Strange Memories
There were two event anniversaries of note this week. The bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 1941 and the fatal shooting of John Lennon on Dec. 8 1980. One changed the course of American history. One gets more memorialized than the other. Take a guess which one gets more comment from the average person? Yes, it is Lennon.
This is not an indictment on society, but really a tale of the media. Pearl Harbor was the surprise attack that sent America off to World War II. It was a singular moment, but one that led to much more memories for the average American. Pearl Harbor was the start of an era. It happened, but Americans soon were more consumed with four years of more fighting. Pearl Harbor was the shock, but more disarming news was on the way.
Lennon's death was a singular event, but it is seen as the end of an era. For a generation of music fans, it finally put an end to any hope the Beatles would reunite in their original line-up. There was no aftermath unless you count reissues of Lennon's outtakes over the years. It was a frozen moment for many.
The final difference is time and scope. Many Americans can remember Lennon's death. It was announced during a Monday Night Football broadcast. They saw the media coverage. It is remembered because people can remember it still. Sadly, not a lot of people are around to remember Pearl Harbor.
This is not an indictment on society, but really a tale of the media. Pearl Harbor was the surprise attack that sent America off to World War II. It was a singular moment, but one that led to much more memories for the average American. Pearl Harbor was the start of an era. It happened, but Americans soon were more consumed with four years of more fighting. Pearl Harbor was the shock, but more disarming news was on the way.
Lennon's death was a singular event, but it is seen as the end of an era. For a generation of music fans, it finally put an end to any hope the Beatles would reunite in their original line-up. There was no aftermath unless you count reissues of Lennon's outtakes over the years. It was a frozen moment for many.
The final difference is time and scope. Many Americans can remember Lennon's death. It was announced during a Monday Night Football broadcast. They saw the media coverage. It is remembered because people can remember it still. Sadly, not a lot of people are around to remember Pearl Harbor.
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