Never Forget Those Who Served

In 1867 Queen Victoria gives Royal Assent to the British North America Act which establishes Canada on July 1^st In 1961 the 23^rd Amendment to the US constitution is ratified, allowing residents of DC to vote in presidential elections. In 1973 the last US combat troops left South Vietnam, while in 2014 the first same-sex marriages were performed in England and Wales,

An American and a British leader were both born on this date – though decades apart. Our 10th President – John Tyler – and the first VP to assume the Presidency on the death of his predecessor was born in 1790. And John Major who succeeded Maggie Thatcher as British Prime Minister was born in 1943. Two sports icons were also born on this date -pitcher Cy Young, who had his name affixed to the trophy for the best pitcher in a season, was born in 1867. And American Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas was born in 1956.

German-American businessman John Jacob Astor, the namesake for the city of Astoria, Oregon, passed in 1848. British polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott started his exploration of the afterlife in 1912. And beloved actress Patty Duke exited the world stage in 2016.

And this day is celebrated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, remembering all the thousands who served their country in a faraway land and a controversial war, including over 50,000 who lost their lives there.