May 28
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
May 28, 1998
Sean was awesome! We layed on Ash’s couch and he pulled me up closer to him and wanted me. Took him home. Came home. Watched some of story. Me and Em went 2 Outback with Eddie. Good. Watched TV, etc. Came home. Me and Em watched story. Sean called late, but it was good.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
May 28, 1997
Really fun school day. Had 1st period, homeroom, lunch with all of the 9th graders, homeroom, and then everyone chilled on the football field for two hours signing yearbooks. (I didn’t get one.) Eddie picked me and Renée up. Came home and danced. Watched story. Ate. Went to softball game and my mood got shitty. Lost 13-1. Came home. Showered. Studied. Went to bed.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 28, 1960
Happy day. Lo got her car before noon. K.J. left word wanted to get up at 7:30 but had set alarm and were up and down to eat before Lo left. Geo picked them up, they were back after stopping down town. Lo took us out at noon. Girls fussed with ponies. Jeannie spent all P.M. with them. Cooks came to eat with us. Home early. Girls had baths and to bed reasonably early.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
May 28, 1944
White Sunday. Beautiful day but hot! Up about 8 and dressed in white. Walked over to ballroom around 9:30 for Burrall. The place was practically full — parents everywhere. Betty looked so nice in her new white pique dress. We had to separate. Burrall choir and Jeanne Butcher sang beautifully and Mr. Weaver gave an excellent talk on “The World Tomorrow.” A man in front of me went to sleep — the drip! Out about 10:30. Betty and I had planned to go to the Episcopal but it was too late. Met Mary and Kath. just outside the hall and Kath. was wearing the gardenia. She thanked us profusely and raved about my hair some more. I’d catch her looking at me and beaming from ear to ear! She’s so funny. We went up to their room to see some beautiful ivory carving Johnnie had sent her — from India. Betty and I decided to go to the Presbyterian Church so we donned our hats and set out. Letter from Mum. The church wasn’t overly crowded. Two ensigns sat across from us. Woo! woo! I wore some of Betty’s campus make-up — it certainly does things for one! A visiting minister — a young man — gave the sermon but he wouldn’t open his mouth so we didn’t hear much. Out about 12:00. Parked in front of Hickman arch was the lieutenants’ car and they were standing around it. Betty and I nearly went through the sidewalk but pretended we didn’t see them. I don’t think they saw us. We “fixed up” for dinner and then took a walk around Sr. court. Saw the officers leaving with their dates. Betty’s had Sally Fair again. Dinner at 12:30. Good. Had ice cream and strawberries for dessert. Mary Lou’s mother is coming this afternoon. After dinner we went back to hall and Joan took a picture of us all. Then, by a smart trick, she got Jacq alone! Jacq is camera shy or something! :) Betty and I got prettied up again and about 1:30 climbed into the bus at Hickman with Joan and Val. Had to stand. It was crowded and hot. Drove out to Pennant and airport. We walked over near field where all the people were and my feet just about killed me! I was melting to boot. We got separated but after the style show — very good — I found Betty and Joan and we went over to the tearoom for cokes. I was ready to go back on the next bus. The tearoom was hot and crowded, too. We decided to see some of the acrobatic stunts and went back to field. Sat up on a platform. Met Betty Postel and Erna. A girl returned from a 2 hour altitude flight with the record for light plane altitude flying — almost 25,000 feet. Betty and I decided to leave then and climbed into the first taxi we saw. In a minute it was holding 10 people — one of them a Wac. She and the driver argued about overcrowding taxis. She said people in Missouri didn’t know a war was on. Were we glad to see Hickman again! It was about 4 and we had thought of going to a show but it was too late. We undressed and I did my shorthand then collapsed on the bed. About 5 we were awakened by the entrance of Mary and her mother. We weren’t exactly presentable but she didn’t seem to mind. Mrs. Lamm is very nice — reminds me a little of Auntie Edith. Mary gave us each a pretty handkie and then showed us some graduation gifts she’d received. Kyle — a soldier in India — sent her some beautiful jewelry carved from ivory. They stayed a few minutes, asked us to eat with them at supper and left. We dressed and met them around 6. We all sat at the same table. Kath. too. Good supper. Then Betty and I walked all around the campus with Mary and Mrs. L. — Kath. went to Tuck. Betty and I began having “dog” trouble again. Back about 7. Betty and I did our Eng. Lit. and were just starting to get ready for Baccalaureate when Mary came in and invited us to go to the show with she and her mother. We walked down to the Hall. Passed Mr. Blanchard. Lovely evening. Theater crowded — had to sit way over at side. Saw Ginger Rodgers and Ray Milland in “Lady in the Dark” in gorgeous technicolor. It was very good and had more to it than music and scenery. Out about 10. Walked through town and then on out Univ. Ave. with Mrs. Lamm. I could barely struggle along on those half-wit shoes. We left Mrs. L. at her house and mushed radly back to the hall. Then over to the auditorium for Sr. farewell vespers. Mr. Weaver gave a very short but intimate talk and prayed his special prayer “If I have wounded any soul today” at the end. That got us. Back to hall and to bed. Oh how I hate to think of leaving!
