A Century Ago

My in-laws live on an acreage in southwestern Minnesota. Up until just a couple of years ago, a woman named Bertha lived just down the gravel road from them. I only bring her up because this month Bertha turns 104 years old. Of course she's slowed down some over the years, but her mind is still sharp. And I can't help but think of all the amazing things that have happened during her lifetime.

2012 marks the 100th anniversary of some pretty spectacular events. 1912 was one heck of a year. I can't list all the events that happened that year, but here are just a few of the highlights. I'll have to ask Bertha what she remembers from when she was 4.

100 Years Ago:

New Mexico and Arizona became states.
Explorers reached the South Pole for the first time.
Jackson Pollock, Gene Kelly, and Julia Child were born.
an airplane flew more than 100 mph for the first time.
the first person parachuted from an airplane.
the Girl Scouts were founded.
the 1912 Cadillacs were the first cars to use electric starters.
the Titanic made its first and last voyage.
Fenway Park opened.
Curtis Publishing fired 15 women for dancing the "Turkey Trot" during their lunch break.
Woodrow Wilson beat Theodore Roosevelt and President Taft in the presidential election. (First lady Helen Taft also planted the first cherry tree in Washington D.C. that year.)