Marked This Day

On this day in 1806, Lt. Zebulon Pike first spotted a mountain peak on his expedition into Colorado. This peak, of course, became known as Pike’s Peak. And I’m all for naming things after people, and as far as having something named after you, a peak has got to be up there. I’m also a giant fan of alliteration, so bravo for Pike’s Peak. But it does feel a tad bit lazy to me. I mean the guy’s name was Zebulon. Zebulon. How cool of a name is that? How do you not use that? I get that surnames may be more important, but still. Zebulon! Sounds like the name of an alien overload. Yes the alliteration of Pike’s Peak is great. But come on--Zebulon’s Zenith? Am I right? I guess it’s a moot point, and the important thing is that Zebulon’s efforts were memorialized in a just manner. I still think they (the mountain namers) missed an opportunity though. And if there is one thing you don’t want to miss, it’s an opportunity. So next time one comes your way, whether it’s talking to your crush or...

On this day, in 1959 Jacques Plante of the Canadiens became the first goalie in the NHL to wear a full facemask. During their game against the Rangers, Plante took a puck to the face. Pretty sure that will never feel good, but this one split his lip. Had to go back in locker room to get stitches and when he came back out, he was wearing a white fiberglass mask he had been using in practice. His coach was not happy because, you know, his coach wasn't the one who had pucks flying at his face constantly. But Plante said he wouldn’t play without the mask. He took some grief. Hockey is a macho sport, you know. Checking. Fighting. Sticks. Ice. Pucks. It ain't exactly checkers. So Plante was made fun on. Mocked. Teased. But you know what tends to make you forget about being teased. Physical pain. Plante had broken his nose four times. Broken his jaw. Cheekbones. And needed about 200 stitches in his head. So. Yeah. Good call on the mask, dude. He wore it the rest of his career. And...