April 24
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 24, 1998
Casey was in a chicken suit for Cultural Awareness Day. Him and the techies did Latvia. He escorted me to 3rd period. I wore my new Delia’s outfit. Ash came home w/ me. We drove around a really pretty neighborhood and LAUGHED! :) Me, her, Née, Justin, Scrubber went 2 school play. Saw Casey. But it sucked. So we left and went 2 Waffle House. Drove ’round school for 'bout an hour. Me and Née spent night at Ash’s. Watched “Seven.”
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 24, 1997
Normal day at school. It was awesome academic-wise. I did so good in all of my classes! Missed Courtney so much today. Driver’s Ed. Came home and got in the BEST mood. I had so much good energy I didn’t know where to put it. Mom got me Los Tres, Eddie’s in Texas. Understood math homework! Talked to Ashley. “Friends.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 24, 1960
Lo out early to feed. Later picked Carrie up. She came after church. Lo “fixing” chest drawers others and closet. Worked at it all day discarding etc. Took Carrie home about 3:30.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 24, 1944
Can’t remember what happened today so I guess it wasn’t very important. Cloudy and cool. Cleared in afternoon. Eng. Lit. at 9. I had to read my paper at the conference. No tennis classes. Yippee! Went into Jane’s room — Betty and I — and talked til lunch. Piano lesson at 2. Studied in afternoon. Betty didn’t go to dinner. At 7:30 I went to Miss Blenko’s recital to hear Betty sing. She did much better than the first time. Out about 8:15. Betty and I talked most of the evening and didn’t get much studying done. Betty figured out my courses for next year — I’ve changed again. Political science now. I just won’t tell Mom and Pop this time! :) Nearly forgot — at lunch today Betty started a big argument about Roosevelt and a 4th term and then we got off on the national debt. What a time we had! Betty Postel and Connie were on one side of the fence while Betty was on the other. The rest of us being ignorant kept out of it pretty much. We yelled all the way back to the hall and carried on in the parlors til siesta. Valerie and I had a nice little argument on the side over a very trivial point! Miss Omer had to break up the national debt party and we retired to our rooms — neither side convinced. This afternoon I went to library and got 2 books on politics and national debt.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 24, 1941
Lovely rain, quite cool. Gave our cowboy songs program in English. Gave two candy bars as prizes. Third period we missed Latin ’cause all high school went in the library to hear a Mr. Bill La Rue, who had been shipwrecked off the coast of Africa. He was a fine looking man -- not old. He had been on an oil ship which was struck by two torpedoes (German) and had to float around in a lifeboat for five days. Wasn’t that romantic. It happened around last Christmas. He had a sense of humor and made it so interesting. Out late at noon so we walked home with Helen in the rain. So lovely. Got grade cards in afternoon. Made B- in typing. Heavens! Mother called Miss Alford and she’s going to look up my grades and see what happened. Practiced in afternoon. At night, Mom, Dad, and I went to the shows. It wasn’t open when we got there so I went to the Webbo and talked with Mary for awhile. Then to Princess. George and his mother came in and I sat near them. Saw Mickey Rooney in “Young Tom Edison.” Very good. George and I walked home. Felt wonderful. Be glad when summer comes. Somehow I didn’t want to think at night. Terrible not to want to think.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 24, 1888
Pa went to Ann Arbor today to a republican convention, and I draged [sic] with the doubled team on the oat ground all day. Willie draged [sic] with one horse and we got the field over before night. My legs ache rather hard. It is still cold weather for this time of year.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 24, 1887
This has been a bad day for all of us, the Dr. was here this morning and said Nellie was having Diptheria. I expect we well all stand a chance of taking the disease. I am very fearful of the consequences if Kate should take it in her weak condition. The excitement made her feel bad all day. I went over to see my folks about taking her and the baby over there. They said to come right along, but it was cold and blowing so I couldn’t move Kate. Nellie is not very bad yet and we hope she is not going to be. The baby has not been very well this afternoon and was real sick tonight. I expect it will be a long time before we can go north, now.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
April 24, 1871
I wrote to Philip at once, that I would leave here the 25th. That will give the letter a weeks start of me. These have been busy days. Now my trunk is packed, It would not hold all— so a pillow with an army blanket was reaped on top. I will carry my big brown basket, with lunch and toilet belongings ct. and two shawls, beside my wrap. All ready to leave early in the morning.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
April 24, 1863
Mail brought no news of importance. The conscripts are called out to 40. Oh! if Mr. Henry should have to go, I don’t see how I could ever stay here. I hope he may not have to go. He is the best of husbands & then so kind to the children, so patient. Life would be a blank to me without he was near me. The conscripts have to be examined next week in Asheville. I pray he may not have to go. Mr. Henry & Matt went to Asheville this morning. Mr. Henry came back at night. Matt stays with Mrs. Dr. Hilliard till Monday. Nothing new in the village.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 24, 1862
I finished off Willie a dress today. Atheline had made the skirt. I finished his last skirt yesterday. Fannie made some dried apple pies this afternoon. Atheline very unwell, not able to attend Willie. I clean up all the house myself. E. P. Knight got home last night, says Mr. Henry will be at home soon in a day or two. I hope he may soon return to his family, whose every thought of him & who prays God to take care of him while he is gone.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 36, London
April 24, 1669
Up, and to the office, where all the morning, and at noon home to dinner, Mr. Sheres dining with us by agreement; and my wife, which troubled me, mighty careful to have a handsome dinner for him; but yet I see no reason to be troubled at it, he being a very civil and worthy man, I think; but only it do seem to imply some little neglect of me. After dinner to the King’s house, and there saw “The General” revived — a good play, that pleases me well, and thence, our coach coming for us, we parted and home, and I busy late at the office, and then home to supper and to bed. Well pleased to-night to have Lead, the vizard-maker, bring me home my vizard, with a tube fastened in it, which, I think, will do my business, at least in a great measure, for the easing of my eyes.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)