jeff hess( http://www.havecoffeewillwrite.com) sent me this little excerpt from the writers almanac as he knew i would be interested and that i would never see the writers almanac. i admit i cried when i read this, and i hope that anyone who reads this takes a moment and reflects on the state of the world today, about half a century later....oh, and notice how unhappy the senator between but behind the president and reverend looks! is it just gravity, respect, or racism and displeasement with the day's momentous change?
It was on this day in 1965 that Lyndon Johnson (books by this author) signed the Voting Rights Act that ended the long era of voter discrimination in many Southern states. Johnson had been delaying legislation on voting rights, because he thought it was too soon for it to succeed. But after a group of civil rights marchers were attacked in Selma, Alabama, he gave a speech on TV, in which he said, "I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. The command of the Constitution is plain. There is no moral issue. It is wrong to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote ... it is all of us who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome."
That was the first time the president of the United States had ever used the phrase, "We shall overcome." Martin Luther King Jr. was watching the address on TV that night, and he later said that when he heard Lyndon Johnson say the words, "We shall overcome," he burst into tears. The president signed the legislation a few months later, on this day in 1965.
It was on this day in 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. It was the first time that a nuclear weapon was ever used in combat, and only the second time that a nuclear weapon had ever been exploded. The attack led to the end of World War II.
...what will today bring?
Song of the day: doesnt it figure i have that song from the coke commercials in my head ?
"id like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony..." (or maybe that didnt start as a coke commercial, but thats the place i remember hearing it)
3 comments:
1965-That's beautiful.
1945-Wow. If that was to happen today, life as we know it would be over. It wouldn't be just one country unleashing this massive beast, but several itching fingers would press the red button all around the world in an attempt to get the upperhand. People...bastards...that we have put into power worldwide (for a leader cannot lead without the submission of the people) would be willing sacrifice us all in order to keep what they have.
a true leader leads by becoming the change s/he wishes to create, giving his people direction which they can (and often will) choose to follow
dictators, fascists and theocrates rule by demanding submission from the people
...glad you stopped by michael, your commenta are always appreciated!
We will as humans ever learn to be humane...
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