Hols of the Day

 

Today in History

1838--US mint in New Orleans begins operation (producing dimes)

1911--International Women's Day (1st celebrated in Europe)

1913--Internal Revenue Service begins to levy & collect income taxes

1934--Edwin Hubble photo shows as many galaxies as Milky Way has stars

1948--Supreme Court rules relg instructions in pub schools unconstitutional (I believe they mean “...religious instruction in public schools...”)

1958--William Faulkner says US schools degenerated to become babysitters

2008--Derek and Melinda Hoyt attend the Butler County Republican Convention

The Edwin Hubble above is the same one for which the Hubble Space Telescope was named. A short bio can be found, here. One of the wonderful (and annoying) aspects of the Internet is that it takes very little effort to find some historical fact and then start chasing interesting rabbit trails off into the sunset.

I'm always looking for the bits of history behind events, and one popped up in regards to this next day...

Some roots of International Women's Day sprang from socialist beginnings and also had connections to labor organizations. In early years, IWD helped commemorate a great tragedy that occurred in New York City, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. (if you go to this site, I wouldn't recommend scrolling down past the first picture unless you have a strong stomach)

146 girls, average age 19, died in a horrible fire. It is said to be the greatest workplace disaster until September 11, 2001. Some sites suggest 148 died, which could be explained by the injured taken to the hospital and later perishing there.

I may have said this before, but the term "women's rights" doesn't have to be outrageous examples of privilege. It can certainly refer to an attitude and environment where the elements of common decency are enjoyed.

And really, it's more a matter of the human condition as a whole, and not just women.

We have it pretty good in America, and it's my understanding that IWD is more of a celebratory day overseas.

The historical background is always interesting and I encourage everyone to look up a topic and pursue it!
 

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