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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Democratic Donkey, the Pentagon & Football

This Day in History: January 15, 1870, 1943, and 1967

There is always numerous events happening on the same day but different years. Today, Awakenings is going to highlight three such events relative to this day, January 15th.

First appearance of the Democratic donkey: 
January 15, 1870

Thomas Nast’s cartoon, entitled, “A live jackass kicking a dead lion,” suggested the reverse of the old proverb, “A live ass is better than a dead lion.” 

Harper’s Weekly, New York
January 15, 1870

Noted political artist, Thomas Nast, presents his political cartoon, A LIVE JACKASS KICKING A DEAD LION,” the first appearance of what would be come the symbol of the Democratic Party. The jackass, or donkey, portrayed the Copperhead Press (Democratic sentiment in 1870) while the lion impersonated Edwin M. Stanton, who had died December 24th, but whose memory was being assailed even as he lay in his coffin.
Source: The Mitchell Archives
[Thomas Nast is the illustrator that created America's modern vision of Santa Claus in 1863.]

Construction completed on the Pentagon:
January 15, 1943

Northwest exposure of the Pentagon's construction underway, July 1, 1942
Southwest view of the Pentagon with the Potomac River and
Washington Monument
in background (1998)

9 Things You May Not Know About the Pentagon


Initial drawings for the architectural and structural design of the Pentagon were provided in early October, 1941 with most of the design work completed by June 1, 1942. Whoa! Back up! 1941? That year should ring a bell...a LOUD bell! It was only two months later that a pivotal moment in American history occurred: The attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Because of the turmoil of war raging in Europe and America's ultimate entrance into WWII, there was an increase in the need, in fact a demand, that the 1,000,000 sq ft (9.3 ha) of space at the Pentagon be available for occupation by April 1, 1942. Thus, construction intensified. It is also interesting to note that the construction of the Pentagon occurred during the period of racial segregation in the United States.

Packers face Chiefs in first Super Bowl:
January 15, 1967

Super Bowl I

                                    1 2 3 4 Total
KC 0 10 0 0 10
GB 7 7 14 7 35

 
                     Date: January 15, 1967

                     Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

                    MVP: Bart Starr, Quarterback
                     Favorite: Packers by 14

                     Referee: Norm Schachter

                     Attendance: 61,946




AND, that was just the beginning!


The Pigskin

A leather football used in a 1932 college football game
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Football, the sport of sports
what makes it so popular...
here at home, abroad
absolutely globular?
 
Offensively...

catching a pigskin
running the field
side-stepping opponents
not wanting to yield

bumped and bruised
being taken down
holding the pigskin
hitting the ground

the count is on
it's fourth down
'kick that pigskin'
cheers abound

battered and sore
breathless at times
counting the seconds
'til the buzzer chimes

 Defensively...

  eying the pigskin
looking all around
running across field
taking opponent down

bumping and bruising
knocking to the ground
inflicting injuries
concussions abound

the count is on
it's fourth down
'block that pigskin'
cheers resound

battered and sore
breathless at times
counting the seconds
'til the buzzer chimes

 Football, the sport of sports...
the ritual of the hour
adrenaline on overload
the hype, the speed, the power

 ©2014 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults

Typical modern American football as used in the NFL
Source: en.wikipedia.org



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