March 21
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
March 21, 1998
Left Karen’s at 8:30. Had 2 get work shirt and purse. Worked at Juice Shop from 10-2 with Rachel. Kinda uncomfortable. Came 2 Dad’s. Slept. Went 2 McGregor for dinner. Came back and watched “Shine” with Dad.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
March 21, 1997
Today was really good. For some reason I flicked Crozier off (just messin’ with him) and walked away. He came up from behind and hugged me and said “I’m sorry.” Oh! :) Sean would NEVER do that. Went home with Renee. Came home and watched story. Packed. Dad picked me up. Ate dinner (pasta). Talked to Karen. We all watched “Phenomenon.” SO GOOD!!! Went straight to bed.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
March 21, 1960
Up early didn’t wash. Got at the kitchen curtains again and so glad when finished not 100% but pretty good. Lo to bed quite early. I cleaned silver and [?]lite, also some copper in eve. after Lo shopped. Cooked prunes and kid. for cats and ground. Cleaned kitchen floor and waxed it. Washed our underthings. To bed at midnite. The windiest eve. and nite I ever remember.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
March 21, 1944
Cold and bright. Did 9 letters in transcription. Report in philosophy class. Got shorthand during siesta - then slept (or rather lay down and day-dreamed) until time to meet advisers at 2:30. Miss Good Smith gave me papers to fill out and I signed up for appointment. Then practiced. Read Dewey from 4 till dinner time. Sat at French and German table with Joan and Valerie and others. Struggled thru meal but had fun. Finished Dewey chapter and read books in evening. Mary is mad at both of us again — the very sight of her makes me almost sick!
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
March 21, 1941
Cloudy, lovely, like yesterday. Was hoping Mary would be back -- but no soap. Easy test in English. Sorta fun in history. Gave report in Latin. Made 41-5 (95) in typing, instead of 40-5. Finished all lessons in fifth study hall. Mr. Ballard sent me out of office last period so he and some students could have a private conference. Bunny was in there. Trouble abrewing. I wrote Carolyn and read a one-act play. So lovely out. Home after school with Helen and Rufus. Can’t describe the strange feeling I had of something in the future -- couldn’t understand it. Practiced an hour. Then played with Barbie awhile. Later Helen and I walked up to park and back. Played tag. Expected Mary and William but they didn’t come. I never want to forget this day. The sunset; the soft, dreamy clouds; the delicate feathery branches of trees and bushes; the green, green grass at Walker’s; the mild Spring breeze with a heavenly odor. Also smoke. Had a hurried but good supper and then at 6:00 drove down to Presbyterian Church with Mom, Dad, and Mrs. Stevens. Still light. Walked over to Mary’s. Talked awhile. Said “heck” by mistake. Mrs. Farmer laughed. They persuaded me to go to the show. So at 7:00 Mary, William, and I walked to theater. Saw Tobacco Road -- very depressing. Out at 9:00. Walked to Mary’s. Mom and Dad were at Hornsby’s. Soon came and we drove home. Lovely starlit night.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
March 21, 1888
Came over 5 o’clock this morning and went to work. I have more to do than I thought I should. I am all done but fixing up the chain and marking some of the things. It is quite cold and windy. I am going over to stay with Fred again tonight, but am going up first to see if I have a letter from Kate or someone.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
March 21, 1887
I went up to the store this morning and began closing up the Main Ledger. I got it all done and made out a Balance Sheet for the firm showing the exact state of their business. I was at work posting etc. all the afternoon. It has been quite a fine day but the wind is in the north and it seems chilly. I called at the Dr’s tonight and learned that Mrs. Robbins is worse and will probably die. It is too bad. I can just imagine how I should feel if my Kate should die. I believe I would go crazy. I got a letter from her tonight, in which she said she was well but her father is worse with the cancer in his lip. I am tired tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
March 21, 1862
Nashville has been surrendered to the Federalist. The yankees took Newbern the 14th & took a good many prisoners. The Merimack has done considerable damage to Lincoln’s navy during the last week or so. I would rejoice if all their fleets could be done in the same way. Rumour says J. Woodfin is either killed or a prisoner. We got no letters today, that is Mr. Henry & I.
*(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 21, 1668
Up betimes to the office, and there we sat all the morning, at noon home with my clerks, a good dinner, and then to the Office, and wrote my letters, and then abroad to do several things, and pay what little scores I had, and among others to Mrs. Martin’s, and there did give 20s. to Mrs. Cragg, her landlady, who was my Valentine in the house, as well as Doll Lane … So home and to the office, there to end my letters, and so home, where Betty Turner was to see my wife, and she being gone I to my chamber to read a little again, and then after supper to bed.
*(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.)