Day Tripping: February 22
Tyranny, Triumphs, and Thieves
Welcome to my daily feature where each day on the calendar marks a part of our shared history.
Execution Of Injustice
Three members of a nonviolent resistance group called White Rose, a student organization formed at the University of Munich denouncing the brutal actions of Hitler’s Nazis, were arrested and tried for high treason in a ‘People’s court’. After a four hour trial, Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst were taken away to the guillotine and all were beheaded.
The young adults were arrested while handing out self-written pamphlets and hanging posters all over the University that expressed anti-Nazi sentiments. All three were once members of the Hitler Youth organization until realizing what Nazi reforms really meant for many people.
Feeling they’d been duped by Hitler with failed promises and implementation of harsh restrictions. White Rose was formed to fight oppressive Nazi policies. The three students executed were only the beginning of a roundup of dissidents.
Beyond Expectations
“Do You Believe In Miracles?” These were the memorable words of sportscaster, Al Michaels as the U.S.A.’s men’s hockey team pulled off one of the most incredible upsets in Olympic history. The ‘Miracle on Ice’ was completed as a team of American amateurs took down the vaunted Soviet Red Army team at the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY.
Professional players were yet to be eligible for play in Olympic competition, though the Soviet squad was comprised of military personnel that did little else but play hockey during their careers. The group of relatively unknown Americans weren’t expected to medal let alone defeat a powerhouse, but the incredible win propelled the U.S. team into the Gold Medal Game where they beat Finland two days later.
Extraordinary Heist
A well-organized gang of thieves kidnap the manager of a Securitas depot and his family in Kent, UK, and force them to cooperate in the largest cash burglary in British history. Two men dressed as police took the manager Colin Dixon from his car in the wee hours of the morning in 2006, whilst another group snatched his wife and young son from their home. The family was then taken separately to a nearby farm.
Under threat for their lives, Dixon was convinced to help the burglars evade security at the depot, and disarm fourteen guards stationed in the building. The seven robbers loaded a van with only a third of what was housed in the depot but drove off with 53 million pounds (about $93m U.S.) in used banknotes. Five men were caught and convicted of the robbery in 2008.
Musical Milestones
1989 — The first-ever Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, goes to that ear-splitting sounds of Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson’s flute. Wait, what? Somehow, the Grammy gurus thought Tull was heavier than Metallica.
Narratives
The Roslin Institute in Scotland announces the creation of the world’s first cloned mammal, Dolly the Sheep, from an adult sheep’s cell in 1997.
Remembrance
Pop Art icon and creator of the famous Campbell’s soup can painting, Andy Warhol died at fifty-eight in 1987. He was a favourite among celebrities and counter-culture figures alike.
The man who brought us so many of our favourite Looney Tunes episodes as well as the classic The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Chuck Jones was an animator, producer, and director for Warner Brothers for many years. He passed away at 89 in 2002.
Notable Births
1968 —Everyone’s favourite Borg drone Seven of Nine, actress Jeri Ryan.
1975 —Child star from a famous acting family, Drew Barrymore.
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 Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate