The Sage Connection

My take on national history during my lifetime

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A few weeks ago, I suggested to my daughter and son-in-law that we might enjoy watching the Gaslit series, a show about the indomitable Martha Mitchell and the Watergate Saga.

“Sure,” my son-in-law said. “I like shows about history.”

History. I sometimes forget not everyone in my circle is old enough to remember incidents that left a lasting impression on me. And history? While accurate, his statement made me stop and think about other historical events that I remember clearly, but my children and grandchildren read about in their school books.

For instance, the first time man walked on the moon or even went into space. The southern governors who stood in front of school buildings to turn away children of color. The civil rights workers who went missing and were later found to have been murdered.

The marches led by civil rights leaders and their supporters, who were beaten and jailed for fighting for their constitutional rights.

Rosa Parks sitting in the front of the bus and refusing to move to the back.

The speeches that opened so many eyes: “I have a dream” by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and the “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country” speech by President Kennedy.

The assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., President John Kennedy, and his brother, Senator Robert Kennedy. The murder of Lee Harvey Oswald on live television just days after he shot and killed President Kennedy.

The Medicare Act that became law, under President Johnson, after the death (and probable failure to pass) of President Kennedy’s dream for Americans.

The Vietnam War, that divided the country and tore friends and families apart. Kent State University students wounded and killed by our own National Guard while demonstrating against the war.

The music. The incredible music of the 60’s and 70’s filled with angst, anger and truth.

The resignation of President Nixon after the Watergate debacle.

When I look back over the years it is often the first ladies I remember. Jackie Kennedy – what a class act. Lady Bird Johnson, who set about working with Congress to beautify our highways.

Betty Ford, who made it acceptable to get help for addiction problems. Rosalynn Carter standing shoulder to shoulder with her husband though out his presidency. Barbara Bush, who followed the fashion plate Nancy Reagan, with her dedication to family literacy.

I loved the wit and warmth of Barbara Bush and would have voted for her in a hot minute.

There were other events and other leaders, some good and some bad, some a little bit of both;  they usually were the most colorful.

I really don’t know what history will say about our current/recent leaders. We have had, at long last, a black president and a black female vice president.

We have a former president that still swears his re-election was stolen from him and a physical attack on our nation’s congressional leaders and Capital Building. January 6th will always rank right up there with 9/11 for me.

And of course, there will always be more to come. I may not agree with all the ways of the world, but I am never bored.

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.

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  • wolfmanner

    Jan 6 equals 911 ?????????????????. You should be ashamed of that statement.

    Monday, June 13, 2022 Report this