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What Happened When? By Gina Conkle

Do you remember what you did on this day, March 10th, last year?


Or 5 years ago? Maybe 10 years ago?


I love looking back in time. Days have a way of slipping one into the other. It's good to hit the pause button and think about the past. Several times a week I send "This day in #history (insert year)..." tweets. They keep things interesting, adding new facets to my perspective. 


So here's a countdown on 6 March 10th takes in history (going from recent history to the old, moldy stuff I like). Be warned: I get snarky.


#6

March 10, 1998 Eric Clapton releases  Pilgrim, his first album of regular studio material since 1989.

My Father's Eyes (I LOVE this song!) is on the album. 





You're welcome.

#5

March 10, 1971 the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The debate began in WWII but the discussion heated up around the Vietnam War. Congress passed the amendment in March and President Nixon signed it in July.


Iconic button says it all


#4

March 10, 1924 the US Supreme Court upheld a New York state law forbidding women from taking late-night work. <smirk> What was the rationale? Did they fear women ruining their delicate constitutions? The powers that be must've forgotten about late night baby feedings among our many other nocturnal activities.


Say what?!?

#3

March 10, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful phone call with these words: "Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you." <Sounds like a few calls I got in my 20s>

Imagine, 140 years later we're calling phones "smart."






#2

March 10, 1629 King Charles I of England dissolved Parliament and *snap* fledgling democracy disappeared. It'd be 11 years before Parliament again.

This is my "no image" sadface

#1

March 10, 49 BC Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon River (which was more like a stream). Why was this SO pivotal? An old Roman law forbade generals from crossing the Rubicon with a standing army. Not only did the general risk death, his rank and file soldiers did too.


But rebellion has its perks.


Many historians mark this as the beginning of the Roman Empire and the seed that sprouted modern European culture. Julius Caesar was an unparalleled military leader, a great orator, and he amassed a great fortune. The people loved him; the Senate and leaders in Pompey did not (Pompey was the power seat then). 


Rome - The Prize



It should be noted, Julius hesitated. The general first crossed the river with a small retinue to have dinner with friends. When he got wind of the Senate's fear, the future Emperor of Rome crossed back over the Rubicon to meet his army. That's when he took bold steps.


We get the phrase "point of no return" from that fateful day as he stood overlooking the Rubicon. Caesar also famously said to his soldiers, "The dye is cast" to foment the charge. His men knew this was an "all in" deal.


And as the saying goes, the rest is history!

Cheers to you, Reader!
~Gina Conkle


I write Viking and Georgian romance. I shamelessly share and promo books (mine and others) along with history nerd stuff, pictures of beautiful places, TV shows (historical, of course!), and a few funny memes.

If you want to connect with me, here's where to find me. 

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Now you tell me: What were you doing March 10th (any year) in your history?


Comments

  1. Wow! What a lot of things happened on this day. Maybe they didn't want women to work late because they were afraid they were prostitutes? No idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well...I was born on this day many years ago, lol.

    ReplyDelete

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