Today in History - December 16
1431 Henry VI of England is crowned King of France.
1653 Oliver Cromwell takes on dictatorial powers with the title of "Lord Protector."
1773 To protest the tax on tea from England, a group of young Americans, disguised as Indians, throw chests of tea from British ships in Boston Harbor. Boston Tea Party!
1835 A fire in New York City destroys property estimated to be worth $20,000,000. It lasts two days, ravages 17 blocks, and destroys 674 buildings including the Stock Exchange, Merchants’ Exchange, Post Office, and the South Dutch Church.
1863 Confederate General Joseph Johnston takes command of the Army of Tennessee.
1864 Union forces under General George H. Thomas win the battle at Nashville, smashing an entire Confederate army.
1939 The National Women’s Party urges immediate congressional action on equal rights.
1944 Germany mounts a major offensive in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. As the center of the Allied line falls back, it creates a bulge, leading to the name–the Battle of the Bulge.
1950 President Harry Truman declares a state of National Emergency as Chinese communists invade deeper into South Korea.
1998 The United States launches a missile attack on Iraq for failing to comply with United Nations weapons inspectors.
Born on December 16
1431 Henry VI of England is crowned King of France.
1653 Oliver Cromwell takes on dictatorial powers with the title of "Lord Protector."
1773 To protest the tax on tea from England, a group of young Americans, disguised as Indians, throw chests of tea from British ships in Boston Harbor. Boston Tea Party!
1835 A fire in New York City destroys property estimated to be worth $20,000,000. It lasts two days, ravages 17 blocks, and destroys 674 buildings including the Stock Exchange, Merchants’ Exchange, Post Office, and the South Dutch Church.
1863 Confederate General Joseph Johnston takes command of the Army of Tennessee.
1864 Union forces under General George H. Thomas win the battle at Nashville, smashing an entire Confederate army.
1939 The National Women’s Party urges immediate congressional action on equal rights.
1944 Germany mounts a major offensive in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. As the center of the Allied line falls back, it creates a bulge, leading to the name–the Battle of the Bulge.
1950 President Harry Truman declares a state of National Emergency as Chinese communists invade deeper into South Korea.
1998 The United States launches a missile attack on Iraq for failing to comply with United Nations weapons inspectors.
Born on December 16
1485 Catherine of Argon, first wife of Henry VIII, who bore him five children.
1770 Ludwig Van Beethoven, German composer best known for his 9th Symphony.
1775 Jane Austen, novelist (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice).
1917 Arthur C. Clarke, English science fiction writer (2001: A Space Odyssey)
1950 William Harvey Hardin son, father, husband, teacher
According to the birthday boy, another year has gone by too quickly! Sorry to say, the older we get the faster the years seem to pass. We tend to open up our memory box and relive those memories. But what makes it so sad is that many of those memories were shared with loved ones no longer here with us. We will remember those fond moments and create new ones as another year comes our way. Bill read and edited this posting - then I re-edited! :)
According to the birthday boy, another year has gone by too quickly! Sorry to say, the older we get the faster the years seem to pass. We tend to open up our memory box and relive those memories. But what makes it so sad is that many of those memories were shared with loved ones no longer here with us. We will remember those fond moments and create new ones as another year comes our way. Bill read and edited this posting - then I re-edited! :)
William Harvey Hardin was born a little after midnight on December 16, 1952 to Bertha Marrs (McCoy) Hardin and Clyde Austin Hardin. He is the oldest of three sons with approximately seven years between each brother. Bill was born and raised in Williamson, WV; graduated from Williamson High School; and earned an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in History from Marshall University. He taught for over thirty years in the Wayne County School system. For most of those years he taught West Virginia History to eighth graders. Several of those eighth graders went on and earned a Golden Horseshoe for their knowledge of WV facts. Bill also taught one year at Glenville State. There he taught history on the graduate and undergraduate levels. I saw his syllabus – no way would I want to take his college course!!!!
Bill became a proud father on May 7, 1980. David Austin Hardin was born and has given Bill much happiness and many proud moments. David and his lovely wife Jeni will soon be giving Bill another name to go along with William, Bill, Dad, Ox, and Mr. Hardin; he will soon be going by the name of Granddad! David and Jeni are expecting a daughter at the end of March, 2009. Bill was known as Ox because he was so clumsy. David is known as Ox Jr. by his dad. Does this mean the baby girl will be called Oxette? For her sake, I hope NOT! There is no doubt in my mind that the baby will have Bill wrapped around her little finger. The first time she looks up at him – it’s over! That’s what grandchildren tend to do – so I’m told. I know that my nieces and nephews go by with way more than my brothers and me! Somehow the grandchildren have it all figured out – Mom and Dad are the tough one while grandparents will give in most of the time! Bill and I both are anxiously awaiting the birth of our granddaughter!
We have been married a little over twenty years. It has been “a wonderful life” – they should use that for a movie title – oh – they already have! Not only is Bill my loving husband; the person who gives me support when I’ve had to have surgery; has always been by my side when I’ve lost loved ones; but, he is also my true friend! He is very considerate and tries to help me out when I have had to go and stay with Mom and Dad during an illness. He understands completely how close I am to my family, and has supported me in all that I’ve done to help them. He knows how hard it has been for me when Dad and John passed away. He holds me and gives me comfort when the tears flow and won’t stop. For that – I love him even more. I just hope that I give him the same support. I will add only because Bill does not want this posting to be "mushy" - we do have our moments when it's not a bed of roses - more like a bed of thorns! :) But the one thing I will say is that we married for better or worse. We do disagree, but we also know how to say "I'm sorry!" Never go to bed mad or upset because you may never get the chance to say those magical words. Love may mean "never having to say you're sorry"- a good line for a movie (Love Story) - but it sure helps!
As we await the birth of the grand-baby, I would like to share with you some of my favorite pictures of Bill – past and present!
A very young Bill - notice the next photo and compare it to this one!
Besides the obvious difference of it being in color - this is a very young David and not Bill! Look at the smiles!!!!
Awww - look how sweet and innocent!
Being from Williamson, WV - he has always loved the trains! 
Looking sad because the Reds are losing? Notice the pen and score book in hand - he still loves keeping score!
Attending a Reds game in Detroit with David, Jeni, and me! We Won!!!
With Jeni and David - Thanksgiving 2008.
Cupcakes made this Santa Birthday cake possible - mmmmm good.
One big breath and out goes the flame on the candles!
Opening a present he had NO idea he was getting! I surprised him! Yeah!!!!
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