THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Off the top of my head

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What major historical events do you remember? – Great question from the daily writing prompt.

In the 1960s several events stood out. I remember seeing my parents cry for the first time together when John F Kennedy was shot and killed. I still have the Washington Post paper from that day. It was the decade of death for me. My father died a few years later and was buried at Arlington so I got my own experience there.

The deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F Kennedy stood out more because I was more aware of their impact and with the Vietnam war getting out of control the world seemed to be out of control. I also lost 4 more family members before 1970.

I remember George Wallace being shot in a town near me, then Watergate and Nixon resigning. Sitting is gas lines, beginning to vote, and Three Mile Island. This isn’t a major historical event to many except their original fans. The plane crash of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 77 was something that shook me. Their music spoke to me.

John Lennon being killed, the Chornobyl disaster, and watching the Challenger explode live were the 80s. Another historical event on a local and personal level. The death of Len Bias in 86. A basketball player for the University of Maryland. I enjoyed seeing him play, develop, become the #1 draft choice, and then die from a bad choice. Not casting any stones, I’ve made many bad choices in life.

Then my children were born so that is where current life takes over.

We make history every day by our actions, words, and votes.

Wall of front pages on 9/11/2001. This was from the Newseum in DC. Photo by Mike Hartley

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Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

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