50 years.

“50 years ago this year”. That seems like such a long time ago, “50 years ago” is like something out of a history book. It’s like an ancient anniversary. Who remembers FIFTY years ago? Even for those of us who do remember things that happened 50 years ago, we don’t actually believe it was that long ago. 

Me: What? Yeah, I remember that, it wasn’t that long ago.

Other People: Umm, well, it was 50 years ago.

Me: Uh, no, I don’t think so (counting rapidly on fingers...twice...)

Also Me: Whatever....I must have read about it then.

Things in my memory from 50 years ago:

I remember as plain as yesterday watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. WALK ON THE MOON! I was with my Dad, we were living in Penhold, Alberta and we watched (my dad much more spellbound than I was) on a small black & white TV 📺. I could not wrap my mind round the fact that when I went outside to look at the moon, that there a human being walking on it at that moment. I still look at the moon with amazement. It was a great achievement.

I remember the Manson Murders. It was terrifying, it was one of the first serial killings that was so public. For younger kids who don’t know, that’s where the term “pigs” for police came from, written by Charlie’s followers, in blood on the walls. Maybe that’s why a lot of people my age find that term offensive...it came from such a place of horror. It’s not because we’re old fogies who get offended by nasty terms, it’s because it was written in glee, as an innocent, pregnant woman was slaughtered along with her unborn baby (as well as the others). I was relieved when Charles Manson died. He was true evil.

I remember the Stonewall riots. Gay people finally decided they had had enough. Enough of the law that stated same-sex couples dancing with each other was illegal. Enough of having to be wearing at least three pieces of gender appropriate clothing or risk being arrested. Three people in the Stonewall Inn decided that the police needed to just stop. These people said “enough”. The resulting 2 day riot turned into the Gay Rights Movement. It’s still not enough though, even after 50 years, there is still so much to be done, but it was a defining moment.

I remember the beginning of Sesame Street. Imagine that! Sesame Street has been around for 50 years. It must be one of the longest running TV shows ever. I need to Google that. 

The first ATM was presented to the public as “the ugly teller” 50 years ago. At the time, the big fear was that it would put people out of work and human tellers would “be no more”. Yeah, so much for that. Just like self-serve check-outs today, they are a convenience and are not going to destroy jobs any more than the infamous ugly teller did. (Also, you could never have a commercial today that talked about “ugly tellers”)

And let us not forget that also 50 years ago, in the summer of ‘69, Brian Adams got his first real 6-string.😉

I find it hard to believe that I am over 50 years old myself. How did that happen? It’s probably not even true. (Counts rapidly on fingers....twice....”Dammit”)