COLUMN: Another day in history: May 27

The sun comes up, and the sun goes down. Most of us go about our daily routines without giving it much of a thought.

However, there have been a few significant things to happen on this date throughout the course of time. I suppose it’s no different than any other day.

It only took a few seconds of searching on the Internet for me to learn that on May 27 the following took place:

•In 1883, Alexander III is crowned Tsar of Russia.

•In 1863, the tide of the American Civil War begins to turn as the first assault on the Confederacy works at the Seige of Port Hudson.

•In 1907, Bubonic plague breaks out in San Francisco.

•In 1927, the Ford Motor Company ceases manufacture of the Ford Model T and begins to retool plants to make the Ford Model A.

•In 1930, the 1,046 foot Chrysler Building in New York City, the tallest man-made structure at the time, opens to the public.

•In 1933, The Century of Progress World’s Fair opens in Chicago.

•In 1937, in California, the Golden Gate Bridge opens to pedestrian traffic.

•In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic killing almost 2,100 men.

•In 1958, the F-4 Phantom II makes its first flight.

•In 1965, American warships begin the first bombardment of National Liberation Front targets in South Vietnam.

•In 1967, the U.S Navy aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy is launched by Jackie Kennedy and her daughter Caroline.

•In 1995, in Virginia actor Christopher Reeve is paralyzed after falling from his horse in a riding competition.

•In 1922, actor Christopher Lee was born.

•In 1923, Henry Kissinger, who would become a key figure in the Richard Nixon presidency, was born.

•May 27 is also viewed as Mother’s Day in Bolivia and Children’s Day in Nigeria.

•Also of note, on May 27, 1971 in Macon, Georgia, the first child of Paul and Melba Bridges is born. He would become a passionate fan of sports, politics, television, movies, newspapers and taking naps.

As he gets set to turn 39 this week, he thinks back and wonders how in the world so many years could have escaped him. He realizes he has been very fortunate in his almost four decades on this mortal rock, more so than most.

A supportive family and network of friends — which he is most thankful for — help him continue through his daily grind. He still considers himself a child of the 80s — the greatest decade ever — and while he continues to move forward, he always looks back with fond memories and appreciates what he has been able to accomplish.

Turning 39 is something millions of others have done. In reality, it is nothing special. Yet, he knows, down deep, he has been blessed with so much. It doesn’t take gifts or reminders for him to know that. And as the sun rises on May 27 of 2010, this oldest son of Paul and Melba Bridges is already looking to the future, even as he likes to look back on good times from the past.

He hasn’t done anything of note to be placed in any history books. A journalism award or two hangs on his wall, something he is proud of. Yet, his most prized possessions are the many friends he has along with the never-ending support of his family. He is also most proud of what one of those friends said about him once upon a time: “No one is more loyal to his friends than Chris Bridges. If you have a friend in him, you have a friend for life.”

Having someone say that about you, is worth more than any birthday gift in the world.

Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.