Edited by Gerald Boerner
Introductory Comments:
Today we feature events that range from the founding of our country, the protection of its natural resources at the beginning of the 20th century, to the introduction of a magazine (Popular Mechanics) that documents the progress of new technologies for the masses. It also includes a iconic country-western entertainer and the Surgeon General who had a warning message placed on tobacco products. It was a day of significant events that have affected all of our lives.
Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of our country, played an active role in the administration of our first President, George Washington. He was instrumental in getting the U.S. Constitution ratified through his authorship of several of the “Federalist Papers”. He served as the Secretary of the Treasury and established the National Bank. He was an ongoing opponent of another patriot and Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. He was never able to ascend to the Office of the President since he was not born in the American colonies.
Another towering politician, Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, was an avid naturalist and on this day established the Grand Canyon National Monument to protect that natural wonder. He was, indeed, a friend of the natural environment. He broke with the trend that viewed any undeveloped land as an opportunity for the mining corporations, railroads, and others to “rape” the environment. Teddy introduced the concept that a bare, natural environment was beautiful. In many cases, he used his Presidential prerogative of the “Executive Order” to establish National Monuments and National Wildlife Areas to avoid being bottle-necked in the Congress by the development lobbies!
Also appearing at the beginning of the 20th century (1902) we find the first publication of a magazine that introduced the general population to new technologies as they emerged. Henry Haven Windsor started the publication of Popular Mechanics in that year. In context, we need to consider that its publication predated heavier than air flight (the Wright Brothers), the popular automobile (Ford Model-T), and radio (Marconi), among other innovations. Those of us into the personal computer need to remember that the MITS Altair 8800 computer kit; this is the “gadget” that got Bill Gates & Paul Allen started with their version of BASIC for a new company, Microsoft! So much for this magazine’s impact upon our lives.
Finally, we find an entertainer, Johnny Cash, hitting the top of the country charts with his version of “Ring of Fire”. He is one of my favorite country entertainers; he survived many bouts of addiction and brushes with the legal system. None the less, he provided many enjoyable hours listening to his vocals.
But now let’s get on with the presentation of the events of the day… GLB
These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2012 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved[ 982 Words ]
Quotations Related to Theodore Roosevelt:
[ http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/theodore_roosevelt.html ]
“A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
“Appraisals are where you get together with your team leader and agree what an outstanding member of the team you are, how much your contribution has been valued, what massive potential you have and, in recognition of all this, would you mind having your salary halved.”
— Theodore Roosevelt