Halloween 2021 is here. On this 31st day of October, if we lived in ancient Europe, we would build bonfires and dress in costumes to ward off the spirits of the underworld to celebrate Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”). It’s also the one day a year that children are urged to accept candy from strangers. Besides Halloween, it’s also Hug A Sheep Day, Books For Treat’s Day, National Carmel Apple Day, National Magic Day, National Knock Knock Joke Day and Scare A Friend Day. Halloween used to be one of my favorite holidays because scaring children (who want to be scared) is one of life’s guilty pleasures. Now some history: On this day in 1517 Marin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. On this day in 1803 a mob of about 200 attack a Mormon camp in Missouri killing 200 men, women and children. On this day in 1941, after 14 years of work, Mt. Rushmore is completed. In 1952 on this day the US exploded the 1st hydrogen bomb on the Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific. On this day in 1984 the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two members of her bodyguard. Today we celebrate the birthday of the poet John Keats who said “To silence gossip, don’t repeat it” and “To stay youthful, stay useful.” Since I’ve noted that Indira Gandhi was murdered on this day, I’ll give you a couple of quotes from this remarkable lady. Indira said, “People tend to forget their duties but remember their rights.” She also said, “My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.” In honor of knock knock joke day: Knock knock. Who’s there? Tank. Tank who? You’re welcome. Abide
