Today in History; Tomorrow a Pie Piece

Every once in a while it’s a good idea to pause and consider some of the turning points of history. In doing so, we can learn from the successes and mistakes of those who came before. It helps us appreciate how our lives have been affected by developments in technology, medicine, and other areas. And it’s something to do when you’re trying to avoid raking leaves.

Sure, we could stand back and admire the broad strokes on the canvas of time, but what about the detailed brushwork of everyday life? That’s where “this day in history” lists come in handy. For example, did you know that on this day in the year 1849, the first poultry show opened in Boston? If you’re like me, there’s nothing you’d rather do on November 15th than watch a group of chickens perform light musical comedy, but no doubt you’ve wondered when this tradition began.

Or this: on November 15, 1937, the U.S. congressional session was held in air-conditioned chambers for the first time. (“Well, gentlemen, the heat of the afternoon is upon us, but with this new miracle we can continue to levy taxes far into the evening.” “Hear, hear!”)

Though you won’t find most of these historical tidbits in textbooks, they’re no less important. Well, maybe slightly less important. Okay--so they’re really of no use except for winning a yellow pie piece in Trivial Pursuit. But perhaps you’d rather head outside and start tackling that lawn work? I thought not.

Back to the history lesson….do you know what happened on November 15, 1492? If you paid even the slightest bit of attention in seventh grade history class, you must not have gone to my school since, as I recall, we spent most of our time passing notes. But for the rest if you, 1492 should bring to mind the famous French explorer Christopher Columbus.*

*Note: To those who feel compelled to inform me that Christopher Columbus was not French: calm down and cancel that e-mail. It was just a little joke! Of course I learned in seventh grade (from Melissa, two rows over, who described in the same note a “really gross guy” who tried to sit by her on the bus) that Columbus was Greek.

It was on this day, 514 years ago, that Christopher Columbus gave us the first written record of tobacco. No doubt you’ve heard the children’s ditty about his voyage; the events of November 15th are also memorialized in a poem:

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus saw the natives chew.

He grabbed his journal; his pen did fly.
“This leaf,” he wrote, “is for to die.”

He liked the taste; he liked the smell,
The sailors were impressed as well.

On that fall day their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew.

“By R.J. Reynolds!” Chris declared,
“E’en though lung function be impaired,

“Though health insurance rates may soar
And smokers file lawsuits galore,

“This wondrous leaf shall be extolled!
(Especially when it’s dried and rolled).”

Did Chris find India? No, not quite.
“Oh, well,” he shrugged. “You got a light?”

So next time your child asks, “Why do I have to memorize these all these dates? What’s the point of studying history, anyway?” you can smile knowingly and reply, “Beats me. Now go out and rake the leaves.”