1965: Watts Erupts
On this day in 1965, the Watts district of Los Angeles erupted in riots.
What I wouldn’t give to have a Canon Powershot and a time machine, to go back into our nation’s history and capture some of the most dramatic events that ever occurred. Many photographers captured some very intense moments on film. The events leading up to the riots never should have happened and it sure makes you wonder what things would be like if they hadn’t.
Thirty Four Years Ago: Nixon Resigns
On this day, in 1974, at noon, President Richard M. Nixon’s resignation became official.
The Final Entry By Anne Frank
On this day in 1944, Anne Frank made the final entry in her diary.
Dearest Kitty,
“A bundle of contradictions” was the end of my previous letter and is the beginning of this one. Can you please tell me exactly what “a bundle of contradictions” is? What does “contradiction” mean? Like so many words, it can be interpreted in two ways: a contradiction imposed from without and one imposed from within. The former means not accepting other people’s opinions, always knowing best, having the last word; in short, all those unpleasant traits for which I’m known. The latter, for which I’m not known, is my own secret.
As I’ve told you many times, I’m split in two. One side contains my exuberant cheerfulness, my flippancy, my joy in life and, above all, my ability to appreciate the lighter side of things. By that I mean not finding anything wrong with flirtations, a kiss, an embrace, a saucy joke. This side of me is usually lying in wait to ambush the other one, which is much purer, deeper, and finer.
No one knows Anne’s better side, and that’s why most people can’t stand me. Oh, I can be an amusing clown for an afternoon, but after that everyone’s had enough of me to last a month. Actually, I’m what a romantic film is to a profound thinker - a mere diversion, a comic interlude, something that is soon forgotten: not bad, but not particulary good either.
I hate having to tell you this, but why shouldn’t I admit it when I know it’s true? My lighter, more superficial side will always steal a march on the deeper side and therefore always win. You can’t imagine how often I’ve tried to push away this Anne, which is only half of what is known as Anne - to beat her down, hide her. But it doesn’t work, and I know why.
I’m afraid that people who know me as I usually am will discover I have another side, a better and finer side. I’m afraid they’ll mock me, think I’m ridiculous and sentimental and not take me seriously.
I’m used to not being taken seriously, but only the “lighthearted” Anne is used to it and can put up with it; the “deeper” Anne is too weak. If I force the good Anne into the spotlight for even fifteen minutes, she shuts up like a clam the moment she’s called upon to speak, and lets Anne number one do the talking. Before I realize it, she’s disappeared.
So the nice Anne is never seen in company. She’s never made a single appearance, though she almost always takes the stage whem I’m alone. I know exactly how I’d like to be, how I am . . . on the inside. But unfortunately I’m only like that with myself. And perhaps that’s why - no, I’m sure that’s the reason why - I think of myself as happy on the inside and other people think I’m happy on the outside. I’m guided by the pure Anne within, but on the outside I’m nothing but a frolicsome little goat tugging at its tether.
As I’ve told you, what I say is not what I feel, which is why I have a reputation for being a boy-chaser, a flirt, a smart aleck and a reader of romances. The happy-go-lucky Anne laughs, gives a flippant reply, shrugs her shoulders and pretends she couldn’t care less. The quiet Anne reacts in just the opposite way.
If I’m being completely honest, I’ll have to admit that it does matter to me, that I’m trying very hard to change myself, but that I’m always up against a more powerful enemy. A voice within me is sobbing, “You see, that’s what’s become of you. You’re surrounded by negative opinions, dismayed looks and mocking faces, people who dislike you, and all because you don’t listen to the advice of your own better half.”
Believe me, I’d like to listen, but it doesn’t work, because if I’m quiet and serious, everyone thinks I’m putting on a new act and I have to save myself with a joke, and then I’m not even talking about my own family, who assume I must be ill, stuff me with asprins and sedatives, feel my neck and forehead to see if I have a temperature, ask about my bowel movements and berate me for being in a bad mood, until I just can’t keep it up any more, beause when everybody starts hovering over me, I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I’d like to be and what I could be if . . . if only there were no other people in the world.
