Day Tripping: February 15

Banners, belts, and backtracks

Welcome to my daily feature where each day on the calendar marks a part of our shared history.

The Maple Leaf Forever

The Government of Canada adopted a new flag to commemorate the coming centennial year of dominion. The red maple leaf with red borders on a white field was introduced as a departure from the traditional British Commonwealth flags which incorporated The Union Jack. Though the flag was initially met with consternation by many Canadians, the Maple Leaf has come to represent our country as a unique symbol around the world.

At noon on this day in 1965, the new flag was raised on Parliament Hil with Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson pronouncing, “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”

Unseating A Champion

After fifteen grueling rounds, Leon Spinks won a split decision in only his eighth professional bout to take the heavyweight boxing crown from Muhammad Ali. In 1978 and nearing the end of Ali's career, Spinks was the only fighter ever to take the belt from The Greatest in the ring.

Leon Spinks passed away sadly, just last week at the age of sixty-seven. He and his brother Michael were also the first siblings to win Olympic Gold Medals in the same sport and to win the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World.

Formal Retreat

Reeling from the heavy burden it was putting on the Soviet economy, the last Russian troops took their final exit from Afghanistan after nearly ten years of occupation. Plagued by what became known as “Russia’s Vietnam”, General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev completed the withdrawal he had lobbied his government for, and now set his sights on Perestroika, the reforming of the Soviet regime.

What was once considered unthinkable by many world leaders, the withdrawal from Afghanistan signalled a new era in global affairs? It didn’t last.

Musical Milestones

1969 — The cover of Rolling Stone Magazine introduces a new term to popular culture, coining superfans who follow rock bands as Groupies. The term sticks and eventually ends up in dictionaries.

1987 — Ben and Jerry’s ice cream rolls out their newest flavour to honour singer Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Cherry Garcia ice cream is chock-full of cherries and flakes of fudge. Mmm!

Narratives

Two mass murderers see justice. In 1978, Ted Bundy is recaptured after escaping, and in 1992, Jeffrey Dahmer is determined to be sane and found guilty of killing fifteen boys. He is sentenced to fifteen consecutive life terms.

Remembrance

Guitar genius Mike Bloomfield, of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, was found dead in his car with all four doors locked in 1981. Bloomfield was one of the original greats but became lost in the shadow of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. He was one of the many to take the road less travelled, but the music he left behind bears serious revisiting.

The truly Unforgettable Nat King Cole, singer, pianist, and actor passed away in 1965. He was the very definition of smooth. His memory was brought back to prominence when his daughter Natalie Cole performed his signature song as a duet with a video recording of her dad in 1992.

Notable Births

1564 —Dubbed the father of the scientific method, Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician, Galileo Galilei.

1820 — Famous American suffragette and equal rights advocate, Susan B. Anthony

1954 — Cartoonist and creator of The Simpsons, the longest-running TV animation show in history, Matt Groening.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article dedicated to the days of our history. I hope to see you tomorrow for another installment.

K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Joseph M. Learned Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman