The date, the June 16th date, must have something in the numbers. Or the planets must align just so on June 16ths in history. Because this is an epic day for history, over the centuries. There are dozens and dozens of noteworthy entries on the historical ticker.
First, if we start in 1567, over in Scotland, we find that Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle prison. Now, I don’t know why she landed in the slammer but she did. I know very little about her life, because of two things. I’ve never read a book about her. And. I can’t stand to watch the umpteen hundred movies about Scot Mary because of her big white face, yellow teeth, and high forehead. Two to three hours of seeing her on-screen have the scary-clown-effect on me.
Can’t do it.
But, I won’t fail you completely. Here is “Biography’s” version of her life, if you wish. https://www.biography.com/royalty/mary-queen-of-scots
I know one thing. When Queen’s get thrown in the hoosegow, it can’t be good for the throne.
Let’s move along to 1673 when the Peace Treaty of Vossem occurred. The men who signed the treaty were French King Louis XIV and Frederik Willem of Brandenburg. Apparently, they were not at peace at one time, but they decided to patch things up and make nice.
Once again, I don’t know much about this time in history. I haven’t studied it, and, instead of the white-pasty-face thing with Scottish Mary, I have a dislike of Louis the XIV’s hair. I can’t watch a whole movie of it. I want to reach in the screen with my shavers and give them a good whhhhiiirrrr.
However, and reluctantly, my little dog Louis was loosely named for him. You see, when I got Lou, some tough events had occurred. Two of my dearest, sweetest dogs died within three days of one another. And my Mary was getting through a double-mastectomy. During her convalesce, she watched a movie about Louis, Number 14, The Sun King. She suggested that we name that tiny puppy Louis (our pronunciation Lewis). So we did.
I still don’t know about Peacy Vossem, but if you wish to explore, https://www.biography.com/royalty/louis-xiv.
I’m failing in history today.
Let me try again. This time, we’ll move a little closer to home.
In 1779, the US General Anthony Wayne captured Stony Point, New York, inflicting heavy losses on the British. This, during the Revolutionary War, which lasted a long time. From April 19, 1775, to September 3, 1783. I’m a little sketchy on the details here too. All the battles and such. But I do know Anthony Wayne.
We live in Preble County, and one of the main roads near our house is called Wayne Trace. This, for General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, as he marched his way up north, very near our home. He was a statesman but adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War. That’s when he got his nickname. He had a “fiery” personality, but his actions on the battlefield were often times impulsive and unpredictable.
He didn’t forge the path of our road here, until later, during the Northwest Indian War, when he cleaned up General St. Clair’s mess at Fort St. Clair, and established a new base of operations, with Fort Recovery. Anyway. I’m off point. On today’s date, he did that thing at Stony Point. Whatever that turned out to be. (Again. I’m striking out here.)
That’s the thing with a blog. I’m getting toward the end of my white space, and we haven’t even talked about Napoleon, Lincoln, James Joyce, Henry Ford, or Tsar Nicholas II. And that only takes us to 1900. The entire June 16th deal in the 20th Century continued to roll.
I didn’t even get to mention the fact that, on this date, in 1975, a guy named Randy Farland found a 14-leaf clover near Sioux Falls, SD. Honest to god. True fact. I’m not making that up. https://www.brainyhistory.com/topics/s/sioux.html
I’ve always said. History is full of surprises.
========
“The surprise is that you continue to be surprised.”
― Jill A. Davis, Ask Again Later
=========
“Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they will be pleasantly surprised.”
― Marty Rubin
========
“Surprises are all part of life’s journey.”
― Steven Redhead
==========
