RSS Add-Me
Living in interesting times...
I have to admit, I'm a bit of a history junkie. And I always get a bit of a thrill when something happens that I know will be remembered in the future, as an important moment in history.
Unfortunately, many of these moments are tied to tragedy. I remember where I was when Princess Diana died (buying school supplies for my last year at high school). I'll always remember where I was when I heard about September 11th (in bed - my radio woke me up with the news report). I will also remember where I was when the Iraq war began (in France, teaching in a high school populated mainly by immigrants from French speaking North Africa and the Middle East).
Some, however, are tied to good. I was 9 when the Berlin Wall came down, and I have a strong memory of driving in the car with my dad as he tried to explain the Cold War to me. I was under the impression that the Wall coming down was an accident, and they'd have to rebuild it. I couldn't figure out why it was a good thing. More recently, I stood with my colleagues around a computer, listening to Australia's new prime minister as he offered a touching, sincere, and heartfelt apology to the aboriginal community for the pain and anguish caused by earlier governments' Stolen Generations policy.
This morning, when I arrived at work, I discovered that Fidel Castro has resigned - or, at least, will not re-seek the presidency. As a Canadian/Australian, I'm not tied too much to the issues at hand here. I'm not objective by any means - I've seen my share of propaganda from both sides of the fence - but I'm more of an interested observer.
One more moment in history...
Those moments in history.... Princess Diana and 9/11 are two also very
clear in my memory. When I think of each, I still feel that emotional
wave I had when I first heard the news. Good post Kate, thanks.