Some days seem to be a little fuller than others. Like this day in history, October 18. This day has carried its share of historical weight, combining a mix of politics, invention, sports, and even space travel.
High and low. Near and far.
Like this. On this date in 1867, the United States officially took ownership of Alaska from Russia. The newspapers called it “Seward’s Folly” at the time. Of course, that is because people thought the Secretary of State, William Seward, had bought a frozen wasteland for $7.2 million. They all scoffed.
Now it is our biggest state and frontier land. Yes. These days, “folly” looks more like foresight. It appears that Putin and Russia want the land back.
On to 1898. That is when Spain handed Puerto Rico over to the United States following the Spanish–American War. That transfer would change the island’s future forever, with its effects still felt today. Our stepchild, it seems.
Okay. Jumping ahead to 1929. Let’s go north to our very good neighbors. Canadian women won a groundbreaking legal battle known as the “Persons Case.” Until then, women weren’t legally recognized as “persons” under Canadian law when it came to serving in the Senate. On October 18, 1929, that barrier was struck down.
Now, look. Canada’s Senate currently includes 57 women Senators out of 104 sitting members. That amounts to approximately 54.8% female representation in those seats. That’s huge.
October 18 has also seen some dramatic leaps. Literally. In 1968, Bob Beamon (Team USA) stunned the world at the Mexico City Olympics by launching himself into a long jump that broke the world record by nearly two feet. Yes, by two dang feet! His mark stood for 23 years. (8.90m / 29 ft, 2½ in)
Just a year later, in 1969, NASA’s Galileo spacecraft blasted off, bound for Jupiter. It would give us years of discoveries about the gas giant and its moons. I’m not sure how that helps us any. It is like Mrs. Kravitz from Bewitched. We’re just snooping on our neighbors.
A few big names were born on this date, too. Chuck Berry(1926), the rock’ n’ roll pioneer whose guitar riffs shaped an era. Then came Martina Navratilova(1956), one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
On the other side of things, we lost Thomas Edison in 1931. He was quite the wizard of Menlo Park who brought us the phonograph, the light bulb, and countless other inventions. Or at least their patents.
So October 18 has truly been a full date. It has seen folly turned into foresight. It included leaps that seemed impossible. And there have been many moments that redefined both nations and individuals.
I hope today, this October 18, will write good history for all of you.
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“History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” — David McCullough
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“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” — George Bernard Shaw
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“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein
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