Day Tripping: February 24

Freedoms, Fear Mongering, and Final Verdicts

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

Early Release

After serving two years of a six-year sentence, Mahatma Gandhi was released from prison because of failing health in 1924. British officials had laid the charge against him for sedition when Gandhi led protests against British colonialism.

After pleading guilty to the charges, Gandhi was allowed a closing oratory where he spoke of non-violent resistance. Mahatma, or “Great soul” stepped away from any involvement in Indian political affairs until 1930 when he led the famous Dandi Salt March against salt taxes.

Late Night Panic

The “Battle of Los Angeles” began on this night in 1942. Only two months following the attack on Pearl Harbor, nerves were frayed to the edge on the West coast of the United States. Unsubstantiated reports of Japanese bombers flying overhead caused the engagement of anti-aircraft tactics, lighting up the Los Angeles night sky with searchlights while the city was ordered into blackout conditions.

The phantom battle ensued into the wee hours of the next morning until a ceasefire was ordered. Colonel John G. Murphy wrote later that “cold detachment disclosed no planes of any type in the sky — friendly or enemy.” It’s notable that the day before, a Japanese submarine had fired shells at a refinery off the coast of Santa Barbara causing minimal damage.

Better Late Than Not At All

Some semblance of justice was finally served to Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of rape and a criminal sex act. Though a major victory for the #MeToo movement, Weinstein was acquitted on the more severe charges of predatory sexual assault. He was sentenced to twenty-three years in prison.

The exposure of Harvey Weinstein’s exploitation and abuse is only a ripple in a sea of similar behaviour that has permeated throughout the entertainment industry since the old studio era.

Musical Milestones

Queen Elizabeth II bestows a knighthood on Sir Elton John at Buckingham Palace in 1998. Though peers like David Bowie and John Lennon refused their MBE, Elton graciously accepted saying, “I love my country and to be recognised in such a way — I can’t think of anything better.”

Narratives

Henrik Ibsen’s five-act play in verse, Peer Gynt premieres in Oslo in 1876.

Remembrance

The comedian who famously told us “Take my wife…please”, Henny Youngman died in 1998 at ninety-one.

The beloved comedian that for years, played Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show and a very nice man I had the pleasure to meet in an elevator once, Don Knotts died in 2006. When I voiced my recognition, he gave me his iconic bug-eyed stare. Priceless!

Notable Births

1955 — Some guy who never amounted to much except a thing called Apple, Steve Jobs.

1955 — Four-time Formula One World Champion race car driver Alain Prost. One of those guys that turn left and right at breakneck speed.

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