August 2 History International Forgiveness Day

Ridley’s Believe It Or Not—August 2, 2015 Trust your Sunday is off to a great start and as always, I hope you enjoy Sunday’s holidays and observances,  factoids of interest, a music video by Zagar and Evans, a relevant quote from Marianne Williamson, looking forward to enjoying a cold ice cream sandwich, blessed with a positive attitude and secure in the knowledge that if you want to find a gift for any memorable event like birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. You need only contact me for details.
       1. International Forgiveness Day—celebrating on the first Sunday in August the act of forgiveness whether it is of others or even oneself and the benefits to one’s peace of mind of forgiving.                                                    

       2. American Family Day—celebrating since 1977 in Arizona the importance of the family as the bedrock of the community and society and unlike Mothers’ Day or Fathers’ Day family members observing the day are encouraged not to give gifts other than the gift of spending time together.                                                          

       3. 1969 Number One Song—celebrating the number one song in 1969 on a six week run in that position another great classic of the 60’s In The Year 2525 by Zagar and Evans.  Here is a link to Zagar and Evans performing In The Year 2525: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izQB2-Kmiic

      4. National Ice Cream Sandwich Day—celebrating another great way to beat the summer heat.  

      5. All In The Family On Family Day—celebrating the birthday on this day in 1924 of Caroll O’Connor best known for his role as Archie Bunker in the classic TV Series All in the Family.

On this day in:                                           

       a. 1790 the first census was completed, showing a population of 3,929,214. In terms of population we have come a long way and with immigration legal and unfortunately illegal continue to expand.  

       b. 1911 in one of the early shots in this nation’s war on drugs, Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which effectively made the production, use and sale of products containing cannabis illegal.

       c. 1943 PT-109 was rammed and sunk by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri; but fortunately for us, its captain, John F. Kennedy survived. The Amagiri was sunk near Borneo on April 20, 1944.   

       d. 1964  three North Vietnamese gunboats launched unsuccessful torpedo attacks on the USS Maddox but were heavily damaged by gunfire and air attacks while retreating back to North Vietnam. Little did we know this brief encounter would be the steps that with great deception on the part of our government led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution due to a phantom attack on the USS Turner Joy 2 days later and the beginning of this nation’s worst nightmare, the Vietnam War.   

       e. 1990 in a grave miscalculation of U.S. resolve and a U.S. President who when he drew red lines in the sand really meant it, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the First Iraq War and a crushing defeat of Iraqi forces in 100 hours of ground combat.   

Reflections on forgiveness and how to find lasting peace: “Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness." Marianne Williamson, noted American spiritural teacher, lecturer and author of ten books, four of which have been number one best sellers on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Without forgiveness anger turns into resentment which is more toxic to one’s spirituality and tranquility than the strongest poison known to man, a veritable tranquility nerve gas.

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© August 2, 2015, Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet
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