On This Day – Page 9 – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

Sports really are about much more than winning and losing. It is easy to forget that, as we get caught up in the moment. We are taught from an early age that winning isn’t everything, but so much that happens in sports that seems to indicate that, for many people, they have lost perspective. The fact that an organization like the UN has an entire section like Sport for Development and Peace reminds us that sports are powerful in ways that go far beyond winning and losing.

From the United Nations:

Due to its vast reach and unparalleled popularity, sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace. To raise awareness of this potential, 6 April was declared as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly.

In the words of the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke, sport “has the capacity to empower individuals and bring one’s moral values to the forefront” and “can play a strategic role in transferring life skills and communicating useful and encouraging messages on important issues, thus driving social change.”

MLK Assassinated

Martin Luther King Jr. lost his life on this day in 1968. He was shot and killed while he was on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee. He was only 39 years old.

The Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated, is now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum. The wreath marks the approximate place Dr. King was standing at the time. source: wikimedia commons

Learn more about the life and death of Dr. King:

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was born on this day in 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington. He would become the lead singer of Nirvana and one of the leading figures of the Seattle music scene of the late 90’s. Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden became global superstars at the centre of what some called the “Grunge” movement. Despite his wealth and fame, Cobain was a troubled young man who succumbed to depression and drug addiction. He took his own life in 1994.

Learn more about Kurt Cobain. Check out some of the books we have and some of these links:

Jim Brown and Michael Jordan

Two different athletes who are arguably the greatest players of their respective sports were born on this day. Jim Brown was born on this day in 1936. He dominated the NFL during the late 1950’s and 1960s. He had a relatively short career, choosing to retire while still at the height of his ability. Brown would go on to a successful film career. Brown was an incredible athlete who starred in lacrosse, basketball and track at college, along with football. For more on Jim Brown:

Michael Jordan (Steve Lipofsky at basketballphoto.com [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)) — Steve Lipofsky at basketballphoto.com [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)

Michael Jordan was born on this day in 1963. While his dream of playing Major League Baseball fell short, he did okay: Michael Jordan became, in the eyes of most basketball fans, the best player in history. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention here, but some of the most notable include: Six NBA Championships, and the highest career scoring average of any player, ever. According the NBA itself,

“By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Although, a summary of his basketball career and influence on the game inevitably fails to do it justice, as a phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of fundamental soundness, grace, speed, power, artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive desire, Jordan single-handedly redefined the NBA superstar.” (NBA.com)

For more on Michael Jordan:

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was born on this day in 1809 . Darwin’s work proved to be a major turning point in science. His ideas were the foundation of the Theory of Evolution. The work of Darwin led the world into new ways of thinking that changed how we saw biology and much more.

Bob Marley

Reggae legend Bob Marley was born on this day in 1945 in Nine Miles, Jamaica. Sadly, he died far too young, at only 36 in 1981. For more on the life of this amazing artist, take a look at some of the many books we have here in the school library. Online you can also check out:

Hank Aaron

Henry “Hank” Aaron was born on this day in 1934. He became a Major League Baseball player in 1954 and played in a remarkable career all the way until 1976. “Hammerin’ Hank” is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, surpassing the Babe’s 714 in 1974. Hank Aaron would finish in 1976 with 755 home runs. Many people consider that Aaron’s mark is still the legitimate record, as it would be broken in recent years under the cloud of steroid use and accusations of cheating with PEDs. More impressive is that Aaron displayed such tremendous skills for so long, and in the face of some horrific hate and threats of violence. As Aaron approached Babe Ruth’s record, he faced an increasing number of messages of hate and threats to his life by racists who couldn’t accept that a black man was accomplishing such a feat. Aaron faced the hate with courage and grace. For more on Hank Aaron:

Baseball Hall of Fame

Baseball Reference

755 Homeruns.com

International Civil Rights Walk of Fame

Don Cherry

Canadian icon Don Cherry was born on this day in 1934. After life as a professional Hockey Player and Coach, Cherry turned to Broadcasting, where he achieved his greatest fame. He is one of the most controversial figures in Canada, criticized by some, loved by others. But either way, for decades Cherry has been “must-watch TV” for millions of Canadians. He is a passionate Canadian patriot and commentator on the game of hockey. He was voted to seventh place in the CBC production of The Greatest Canadian in 2004.

Rosa Parks

One of the icons of the US Civil Rights movement looked an unlikely hero but proved to be someone whose strength of character belied her appearance. Rosa Parks was born on this day in 1934. In the face of the overt racism of 1950’s America, Rosa famously refused to give up her seat on the bus, as black people were expected to do for white people. She was arrested, and the resulting Montgomery Bus Boycott proved to be one of foundational events of the Civil Rights Movement. For more on Rosa Parks:

Rosa Parks Legacy

International Civil Rights Walk of Fame

NAACP

Books “they” are talking about

Check out our current window display, Books “they” are talking about. Some are old, some are new. There is fiction and non-fiction. Many of the books are thought-provoking. Some are even controversial. Some of the books will help you learn something about the world. Some will help you to escape from the world for a little while!

Source: CC / Wikimedia Commons / M. Altemark

What books are you reading? What books are you talking about?

Let us know in the comments below.

Surrey Teens Read

Be sure to check out Surrey Teens Read and join with high school students from all over the district who are reading and talking about the nine nominated titles, and eventually voting for Book of the Year.

It’s A Wonderful Life

On this day in 1946, Director Frank Capra’s beloved holiday film, “It’s a Wonderful Life” opened in New York. It would go on to become standard Christmas viewing for millions of families. (I estimate that I have seen it 29 times.)

For more information about the film, click here or here.