the day in 1972 that the “Godfather” premiered. This is the day in 1933 that Ruth Bader Ginsburg drew her first breath. This remarkable lady said, “Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade.” That’s a good quote to remember. Since this is the day that Caesar died, I’ll end this post with a couple of his observations made over 2,000 years ago: “Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true.” “It is not these well-fed long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry-looking.” I don’t think humans are wiser or smarter than we were when Caesar lived. We just have more information. Enough for today. Abide.
