Today, anyone that reads a newspaper, watches television, or surfs the web will be bombarded by commemorative tributes to the tragedy that happened five years ago. It was a terrible moment in the history of the United States, which can never be forgotten.
While many folks will forever link September 11 to the tragedies of 2001, I think it’s important to acknowledge the GOOD things that also happened on this particular date.
On September 11, 1899, James Houston Davis, also known as Jimmie Davis, was born. Jimmie wrote and sang a lot of cowboy songs. He was such a popular guy that he was elected as governor of LOUISiana in 1944, and again in 1960. His biggest claim to fame was writing the song “You Are My Sunshine,” which was extremely popular. The Recording Industry Association of America named it one of the Songs of the Century. Jimmie Davis died in 2000 at the age of 101.
When Richard Berry first released “LOUIE LOUIE” in 1957 by Flip Records, it was on the B-side of his recording of “You Are My Sunshine,” one of his mother’s favorite songs. As “LOUIE LOUIE” became the bonafide hit, Flip Records was reissued the 45 single with LOUIE on the A-side, and “Rock Rock Rock” on the new B-side.
On September 11, 1943, two rock stars were born. One of these guys was Mickey Hart, one of the two drummers for the Grateful Dead.
The other rock star born on September 11, 1943 was Jack Ely, the original vocalist for the Kingsmen in 1963. Jack’s voice fueled the most popular recording ever of the word’s most notoriouous rock and roll party song.
Other great events happened on September 11:
1906 – Mahatma Gandhi starts Non-Violence movement.
1961 – Formation of the World Wildlife Fund
1962 – The Beatles record their debut single, Love Me Do.
1972 – Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) in San Francisco bay area begins regular service.
1978 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter, President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel met at Camp David and agreed on a framework for peace between Israel and Egypt and a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
Some other notable folks that were born on September 11 include writer O’Henry, musician Moby, film director Brian de Palma, musician Harry Connick, Jr., and blogger Markos Moulitsas.
One of my favorite people in my universe was also born on September 11. My sister Ann Casey also celebrates her anniversary of existance today. If you’re in the Baltimore area and need to have something packaged, notarized, or shipped, I can’t think of a better place than her company, Parcel Place. Tell her LOUIE sent ‘cha….