February 27, 2014: the REAL Independence Day, the Reichstag fire, and more

Feburay 27: This day in history (via Wikipedia)

1782 – "American Revolutionary War: the House of Commons of Great Britain votes against further war in America." Isn't this the REAL Indpendence Day?

1801 – "Pursuant to the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801, Washington, D.C. is placed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress." No wonder it's governed so well!

1933 – "Reichstag fire: Germany's parliament building in Berlin, the Reichstag, is set on fire." Many believe it was an inside job, but how can you believe such crazy conspiracy theories?

1951 – "The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, limiting Presidents to two terms, is ratified." Perhaps one six-year term would have been better.

Notable quotes (from BrainyQuote unless otherwise sourced)

"If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility."

"A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a child."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882)

"The layman's constitutional view is that what he likes is constitutional and that which he doesn't like is unconstitutional." - Hugo Black (February 27, 1886 – September 25, 1971)

"No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself." - John Steinbeck (February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968)

"It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting." - Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011

Song of the day

Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 – April 25, 1990) would have been 91 today.