Tuesday Open Line


As a year draws to a close, it is common to reflect on the passage of time. How history will judge 2014 is not yet known, but this year’s anniversaries are woven into the fabric of today. Two-hundred years ago, we experienced a foreign invasion and occupation, as British troops captured Washington, DC and burned the White House. One-hundred years ago, Henry Ford set an eight-hour workday, while President Woodrow Wilson signed a Mothers Day proclamation. Fifty years ago, we were invaded and occupied by the British again as the Beatles debuted in America. A century ago, the average life expectancy was 57 years for a baby girl and 52 years for a boy. Now, those figures are 81 years for girls and 76 for boys. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <http://www.census.gov>.