Sgt. Hook (one of my faves), has responded to Venomous Kate's survey: 50 Most Defining Moments in American History with his own list.
I am, frankly, baffled at the blunt inclusion of "Louisa May Alcott" on the list, at #46. Now do not get me wrong: Little Women was one of the most formative books I've ever read ... but to see her squashed in between "Martin Luther King" and "The Television" is confusing indeed.
But other than that anomaly, Hook has come up with a damn fine list. And the comments people have left so far, of things they believe he left off, or ignored, are almost as good as the post itself. I read such comments and think, in a purely selfish way, "Ah, I am in good company here. People with a sense of history, with opinions on things ... who have some understanding of where we have come from..."
Anyway, it's a fun list - part serious, part comedic, and should spark up some interesting debates. I'd bump Amelia Earhart off, in favor of Lindbergh. But hey, that's just me.
No mention of the 69 Mets?
1947 - Jackie Robinson
1966 - Super Bowl I
1968 - RFK assassination
1977 - Star Wars
Tim the Soldier
I should explain Ms. Alcott's inclusion (and btw, the list is not in any order of importance). I think America is unique in how woman are treated equally (or near equally) in society comparatively speaking. Ms. Alcott was one of the earliest women authors to be published and certainly the most successful.
Along those lines, I have to whole heartedly agree with the Jackie Robinson suggetion, sports is a huge part of our culture and his breakthrough into MLB was inspirational.
As both a JETS and METS fan, I ought to be flogged for leaving them off the list, but I really didn't touch on sports. Shame on me. Thanks for the link Dean.
Um... guest blogger Shelia actually gave the link, but I'm sure she'll accept the thanks either way :-)
World War I
World War II
Vietnam
Tet
Washington's Farewell Address
14th Amendment
Brown v Board of Education
Proposition 13
Rosa Parks
Substitute Jefferson, Adams and both Roosevelts for Kennedy and Reagan
Seward's Folly
Watergate
Thanks for the link Sheila.
good post jeff!
Tim the Soldier
Thanks for the kind words, Tim.
Now I think I'll push my luck. As a Californian, it occurs to me that our ongoing Davis Recall soap opera may turn out to be a truly defining moment. We don't know if Davis will manage to hang on, nor do we know the outcome if he is thrown out, but this exercise in populism really represents a revolution. There are no high crimes or misdemeanors, with other politicians determining the fate of a fellow politician, just a whole lot of people fed up with politics as usual. First shot across the bow for all politicians?
Proposition 13 ultimately affected the entire country. This may do so as well. "As California goes, so goes the nation."
I do not see how this list can include the 19th Amendment without including the 16th Amendment that created the Income Tax. We are now in the nintieth year of this dreaded mess and the deleterious effects it has on every one of us.
I also would include the Vietnam Waras well as the development of antibiotics.