March 20
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
March 20, 1998
We all got up and got showers. Were gonna go out 2 breakfast but didn’t have money so we just went 2 Née’s. Took Ash 2 work. Me and Courtney went 2 Thor’s 4 Liam. Took her home. Worked at Manhattan from 3-close. Drove 2 Dad’s. Bad weather. Tornadoes got close, but didn’t hit us. I went 2 Karen’s 4 the night and Ash stayed, too. We got caught at her window.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
March 20, 1997
Today wasn’t as good as yesterday. I want my birthday back! :) I like Mike C. — it’s not a crush, anymore. He’s adorable and I want to kiss him :). Em picked me up and we gave Zach a ride home. Came home and did nothing but homework and Y&R. Eddie and I went to Olive Garden for dinner. Typed up English paper. Watched TV. He gave me a “Smelly Cat” shirt and lots of candy. COOL.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
March 20, 1960
Up early came down just as Geo came in. They went out to cabin. Picked Carrie up after 9:00. Lo filled her car up then home. I cooked meat etc. then worked on curtains. Pressed and got the door ones up and pantry. Later fixed the transom. Lo took down lite fix in back rooms. I washed them she put them back. Still working on curtains. No good TV.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
March 20, 1944
Cold but nice. Snow melted. Miss Blenko said I was getting along fine with voice lessons. Music came so she gave me a piece. Good piano lesson at 2. Practiced. At 4 went to town. Back and read Dewey. Clara came and stayed til almost 6. Betty didn’t return till after 6. Was beginning to wonder what had happened to her. Good dinner. Finished chapter in Dewey, then read books till bed-time. Wanted to see “The Sullivans” at the Shaw but decided not to go.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
March 20, 1941
Cloudy, wonderfully mild. No test in history. So lovely at noon. In typing, had to do Gettysburg Address from memory. Had time test -- broke my record with 40-5. Very surprised, but Royal gets all the credit. I wasn’t a bit nervous. Spent whole fifth study hall hunting for report for history -- neither Mary nor I could find a thing on our topics. Gave Mr. Ballard an English report instead of my excuse to sign. Very funny. At 2:45, Ruth, Jeanne, and I were excused to play at P.T.A. Mom there. Out before high school. Waited for Helen. She persuaded Ruth and I to go to basketball game. Our first. We all went home first. Helen had to go to music lesson first, but Ruth and I went on and saved a seat for her. Sat with Betty S. Fun and exciting. Freshmen girls beat Seniors. Junior boys beat Sophomores. Some got so mad. Clay was on the team. We teased Helen to death. Enjoyed it a lot. Lovely and springy out. At night studied and practiced. Mom and Dad went to see “Tobacco Road.” Mary and William came while we were at game.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
March 20, 1888
I got up early this morning and found it had turned colder in the night and was freezing. I started up town about half past six to get the mail and put in some letters. I got a letter from Kate saying Una was all right but I guess she don’t feel well at all. I also received a letter from Scott, and he calculated to leave Chili this month. Had breakfast when I got back and then went to packing. I called at Mrs. Waters after school and she going to board me when I go up town. I had to sleep under my overcoat last night, but I am going over to stay with Fred Neill tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
March 20, 1887
I arose this morning and built the fires, then I took Freds snow skis and went over to our house on them. (When I write our I mean Kate and mine.) It was a lovely day although, Fred and I went to church this forenoon. We did not stay to Sunday school. Charlie and Grace were here to dinner and spent the afternoon. I wrote a letter to Kate this afternoon. Went over to Fred Waters on Fred Neill’s snow skis tonight. It is but a little way across. I did not stay long. I read H.W. Beecher’s last sermon today. I am glad that I am to get my papers regular now. It is a fine evening. Wind not since early morning.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
March 20, 1862
I made some apple preserves today & the sleeves of my dress. Mr. Henry went with the waggon after some bridge sills. They bought one. He was very wet, it has rained nearly all day with wind from South East. Willie can walk across the room & not fall. He will soon be running anywhere. Fried apple dumplings for dinner.
*(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 35, London
March 20, 1668
Up betimes, and to my Office, where we had a meeting extraordinary to consider of several things, among others the sum of money fit to be demanded ready money, to enable us to set out 27 ships, every body being now in pain for a fleete, and everybody endeavouring to excuse themselves for the not setting out of one, and our true excuse is lack of money. At it all the morning, and so at noon home to dinner with my clerks, my wife and Deb. being busy at work above in her chamber getting things ready and fine for her going into the country a week or two hence. I away by coach to White Hall, where we met to wait on the Duke of York, and, soon as prayers were done, it being Good Friday, he come to us, and we did a little business and presented him with our demand of money, and so broke up, and I thence by coach to Kate Joyce’s, being desirous and in pain to speak with her about the business that I received a letter yesterday, but had no opportunity of speaking with her about it, company being with her, so I only invited her to come and dine with me on Sunday next, and so away home, and for saving my eyes at my chamber all the evening pricking down some things, and trying some conclusions upon my viall, in order to the inventing a better theory of musique than hath yet been abroad; and I think verily I shall do it. So to supper with my wife, who is in very good humour with her working, and so am I, and so to bed. This day at Court I do hear that Sir W. Pen do command this summer’s fleete; and Mr. Progers of the Bedchamber, as a secret, told me that the Prince Rupert is troubled at it, and several friends of his have been with him to know the reason of it; so that he do pity Sir W. Pen, whom he hath great kindness for, that he should not at any desire of his be put to this service, and thereby make the Prince his enemy, and contract more envy from other people. But I am not a whit sorry if it should be so, first for the King’s sake, that his work will be better done by Sir W. Pen than the Prince, and next that Pen, who is a false rogue, may be bit a little by it.
*(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.)