Other September 11th memories

We are approaching the tenth anniversary of a horrible and tragic episode in our lives.  I’ve blogged about the events of September 11th twice in my blog, each on the 8th anniversary and on the 9th anniversary of that dark day.

This year, I wanted to share with you some other events that happened on September 11th – not in 2001, but in other years, events that were part of our cultural consciousness and who, like someone who was born on Christmas Day, shares that moment with a more imminent event.

• On this day in 1609, Henry Hudson discovers Manhattan Island.  $24 in beads and trinkets later, he becomes the first property owner in New York City.
• On this day in 1789, Alexander Hamilton becomes the first Secretary of the Treasury.  A few years earlier, he donates some money to start a school for Native Americans in Central New York, and the Hamilton Oneida Academy – later Hamilton College – was born.
• On this day in 1850, Jenny Lind, a beloved soprano known as “The Swedish Nightingale,” made her American debut at New York City’s Castle Garden Theater.  The promoter of that event?  A gentleman named Phineas T. Barnum.
• On this day in 1906, Mahatma Gandhi commences the non-violent protest movement.  As a civil servant in South Africa, he protested against the treatment of India’s population in South Africa, especially the treatment he received as a man of color.
• On this day in 1941, ground is broken on what would be the largest concrete office building, by floor space, in the entire world – the Pentagon.  The second largest concrete structure in America?  The UAlbany campus.
• On this day in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund is established.  Forty years later, another organization using those same initials would be forced to change their “F” into an “E” for their acronym.  That’s right – a panda bear gave a smackdown to the Rock.
• On this day in 1978, one of the greatest peace documents received three important signatures, as Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter engaged the Camp David Accords, garnering peace between Israel and Egypt.
• On this day in 1985, Pete Rose’s infield single off of San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show gives Rose 4,182 career hits – passing Ty Cobb’s record.
• On this day in 1998, Serena Williams became the first woman of color in more than 30 years to win the women’s singles championship at Wimbledon.

Who was born on this day?

• Legendary football coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Tom Landry.
• Professional wrestling promoter and manager Paul Heyman.
• Writers D.H. Lawrence and William Sydney Porter, the latter more formally known as O. Henry.
• Musicians Tommy Shaw (Styx), Harry Connick Jr., Ludacris and Moby.
• Legendary animator Max Fleischer, who  brought Betty Boop and Popeye the Sailor to the big screen.
• My Street Academy trivia teammate Alexis Curry.

Just some things to think about… not to take anything away from what happened ten years ago… but to show that September 11th has many other facets to its existence and significance.