May 15
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
May 15, 1998
YAY! Hardly saw Sean all day. Had dentist appointment after school, then went 2 the mall. Sean had left a message saying that he’d be off at 9:00. Went 2 Ashley’s. Chilled. Put on make-up. Got treats and her parents saw us at the gas station. OOPS. Sean didn’t get home till 10:00, which was what time our movie started. But we made it there on time. Saw “Deep Impact” at Park Place 16. It was one of the greatest nights of my life. We kissed on the lips, but it was all friendship. Held hands, too. Spent night with Ash. Talked 2 Karen on phone.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
May 15, 1997
Pretty good day. Found out Chris is a FRESHMAN. Yes! I don’t why that’s such a relief. Enough about meanies. Em picked me up and Zach. Came home, chilled. Rode bike to Bond Park. Saw little of Apex/Cary softball game — Ashley and Maura. Home. Watched story and homework. Talked to Courtney some. Eddie didn’t come till 6:00 ish. Went to Courtney’s to get/drop off clothes. I love this! Saw Travis. :) Eddie cooked good food. Typed. Watched regular T.V. Came home. Talked to Ashley.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 15, 1960
Up early. Got Carrie as usual. She hadn’t seen the article in the paper concerning accident. She came after church and stayed until 4:00. Later we picked Bess up and rode to Rawson and Foreman farms. Bess thrilled of course. The ride was so beautiful and so warm. Came back and had coffee then rode around town and took her home. Sat and talked till Hoddy came from ‘ballgame.’
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
May 15, 1944
Beautiful but very hot day. Miss Blenko back — she’s Mrs. Black now! She wished me luck at my recital and promised to come. I cut tennis cause of recital and heat. Just before lunch Val brought in a small box from the florist’s with my name on it. I just about passed out. It was a lovely corsage of red rose buds and a gardenia from Mom and Pop!! I was so thrilled I just screeched all over the place. Betty got so tickled. Good lunch. At 2 Miss GoodSmith and I went up to the recital hall and I played my pieces. All went okay except the “Revolutionary” which I missed in a new place, of course! But Miss GS said not to worry. I went downstairs and practiced a little bit and then went back to the hall, laid out my clothes, took a bath and dressed. Betty had to go to Board of Pub. at 4. Val kept running in and out. Mary Jo and Jane helped me fix the corsage. It made the dress look lovely! Mary came down and said she’d try to go to recital. Went over to Miss GS’s studio about 4:25 and met Charleen there. She was in white with a lavender orchid. Went up to Hall about 4:30. Mary Ann was usher. Miss GS stayed in little side room. I was first on the program with the 1st and 2nd movements of Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 31 No. 3, I think (!). It went off pretty good. Then Charleen played and had quite a time in one place but got through okay. Then I went out with Arensky’s Etude and Chopin’s “Aeolian” and “Revolutionary.” The latter didn’t go so hot but Miss GS said I handled myself very well. They kept clapping (there weren’t many there — but Mary Jo and Jane came — Val had to leave after my first number) so I went out again and Mary Ann handed me a long box from the florist’s. Well, I just about did faint then. Opened it back in little room and there was a beautiful bouquet of huge sweet peas. Signed — the 6 kids at the table without Betty. Well, I was thrilled anew! Then Charleen played her last numbers and did an excellent job! Then it was all over! And we were showered with congratulations. Back to hall and Mona came in to see what all the excitement was about. Mary came down again to see my new flowers. Then what should pop up but another box (paper) from Mueller’s. And there were 6 Talisman roses from Little Betty!! She came back just then and I nearly knocked her over!! We talked to Jane. To dinner at 6:30. Didn’t have our table. I wore my corsage. That night Betty and I tried to read our history but Mona came in and spent most of the evening and then Joan came down so we didn’t get much done. The room smelled so good with the 2 bouquets of flowers in the 2 windows. Val came down after we got to bed. I had thanked all the kids I’d seen. We talked — I like Val. Every time I woke up I’d see the flowers in the windows and it gave me a wonderful feeling!
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
May 15, 1941
Lovely. Warm. Heavenly breeze. Last test in history. I made 100. The man came in the morning to help Mom with the housework and again in the afternoon. No good in typing. Too hot and pain in my left arm. Miss Cantrell sent for me in fifth study hall and gave me the gift she had gotten for Mary Lee in behalf of Junior Music Club. I called Mary last period and told her not to call me tomorrow cause of our half-holiday. Coach had me type the exam schedule. After school Music Club met at other building in Miss Augubright’s room. Not many there. Very warm. Just four on program. I played “To Spring.” Rufus presented the gift to Mary Lee. She gave us some cupcakes she had made. When I got home Mom was joyous because all the major cleaning was done -- the man did my bedroom this afternoon. Glory be! I was making my bed and singing at the top of my lungs. George outside yelled “Shut up” and Mr. Tomilson said something to him. But I was too happy to be stopped by that so I kept it up. Helped Mom with the curtains and then went up and got Barbie. Her daddy said she’d been begging him to go and get me. Kept saying she wanted Marcy. Just as we were leaving Helen came and we walked and danced to town and got some cottage cheese. Coming back I had to carry Barbie part of the way and let her walk on three walls. Helen said no wonder she liked me so much. I felt glorious and the breeze was so refreshing. At night Mom, Dad, and I went to the Princess and saw Spencer Tracy in “[?].” Good. Beautiful starlit night. Went to bed singing “Genevieve[?].”
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
May 15, 1888
There was some frost this morning. We commenced planting corn this forenoon, and finished the field the middle of the afternoon. Kate and I went to Dexter this afternoon she saw the Dr. about her eye and care and he gave her medicine. It rained a little while we were there.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
May 15, 1887
I went over for Kate this morning, but Nellie was going to take a ride and so Kate and baby rode with her in their carriage. I dressed up and went to church this forenoon, where I met lots of my old friends and heard Mr. Butler preach. George and Effie came to church and staid most of the afternoon. I gave them their clock. Pa took Kate back to father Queal’s this afternoon. I am going over there to stay tonight. Kate and I went up to the little grave yard this afternoon to look at little Johnnie’s grave. It has been a warm dry day. I don’t feel that I am much of a Penman, but this writing…
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
May 15, 1863
Mail brought nothing new but four letters as Harrie brought the mail yesterday. My head not entirely well but a great deal better. I took some pills this morning. Aunt Patsey spent the day here. Warped the thread for the children’s dresses. It is 4 of purple (dyed with Willow root) & 1 of white. I crocheted some after dinner as my head was easy nearly.
*(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
May 15, 1862
I made Zona & Willie some stockings today. I have tried to get them some. Mr. Henry brought some from Asheville last Monday but they are socks and too large for the little ones. I think Pinck can wear some of them. There is no children’s shoes in Asheville at all. Fannie washed some clothes this evening for the children. She will do the washing for awhile as I want Aunt Tena to spin all she can. She has began spinning cotton for the negroes pants. Mrs. Fanning has staid with me at night since Mr. Henry left & will continue I suppose.
*(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
May 15, 1669
Up, and at the Office all the morning. Dined at home and Creed with me home, and I did discourse about evening some reckonings with him in the afternoon; but I could not, for my eyes, do it, which troubled me, and vexed him that would not; but yet we were friends, I advancing him more without it, and so to walk all the afternoon together in the garden; and I perceive still he do expect a change in of matters, especially as to religion, and fits himself for it by professing himself for it in his discourse. He gone, I to my business at my Office, and so at night home to supper, and 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.)