April 14
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 14, 1998
Good day at school. Came home and watched T.V. Me and Jon went 2 bank and chilled here. Worked from 5:30-9 w/ Doug. Casey stopped by. I love him. He makes me laugh. Jon came and then Les came. We stopped by the school and saw Casey. Went 2 Née’s. NO PARENTS. Née was wiggin’ out. Lots of peeps there. Me, Courtney, Liam, Andy, Travis, Thor took Liam home. Think I like Casey. (Jon’s w/ us.) Went 2 Waffle House and saw Casey! :) Had 2 take Malia 2 get her friends out of a ditch.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 14, 1997
Yay! :) Mike was nice today! Maybe tomorrow I’ll be extra nice… ;) No Driver’s Ed. Went home with Renee. Did homework once at home with story. Picked out tomorrow’s outfit. Ate dinner. Cleaned up kitchen. Talked to Ashley. (Oh, yeah — Zach said Crozier said I kissed good!) Went to practice at 7:00. It was okay, but fun. Talked to Karen. Bed.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 14, 1960
I over to Mrs. B.’s read letters for her. Lo home and back to have her hair done by 12:30. Wanted to work out doors but too windy.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 14, 1944
Cloudy all day. Very dreary. Up at 6 and studied Lit. Test at 9. Pretty hard. Tennis in gym. Good lunch. Went to library in afternoon and read history. Betty and I were late for dinner but we went in anyway. Connie is out of the infirmary. Good dinner. Pouring rain. Jane, Mary Jo and Neen went bowling. Betty and I studied. I washed my hair in spite of cold - yes, I’ve got one! Mary wants me to play tennis with her tomorrow afternoon. I feel differently toward her now, after what Kath. told us. Betty still doesn’t like Mary. When Jane returned from bowling she came in and told Betty and I the wildest tale about 3 boys she and Neen had on their trail and how she (Jane) had chased a negro girl who swiped Neen’s scarf at the bus station. We nearly died!
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 14, 1941
Lovely, very mild. Chapel in morning. Sang. Fun. Review in English. Tests in history and Latin. Finished all lessons and didn’t have much to do in afternoon. Guess what? Helen found out that Clay is in love with Ella! Needless to say, Helen doesn’t especially like it, although she insists she is not in love with Clay anymore. Practiced piano in afternoon. Then went out and played with Helen and Barbara. So lovely outside. The world feels so near and -- oh rather as if it were embracing you with all its greenness and beauty. The trees with their new leaves are like fairy flags flying in the night breeze and their shadows on the ground make strange patterns. Play practice till 10:00. Mom entertained three ladies tonight -- some committee. I sold three tickets to the play. Be glad when it’s over.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 14, 1888
Kate and I went to the Farmers club at Tip Philip’s today we did not stay long but I had a chance to see many folks that I am acquainted with. Pa plowed the garden this afternoon, and Willie and I sowed some onion and lettuce seed. The wind is north and the weather is quite cool. Father Queal and Geo Phelps were here a while this evening.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 14, 1887
Went to the store early this morning, because I knew the mail was in and I wanted to hear from Kate. I got a letter from ma and a few lines from Kate. Ma thinks I better come home, as Kate is not well as she was. I expect to hear again tomorrow if it is not good news I shall get home as soon as I can. Kate wrote that I needed to come, but I can’t stand it to be here and think that she may be very sick. I did considerable telegraphing with the Frankfort operator today, he is a right good fellow I know. It has been a warm day and it thunders and lightninged [sic] toward evening. I went over to our house and arranged things some tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 14, 1862
Mr. Henry left today. He did not tell us good bye. Oh! how I dreaded to see him leave but I feel that the great Ruler will work everything out for the best. He doeth all things well & I do pray He may spare my own dear husband. He is all the world to me. Life would be but a blank without him. I love him as no other woman loves. I fixed up some skirts for the children. Willie is a good child. Pinck & Zona are bad to fight. Atheline is very well. Nearly all the men have gone or will go tomorrow. I hear this evening that the militia of this county is called out. I wish the tories could see the error of their ways. Tom Tidwell, Daniel Moore and Mr. Heath are here tonight. It has rained all day a slow rain. I fear the men got wet. I hope Mr. Henry may sleep in a comfortable bed this night as good as he is used to & all the others too & bring them back safe is my earnest prayer to Almighty and most Merciful God.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 35, London
April 14, 1668
(Tuesday). Up betimes by water to the Temple. In the way read the Narrative about prizes; and so to Lord Crew’s bedside, and then to Westminster, where I hear Pen is, and sent for by messenger last night. Thence to Commissioners of Accounts and there examined, and so back to Westminster Hall, where all the talk of committing all to the Tower, and Creed and I to the Quaker’s, dined together. Thence to the House, where rose about four o’clock; and, with much ado, Pen got to Thursday to bring in his answer; so my Lord escapes to-day. Thence with Godage and G. Montagu to G. Carteret’s, and there sat their dinner-time: and hear myself, by many Parliament-men, mightily commended. Thence to a play, “Love’s Cruelty,” and so to my Lord Crew’s, who glad of this day’s time got, and so home, and there office, and then home to supper and to bed, my eyes being the better upon leaving drinking at night.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)