CONTRIBUTORS TO HISTORY AND OTHERS

Presidents' Day is celebrated in February. Though only Washington and Lincoln are mentioned, two others were also born in this month.  William Henry Harrison, born February 9, 1773, and Ronald Reagan on February 6, 1911.
 
But in February we celebrate the birthday of several other people as well, who were responsible for altering the course of history, or added to its importance. Here are a few, whom in my humble opinion, made a profound contribution to history:
 
February 4, 1902 - Aviator Charles Lindbergh, who flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean, first.
February 11, 1847 - Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb and other electronic devices.
February 15, 1564 - Galileo Galilei, who invented the telescope.
February 19, 1473 - Nicolas Copernicus, who theorized that the earth rotates around the sun and accurately predicted the cause of seasons.
February 27, 1902 - John Steinbeck, winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature.
And many others.
 
And a sad note of immense importance to remember; It was on February 29, 1692 - in Salem, Massachusetts that several girls were first accused of witchcraft.  A practice that led to the demise of many innocent women in the most appalling manner.
 
Today's uncertain politics and conflicts around the world generate many emotions that, left unchecked, could easily lead to atrocities.  Just last Sunday (2/13), a preacher in Tennessee, claimed he knew of six witches in his church.  Which begs the question; have we really learned enough from our past to build a better tomorrow? The events of the past few years sure don't show it to be so. Fortunately, today's information technology helps us iron out much of the mayhem.  All is needed, is our desire to use it to build bridges and do away with walls.