Everyone remembers the name of Benedict Arnold, but few know the name of the dashing young British officer with whom he conspired. As Adjunct General of the British forces, it was almost an unwritten law that he would suffer no more than prison for spying, and Washington (that's George, not the city) was willing to exchange prisoners. But since Arnold certainly would have been hanged for his treason, the British declined. Washington chose to set an example, to the amazement of both sides - he was widely admired by both. Andre is not completely forgotten, a monument to him stands in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey, even if few know of any of his written work.
It's an important day in British commerce as well, spanning the royal charter establishing the Hudson's Bay Company and the first jet passenger service.
Today's quotes are in honor of Dr Benjamin Spock. When I was younger the first thing I did after getting a new car was to go buy a maintenance manual for that model. For most of fifty years, young American parents went out and bought the manual for their new child, a slim volume written by Dr Spock.
Note that Yom Hashoah started at sundown last night and continues until sundown tonight. Many of you will probably think that Labor Day in Slovenia and Belize isn't really significant, but the programmer that created the database in which Twisted History is maintained lives in Slovenia, so I'm getting more attuned to that part of the world! Take a bow, Matija!
1670 - The Hudson's Bay Company receives Royal Charter to explore, provision settlers, and trade furs in Rupert's Land. Since 1870, when that territory was incorporated into Canada, it's interests expanded, and The Bay is best known as Canada's largest non-food retailer.
1863 - At 9:00 pm on the first day of the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate brigadier general Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was reconnoitering with his staff when the 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment failed to recognize the general and opened fire. Jackson was hit by three .57 caliber slugs, his arm was amputated, and he died from pneumonia at a field hospital on 10 May.
1952 - British Overseas Airways Corporation flight from London to Johannesburg, South Africa is the first passenger jet service. The plane was a De Havilland Comet, service continued for two years until BOAC grounded their Comet fleet after two 1954 accidents.
Labor Day, Slovenia and Belize - OK, not everybody observes Labor Day on the first.
Yom Hashoah, Israel - Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day memrializes the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust are memorialized. It is a solemn day, beginning at sunset on the 27th of the month of Nisan and ending the following evening, according to the traditional Jewish custom of marking a day.
1750 - John Andre, British poet, soldier - Bought commission in Royal Welch Fusiliers, studied military engineering on Continent, sailed to America 1774, adjutant to British commander-in-chief Henry Clinton, in charge of British Secret Intelligence 1779. Arranged with Benedict Arnold to receive plans of West Point, captured returning. Tried for espionage and hanged at Tappan, New York 2 October 1780.
1903 - Benjamin McLane Spock, US pediatrician, author, politician - Born New Haven, Connecticut, B.A. from Yale 1925, M.D. from Columbia 1929. Olympic medalist (rowing) 1924. Published "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" in 1946, sold almost 50 million copies so far. Professor of child development at Western Reserve University 1955 - 1967, left to campaign against Vietnam War. 1972 People's Party candidate for president. Died at La Jolla, California 15 March 1998.
Family: A unit composed not only of children, but of men, women, an occasional
animal, and the common cold.
- Ogden Nash
Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.
- Lady Bird Johnson
All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once
he grows up.
- Pablo Picasso
Adults are obsolete children.
- Dr. Seuss
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but
they have never failed to imitate them.
- James Baldwin
I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find
out what they want and then advise them to do it.
- Harry S Truman
Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them;
rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.
- Oscar Wilde
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