Equidistant… A great title for this article and an interesting way of cataloging human events.
I like to think that the assassination attempts on our presidents or sporting events (such as Bill Mazeroski’s 9th inning home run to beat the highly favored Yankees, to win the World Series) are also relevant to the thought processes that can motivate us to grow (or retreat).
Imagine if sputnik had not been launched when it was. We would’ve missed all the wonderful musical inspiration that transpired after.
You quickly learn that human events change (or inspire) us whether we want to be changed or not.
Mental illness Schizophrenia Trying to understand why someone would do this is what sticks with me. We had a family member diagnosed with schizophrenia just before this event. My thoughts were with Hinkley's family. Their lives were forever changed that day in a different way than the victims on the other side of the gun. There must be extended family that still live in the shadow of this man's actions.
Good morning, Bill! I really enjoyed your post this morning! The first news event I remember is Watergate. I was in Kindergarten and I went in the afternoon (back in the day when K was still 1/2 day). I remember eating my lunch and being bored with what was on the TV...my mother had the Watergate trial on. The event that made the greatest impact on me when I was a kid was the Iran Hostage Crisis. I remember the news starting every night with Day _____. I was terrified by this event and remember asking my father if we were going to war over this.
"The Gipper" bounced back to give our commencement address at Notre Dame in May 1981. My first encounter with metal detectors and mass secret service presence!
Remember this well. So, in April 1981 I was on a business trip (remember those?) to Washington D.C. Staying at the Watergate (Yes, THAT Watergate). Had a problem with some very serious corneal abrasions to both eyes. Terribly painful, could not see. Got taken to Geo Washington Medical Center Emergency Room. The doctor treating me told me I was in the same room where they initially treated the President. A minor crossing paths with history.
The first big incident I remember was the JFK assassination. I was in the 8th grade on the East Coast. Our teacher had given us a break in the afternoon to talk to each other; he probably went out for a smoke. I remember thinking that our break went on a little longer than usual, but no one complained. Our teacher came back into the classroom, told us what happened, and we were sent home immediately. I don’t remember much about the next days, except seeing the funeral procession on black and white TV. That was 58 years ago. Keying off Bill’s article, 58 years before that was 1905, before the start of World War 1.
I was getting off bus 106 in Attleboro when Vicky, a middle schooler home before us elementary kids, yelled out the window that the president had been shot. That first, no one believed her, but then everyone scattered, ran home scared and watched the news instead of cartoons! As a sidenote, they changed the name of the main character on the tv show, ‘The Greatest American Hero’ after that event. Mr. H’s full name was Ralph Hinckley like the assassin
Once you have seen a few “equidistant” events, you don’t get overwhelmed by the “crisis de jour.” You learn an historical perspective. Ever hear about the Battle of Lepanto? It was as big a deal in the 16th century as was Pearl Harbor. Don’t like the results of the last election, or perhaps you’re elated? Let a decade pass, and they won’t seem to be as big a deal. The moral: shut off the news feed and study history, keeping in mind that surveying the events of the past 50 years is not history. You cannot appraise the importance of past events until the importance becomes apparent in the passage of time. Riley Rawson.
Thanks for posting the Frank Reynolds coverage. I don't remember much but I was 22 and absolutely shocked. I do remember thinking that Frank Reynolds was the very best at covering the assassination attempt.
I most remember Frank Reynolds realize (after he was given a piece of paper) That the information he had been giving people on air was FALSE! What did he do? He literally said, "what we have been telling you is wrong!". What a novel thing for a news person to do! Admit a mistake and reverse course. No diatribe. No personal opinions. Just trying to get the real story to viewers.
I was in Wichita, Ks preparing for a school board meeting when we learned of the assassination attempt. It was also the evening of the NCAA Men's BB tourney in which Indiana was to play North Carolina. I grew up in Indiana so I rented for the first time a VCR to tape the game since I would be at a board meeting. While there was some consternation amongst officials regarding postponing the game, it did get played. Thankfully, I had on tape not only the game but the coverage of the assassination attempt and the announcement that President Reagan's surgery was successful. Indiana won the game so I slept ok that evening even though it cost me $35 to rent the VCR. Thanks for sharing your equidistant reminiscing stories. Dennis Turner
I’m bragging, I know but I really remember the Kennedy-Nixon debate. I was babysitting so got to watch it on their TV. As it was 1960 I had to have been 14. I don’t remember the exact date like 11/22/63 when President Kennedy was assassinated. I was 17, in my senior English Lit class and our teachers were all called to the office. When Miss Wolfe returned she was crying as the announcement of Kennedy’s death was reported. Basically I’ve lived through a lot of history, remembering some better than other events.
My 15 minute Covid wait is over so I’m out of here.
I was 7 when the Cuban Missile Crisis unfolded. I remember being terrified in general, but I clearly remember Adlai Stevenson standing in the UN General Assembly and telling the Russians he was prepared to wait for their answer "Until Hell Freezes Over." I still think he was one of the great American statesmen of all time. And I formed that opinion as a 7 year old.
No mention of 45office.com
Equidistant… A great title for this article and an interesting way of cataloging human events.
