🌝 that’s the emoji for the full moon with face — the “man in the moon” — to mark 7/20, Man On the Moon Day, the anniversary of astronauts walking on the moon for the first time, in 1969 (a day I remember well, as my little family was gearing up for the move from Urbana IL, where (clustered around our little portable tv) we viewed the event; to Columbus OH, in a trek from my first professor gig, at UIUC, to my second, at OSU)
But this posting is going to be devoted to a different day of memory, one that I let slip by on 7/17: John Lewis’s death day, now memorialized in my country as the Good Trouble National Day of Action.
From the New Black Voices website, “Good Trouble Lives On: Honoring Congressman John Lewis with a National Day of Action” on 7/17/25:
Congressman John Lewis [2/21/1940 – 7/17/20], the late civil rights icon and U.S. Representative from Georgia’s 5th District, remains one of the most enduring symbols of courage, resilience, and justice in American history. Known for his unwavering dedication to nonviolent activism, Lewis’ legacy transcends generations. As America continues to grapple with inequality, voter suppression, and systemic injustice, the call to honor his memory has materialized into an annual National Day of Action. This day celebrates Lewis’s life, legacy, and the enduring philosophy he popularized: making ‘Good Trouble,’ such as leading peaceful marches, organizing sit-ins, and advocating for legislative change.
… In the days following his death, activists, lawmakers, and communities across the country vowed to keep his mission alive. His call to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble” became a rallying cry. From marches to voter registration drives, Lewis’ passing reignited a national movement.
To preserve his legacy, the “Good Trouble Day of Action“ has been established as an annual event, observed every July 17, the anniversary of his death.
(more…)
