Day with a Difference - July 13, 2006

Today's Inspirational Quote:

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. - Elie Wiesel

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE TIME HATING PEOPLE Written in 2002 by Crystin Miller

Never be awful to anyone, that person you were awful to may teach you the most.

Always remember...you are a somebody, God didn't take the time to create a nobody.

Always smile, you never know whose day you might be making.

Never 'forget' to say hi to anyone, never miss the chance to laugh or smile, never get too caught up in yourself that you forget to help others.

Never forget that you aren't the only one with problems, and most of all...never forget that when you feel like you only have one friend, that friend will remind you of all the others.

If you forget about all the bad things in life, the good will take over.

If fear is staring you in the face, close your eyes so you don't have to look at it.

Be yourself, you can't be anyone else...The best you can be is you!

Expand your knowledge base

July 13, 1977 - The New York City Blackout of 1977 lasts for 25 hours and results in looting and other disorder
The events leading up to the blackout started at 8:37 p.m. with a lightning strike at Buchanan South, a substation on the Hudson River, tripping two circuit breakers in Westchester County. The Buchanan South substation converted high-voltage electricity from Indian Point to the low voltage kind for commercial use. Due to a loose locking nut and a planned upgrade that had not taken place, the breaker was not able to reclose and allow power to flow again. Con Ed, the power provider for New York City and some of Westchester County, could not generate enough power within the city and the three power lines that supplemented the city's power were overtaxed. Just after 9:27 p.m., the biggest generator in New York City, Big Allis in Queens, shut down and with it, all of New York City.

The blackout came at a low point in the city's history, with New York facing a severe financial crisis, and commentators contrasted the event with the good-natured Where were you when the lights went out? atmosphere of 1965. Some pointed to the financial crisis as a root cause of the disorder, others noted the hot July weather. Still others noted at the 1977 blackout came after businesses had closed and their owners went home while in 1965, the blackout occurred during the day and owners stayed to protect their property. By 1:45 p.m. the next day, service was restored to half of Consolidated Edison's customers, mostly in Staten Island and Queens. It was not until 10:39 p.m. on July 14 that the entire city's power was back online.

Have a memorable day!

Priya