Day Tripping: June 27

Achievement against all odds

Helen Keller lost her hearing and her eyesight less than two years after her birth on this day in 1880, but she persevered to become an author of fourteen books, an activist for the rights of women, people of color, the disabled, and the oppressed worker.

There is perhaps no better person in history to define humanity in all its struggles as well as its triumphs.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

Solitude At Sea

Joshua Slocum of Nova Scotia arrived aboard his 36-foot sloop at Newport, Rhode Island in 1898, becoming the first person to sail around the globe solo. It took three years of circumnavigation and major decisions to reroute along the way. Using the even then antiquated method of dead reckoning rather than carry a chronometer, Joshua traveled more than 46,000 miles to complete the journey. His feat went virtually unnoticed because of the breakout of the Spanish-American War.

Eleven years later at the age of sixty-five, Slocum departed on another solo adventure to the West Indies. Believed lost at sea, Joshua Slocum was never seen again.

Today is:

Industrial Workers of the World Day — The difficult and often dangerous work that these vital workers do every day, largely goes unrecognized by mainstream society. As far back as 1910 when the IWW was founded, Wobblies as they are known, have struggled to gain fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. Without their efforts though, the multitude of daily luxuries we enjoy without a second thought, simply would not exist.

Sunglasses Day — Did you know that these colored spectacles go back as far as the fourteenth century in China? Apparently, judges would wear smoked glasses to mask their emotions when adjudicating. Today, beyond being a fashion statement, sunglasses are an effective measure to protect the eyes from dangerous UV rays. Get those shades on.

Orange Blossom Day — The fragrance has been used the world over in perfumes and scents, and the essence of orange blossom is a staple in the cuisine of various European and Middle Eastern diets.

Musical Ride

In their first performance with a new band name, the former members of Smile bring a brash and talented young Fred Bulsara on stage and they become Queen in 1970. Later to become Freddie Mercury, the singer stated he was always aware of the gay connotations of the band’s name, “but that was only one facet of it,” pointing also to the suggestion of royalty for their choice.

It seems appropriate that today’s song comes courtesy of Freddie’s friend David Bowie. Click here for today’s Moon Song.

Interesting Notes

Whilst breaking up a fight between French and English settlers at a polling station, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, and Strathearn is the first to use the term Canadian in 1792.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Jack Lemmon’s ability to move between dramatic roles and comedic genius made him a major star in the latter half of the 20th century. He was nominated for the Academy Award eight times, winning twice. Lemmon died of cancer in 2001 at age 76.

Thunderfingers John Entwistle was the only member of The Who to have formal musical training, and he was voted by Rolling Stone Magazine the greatest bass player of all time. He died tragically of a heart attack from cocaine overuse in a Nevada hotel room. Entwistle was 57.

Notable Births

1966 —Filmmaker of epic visual effects films, J. J. Abrams

1975 — The first movie Spiderman, Tobey Maguire

K. Barrett Maria Rattray 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 James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Holly Kellums Michael Burg, MD

All previous Day Tripping entries are available at the following links:

The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present

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