It’s May 4, the 125th day, the 18th Monday of the year and the 46th day of Spring. Yesterday’s temperatures of Lake Michigan were 48 degrees and the Chicago crib and 50 degrees at the Chicago shore. Yesterday was World Press Freedom Day, established in 1993 by the General Assembly of the U.N.
This day in history (from history.com)
1865, The body of President Abraham Lincoln is buried in Springfield, traveling more than 1,600 miles and stopping at 180 places where mourners paid their respects to the fallen leader. The nine-car funeral train carried the caskets of the President and his son Willie, who died in 1862, and 300 passengers.
1965, San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays hits his 512th career home run to break Mel Ott’s National League record for home runs.
1970, Twenty-eight National Guardsmen fire their weapons into a crowd of students at Kent State University protesting the Vietnam War, killing four students and injuring nine others.
1979, Margaret Thatcher sworn in as Britain’s first female Prime Minister.
This week is looking similar to many of the past weeks, with meetings cancelled or held remotely, social distancing still mandated and just a few things stretching to reopen.
Many of the cancelled meetings are of City committees: the Rules Committee, the Human Services Committee and the Design and Project Review, as well as the Utilities Commission – a collection of some of Evanston’s most thoughtful and creative minds.
Evanstonians continue to bear up under the strain: no work for some/too much work for others; staying at home/shopping for others; remote visits only. The warm sunny weather provided a temporary respite, and, with social distancing in mind, for chairs it’s location, location, location.
The bright almost full moon might complicate viewing the Eta Aquariid (it’s not a typo) Meteor Shower overnight and into the small window of true darkness tomorrow morning. “The meteors will be flying, but moonlight will interfere,” advises Bruce McClure in Astronomy Essentials.
The end of the week will bring the downtown farmers market, which opened for the season last Saturday. Chicago River Day, also on Saturday, is a clean-up day organized by Friends of the Chicago River.