On this day in history
An early morning in September, with the first traces of autumn in the air. The business district starting up for another day of commerce. Traffic was fluid. The day shift was in place in the local factories. All the hustle and bustle of a major city. Almost nine years before, the greatest engineering structure in the area had been damaged, but none thought to forecast a total structural collapse. Fine steel and iron, set in place by the master builders from the Mohawk reserve in Kahnawake reserve, Strong foundation sunk deep into the bedrock below. And, without warning, disaster. The communications lines worldwide would hum with the news. A city would be brought to a standstill. Could this be the result of the ongoing war? (The Quebec Bridge collapsed on this day, ninety years ago.)
Back in 1297, William Wallace led the Scots to a victory over the English army at Stirling Bridge. It took the Scots another 700 years to vote for a return to self-government. Mel Gibson made it into a movie.
Back in 1773, Benjamin Franklin publishes Rules By Which A Great Empire May Be Reduced To A Small One. This should be on every president’s reading list.
On this day in 1962, The Beatles record their debut single, Love Me Do. The real start to a new musical era, (which some believe began with Bill Haley or Elvis or some other American. Not so, says I).
On this day, fifty years ago, a small baby, a “preemie,” was born in the local hospital in Thetford Mines. This birth would have a larger effect on me than any of the other moments mentioned above. I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my spouse. May her next fifty years be as interesting! May this day become famous for her contributions!
