First of all, I must once more congratulate the winners of the St. Valentine's Day Contest, Tessa Johnson, Lane Bayli, and Rachel Kendall. According to our friends at the USPS, all packages were delivered. I hope all of you truly enjoy your copies of Perfidy and that Tessa and her husband enjoy something nice and hot in their new Perfidy mugs.
Not every Valentine's Day has been full of joy and love. Leave it to a mystery writer to find the dark side.
Of course, no one in Chicagoland will be allowed to forget the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929. This was the day seven men associated with the Northside Irish Gang run by Bugs Moran were executed in a garage on the city's north side. It was believed that Al Capone's gang committed these murders. All this mayhem over some booze.
Of course those of us who lived in Illinois on February 14, 2008, will never forget the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University. Six marvelous young people died that day and I want to take this opportunity to remember them.
In my opinion, the most horrendous St. Valentine's Day massacre occurred on February 14, 1349, in Strasborg, Alzace (a region of today's France). Jewish persons were accused of tainting their Christian neighbors' water with the Black Death. They were tortured into confessing. The number of Jews murdered are unknown, some estimating hundreds and others estimating thousands. Fortunately, and I kid you not, greed prevailed and saved many of the Jewish people. I encourage you to read the article at the following website for more information on this incident. http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/this-day-in-jewish-history/this-day-in-jewish-history-a-valentine-s-day-massacre-in-alzace.premium-1.503467
Despite the misery that has fallen on this day in the past, give your sweetheart a big hug. Profess your love in whatever manner you choose. However, don't limit yourself to doing these things on Valentine's Day. It's not the candy, flowers, or jewelry that are important. It's the love.
Until next time.
Not every Valentine's Day has been full of joy and love. Leave it to a mystery writer to find the dark side.
Of course, no one in Chicagoland will be allowed to forget the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929. This was the day seven men associated with the Northside Irish Gang run by Bugs Moran were executed in a garage on the city's north side. It was believed that Al Capone's gang committed these murders. All this mayhem over some booze.
Of course those of us who lived in Illinois on February 14, 2008, will never forget the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University. Six marvelous young people died that day and I want to take this opportunity to remember them.
In my opinion, the most horrendous St. Valentine's Day massacre occurred on February 14, 1349, in Strasborg, Alzace (a region of today's France). Jewish persons were accused of tainting their Christian neighbors' water with the Black Death. They were tortured into confessing. The number of Jews murdered are unknown, some estimating hundreds and others estimating thousands. Fortunately, and I kid you not, greed prevailed and saved many of the Jewish people. I encourage you to read the article at the following website for more information on this incident. http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/this-day-in-jewish-history/this-day-in-jewish-history-a-valentine-s-day-massacre-in-alzace.premium-1.503467
Despite the misery that has fallen on this day in the past, give your sweetheart a big hug. Profess your love in whatever manner you choose. However, don't limit yourself to doing these things on Valentine's Day. It's not the candy, flowers, or jewelry that are important. It's the love.
Until next time.