July 25
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 25, 1997
Up at 10:00. Watched some “Simpsons” and me and Talia went swimming. Then we took a break and then went on the boat to get some gas. Then we went tubing. Came back and showered. Had dinner. Chilled. Watched fire some. Watched “Simpsons” and played Solitaire. I am very, very, VERY SUNBURNED.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 25, 1960
Washed, not as much as usual. Dried nicely. Pretty hot, makes all so tired! Mrs. B. came over.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 25, 1944
Hot, bright, breezy. Didn't do a bit of work all morning. Read Reader's Digest. Pop not home for lunch. Mum with bad headache. Package from Betty Jeane -- belated birthday card, 2 handkies, wash cloth case and leather change purse. But I'd rather she'd written Mum weeks ago. Pretty busy in afternoon but read good detective story. Off a little after 5. Went up to Norris Creamery for a pint of ice cream. On home. Talked to Mum and took a bath. Played piano. Had good upper. Then I went right in and practiced till about 15 till 9. Mum was sewing and George sneaked in and scared me silly. I played for his benefit till about 9:30. Fun. Then we sat around and talked and read funny things in the Reader's Digest. About 10 George departed. Mum listened to 10 o'clock broadcast and we went to bed. I've almost forgotten already but I'm afraid I haven't convinced myself that he is gone for good. A good day even if nothing wonderful happened. Hot but perfect mid-summer's day.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 25, 1887
Drew some water from the creek this morning. Cultivated the front yard and among the young pear trees, it was hard cultivating and made Jimmie and I sweat. Tied up some tomatoes and pruned them into shape. I wrote a letter to Effie this afternoon. Kate, baby and I went up town and called at Dr. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor’s sister is there with a friend from Ann Arbor. I received a letter from Irving McColl; he is in Traverse City. I hope he will surely come and see us before he goes back. I am going to hoe corn for Fred Neill in the morning.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 25, 1862
Mail brought nothing new. It has been reported for several days that Watson Cannon is dead. H. Cannon started to Richmond last week. I hope he is not dead. His mother was here today. She is very low spirited about him. I sewed some on Charlie’s pants today.
*(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 34, London
July 25, 1667
Up, and at the Office all the morning; and at noon, after dinner, to Cooper’s, it being a very rainy day, and there saw my wife’s picture go on, which will be very fine indeed. And so home again to my letters, and then to supper and to bed.
*(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.)