I found myself thinking today about the historical things that have happened during my lifetime and where I was when they happened. This isn't by any means a complete list but simply a cataloging of things that were (or at least I deemed) historical and that I clearly remember. I am sure there will be many things forgotten but here are the things that come to my head first and NOT in chronological order:
* The space shuttle blew up. I remember I was going to Auke Bay Elementary School at the time. I got up early to watch with my parents - it was the first time I could remember it. Sitting there eating oatmeal we cheered when it took off. Then I remember watching it blow up. Our house was silent. I was the first to speak saying, "Is this real?" I don't remember the answer. I do remember being late to school and being the only person in my class who had seen it.
* The planes hitting the towers. I was at home walking out the door when the first one hit. I left listening to the radio the whole way. Since I didn't have a radio at work I stopped at Fred Meyer to buy one. In the electronic section the news was on all 20 TVs. There was a crowd of about 30 people all silently watching. I joined them and listened. That was when the second tower got hit. I just remember we all burst out crying and hugging each other. I don't think any of us were there with people but suddenly we were not alone. It was a sad and yet, oddly comforting and amazing feeling.
* The Berlin Wall coming down. I remember watching the news on TV and being fascinated by it all. This was one of my first political memories. My grandparents got me a puzzle of the wall coming down a few weeks later. It is the only puzzle I have actually ever put together (over about 30 pieces).
* The Iraq War started under Papa Bush. I remember being out at dinner with my dad - my mom was out of town. I remember it because it was rare mom was gone. We were eating Mexican food and talking. Then a murmur went through the restaurant. I remember my dad saying, "I bet we went to war." We ate the rest of the meal tring to listen to the other diners. When we got home we turned on the TV to find that yes, we were at war.
* Ted Bundy was executed. I remember asking my mom if I could stay up to watch. They didn't televise the actual execution but they did show him being walked in and then his body being taken away, in a white hersh. To this day I am still amazed my mom let me stay up and watch that since I was like 14 years old but she did. I remember her cheering. Neither of my parents ever 'told' me about Bundy but I heard of him on the news and then I remember finding everything I could to read about him. I guess you could say from an early age I was fascinated by serial killers and their motivations - but I can't honestly say why.
* Princess Diana is killed. I remember I had just been back from England for a few weeks when this happened. I was house-sitting for my grandparents, they were out of town. So were my parents. In fact, the only person in town was my Aunt Nit, she is from Thailand. I remember it came on the news and I was shocked. Almost immediately the phone rang and it was Nit. She was in tears. Together we were on the phone for about 6 hours watching the news and commenting. This was one of the longest conversations I had had with her at that time. It was also the first real heartfelt conversation too. I remember watching all of the reports and the crime scene and everything. It was horrible. We were both so touched and moved by the events, it was unreal. I cannot say exactly what about Princess Di touched either of us, but it was something. I feel that since that moment on Nit and I have been closer somehow.
* Obama elected President. This is the most recent historical thing I can remember. Though I had taken the morning off work to watch the inauguration on TV I actually overslept and woke up just as his took the oath of office. I remember sitting in my home, alone with my cat on my lap and crying my heart out. It was amazing and powerful. It was the first time in over 10 years that I was truly honored and proud to be an American.
* Ellen comes out. I wasn't a huge watcher of the Ellen Show but being a long-standing fan of her stand-up routine (I watched her during Improv) I tuned in occasionally. I just happened to be watching that night when she 'came out.' True it wasn't a huge surprise to anyone, but still it was a big deal. I couldn't help but smile for her. You go girl! I am proud of anyone who takes the risk to live in truth and honesty vs living a lie. Gay or straight, married or single, we have all lived a lie at one point or another. Be it being with someone you don't love or keeping a secret you think will 'ruin everything.' Anyone who has the strength to stop the lie deserves a HUGE round of applause in my book.
