Sandy Supposes....

History

May 19th Prompt:Write about the most historic world events of your lifetime. How are they ( or will they be) remembered? What will the history books focus on?

         

         

         I remember the day my Mom phoned me and asked if I was watching the news. I had to answer no and she urged me to turn on my television. Neither of us could comprehend what we were viewing. Nothing had prepared us or anyone for the horrors of 9/11. We could only gasp as the live feed continued. From the security of our Canadian homes, we viewed the worst attacks known to Americans. The devastation could not be denied.

          That day will always be unforgettable. If that is the criteria for history then it qualifies.

As a proud Canadian, I consider the Marathon of Hope to be a historical event. This was meant to be a cross country run for its creator / runner Terry Fox. Raised in British Columbia and considered to be an avid athlete, Terry experienced the devastating effects of cancer. His right leg was amputated and he endured various treatments. After his recovery, he discovered competitive wheelchair basketball. He had always been a runner and he returned to it with an artificial leg.

         The cancer opened his eyes to the emotional and monetary toll of cancer. He sought an avenue to both promote awareness and encourage donations for research. He decided to run across Canada and he began his odyssey on the east coast in Newfoundland. Every day, he managed to run with a unique gait, a hop-step motion. Despite pain and all the stressors that accompany such an ambitious venture, Terry never wavered.

         Day by day he attracted attention and support. People chose to run short distances with him. Some began to anticipate his arrival and line the roads he ran on to cheer. His tenacity earned unprecedented contributions to the Cancer Society. The organization arranged meet and greets along his route. He attended special events. Terry became a media darling, but devoted to his cause.

         Reaching Thunder Bay, Ontario, Terry had to stop and listen to his spent body. Tests confirmed his cancer had returned this time as lung cancer. He flew back home to undergo treatment vowing he'd finish his run. He started his marathon April 12th, 1981 and ended it in November. He covered 5,373 kilometres in 143 days. Sadly, Terry succumbed to cancer June 28th, 1981 a month before his twenty-third birthday.

         Terry's determination and grit proved that anyone could dream a goal and battle to realize it. He did not consider himself to be physically handicapped. He left behind an enduring legacy. His family introduced the first Terry Fox memorial run in September of 1981. That run is now a staple of each September with schoolchildren amongst others participating. The run in his memory continues to raise money for cancer research.

         What other Canadian event do I remember? Our iconic red maple leaf flew for the first time as our offical flag in February 1965. Before that time, Canada borrowed the U.K.'s Union Jack.

         Thanks to the world's first commercial domestic communication satellite sent into orbit by the Canadian government in 1972, Canadians experienced reliable long distance phone services and live t.v. broadcasts. That was an historic first. This is a huge country. This seminal satellite was known as AnikA1 with 'anik' being Inukitiut for 'little brother.' AnikA2 was launched in 1973. This was the precursor to our current level of computer access.

         Canada has advanced well beyond its origin as a fur-trading entity.