Yours, Anne M. Frank
I have seen most of this movie, not all of it. I was out of town on business at the time, and I got so caught up in it, I walked for 90 minutes on the treadmill at the hotel while this was playing on the television. Not a real motivator for walking, but I was focused on it, that’s for sure.
The 14th Amendment Is Ratified
On this day, in 1868, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. Do you remember what it said?
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3. No one shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Many people in our country pay no attention to our Constitution. I really don’t think enough emphasis is placed on learning it in schools either. More people know how to get a passport than know anything about the Bill of Rights or many other amendments to the Constitution.
Nadia Comaneci Is Perfect
On this day in 1976, Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast to get a perfect score of 10 on the uneven parallel bars.
Man, how time flies. Since Nadia captured our hearts we have seen a massive change in the world.
Computers are a million times faster, we have energy efficient lightbulbs, moving pods make it easier to move your stuff, heck, we’re even moving farther and more than back then. So what hasn’t changed since Nadia took the gold?
Not much.
President Gerald Ford’s Birthday
Today, President Gerald Ford would have been 95 years old.
This day may be famous for being his birthday, but I will always remember it, because I was sitting in a house packing moving boxes getting ready to move into my first apartment. Yep. I remember the date. Why? Because I was in Las Vegas and the temperature outside was like 120 degrees. It’s hard to forget that.
You can find out more about this day in history at the History Channel, Those Were The Days, and InfoPlease .
Amelia Earhart Disappears
On this day in 1937, Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot Fred Noonan disappeared.
I can only wonder, if they had some duct tape, a lighter, a couple bic pens, and some paperclips, if they might not have disappeared.
I know, not everyone can be a MacGuyver, but you have to wonder how they could disappear completely from the face of the Earth. The documentary shown above sure makes me wonder though.
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Gone With The Wind Is Published
On this day in 1936, Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell was published.
This was an excellent movie, and the actors and actresses were simply amazing. I have seen some of the costumes worn by the performers, and I can verify that many of the women in the film did not need Phentermine or anything like it to help them lose weight.
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The Battle Of Little Bighorn
On this day in 1876, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his men died at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
In June of 1876, the government sent in troops under the command of Brigadier General Alfred H. Terry to locate and rout the Indians. Terry, taking the main body of men up the Yellowstone River, hoped to block the movement of the Indians at the mouth of the Little Bighorn River, while Custer and the 7th Cavalry were to travel up the Rosebud River and cross the Little Bighorn River, thus, it was hoped, trapping the Indians between the two groups. Some three days into his march, Custer abandoned the plan when he rather suddenly encountered a large group of Sioux and Cheyenne encamped nearby. Envisioning a three-pronged attack, he ordered Captain Frederick Benteen and Major Marcus Reno to lead troops on either side of the river, while he would advance to the northwest and surprise the encampment from the north. Reno, who attacked first (and long before Custer reached the northern edge of the camp), was clearly overwhelmed by the Indians, and he retreated across the river, losing his strategic edge. He was joined by Benteen’s fresh troops, and the combined forces dug in and continued to fight. At Reno’s retreat, however, the major force of Indians, by then alerted to Custer’s presence, rode to the attack and completely vanquished Custer and his men within an hour, leaving more than 200 dead.
Read more about the Battle of Little Bighorn at Brittanica.com
I have traveled all over the west taking time to visit Washington state, the beaches of California and even Vegas vacations, but my favorite destination has always been the Black Hills and the surrounding area.
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Lizzie Borden Acquitted
On this day in 1893, Lizzie Borden was aquitted of the murder of her parents.
Freaky. Can you imagine how freaked out people would have been back then, just to be seen with her? Yikes. I bet the best movers New York had to offer wouldn’t have been caught dead moving her from New England down to the city. Then again, they might not have heard about her past.
You can find out more about this day in history at the History Channel, Those Were The Days, and InfoPlease .
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