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
May 28, 1941
Hot, clouds, no rain. English exam at 8:00. Both classes at same time. Forgot workbook -- didn’t know we were supposed to bring them -- Bunchy didn’t tell us. Geasland and Bunch stood by my desk and talked most of the time. Very considerate! Test rather hard and long. Marg. Louie and I went to library when we were through and studied history till 10:00. Then we all went in Mrs. Geasland’s room for the test. Long and hard. Had some questions she said we wouldn’t have. ’Tain’t fair! The arrows came at last! Finished exam about 11:30. Waited for Marg. Louie. Then got my annual. Mary’s Pop came for her and Roberta and drove me home. Mom and I discussed the test. Good lunch. Rested and slept afterwards. Got up and studied Latin. Hot. Called Mary and discussed Oliphant. Cleaned up and took Barbey for a walk. After supper I went up to Helen’s and after she washed we went walking. Hard time convincing Barbey that it would be better for her to sleep tonight so she could walk tomorrow. We went down and spoke to Mary. Lovely night. Sat on wall awhile. Then I went in and did dishes. Helen is through exams. Wrote Greta.
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
May 28, 1926
Yesterday Mam went to see Mrs. Horgan and her baby. The latter is sweet. Mrs. Horgan said I must come very often to Ivor and Joe during the hols. – We are getting all the chairs and the arm-chair in the dining room upholstered now, and they look splendid and are very comfortable. But equally as dear. – Every day now I hope it will rain during Maths, because immediately after I go into Fr. Duggan’s class for my free hour, and if it is not, I have to take his motor-bike into the yard. I never got a spin on it yet, but as I know now how to drive it, I am mad to get a turn on it. – Almost a week ago the Republican party split up. De Valera and his followers are now going to go into the Dáil, which will be a splendid thing, so there will then be a strong opposition party which will promote competition among all members to do their best. Mary MacSwiney has become president of the Republican party! Why on earth couldn’t they give over those dissensions which have been the ruin of Ireland since the advent of the Anglo-Normans? – Poor Abd El Krim is done for! Read that he passed through the French lines with his family, throwing himself on the clemency of the French. A lot he’ll get! He surrendered for the sake of the starving tribes.
*(Original Archive Copyright © Estate of Aloys Fleischmann. The Fleischmann Diaries Online Archive by Róisín O’Brien is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Used with permission.)
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
May 28, 1888
It rained all last night, and showered occasionally during today. I went over to Mr. Butler’s this forenoon and took him my typewriter. We began to look up things in the English grammar together, and I feel that I shall be greatly benefited by studying with him. I studied about all the afternoon also, as it was some rainy. Pa and Willie went to Dexter this afternoon. Pa got a letter from ma, and she was in Fremont all right.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
May 28, 1887
I worked at trimming and digging around the young peach trees the most of the day. Grace Fitts brought the dishes back, which Kate let her take a year ago. I caught three mice today in my little box trap; it is better than a cat. Mr. Olsen went to Frankfort today, and brought me the barrel of cans and the box of nuts he couldn’t bring in the sewing machine this time. I opened the barrel and commenced to take out the cans. I found some of them working. I opened the box of nuts and took a part full over to Neill’s this evening. Mrs. Neill made me a loaf of bread today, which I got tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
May 28, 1863
Our forces still hold Vicksburg. They have repulsed the yanks nine or ten times. Mr. Henry in house nearly all day as it is raining. I finished Mr. Henry’s pants & made Pinck a pair today. W. Miller staid here all day, his wife has a young boy babe some three weeks old. Betsey & Aunt Patsy spent the day here yesterday. She warped the thread for Rose’s dresses & got it started & Betsey is weaving on it today. Nothing new going on. We were needing rain badly. We have a good season now yet I think we will have more from the looks of the clouds.
*(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 28, 1862
I have mended up some today & sewed some buttons on some old vests. After dinner I had headache very bad. Took a nap. Betsey McKinnish & daughter helped picked wool today. Tena & Atheline picked too. It then dried a good deal in the evening but no rain. I got up in time to get out supper. My head a good deal better.
*(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
May 28, 1668
To St. James’s, where the King’s being with the Duke of York prevented a meeting of the Tangier Commission. But, Lord! what a deal of sorry discourse did I hear between the King and several Lords about him here! but very mean methought. So with Creed to the Excise Office, and back to White Hall, where, in the Park, Sir G. Carteret did give me an account of his discourse lately, with the Commissioners of Accounts, who except against many things, but none that I find considerable; among others, that of the Officers of the Navy selling of the King’s goods, and particularly my providing him with calico flags, which having been by order, and but once, when necessity, and the King’s apparent profit, justified it, as conformable to my particular duty, it will prove to my advantage that it be enquired into. Nevertheless, having this morning received from them a demand of an account of all monies within their cognizance, received and issued by me, I was willing, upon this hint, to give myself rest, by knowing whether their meaning therein might reach only to my Treasurership for Tangier, or the monies employed on this occasion. I went, therefore, to them this afternoon, to understand what monies they meant, where they answered me, by saying, “The eleven months’ tax, customs, and prizemoney,” without mentioning, any more than I demanding, the service they respected therein; and so, without further discourse, we parted, upon very good terms of respect, and with few words, but my mind not fully satisfied about the monies they mean. At noon Mr. Gibson and I dined at the Swan, and thence doing this at Brook house, and thence calling at the Excise Office for an account of payment of my tallies for Tangier, I home, and thence with my wife and brother spent the evening on the water, carrying our supper with us, as high as Chelsea; so home, making sport with the Westerne bargees, and my wife and I singing, to my great content.
*(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.)