Of all the historical moments that have occurred in my lifetime, that’s mine. That’s the one I was present for. What a moment. Tragedy born of stupidity. Although I suppose that all “great” historical moments are born in tragedy. It’s only later we recognize them as turning points for great good. This one, of course, wasn’t a turning point for anything. Nobody learned anything, nothing changed (see February 1, 2003).

Last night as I was thinking on today I felt, as I always do, a deep sadness for the lives that were lost. I still remember all their names: Scobee, Smith, Resnik, McNair, Jarvis, Onizuka, McAuliffe. Isn’t that a pretty impressive cross-section of the United States? I remember what they looked like. I mourn them lost and wish I hadn’t seen it happen.

But that’s the old curse, “may you live in interesting times.” It’s been interesting. So, despite the unpleasant memories, I’ll be glad I was present at a moment in history and proud that there will always be at least one person who remembers the day and those who were lost.

Who knew that July 1 was such a day of battles? I knew Gettysburg started today and somewhere in the dark recesses of my historical memory I recalled that the Battle of San Juan and Kettle Hill was today in 1898 – the 35th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. I didn’t know today was also the beginning of the Battle of El Alamein.

I wonder why July 1 is such a day for fighting. For me, I’m usually railing against the heat as I prepare to again don the wool and sally forth. Why on earth anyone would want to fight in such heat is beyond me.

Happily it’s a gorgeous day, clear and cool. It would be a fine day for fighting if there were any to be done.

Thinking about my Grandmother in her hospital bed fighting the latest in a seemingly never-ending stream of difficulties and wishing I could talk to her and share the celebration of her becoming a grandmother on this day thirty-six years ago.

Thinking about Jed Hastings, R.I.P., and missing the annual telephone call on “our” birthday. It just ain’t the same.

Thinking that thirty-six is much tougher on my brain than anything else in my thirties: I assume it’s because I’m closer to 40 than 30 and closer to 50 than 20. Crazy the way the mind works.

Thinking I must be completely loopy to go to Disney World by myself at thirty-six. But, damn, I had a good time.

The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, as follows:

“Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed repeated acts of
war against the Government and the people of the United States of
America:

“Therefore be it

“Resolved, etc., That the state of war between the United States and the
Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United
States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is
hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military
forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry
on war against the Imperial Government of Japan; and, to bring the
conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the
country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.”

Minutes of the United States House of Representatives. Signed by President Roosevelt at 4:10 PM, December 8, 1941

Seems a pretty bloodless way to set out on a war that would end with mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

• 2009-2015: The Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War (16 October 1859 – 6 November 1865)
• 2014-2018: The Centennial of the Great War (1 August 1914 – 11 November 1918)
• 2025-2039: The 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution (19 April 1775 – 30 April 1789)
• 2039-2045: The Centennial of the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945)

And then it starts again with the Bicentennial of the Civil War.

Will anybody even remember the United States by then?