“What’s previous is prologue” wrote William Shakespeare in “The Tempest,” a thought profound sufficient to be engraved on the Nationwide Archives constructing in Washington.
As America prepares to have a good time its 250th anniversary, a blip on historical past’s ledger in comparison with many different nations, we might do properly to re-visit even the latest previous as a information to what can present us a greater future. That’s as a result of although know-how adjustments, different issues don’t.
On the finish of every 12 months, I take pleasure in exploring the occasions of a century in the past, a interval during which my dad and mom and grandparents lived.
With regards to political unrest, 2026 has nothing on 1926. There have been protests, coups, invasions and adjustments in governments throughout Europe. In Britain a basic strike paralyzed the nation and was entrance web page information for months. Poland, Portugal and Lithuania had their governments overthrown. In Italy, future dictator Benito Mussolini elevated his energy and affect regardless of, or maybe due to, quite a few assassination makes an attempt.
The longer term Queen Elizabeth II and Fidel Castro had been born. So was Norma Jeane Mortenson, who would change her title to Marilyn Monroe.
Calvin Coolidge, a tax cutter and deficit hawk, was president. Unemployment was simply 1.8 p.c, tax charges had been falling and the nationwide debt was $19.6 billion. The booming financial system helped pay down the debt, one thing President Trump has stated will occur once more. Will the spendthrifts in Congress get the message?
A century in the past, land on Broadway and Wall Avenue in New York Metropolis was promoting at a file $7 per sq. inch, relying on location.
Robert H. Goddard, who would later develop into a central determine in America’s house program, launched the primary liquid gas rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. It achieved a top of 41 ft in its 2.5 second flight.
John Logie Baird demonstrated the primary tv. Given the low high quality of a lot of in the present day’s TV exhibits I ponder if he would remorse it?
United Airways, based as Varney Air Traces, grew to become the primary scheduled industrial airline within the nation. There was doubtless extra legroom then.
Henry Ford inaugurated the 40-hour work week.
Explorer Richard E. Byrd and Navy Chief Aviation pilot Floyd Bennett develop into the primary verified explorers to traverse the North Pole. There have been no stories of Santa Claus sightings.
America celebrated its one hundred and fiftieth birthday with a world’s honest in Philadelphia. Not sufficient folks got here and the honest group went into receivership. Its belongings had been bought at public sale the next 12 months. That’s unlikely to occur in 2026.
The U.S. and Panama signal a treaty. Through the Carter administration that will once more develop into controversial as possession of the Panama Canal was turned over to the nation. (President Trump says he needs it returned to American management and possession).
American Olympic gold medalist Gertrude Ederle turns into the primary girl to swim throughout the English Channel from France to England.
Rudolph Valentino, among the many biggest stars of the silent movie period, dies from sepsis brought on by a ruptured abdomen ulcer. The subsequent day 60,000 mourners trigger a riot in New York as they attempt to attain Valentino’s physique. A fixation on celebrities continues.
A class 4 hurricane hits Miami. Tons of die and injury is estimated at $100 million. Later, The Havana-Bermuda hurricane kills greater than 600 folks. Nobody blames “local weather change.”
Thomas Edison, inventor of the sunshine bulb and so many different issues in use in the present day, declares the radio a industrial failure.
Babe Ruth turns into the primary participant to hit three residence runs in a single sport in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals.
This and far more occurred in 1926. Politics, superstar, sports activities, technological improvements like AI and media proceed to realize our consideration. Dangerous issues will proceed to occur for the subsequent 100 years (if we survive that lengthy as a nation). That’s as a result of whereas many issues change, human nature stays the identical.
As for the great, that too is as much as us and people but to be born. Could they study from historical past.
Readers could e-mail Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Search for Cal Thomas’ newest e-book “A Watchman within the Night time: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).
