The first roller coaster in the United States opened this day in 1884 at Coney Island in Brooklyn. It traveled 6 miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride.
In my youth, a very young one, I rode many times on the Coney Island roller coaster that existed in the late 1930s and early 1940s. My mother’s brother Gus lived in the Bronx. We visited him and my Aunt Louise many times. On Sundays, my uncle would drive us to Coney Island. He always “made me” ride on the roller coaster with him. Always in the front seat. Scared the living daylights out of me!
Time is generally scientifically controlled. A year is tied to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, a month is roughly one full cycle of moon phases, and a day is one rotation of Earth on its axis.
Why is the length of a week seven days? The answer uncertain. Many reasons suggested. Suggested come from ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and ancient Rome. I believe that which I learned in Catholic grammar school: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The seventh became the Sabbath, a reoccurring day of rest. Thus the seven day week.
Ancient Romans were among history’s greatest engineers. Except for one item. Wiping their derrieres after defecating. They did not use toilet paper. Used instead a sponge brush. Referred to as a tersorium. Basically a sponge attached to the end of a stick.
Used on a common basis. The same stick/sponge by everyone. Shared. Washed in between with running water. Sometimes other items used. A scrap of cloth or a pottery shroud after the edges had been smoothed.
My opinion. We should be very grateful for toilet paper and bidets.
In 1858, Lincoln was not yet President. He was known to say even then that America was becoming a “house divided.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “From the Knicks to Trump’s UFC lawn party, last weekend showed us the best and worst of the wide world of sports.”
The UFC fights on the White House lawn were nothing more than human cockfights. Disgusting!
On this day in 1215, King John put his seal on the Magna Carta. One of history’s most important activities. The Magna Carta a cornerstone in the development of democratic England and influenced the U.S. Constitution.
“The President’s Men” was published on this day in 1974. It dealt with the Watergate Scandal.
On this day in 1946, Key West suffered a polio epidemic. Twenty cases, two deaths.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said Europe will build the New World Order and he also wrote about it.
Understandable. Trump has screwed up world order. However, I am not sure the power will move in due course to Europe. A massive responsibility to undertake. In my opinion, things will move slowly so the world can see in which direction our Congress goes and who our next President will be.
Little if any Trump today. We are all sick of hearing about him. Does not mean I will refrain from writing about him. Merely means a day off here and there does not hurt.
Yesterday throat treatment with a nurse specialist. Also, Dr. Norris and I communicated. He was in Athens preparing for the trip home. Plane screwed up. He and the family had to wait seven hours for the next flight. What a way to begin a lengthy trip home!
I see a dermatologist at noon. Small cancer growths becoming a common thing in my old age.
Tonight, The Grand’s Happy Hour. Makes me happy!
Enjoy your day!