Day Tripping: February 25

Cash, Cassius, and Castaways

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

Money Talks

The United States Congress formally adopts the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing for the printing of new paper currency, in 1862. In a switch from demand notes to legal tender, the new bills which featured green printing on the reverse side were the first formal circulation of paper money in the United States.

The term for American money commonly known as greenbacks got its origin from these notes. In 1913, the Federal Reserve took over the printing of the bills we see circulated around the world today.

Greatness Speaks

They called him the Louisville Lip and he called himself The Greatest and for good reason, both. Boxer Muhammad Ali, who was still known by his birth name Cassius Clay at the time, defeated Sonny Liston by Technical Knock Out (TKO) when Liston refused to return to the ring for the next round, making Ali the World Heavyweight Champion in 1964.

Ali’s legacy as a supreme athlete, civil rights activist and conscientious objector against the war in Vietnam are well documented. He awakened the ideas of theatre in sport, a voicing of one’s convictions, and a larger than life persona that should never go forgotten. Yeah, he was The Greatest.

Tyranny Hides

Amid street protests by over a million citizens in 1986, President Ferdinand E. Marcos of the Philippines fleas to Hawaii with his wife Imelda and about eighty house staff. The pressure to leave came from the United States after continuing claims of a fraudulent election where results showed Marcos defeating his rival, Corazon Aquino, wife of the previously murdered Ninoy Aquino.

Signalling the end of a brutal dictatorial administration, Aquino took over as president while Marcos took asylum. Even back then, curious outsiders seemed more interested in Imelda Marcos’ exorbitant shoe collection then the oppressive tactics of her husband’s regime.

Musical Milestones

1998 — Bo Diddley was a pioneer in transforming blues music to rock and roll, and Roy Orbison who also influenced the future of rock with his golden voice were both awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Grammys together.

Narratives

The Philanderer, a play by George Bernard Shaw premieres in London. Though the play was completed in 1893, censorship laws at the time would prevent its exhibitions before this day in 1907. Themes of promiscuity and criticisms of capitalism were what kept Shaw’s trilogy of Plays Unpleasant form being produced until 1902.

Remembrance

The playwright who created the iconic, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams died in 1983.

Notable Births

1841 — Leading artist in the development of impressionism, Pierre-Auguste Renoir

1943 — He was often called the quiet Beatle, George Harrison went on post-fab four to have a prolific solo career as well as collaborations with fellow Wilburys. Still waters do indeed run deep.

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