Mohandas Gandhi was born on in this day in India in 1869. Gandhi led India to independence from the British Empire, primarily through non-violent protest and peaceful resistance. His ideas would inspire future movements from such people as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
For more on the life of Gandhi, click here.
For those born in last few decades, the greatest goal in hockey that they ever witnessed was the “Golden Goal” of Sydney Crosby, the overtime goal which captured the Gold Medal for Canada at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
For others, sandwiched between the baby boomers and the millennials, the greatest goal ever scored, that they saw, came in 1987, as Wayne Gretzky passed the puck to Mario Lemieux, who scored to give Canada a 6-5 victory over the Soviet Union in the third and deciding game of the Canada Cup.
The case can be made for other great goals as well. However, hockey fans in their 50’s or older were witnesses to “The Goal,” what most hockey observers, experts and fans alike, consider to be the greatest goal in hockey history.
In 1972 the Summit Series featured the stars of the NHL, Team Canada, against the Soviet Union. The series was about more than just hockey. It was the height of the cold war, and for many people, this was an extension of that conflict between Soviets, representing communism and totalitarianism, and the democratic, capitalist, “free” countries of the “West.”
1972 was the first time that the best players in professional hockey would be assembled to take on the Soviets, the powerhouse that had dominated international and Olympic hockey since the 1950’s. Canadians were confident that this time it would be different, as hockey was our game, and now we finally had a chance to prove it, “best on best.” For the first time we would send our best players, our NHL stars, to teach the Soviets about hockey.
It didn’t start out that way. The Canadian stars were used to using September to get in shape for the NHL season. They weren’t ready to play and it showed, as Canada only won one game out of the first four games at home, and then dropped the first game in Russia. Down 3 games to 1, with one tie, the Canadians needed to win the final three games in Russia to win the series. They would win the next two to even the series and make the 8th and final game the decider.
What had already been a dramatic series was about to achieve legendary status. Down by two goals going into the 3rd period, Canada clawed their way back to tie the game with about 7 minutes left. In the final minute, Paul Henderson scored to give Canada the lead and the victory in the series.
Canadians had been watching on their television sets, all over the country and around the world. Many Canadians can still tell you where they were when Henderson scored “The Goal.”
Find out more:
The Goal:
Jay Greenspan was born on this day in 1959. Greenspan would go on to become an actor who performed under the name Jason Alexander. He would land a spot on the television show “Seinfeld,” portraying what some consider to be the greatest comedy character of all time, George Costanza. For more on George Costanza and “Seinfeld”, check out WikiSein.
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, begins at sundown on September 21st and concludes on the 26th. Millions of Muslims will descend on Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet, Mohammad, the founder of Islam. It is considered to be one of the “Five Pillars of the Faith” for Muslims to make the pilgrimage once in their life, if they are able to manage it physically and financially.
Jim Abbott was born on this day in 1967. Abbott debuted as a Major League Baseball pitcher in 1989 for the California Angels. He would go on to play for several other teams, including the New York Yankees. It was with the Yankees that he threw a No-Hitter on September 4, 1993.
Jim Abbott was born without a right hand. He would throw with his left hand while his glove would rest on the end of his right arm. To field the ball he would deftly slip his left hand into the glove. To throw, he would then tuck the glove between under his right arm, and get the ball into his left hand. Early in his career teams tried to exploit this apparent “weakness” by bunting on him, but he was an amazingly effective fielder.
Jim Abbott’s ability to thrive as a professional athlete despite his physical challenges is truly inspirational.
After retiring from professional baseball, Jim began to tour the world as a motivational speaker.
For more on Jim Abbott, check out his website, jimabbott.net
Once again the Panther Den invites you to be a part of the Library Team. We are looking for responsible, diligent students to work as library monitors at lunch, before school and after school. Earn service hours, get first crack at new books and enjoy the privilege of serving your school in an important way.
All students from Grade 8 to 12 are invited. Click here to apply online. See Mr Sexton if you have any questions, and check out the Library Team page.
Yukon Dan is in the School Library today. Socials and Humanities Classes will be getting Gold Fever!
For more information, check out Yukon Dan‘s website.
Legendary pro football coach Vince Lombardi was born on this day in 1913. The Super Bowl Trophy is named after Lombardi, who coached the Packers to the first two Super Bowl titles and to three NFL titles before that. Despite popular belief, Lombardi never said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” However, he did say, “Winning isn’t everything, but making the effort to win is.” There is a subtle but very important difference.
Jerry Stiller was born on this day in 1927. He portrayed one of television comedy’s greatest characters, Frank Costanza.
Actor Keith David was born on this day in 1955 in Harlem. His is known for roles in such films as “Platoon,” “There’s Something About Mary,” and “The Thing.” He is also known for his part in what some describe as the greatest fight scene in movie history, brawling with Rowdy Roddy Piper in “They Live.”
Pro Wrestling Superstar Jake “The Snake” Roberts was born on this day in 1955. His given name is Aurelian Smith Jr., but has been known in the ring as Jake Smith, El Diablo, and the Texan.
Some might argue that he was the greatest actor of his generation, at least the greatest actor of his generation who had a mohawk, myriad gold chains and feather earrings. He was my hero when I was in Grade 8, watching Clubber Lang in “Rocky III” and B.A. Baracus in “The A-Team.” Mr. T was born on this day in 1952.
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 