When asked to reflect upon my 70 years I always say that the three things that blew me away were Beatlemania, the moon landing, and Secretariat.
I suspect that everybody, regardless of age, can appreciate the momentousness of the first walk on the moon... the culmination of a human dream, a JFK promise, and an American pride project. It was staggering... the weeks before when the astronauts were on their way, "they're almost there", "tonight's the night!" I was 16, already a big fan of history, and I can remember that I was more impressed at the time with the human magnitude than I was of an American achievement.
Those other two things... well, I guess you had to be there to know
The Beatles weren't just a new musical act... they were a cultural revolution. I could go on and on about that, but I'm saving my typing fingers for....
SECRETARIAT.... the greatest athlete that ever lived.
I'm not kidding... I've watched replays of the 1973 Triple Crown races hundreds of times, the Belmont much more than the other two, obviously, and no matter how often I've heard Chic Anderson exclaim "he is moving like a tremendous machine!" I am moved to goosebumps and tears. I was a live witness to perfection, from the most beautiful creature that ever walked the Earth.
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