Day Tripping: February 13
Beagles, Babies, and bank robbers
Welcome to my daily feature where each day on the calendar marks a part of our shared history.
So Long Snoopy
The last Peanuts comic strip was published in newspapers, just hours after the death of one of the most beloved cartoonists of the 20th century. Charles M. Schulz provided us with the endearing characters of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang for more than fifty years.
Growing up with Shulz’s cast of characters gave every kid hope that they too would meet the challenges life faced them, and in the end, fostering strong friendships and relationships through thick and thin were vital aspects to growing up.
Happily and thanks to Mr. Shulz, the Peanuts cast of characters will never grow up, or grow old.
Bittersweet Justice
The 20-month-old son of aviator Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped in 1935 in what was to become an international story. After attempts to negotiate and subsequently service the ransom demand, the Lindbergh baby was found murdered than five miles from their home. Bruno Hauptmann was tried and convicted and ultimately given the death penalty, all the while professing his innocence.
First Hold Up
The wild west’s most infamous outlaw Jesse James robbed his first bank in Liberty, Missouri, getting away with $15,000 in 1866. With his brother Frank and the Younger brothers, the James Gang wreaked havoc, stealing from banks and trains across the west for over twenty years until Jesse was killed with a bullet to the back of his head.
His assassin was a man hired to infiltrate James’ newest gang of thieves. Though he was a criminal, after all, citizens at the time were outraged by the cowardly way in which justice was served.
Musical Milestones
1970 — the release of Black Sabbath’s debut album appropriately occurs on Friday the 13th. As part of the band’s marketing campaign, they refuse to give interviews resulting in massive sales by word of mouth. Ozzie’s legacy only grows from there.
1972 — Officials in Singapore refuse Led Zeppelin permission to disembark their plane when they see the band member’s long hair. Thousands of fans are disappointed when the gig is cancelled.
1982 —Somebody steals Ronnie Van Zant’s three hundred pound marble grave marker. The Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singers stone was found two weeks later lying in a riverbed.
Narratives
Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is stripped of his Soviet citizenship in 1974 and deported to Frankfurt, West Germany.
Controversial author and philosopher Marquis de Sade is arrested and imprisoned in Vincennes fortress in 1777 with no charges laid.
Remembrance
Waylon Jennings, the band member with Buddy Holly who gave up his seat on the ill-fated plane that crashed in 1959, died in 2002. Jennings went on to fame as a Country singer during the years after the crash, though he never reconciled the event in his own mind.
Notable Births
1933 — Actress Kim Novak who starred in the Hitchcock classic, Vertigo with James Stewart.
1950 — Co-founding member of the progressive rock band, Genesis and prolific solo artist Peter Gabriel.
Thanks for taking the time to read this article dedicated to the days of our history. I hope to see you tomorrow for another instalment.
K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Joseph M. Learned Myriam Ben Salem Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Maryam Merchant Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, Ph.D.