123 years ago, Paris.

1900 is the date that, for the very first time, women were able to compete in the Olympic games. From a country that originated with very few women's rights, the ability for women to participate and compete in sports is a big deal. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) states that their role is “to encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures.”  There was a time when women could not participate in sports, let alone competitions. Even though women were finally able to compete in 1900, they were only allowed to participate in a few sports, which included: golf, sailing, tennis, croquet, and equestrianism. According to the IOC, it was in the 2012 Olympic games in London when, finally, all sports on the Olympic program had women as contestants. Now, any and every sport with hopes of joining the Olympics program is required to have women competitors. With the inclusion of women into sports, more diversity is present, which can lead to a happier society.  This year, National Girls and Women in Sports Day falls on Feb. 1, although the national day changes annually. On this day, you can appreciate the growing equality in sports, and admire the powerful women athletes in the world.

On Feb. 3, 1959 a four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza plane crashed in Iowa, killing three major musicians: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper”. These names may ring a bell, but they may also be completely unheard of for some. Buddy Holly (Charles Hardin Holley) was a pioneering figure in 1950’s rock and roll with his many songs and early success. Holly died at the young age of 22, but his biography remembers that he left “records conveying a sense of the wide-open spaces of West Texas and unstoppable joie de vivre [exuberant enjoyment of life], remain vital today". Also on the plane was Ritchie Valens, who passed away at age 17. He was only 10 months into his music career when the crash occurred. He was a guitarist, a singer, a songwriter and, even in such a short time, had a huge role in the emergence of rock and roll. Jiles Perry Richardson, known in the music industry as “The Big Bopper” died in the plane crash at age 28. He was known for his big voice and exuberant personality, which he turned into a career as a rock and roll artist. Early on Feb. 3 the plane containing all three major musicians took off straight into a snowstorm. The website Buddy the Musical gave a comforting insight, saying, “a Wisconsin fan of the ‘50s era, erected a stainless steel monument depicting a steel guitar and a set of three records bearing the names of each of the three performers.” Though the story is sad, we can appreciate and remember the work these musicians did in the world of rock and roll. When you go about your day on Feb. 3, remember the lives these three rock and roll artists lived, and appreciate the great musicians we have with us today.

Not only is Feb. 14 Valentine's Day, but it is also National Ferris Wheel Day. Walking into an amusement park, it is impossible to miss the large wheel-like structure known as the Ferris wheel. Ferris wheels are a key attraction at fairs and amusement parks all over the world. Chicago Architecture Center says that the ferris wheel owes its design to George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., who was a structural engineer. The site says, “Ferris brought the idea for an enormous wheel to Daniel Burnham, the fair’s lead architect.” After discussing the idea, the two made it their goal to create a structure even grander than the Eiffel Tower. In 1893, the first Ferris wheel was built in Chicago. In the present day, Dubai hosts the record-breaking, world's largest Ferris wheel, as of 2021, standing at 820 feet tall. Ferris wheels take riders on a slow, relaxing (or terrifying, if you are not a fan of heights) ride into the air and back down again. Throughout the years, Ferris wheels have been given many advancements and add-ons. One in particular is the well-known “Mickey’s Fun Wheel” in the Disneyland Parks, California. As the wheel circles, it also sways and slides side to side, offering a thrilling aspect to a usually chill ride. Next time you find yourself at an amusement park or fair, make sure you take a ride on the incredible Ferris wheel.

Since 2019, the harmful effects of plastic use-- plastic straws, in particular--have become immensely known. While many are aware, and support the idea of recycling and taking extra precautions in hope of saving the environment, the sad reality is that many more still abuse their use of plastic. From releasing chemicals or trapping animals to causing multiple deleterious health effects among humans and animals, plastic, in all forms, is detrimental to the environment. Even though saving the environment through the use of less plastic seems bleak, there are ways any person can make a difference, including you. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) gives society a few ways to reduce plastic pollution. First, they state, “Ninety percent of the plastic items in our daily lives are used once and then chucked.” If people begin to wean themselves from using disposable plastics, and instead utilize reusable product alternatives then, in the long run, it will help the issue of excess harmful plastics littering the streets. The NRDC writes that “Each year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash.” Those plastic water bottles often end up in their final destination: the ocean-- where they harm marine life and pollute the water. The NRDC advises all people to cut down on buying plastic bottled water to help protect the environment. Recycle! One of the most common strategies heard to prevent plastic pollution is recycling, yet so many still do not care to do so. The NRDC adds that “less than 14 percent of plastic packaging is recycled.” Despite the amount of posters and billboards encouraging recycling, people still do not do it. When people do not recycle, their plastic trash gets left forgotten-- polluting, harming, and destroying animal and plant life, plus dooming the Earth in general. Though plastic of all kinds is harmful, plastic straws are especially harmful with the insane amounts used on a daily basis. Fast food, and restaurants in general, use plenty of plastic straws daily. Lowering our use of plastic straws will undoubtedly help the environment. On Feb. 24, take all the plastic trash in your house and make sure you recycle it! Plus, think about some of the ways listed above to include in your life so you can aid in further improving Earth’s environmental conditions.