One of those days

[Rick336]

I'll never forget that day in May 1961 when my 4th grade class gathered around a black and white TV to watch Alan Shepard become the first man to be launched into outer space.

I remember the day in September 1962 when the United States and the Soviet Union were on the brink of nuclear war over Russian missiles in Cuba.

I remember that day in November 1963 when my teacher told our class that President John F. Kennedy had been assassination in Dallas.

And then there was that day in April 1968 when news broke that Martin Luther King has been shot in the head in Memphis.

I remember in July 1969 when I watched Neil Armstrong be the first human to step on the surface of the moon and say, "That's one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind."

I'll never forget the day in June 1977 when me and my roommate went to see a new movie that everybody was talking about called "Star Wars."

I remember in November 1978 when a story broke on the CBS evening news that Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk has been shot and killed in San Francisco.

Then there was that day in March 1981 when Ronald Reagan was shot by a kid named John Hinkley.

I remember the day in January 1986 when the Challenger space shuttle exploded over Florida killing everybody on board.

Then there was that day in April 1995 when I heard news that a terrorist had bombed the Federal building in Oklahoma City.

I remember the last day in December 1999 when the whole world counted down to midnight and started a whole new millennium.

Then there was that day in September 2001 when the radio news said that a passenger plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.

And just three and a half years ago there was that day in August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans.

And now there's today - January 20, 2009 when Barack Obama is sworn in as the first African American president of the United states.

It's just another one of those days that people will be talking about for many generations to come.

Rick

[andrewlittle]

I loved this, Rick. It seems we've been on this earth a similar number of days.

May I post this on my blog, with attribution to you of course. I don't know if many others will read it, but I will see it often.

Andy

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

I loved this, Rick. It seems we've been on this earth a similar number of days.

May I post this on my blog, with attribution to you of course. I don't know if many others will read it, but I will see it often.

Andy

Thanks Andy. The temperature in DC at this moment is 18 degrees but it hasn't kept the enormous crowds away from the ignauguration. Right now as I type these words at 9:20 am on Tuesday morning January 20th, 2009, two million people have gathered on the national mall in Washington DC to witness the swearing in of Barack Obama as President of the United States.

This is indeed a historic day.


Yes. Feel free to post this other places.

Rick

[Rick336]

We've talked a lot on this forum about "living in the moment." I think today is definitely one of those days to do that.

Rick

[christa08]

Absolutely beautiful. It was nice to be reminded of the things that I've witnessed in my short time on earth by reading your post. Our shared memories start with 1995 (I was born in '86) so thank you for this wonderful post. Today is definitely a great day to live in the moment.

[nmwolfboy]

Right after the inaugural ceremony i telephoned my ex, Jim, who happens to be a black man. i asked "Do you feel like we're living in a different America?" He emphatically responded "YES I DO!"

Though my chosen family intends to bask in today's glow, we're all cognizant that the onus of change rightly falls on all American citizens in the coming years & days. OHB is only a man, mistakes are to be expected (as we've already seen) but today i believe that together, holding our leaders' feet to the fire, we can move closer to the perfect union that the idea of America engenders.

God bless America.

[dsdrane]

...Nixon resigning. I was 7, and my mother called me and my friends in from playing outside to witness it.

When I add this to Rick's list, it strikes me that, unfortunately, the majority of moments or days like this are sad, troubling or even tragic.

That's what makes today even better!