History can be a topic that bores many people. However, I find it fascinating. Not in the sense of knowing exactly what date and time something happened, but just knowing that it happened. The dates and times is most likely what becomes tedious for many. Really, you need to know the context of a historical event. Every day history is made it is just a matter of how eventful or important it was. From time to time I like to pick a day and learn what has happened on this date over time. Today happens to be a somewhat “light” day in History, but there are still plenty of fascinating things that have happened.
On this date in 1904, the New York City subway was opened. To think it is over 100 years old is quite the thought. It is estimated that 4.5 million people use this system daily. That is a staggering number of people. The NYC subway was not the first in the United States, but it certainly became the largest when it was complete. Imagine what life would be like for many New Yorkers if the subway was never built! It clearly would have been built by now, but taking on that type of project over 100 years ago was an awesome vision and has held an immeasurable impact on the area.
I enjoy looking to see what famous people have been born on a certain day. Today, October 27th, is the birth date of a few historical figures. Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858. He is one of the more influential people ever to have lived in the eyes of many. Some of his accomplishments include being a politician early in life and leading the “Rough Riders” in the Spanish American War. That success led to a higher position in politics and eventually leading to becoming the youngest President of the United States. As President, he was influential in Trust-Busting, building the Panama Canal, and being the first real champion of conservationism. Roosevelt was also the first American to win a Nobel Prize. He coined the term, “speak softly and swing a big stick”. He was an awesome figure in our country’s history and his popularity led to him being immortalized on Mt. Rushmore. Can you imagine if he was never born?
Here are some other influential figures that were born on this day. Mob Boss, John Gotti, was born in 1940. Gotti rose in power to become the “boss” of the Gambino crime family. Influential and Trailblazing actress Ruby Dee was born in 1924. The great poet, Sylvia Plath, was born in 1932.
Another moment that is historical for some was that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series on this day in 2004. Normally, winning the World Series is not that big of a deal, but the Red Sox had not won in 86 years and many believed they were “cursed”.
As you can see History does not have to be boring or mundane. History is made every day and it is in the eye of the beholder. Not many can argue the importance of the birth of Teddy Roosevelt but many could care less about the Boston Red Sox winning. That is what makes history great. History is made every day and no matter how small or large the happening, just know that it happened and that makes it history!
—Victor Mandalawi