Monday, January 1, 2018

LOOKING AHEAD: 2018


Another new year is upon us, and as others tend to look back over 2017, The Free Choice E-zine prefers to look ahead at some of what 2018 has in store for us.

January begins with not one, but TWO full moons this month!
The “blue moon”, as this phenomenon is known, happens on January 2 and 31 this year; with the next occurrence not being until the summer of 2021.
A lot of new laws take effect today, while the United Nations believes the world should be on red alert! (There are 2 separate links in that last sentence.)

Meanwhile, Great Britain is still preparing to leave the European Union.
The investigation into whether or not Russia interfered with America’s 2016 Presidential elections continues.
February will see the Winter Olympics take place in PyeongChang, South Korea; followed by the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in March.
This Spring will mark the 115th anniversary of the Tour de France, and the new season of Doctor Who will feature a WOMAN in the title role for the first time as Jodie Whittaker becomes the thirteenth version of the Time Lord from Gallifrey.

And of course, November is highlighted in America by the crucial 2018 mid-term elections, whose results will indicate either voters still believe in the Republican Party or Democratic victories are a result of the continued actions of the Trump Administration and a Republican controlled Congress.

Historically, American President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law 155 years ago today, while January 1 is also the 75th anniversary of Donald Duck’s only Oscar winning cartoon (Der Furher’s Face) premiering in theaters.

Other milestone’s taking place this year include...
240TH ANNIVERSARY (1778)
Captain Cook discovering Sandwich Islands/Hawaii. (January 18)

230TH ANNIVERSARY (1788)
The other 12 original colonies became the United States of America over the course of this year. Delaware started the proceedings the previous December.

190TH ANNIVERSARY (1828)
Noah Webster published his first dictionary (April 14)

130TH ANNIVERSARY (1878)
Thomas Edison patented the phonograph (February 19)

95TH ANNIVERSARY (1923)
Time magazine debuted (March 3)

90TH ANNIVERSARY (1928)
Mickey and Minnie Mouse debuted in Plane Crazy (May 15), while July 29 will honor the pair starring in Steamboat Willie, the first sound/talking cartoon.

85TH ANNIVERSARY (1933)
The Lone Ranger’s radio debut (January 30)
Blondie married Dagwood on February 17.
The original King Kong debuted in theaters on March 2.

75TH ANNIVERSARY (1943)
Droopy Dog debuted as "Dumb Hounded" hit theaters on March 20th.

65TH ANNIVERSARY (1953)
Elizabeth the second will celebrate being crowned Queen of England June 2.

55TH ANNIVERSARY (1963)
The Beatles released their first record ("Please Please Me") on March 22.
August 28 is the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.
As a result of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the “Hot Line” is established between the White House and the Kremlin on August 30.
The United States lost President John F. Kennedy on November 22, while the BBC premiered Doctor Who the next night.

45TH ANNIVERSARY (1973)
Major League Baseball established Designated Hitter rule for the American League. (January11)
Vietnam Peace Accords were signed on January 27.

Also, The Free Choice E-zine will be celebrating our 2000 and 2100th posts this year😁, just based on the strength of our regular features: The Puzzle Corner (games) and The Week In Review (news) on Saturdays; and The Sunday Funnies (humor) the next day.

So, any way you look at it, there’s another interesting year ahead.
Join us, won’t you?

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