March 29, 2024, obviously. And since the day’s news offerings are pretty much a grim repeat or continuation of yesterday’s, I thought I’d give myself (and you) another break and have a little fun with history trivia. Are you with me? Let’s start with . . .

Holidays: Did you know that, in addition to being Good Friday, today is also “National Hot Cross Bun Day” and “National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day”? (Yes, please — I’ll have one of each.) And there is something called “National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day” (that’s just lovely); “Smoke and Mirrors Day” (for all you spies out there); “Texas Loves the Children Day” (glad to hear it, but didn’t know it was an issue); “World Marbles Day” (perhaps for those who have lost theirs?); and “Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day” (hopefully not a prediction, or did it happen and the world slept through it?). Also, March 24-30 has been designated “National Cleaning Week.” (Glad that one’s almost over. In fact, to be completely honest, I’ve pretty much ignored it all week anyway.)

Births and Deaths: There were a few, but it doesn’t seem to be a popular date for either. March 29th did see the births of one U.S. President — John Tyler (in 1790), and one American First Lady — Lou Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover (1874). We lost America’s first multi-millionaire — John Jacob Astor — on this date in 1848. And sadly, actress Patty Duke passed away at the tender age of 69 years in 2016.

Divorce: This would not normally be considered good news, but in one instance, it was widely celebrated by the wife’s friends, family and fans everywhere . . . because on this date in 1978, the talented Tina Turner was finally officially divorced from her abusive husband Ike after sixteen years of misery. And a lot of women took note, and began to take control of their own lives.

Word of the Day: From Wiktionary, of course. And at least today it’s a fairly useful noun: otorhinolaryngology. Now, I have always heard my ear, nose and throat doctor called an otolaryngologist, without the “rhino” part. But I rather like the longer form; think of how impressed your friends will be when you casually mention that you’ve made an appointment with your otorhinolaryngologist. You’d better just hope they don’t ask you to spell it.

History: There were a good many historic events on this date that didn’t involve giving birth or planning a funeral . . . some good, some not so good, and some dependent on your point of view. But let’s touch on just a few:

– 1848: Niagara Falls stopped flowing for 30 hours due to an ice jam. (Aha! That might explain the whole “Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day” thing.)

– 1852: It became illegal in Ohio for children under 18 and women to work more than ten hours a day. (That’s mighty big of them. And did that include the hours those women put in at home after work, cooking and cleaning and doing laundry?)

– 1867: Congress approved the Lincoln Memorial. (Possibly the only thing the two Houses of Congress ever agreed on without months of arguing and name-calling.)

– 1886: The first batch of Coca-Cola was brewed in a backyard in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John Pemberton. (And in case you didn’t know, the original recipe included the fluid extract of coca leaves. That’s cocaine, folks. Way to go, Dr. Pemberton.)

– 1961 – Nelson Mandela was finally acquitted on treason charges following a 4-1/2-year trial. (Amen.)

– 1973: The last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam. (Not one of our finer moments.)

– 2017: The United Kingdom invoked Article 50, beginning the formal process of Brexit. (And they’re still debating whether it should have happened.)

– 1986: Yes, I know it’s out of chronological order, but it’s my favorite, and I like to keep the best for last (which is why dessert comes at the end of the meal). On this date in that year, Beatles recordings officially went on sale in Russia.

Do you think it’s coincidence that just five years later, the Soviet Union collapsed?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
3/29/24