Day 72

Today is May 22, 2020. Since it is day 72 and I am a nostalgic person I would like to start with the events of 1972. In no particular order: The Oakland Athletics began their three year world series run by defeating the Cincinnati Reds in seven games. On May 22, 1972 the Reds and A's were both in second place , but ended up winning their divisions by 10.5 and 5.5 games respectfully. The Big Red Machine were led by Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench, but bested by the A's battery of Gene Tenace, WS MVP (four HR's) and Jim "Catfish" Hunter (2-0).  Incredibly six of the seven games were one run ball games. The NFL season, many of you may recall ended with the Miami Dolphins completing an undefeated season by outscoring the Washington Redskins 14-7.  Some musical hits of May 1972 were Roberta Flack's The first time ever I saw your face (an incredibly moving song if you have never heard it) and I'll take you there by The Staple Singers. Other hits of 72' include American Pie by Don McLean and Horse with No Name by America. Some historic events of 1972. Bob Douglas, the first African-American is inducted into the basketball Hall-of-Fame.  The Godfather was released into theaters and of course went on to win an Oscar for best picture. The Watergate scandal began and would not come to an end really until the resignation of President Nixon in August of 1974. (a few years back I wrote produced and acted in a short film about fictional events that took place that week-you can see the trailer here-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ann9wdFaVcQ)
Nixon also ended the draft that year and ground troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. However, the conflict would continue until the fall of Saigon in 1975. The first episode of the Price is Right aired with host Bob Barker. Loretta Lynn (Coal Miner's Daughter) became the first female to win a CMA entertainer of the year award and the first female F.B.I. agents are hired. HBO begins it's operation as a paid television service. In December we lost two great men, former president Harry Truman and baseball great Roberto Clemente. Now on to 2020...and the coronavirus/Covid19 pandemic that is throttling the world. The deadly virus has infected over 5 million people and taken the lives of 339,408 worldwide. These numbers are from worldmeters.com.
Another day of over 100,00 new cases in the world with South America being hit extremely hard.
In recent days public health emergencies were announced in Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Brazil which has seen in the last 24 hours 966 deaths and over 20,000 new cases. The pain, suffering and fear continues.  This photo is from Vietnam in 1972. A U.S. soldier gives the peace sign aboard an American battleship in the South China Sea.  May peace reign in the future for all of us.