September 8: A date to remember
Quite a lot has happened on this day; some of it is silly, some important
On the surface, there is nothing special about September 8. It's not a date that immediately evokes emotions (like July 4, 1776, September 11, 2001, or November 4, 1995).
But a lot has happened on this day. Here, courtesy of the Associated Press, is a review of the historic and infamous events on this day in history, with a few comments here and there. I left the items in chronological order, so the "lede" (journalistic slang for the most important and first item in an article) may be "buried." As such, I advise you to work your way to the bottom.
1664 - The Dutch surrender New Amsterdam to the British, who rename it New York.
Somehow, I don't think it would be the same today, if the Big Apple were known as the Big Orange.
1900 - Galveston, Texas, is struck by a hurricane that kills about 6,000 people.
A "record" probably beaten by Katrina.
1921 - Margaret Gorman of Washington is crowned the first Miss America in Atlantic City, N.J.
That innocent first event has spawned an entire global industry of intense competitiveness, silliness, and, some would say, exploitation. However, I once interviewed a lovely young woman who was Miss New Jersey USA, not to be confused with Miss New Jersey of the Miss America pageant. She was smart, focused, determined and hardworking.
1930 - Scotch cellophane tape makes its debut as a sample of the tape, invented by Richard Drew of 3M, is shipped to a Chicago firm which specialized in wrapping bakery goods in cellophane.
Without which, modern life as we know it would be impossible. Probably my number two on this list after New York.
1935 - Sen. Huey P. Long, "The Kingfish" of Louisiana politics, is shot and mortally wounded; he dies two days later.
A signal event in U.S. political history, and the most prominent assassination of the 20th century until the dark events of the 1960s.
1945 - Bess Myerson of New York is crowned "Miss America" in Atlantic City, N.J., becoming the first Jewish contestant to win the title. (Note: link has great picture of Myerson)
Despite what I said about Miss America (1921), this was a signal event for U.S. Jews, particularly as it came at the end of World War Two and the devastation of the Holocaust. It was one of the first events that tore down the wall of genteel (not to say Gentile) institutionalized anti-Semitism in the U.S. Myerson was a hero to millions of American Jews. She had a worthwhile career after her year as beauty queen, too.
1951 - A peace treaty with Japan is signed by 48 other nations in San Francisco.
Didn't that war end six years before?
1974 - President Ford grants an unconditional pardon to former President Nixon.
Every Baby Boomer remembers where he was when Nixon resigned one month prior.
1975 - Boston's public schools begin their court-ordered citywide busing program amid scattered incidents of violence.
Didn't we see New Orleans' African American community have trouble getting buses last week?
1995 - Bosnia's warring sides reach a compromise in Geneva, agreeing to divide the nation into two states: one for the rebel Serbs and another for the Muslims and Croats.
Two states for three people? Sounds familiar to something going on around here.
2000: World leaders end the United Nations Millennium Summit with a pledge to solve humankind's problems, including poverty, war, AIDS, pollution and human rights abuses.
Ha ha ha ha. I'm laughing so hard I can't finish….
2004: CBS' "60 Minutes Wednesday" airs a report questioning U.S. President George W. Bush's National Guard service; however, CBS News ended up apologizing for a "mistake in judgment" after memos featured in the report were challenged as forgeries.
What's the frequency, Kenneth?
2004: Richard G. Butler, founder of the Aryan Nations, is found dead in his bed in Hayden, Idaho; he was 86.
Good riddance.
Today's birthdays: Comedian Sid Caesar is 83.
One of the greatest and most influential U.S. TV comedians and writers of the 20th century.
AP's highlight in history for September 8: 1930, the comic strip "Blondie," created by Chic Young, is first published.
Column inspired by Elli Wohlgelernter
