The Eleventh of September

I've written about what happened on 9/11 before (at least, from my distant perspective). No need to repeat that account (such as it was) here.

That date has become our generation's "date which will live in infamy," as well it should have done--The events of that day, and the horror, anger, fear and unity of nation they inspired, will never be forgotten.

Other significant events in history, minor and major, that happened on this date, however, have faded into the shadow of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and rural Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed.

Events like the foundation of the World Wildlife Fund in 1961. Or, on that same day in that same year, the first broadcast of Bozo's Circus, the Chicago children's show that would have an amazing run of just under 40 years. (Its 40th anniversary was, in fact, 9/11/01, but the show had been cancelled earlier that year and its last original broadcast, featuring Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins sining Bob Dylan's "forever Young," aired in June.)

Authors O. Henry and D.H. Lawrence were born on this date. So were directors Brian de Palma and Brad Bird, as well as actors Herbert Lom, Amy Madigan, Virginia Madsen and Kristy McNichol and music makers Moby and Ludacris.

Actors Lorne Greene, Jessica Tandy, Kim Hunter and John Ritter died on this date.

And Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb's all-time Major League hits record on this day 24 years ago.

Like I said--that terrible day in 2001 has forever marked this point in the calendar, and it will never be forgotten. Today has become a day of prayer, of reflection, of service to this country, of mourning. But in the midst of that reflection, I don't believe it's disrespectful to take a moment or two and recall other events--some happy or amusing, others far less so--that transpired on this date.