I like to think that the assassination attempts on our presidents or sporting events (such as Bill Mazeroski’s 9th inning home run to beat the highly favored Yankees, to win the World Series) are also relevant to the thought processes that can motivate us to grow (or retreat).
Imagine if sputnik had not been launched when it was. We would’ve missed all the wonderful musical inspiration that transpired after.
You quickly learn that human events change (or inspire) us whether we want to be changed or not.
A darn nice article, Bill.
Mental illness Schizophrenia Trying to understand why someone would do this is what sticks with me. We had a family member diagnosed with schizophrenia just before this event. My thoughts were with Hinkley's family. Their lives were forever changed that day in a different way than the victims on the other side of the gun. There must be extended family that still live in the shadow of this man's actions.
Good morning, Bill! I really enjoyed your post this morning! The first news event I remember is Watergate. I was in Kindergarten and I went in the afternoon (back in the day when K was still 1/2 day). I remember eating my lunch and being bored with what was on the TV...my mother had the Watergate trial on. The event that made the greatest impact on me when I was a kid was the Iran Hostage Crisis. I remember the news starting every night with Day _____. I was terrified by this event and remember asking my father if we were going to war over this.
"The Gipper" bounced back to give our commencement address at Notre Dame in May 1981. My first encounter with metal detectors and mass secret service presence!
I clearly remember being in a Cub Scout meeting at the rec center near my house when my best friend walked in and announced that Reagan had been shot.
Remember this well. So, in April 1981 I was on a business trip (remember those?) to Washington D.C. Staying at the Watergate (Yes, THAT Watergate). Had a problem with some very serious corneal abrasions to both eyes. Terribly painful, could not see. Got taken to Geo Washington Medical Center Emergency Room. The doctor treating me told me I was in the same room where they initially treated the President. A minor crossing paths with history.
The first big incident I remember was the JFK assassination. I was in the 8th grade on the East Coast. Our teacher had given us a break in the afternoon to talk to each other; he probably went out for a smoke. I remember thinking that our break went on a little longer than usual, but no one complained. Our teacher came back into the classroom, told us what happened, and we were sent home immediately. I don’t remember much about the next days, except seeing the funeral procession on black and white TV. That was 58 years ago. Keying off Bill’s article, 58 years before that was 1905, before the start of World War 1.
Ahh...CCD. Now that brings back memories.
I was getting off bus 106 in Attleboro when Vicky, a middle schooler home before us elementary kids, yelled out the window that the president had been shot. That first, no one believed her, but then everyone scattered, ran home scared and watched the news instead of cartoons! As a sidenote, they changed the name of the main character on the tv show, ‘The Greatest American Hero’ after that event. Mr. H’s full name was Ralph Hinckley like the assassin
Once you have seen a few “equidistant” events, you don’t get overwhelmed by the “crisis de jour.” You learn an historical perspective. Ever hear about the Battle of Lepanto? It was as big a deal in the 16th century as was Pearl Harbor. Don’t like the results of the last election, or perhaps you’re elated? Let a decade pass, and they won’t seem to be as big a deal. The moral: shut off the news feed and study history, keeping in mind that surveying the events of the past 50 years is not history. You cannot appraise the importance of past events until the importance becomes apparent in the passage of time. Riley Rawson.
Thanks for posting the Frank Reynolds coverage. I don't remember much but I was 22 and absolutely shocked. I do remember thinking that Frank Reynolds was the very best at covering the assassination attempt.
I most remember Frank Reynolds realize (after he was given a piece of paper) That the information he had been giving people on air was FALSE! What did he do? He literally said, "what we have been telling you is wrong!". What a novel thing for a news person to do! Admit a mistake and reverse course. No diatribe. No personal opinions. Just trying to get the real story to viewers.
I was in Wichita, Ks preparing for a school board meeting when we learned of the assassination attempt. It was also the evening of the NCAA Men's BB tourney in which Indiana was to play North Carolina. I grew up in Indiana so I rented for the first time a VCR to tape the game since I would be at a board meeting. While there was some consternation amongst officials regarding postponing the game, it did get played. Thankfully, I had on tape not only the game but the coverage of the assassination attempt and the announcement that President Reagan's surgery was successful. Indiana won the game so I slept ok that evening even though it cost me $35 to rent the VCR. Thanks for sharing your equidistant reminiscing stories. Dennis Turner
I’m bragging, I know but I really remember the Kennedy-Nixon debate. I was babysitting so got to watch it on their TV. As it was 1960 I had to have been 14. I don’t remember the exact date like 11/22/63 when President Kennedy was assassinated. I was 17, in my senior English Lit class and our teachers were all called to the office. When Miss Wolfe returned she was crying as the announcement of Kennedy’s death was reported. Basically I’ve lived through a lot of history, remembering some better than other events.
My 15 minute Covid wait is over so I’m out of here.
Later Bill. This was a great post 👍.
I was 7 when the Cuban Missile Crisis unfolded. I remember being terrified in general, but I clearly remember Adlai Stevenson standing in the UN General Assembly and telling the Russians he was prepared to wait for their answer "Until Hell Freezes Over." I still think he was one of the great American statesmen of all time. And I formed that opinion as a 7 year old.