We have reached the end of March 2023. It’s the 31st day and April is almost here. It’s been a good month in my small bubble of reality. Lots of positives and no negatives that I can remember. Life is good and I am grateful. There is a long list of celebratory events today: Cesar Chavez Day, Eiffel Tower Day, International Transgender Day of Visibility, National “She’s Funny That Way” Day, National Clams on the Half Shell Day, National Crayon Day, National Farm Workers Day, National Prom Day, and National Tater Day. Do you know what they call 10 tractors parked around a McDonalds in Nebraska? Prom. Moving on: On this day in 1657 the English Parliament makes the Humble Petition and Advice to Oliver Cromwell offering him the crown: he declines. In 1736 on this day the Bellevue Hospital was founded in New York City. It was the 1st public hospital in the US. On this day in 1822 the massacre of the population of the Greek island of Chios by soldiers of the Ottoman Empire began. Chios had revolted against the Ottoman rule and as a result soldiers were sent to put the rebellion down. 90,000 people were killed, 50,000 enslaved and 25,000 were exiled. On this day in 1889 Wabash, Indiana became the 1st town to be completely illuminated by electric lights. In 1889 on this day the Eiffel Tower opened in Paris. It was the tallest structure in the world for 41 years. On this day in 1917 the Dutch West Indies were officially ceded to the US for $25 million dollars and renamed the Virgin Islands. On this day in 1931 Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne was killed in a plane crash. His record of 105 wins, 12 losses and 5 ties is the best ever. It’s fitting to use Knute for this post’s quotes. Knute said, “build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.” “If winning isn’t everything, why bother to keep the score?” “Make the present good and the past will take care of itself.” “Dink the first. Sip the second slowly. Skip the third.” Knute died at the too young age of 43. Enough for this day. Abide.
