Rivers Banner

  What was happening in October 1926. It was a month of massive cultural debuts, high-stakes
sports history and sudden political and tragic shifts that came from the roaring twenties. It was
also a time when the modern 2 day weekend was just being born. It was also the debut of a
classic iconic children’s book, Winnie the Pooh, which was published in London by Methuen and
company, immediately capturing the world’s heart and still very popular today.
  The name “Winnie the Pooh” originates from a real-life bear named Winnie, who was originally
from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The bear was adopted by Canadian soldier Harry Colebourn during
World War 1 and named the bear after his hometown.
A. A. Milne, the author of the Winnie the Pooh stories, was inspired to create the character after
his son, Christopher Robin, visited the London Zoo and encountered the bear. The name
“Winnie” is derived from the bear, while “Pooh” comes from a swan that Christoper had named
after a childhood pet, reflecting a playful and whimsical aspect of childhood.
  Ernest Hemmingway, a well-known author published the novel, The Sun also Rises.
October 1926 was the fall of the famous Icon, legendary escape artist, Harry Houdini. Harry
ended up being punched in the abdomen by a student in Montreal, testing his core strength. He
was injured but ignored the pain which subsequently developed into appendicitis and he died on
Halloween!
  Babe Ruth hit 3 homeruns in a single game, game 4 of the World Series on October 6. Babe
Ruth was playing for the New York Yankees. Despite his efforts the St. Louis Cardinals won the
World Series on October 10.
  The 5-day workweek began when Henry Ford officially shifted his factories to a 40-hour week,
5-day workweek, closing on Saturday and Sunday which was a massive victory for the labor
movement that helped birth the modern weekend. October 1926 was the very first full month
that his factory workers operated under the new schedule, helping cement the concept of the
modern weekend in popular culture. It is interesting to see that today companies want to be
open 7 days a week with some offering 24-hour service.
  I leave you with this little verse that my brother Lynn wrote in my autograph book when I was a
lad.
 

  'There was an old man, his name was Henry Ford

He had a piece of rubber and a 2-inch board

He put some gas in an old tin can

He put it all together and the darn thing ran!  '