The Chinese called it the Year of the Rabbit. The United Nations dubbed 2011 the International Year of the Forest. It was also celebrated as the International Year of Chemistry, International Year for People of African Descent and World Veterinary Year. It was the year that the Beatles and Manned Space Flight turned 50. The Indianapolis500 turned 100 years old. 2011 also marked the 100th anniversary of:
- International Women’s Day;
- Parks Canada
- Naval aviation (the 1st time an aircraft lands on a ship)
- Crisco oil
- the electric starter (now the only cranky thing in a car is its driver)
- the arrival of Roald Amundsen’s expedition at the South Pole.
- the Austin Dam collapse that wiped out the town of Austin, Pennsylvania, killing 78.
- The 1st Monte Carlo race.
- The 1st motion picture studio in Hollywood (Nestor Motion Picture Co.)
- The song, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band“ by Irving Berlin
In honour of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, Halloween (October 31st) was just a little scarier last year as the UN announced it marked the birth of the 7 billionth earthling. Moreover, 2011 was also littered with other subtle reminders of mankind’s not so litter habit of littering the globe with litter ones such as the fact that, commencing last January 1, between 7,000 and 10,000 North American baby boomers were turning 65 every day (and will continue to do so for next 19 years ending 2030).
The good news is that, as one of those aging boomers, I am not remembering so well these days so this is bound to be shorter than my prior year-end reviews. The bad news is that bad news is pretty much all that I expect we are going to encounter in the following pages. Those of you who prefer not to be reminded should probably skip ahead to my (always optimistic) Predictions for the Year 2011.
For those who haven’t heeded my warning, buckle up your galoshes and let’s wade into this latest installment of my annual awards and stories.