This day in history - September 22

[seamusTX]

This date has been the last day of summer and first day of autumn about half the years since the Julian calendar was introduced in 45 BC. The date varies between the 21st and 24th because the Julian calendar does not exactly match the revolution of the earth around the sun, and the earth itself does not revolve or rotate at constant speeds.

In the belief system of the Druids, this day was called Mabon. The equinoxes, solstices, and the days halfway between them had religious significance, some of which we still acknowledge as holidays without knowing their origin (particularly Samhain or Hallowe'en).

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1692 - The last person was executed for witchcraft in the territory that would become the U.S.

1776 - Nathan Hale was hanged by the British for espionage, after uttering the immortal words "I only regret that I have but one life to give my country."

1863 - President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

1949 - The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb.

1964 - "Fiddler on the Roof" opened on Broadway. It ran for 3,242 performances.

I am not much of a fan of Broadway musicals, but this phenomenon was truly astounding.

1975 - Sara Jane Moore attempted to shoot President Ford in San Francisco. It was the second assassination attempt in less than three weeks.

Ms. Moore is now in her 70s and on closely supervised parole.

1980 - The Iran-Iraq war began, as Saddam Hussein tried to take advantage of the disorder caused by the Iranian Revolution.

- Jim