Day Tripping: March 12
Nothing more agreeable than Coke and cookies
Welcome to my daily feature where each day on the calendar marks a part of our shared history.
Pop The Cork
In the late nineteenth century, Coca-Cola was originally sold by the glass from a fountain. The belief then was that carbonated water had beneficial health qualities, a case of what goes around, comes around. Today in 1894, a candy company in Vicksburg, Mississippi is credited with the first bottling of the product.
Joseph A. Biedenharn used his Hutchinson bottle with a patented stopper to sell the sweet elixir. The famous contoured version would not make its first appearance until 1915.
Take A Big Bite
Having returned from the UK in 1912 where she learned of an organization devoted to the development of girls, Juliette Gordon Low established the Girl Guides of America in Savannah, Georgia. Calling on eighteen local girls, Low formed and promoted the group, dedicating her life to the development of female youth which later incorporated as Girl Scouts and grew to worldwide success.
“Truly, ours is a circle of friendships, united by our ideals.” — Juliette Gordon Low. And what goes better with a coke than cookies?
Shake Hands
Semiramis Hotel in Cairo was the scene of the secret 1921 conference held to determine the future political landscape in the Middle East. In attendance with then Colonial Secretary, Winston Churchill, were two of the most active Britons in the region, Gertrude Bell and T.E. Lawrence. Bell was an extraordinary influence not only as a woman but for her expertise and knowledge from extensive travels throughout the region. Lawrence of course was canonized in David Lean’s film depiction of Lawrence of Arabia.
The outcome of the two-week meeting set boundaries for rulers Abdullah bin Hussein of Jordan, and his brother King Faisal of Iraq. The British kept their mandate over Palestine in the promise of creating a Jewish Homeland.
Musical Milestones
2003 — The Rolling Stones are given explicit instructions on what songs they will not be allowed to perform on their tour of Communist China. Banned from the playlist are, Brown Sugar, Honky Tonk Woman, and Let’s Spend the Night Together.
If it was sexual innuendo they were worried about, I can think of a few that may have been worse.
Narratives
Two literary giants that walked to their own beat, Jack Kerouac 1922, and Edward Albee 1928, were born.
Remembrance
Anne Frank died of typhus in Belson concentration camp during the Holocaust at the age of fifteen in 1945. Her legacy speaks volumes for the many who perished with her.
Notable Births
1933 — If you know Agent 99 from one fo television's best sitcoms Get Smart, you know Barbara Feldon. “Oh, Max.”
1946 —Daughter of Judy Garland and accomplished actress, singer and dancer, Liza Minnelli. The original Arthur is still one of my favourite comedies.
1948 — Folk singer and songwriter, the great James Taylor.
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 James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly