July 14th was my youngest son’s 40th
birthday (Cameron). We had a small family get-together at his house.
My standard gift
for “milestone” birthdays is a commemorative book of newspaper articles
from the day of the person’s birth that includes articles forward through the years.
The one I gave
Cameron is a collection from the LA Times. These collections are available in a
variety of newspaper choices: New York Times, The Washington Post, Dallas
Morning News, Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, and so forth.
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| As part of the order, the person's name and birthday are added to the cover. |
As we browsed the book, Cameron wondered what other
memorable events happened on his birthday before he was born (1980). So we
investigated. Here are a few interesting events.
1973 – The Everly Brothers announced they were breaking up during
a performance at Knott’s Berry Farm.
1967 – The Who began a U.S. tour opening for Herman’s Hermits.
1968 – Easy Rider was released.
1946 – Dr. Benjamin Spock’s book Common Sense Book of Baby
& Child Care was published.
1912 – Woody Guthrie was born.
1911 – Harry Atwood, an exhibition pilot for the Wright
Brothers, landed his airplane at the south lawn of the White House.
1882 – Johnny Ringo, gunfighter who once challenged Doc
Holliday, was found dead in Turkey Creek Canyon, Arizona. Click HERE to read
more about him.
Doc Holliday meets Johnny Ringo in Tombstone.
1881 – Fort Sumner in the New Mexico Territory, William H.
Bonney Jr., aka Billy the Kid, was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett.
Since we can never have too much Marty Robbins in our
lives…
1865 – First ascent of the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper and
party.
(Aside: The young adult novel Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey
Ullman is somewhat of a retelling of this event. It’s well worth your time to
read it.)
1864 – Gold was discovered in Helena, Montana
1860 – Owen Wister, author of The Virginian, was born.
1850 – The first public demonstration of ice made by
refrigeration was presented.
1845 – The first postmasters’ provisional stamps were issued
in New York City.
1795 – French National Convention declares La Marseillaise
by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle, as France’s national anthem.
Because this scene gives me goosebumps, here’s
the La Marseillaise
scene from Casablanca.
1789 – Bastille Day – The French Revolution began with the
fall of the Bastille Prison.
Until next time,
Kaye Spencer
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