Americanism

 January 2021 

As I reflected on the New Year, I began thinking about American history and thought you might enjoy a brief tour of events that occurred in January which shaped our Country, the birthdays of some of our more famous citizens and some of the “National Days” we celebrate in January…all uniquely American 

On 1/1/1776 George Washington unveiled the Grand Union flag, the first National flag in America. In 1863 on that date, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. On 1/3/1959 Alaska was admitted at the 49th state. On 1/10/1776 “Common Sense” was published by Thomas Paine. On 1/15/1870 the first use of a donkey to symbolize the Democratic Party appeared in a cartoon in “Harper’s Weekly.” On 1/18/1966, Robert Clifton Weaver was sworn in as the first African American cabinet member (H.U.D.) in U.S. history. On January 20, 1945 F.D.R. was inaugurated to an unprecedented fourth term as President. January 21, 1945 the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear powered submarine was launched. On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was seized by North Korea. In 1973, on January 27th as agreement was signed in Paris that ended the Vietnam war. On January 28, 1915 the U.S. Coast Guard was created. 

Famous American birthdays in January include Paul Revere (1/1/1735), Betsy Ross (1/1/1752), Millard Fillmore (1/7/1800), Richard Nixon (1/9/1913), Alexander Hamilton (1/11/1755), John Hancock on 1/12/1737. The Reverend Martin Luther King was born on 1/15/1929. Benjamin Franklin was born 1/17/1706. Cassius Clay was born 1/17/1942. Daniel Webster was born 1/18/1782. General Robert E. Lee was born 1/19/1807 and Edgar Allen Poe was born 1/12/1824. My personal favorite Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was born 1/21/1824. Another famous General in the person of Douglas MacArthur was born 1/26/1880. January 29, 1843 brought us William McKinley, while Franklin D. Roosevelt was born 1/30/1882. Baseball great Jackie Robinson rounds out the list with his birthday of 1/31/1919. 

Finally to complete the month of January, here are a few of the “National Days” we celebrate. In the 1st, we have National Bloody Mary Day and not coincidentally National Hangover Day as well. National Personal Trainer Day falls on the 2nd . Chocolate Covered Cherry Day is on the 3rd . National Spaghetti Day and National Trivia Day on the 4th . National Keto Day on the 5th . National Bean Day on the 6th followed by National Bobble-Head Day on the 7th . National English Toffee Day on the 8th . The 10th brings National Sunday Supper Day. Rubber Duck Day is the 13th . Dress Up Your Pet Day on the 14th . Martin Luther King Day on the 18th . National Popcorn Day on the 19th . Squirrel Appreciation Day (yes, really) on the 21, followed by Beer Can Appreciation Day on the 24th (which also happens to be the Exalted Ruler’s birthday…hmmm..). National Florida Day is on the 25th . National Puzzle Day on the 29th . National Hot Chocolate Day is on the 31st .

 You now have plenty of food and drink for thought!! Until next month… 

Fraternally, 

Steve Gates