This day is the 21st day of December 2022. Today is the first day of winter. We are not completely immune from it. We won’t get to the 70s today. The forecasted low on Christmas Eve will be in the 30s. It’s 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 At The Bright Side Day, National French Fried Shrimp Day, National Ribbon Candy Day, and Short Girl Appreciation 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 1913 the 1st crossword puzzle, with 32 clues, was printed in NY World. On this day in 1933 Fox Films signed Shirley Temple to a studio contract. Shirly was 5-years old. Today we begin the dead person quotes with George S. Patton who said, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” “May God have mercy for my enemies because I won’t.” “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way”. Giovanni Boccaccio died on this day in 1375. He was a writer and a poet. He said, “It’s better to repent what you enjoyed than to repent not having enjoyed anything.” “In this world, you only get what you grab for.” The last quote is “Do as we say, and not as we do.” Have a good day. Abide.