* The Cooney vs Holmes fight. Whether or not this is truly historical is a matter of opinion but to me it was. I remember staying up late with my mom and dad to watch the fight. I was about 8 years old and I remember watching as my parents dodged and weaved and cheered. I don't know if I remember much of the fight but I remember how my parents reacted. Prior to this I had memories of my dad and memories of my mom, but this was the first true memory I had of them both together, enjoying themselves. It was amazing. I can't be sure but I bet that had something to do with my love of Rocky a few months later when my uncle showed me the movie. The love of Rocky and the dream of taking boxing classes has stuck with me ever since. (I haven't boxed yet and would never want to in an actual fight but I would LOVE to take a class or two)
* The Waco Siege. I remember watching on TV as they stormed the compound and then the entire place went up in flame. It was a horrifying to watch but I was intrigued. I couldn't understand how or why people would choose to die over religious beliefs. This is probably what helped feed my interest and fascination with religion and cults.
* The killing of the Oregon City girls. I hadn't been living in Portland very long when this happened. I remember they found the body of the first girl in the garage and immediately 24-hr news coverage began. I was glued to the TV for days watching and waiting. I was crying with the families - even though I had never known these girls. Like the Bundy experience before something about the entire situation moved me. Plus this was in my own town. Coming from a small town in Alaska a crime like this was unreal - which was both fascinating and terrifying. Big cities are so different from small towns.
* The first woman runs for Governor of Alaska - Arliss Strugeleski. I LOVED her. She was strong, bold and Republican. This was a woman that wasn't an idiot. She was my hero. I proudly worked for her campaign in high school. And I met her a number of times - she remembered me. When I grew up I wanted to be just like her (and almost was is seemed). I was crushed when she lost. And to think who was actually elected the first female governor years later turns my stomach. Arliss would have made an excellent Governor.
* Meeting ALL of the past Governors of Alaska. I was in 2nd grade when my mom took me out of school one day to go to the inauguration. It was at the SOB (State Office Building for non-Alaskans) at noon. We watched while the new Governor was sworn in (Sheffield) and give his speech. Then the former Governors formed a line for the new Governor and his cabinet to walk through and shake hands. My mom said I should 'go get in line' to meet the Governor - meaning the line off to the side, behind the press. I didn't hear and/or pay attention to that part. I joined in the line right in between some cabinet members. And there it was on TV me walking down the line shaking hands with all of the Governors. My mom was embarrassed at the other end but proud. I never registered what I did was wrong. Still don't.
These are the first few things I can think of right now. If I can think of others I will add them but these are certainly the really big things. Feel free to respond with your own list of historical things in your lifetime. I bet combined we could cover almost every news-worthy item over the last 30-40 years. What you think?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I was living in Fairbanks, getting ready to head out the door for school, when the shuttle blew up. I can't forget. I also, remember most of the things you had mention, some I didn't know about, but like down here in Va, we have the day V Tech shooting. I was teaching art at the time, and some of the other teachers had kids or people they knew there,calling them. The next day, teens were making threats at the high schools, even to the one next to us. It was scary because we have pod classrooms (little buildings, with no hallways), which offered no protection. Teachers were ordered to turn off the lights, lock their doors, and sit on the floor away from windows. We were under lock down, for most of the day, into night! I was lucky, I had no kids, because it was my prep time, but after a bit of hearing nothing, I went to the office to help make phone calls and I discovered chaos! All of the high school students were in our gym, and they were loud. Police were everywhere, and they would not allow any cars to come to the building! So down the road, I could see, buses, and loads of worried parents. Til this day, some wise person still makes threats on that anniversary. In fact, my son Erick made a frantic phone call to me in Jan. because of a report of shooters coming to their school, he was hiding on the stage with his class, under lock down. They caught these gang bangers on route from another school before they could get to ours. They did have weapons. Thanks for sharing your stories!
ReplyDeleteI think you hit all my major highlights. The world around me always seems surreal; I certainly have not had the emotions for these historical events that you have had. The closest for me was the twin towers. I had to force myself to turn OFF the TV and not think about it because I had these two littles at home (8mo and 2.5) that I had to take care of.
ReplyDeleteGood list though and I liked your commentary. Great post.