So, History Day is back! Yes, for anyone interested, that means that my book is all polished up and pretty and sitting in New York City waiting for my editor to read it and decide what else needs polishing!
Anyway...Couldn't do History Day on December 8 without at least mentioning December 7 and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. My father fought in WW II along with hundreds of thousands of other young men and women. And I think it's not too much for those of us who enjoy the freedom that those brave souls purchased for us at great cost, to take a minute and say a silent Thank You.
And...on to the news for December 8...........
An era ended today in 1980. John Lennon was shot and killed outside his home by a deranged 'fan'. I had my own private wake for him and the music that day...
1776, George Washington's retreating army crossed the Delaware (remember the painting?)
1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception
1863, Abraham Lincoln announced his plans for Reconstruction
1940, the Chicago Bears shut out Washington Redskins BIG time, winning their game, 73-0 (How embarrassing for the Redskins!)
1961, the Beach Boys' first record, Surfin, was released
1978, Golda Meir died
1987, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed a treaty calling for the destruction of intermediate range nuclear missles. (What?? the long and short ones were okay?)
1991, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine declared the Soviet national government dead, forging a new alliance, the Commonwealth of Independent States
1993, President Bill Clinton signed into law the North American Free Trade Agreement
That's it for me. What have you guys got???