Today In History...

June 17, 1885…The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City aboard the French ship Isere.

In November 2002, I went to New York City on business.  Since my hotel room was not ready, I decided to do some sightseeing.  First place was Battery Park to catch the ferry to go see the Statue of Liberty and then on to Ellis Island.  That's Lady Liberty in the back left side of the picture.

Since this was just a little over a year since the September 11 attacks in 2001, it was closed for reasons of safety and security; the pedestal reopened in 2004 and the statue in 2009, with limits on the number of visitors allowed to ascend to the crown.

This is the view heading from Liberty Island to Ellis Island.

While riding on the ferry, the wind was so cold that by the time the trip was over it looked like I had a severe sunburn.  But that's what you get when you ride on the top of the ferry and don't sit inside where you are more protected.

June 17, 1950…Dr. Richard H. Lawler performed the first kidney transplant in a 45-minute operation in Chicago.  We're keeping our fingers crossed that Joe is the lucky recipient of a kidney transplant sometime in the future.

June 17, 1963…The U.S. Supreme Court banned the required reading of the Lord's prayer and the Bible in public schools.  Boo!  Hiss!  I can remember doing this is school up until the time it was deemed unconstitutional.

June 17, 1994…O.J. Simpson drove his Ford Bronco across Los Angeles with police in pursuit and millions of people watching on live television. After the slow speed chase ended, Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman.  Yes, I was one of millions glued to my television set watching the live "slow chase".