rantlust

Posted by anupcs on June 30th 2006 in History, Life, Thoughts
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A curious look at important events that happened on this day in history doesn’t reveal much of earth shattering significance. After some research on the big bad Internet, I came up with the following shortlist:

• In 1520, the Spanish retreat from the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan suffering huge losses
• In 1859, Emile Blondin, a French daredevil, crosses the Niagara Falls on a tightrope
• In 1936, Margaret Mitchell’s epic “Gone with the Wind” is published
• In 1950, the US enters the Korean War officially
• In 1953, the first Chevy Corvette, a white car with a red interior, is produced
• In 1971, the crew of the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 11 perishes on re-entry
• In 2002, Brazil beats Germany 2-0 in Japan to win their fifth World Cup title in Football

And oh, I was born on this day, one and a half scores and then some, years ago. Even as a child my mother made sure this day was special for me. She used to make me invite my friends and cook for them. I don’t celebrate XMAS, thanksgiving, or any other holiday with much enthusiasm. But birthdays are important to me; whether they are mine or those of close friends and family.

I more or less continued this tradition of big parties until about a few years ago when most of my friends decided to have progeny and settle down. Bummer. For I have had quite a few memorable birthday parties. The best of the crop was in my former apartment when about thirty people showed up and dunked me in the swimming pool. I was drunk and fully clothed. It was after midnight. I had only moved in a week before that day and the managers of the complex weren’t pleased. I was promptly served with an eviction notice the next day.