Richard Nixon was the president of the US. One of the best movies I’ve seen this past year was about him…Frost/Nixon.

18 year-olds were given the right to vote in federal elections. How many 18 year-olds really evaluate the issues and candidates before voting?  I have two 18 year-olds in my home, and I’m pretty sure they’re not studying the issues!

A tidal wave driven by a cyclone from the Bay of Bengal hit East Pakistan, killing hundreds of thousands of people. Today, thousands of Pakistani people are coming to Christ, and I’m blessed to be a part of a church that has been on the front lines of this movement for the past 20 years.

The Baltimore Orioles won the World Series and the Kansas City Chiefs won the Superbowl. My beloved Reds (who aren’t so good anymore) have won 3 World Series since then and my beloved Steelers (who still are very good) have won 6 Super Bowls since then!

A house cost $26,600. That same house now costs 10 times that amount…at least in Albuquerque.

The average income per year was $9,400. That’s not too far off from what I made my first year out of college in 1992 with my $60,000 diploma in hand!

The average monthly rent was $140. Ha!  I’m paying more than 10 times this amount to rent my home now, but I’m not making 10 times the amount of income that people did in 1970.

An anti-war rally was held at Valley Forge and was attended by John Kerry, Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. I’m not overly concerned about Kerry and Fonda attending, but the father of Jack Bauer?  Now THAT’S a problem!

The cost of a gallon of gas was 36 cents. Funny.  I just paid $2.42 per gallon to fill up my car yesterday…and I thought that was a good price!

Sports Illustrated cost 15 cents per issue. Of course back then, dog racing and fishing stories made the front cover.  Today, the stories and photos are better, and with my subscription, I pay only 74 cents per issue.  This may be one of the best bargains around! (And by the way, when the swimsuit edition comes, I have Michelle grab it out of the mailbox and dispose of it properly.  Wouldn’t want to leave you with that question unanswered!)

A United States postage stamp was 6 cents. The price for postage goes up so often that I truly don’t know what a first class stamp costs right now.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is published. When she read her I Am A Tree poem at President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration, I was really turned off.  I never was a big Maya Angelou fan until I saw her speak at a girl’s school that my mom used to work at in Ohio.  Michelle and I took Emily to see her, and we found her to be witty, engaging, charming, compassionate, and brilliant.  I’ve been a fan ever since.

The Long and Winding Road becomes the Beatles’ last Number 1 song. Good thing.  They were truly weird by the time they ended their unprecedented run atop the charts.  However, the Beatles of the early 60′s were incredible, revolutionary, and phenomenal musically.

Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Andre Agassi, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Damon, and Mike Potter were born. All of them may be more famous and much wealthier than me, but as I observe (celebrate would be too strong of a word!) my 39th birthday today, I recognize that I am incredibly blessed.  I have the perfect wife for me in Michelle and I have four healthy and wonderful children.  The Lord has been so good to me.  I know that He loves me and is patiently growing me in spite of myself.  I pray for at least another 39 years of life so that I can continue to serve Him.