1875. Good or bad year, you decide!

This guy had a tattoo of 1875. Why? Well read on....

1875 was a big year in the USofA as it produced the Civil Rights Act which meant that it guaranteed everyone, regardless of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude to be entitled to the same treatment in "public accommodations" (i.e. inns, public conveyances or land or water theatres and other places of public amusement).  If found guilty, the lawbreaker could face a penalty anywhere from $500 to $1000 and/or 30 days to 1 year in prison.  That however was not the reason he had the tattoo!

It was also the year in that the oldest active gun club in America was formed!  That's righty, the Massachusetts Rifle Association, but that too was not the reason, is that "aww, shucks" I hear you say?!!, ha, ha....

In 1875, Baseball team Boston Red Stockings won forth third consecutive National Association championship, with a dominating 71-9 record. This was also the last season of the Association which dissolved at the end of the year. Again, this was not the reason for his tattoo!

Do you give up?  Getting tired of waiting for the answer?

Across the pond in the UK however, and to be more precise, Edinburgh, Hibs (Hibernian) founded itself as a football club.  Big year for Hibs fans, which is something clearly of celebration to the top guy who is a loyal supporter, and so yes indeedie, that is why he had this tattoo done. Is that "yay, praise the lord she got to the point after all" I hear you say! Well here is a bit more trivial factual knowledge, ironically 1875 was also the year that the first Derby was held between their rival Edinburgh club Hearts and themselves (Hibs) and Hearts won! I have a few more facts....

In England (which he probably didn't know about either) it saw the founding of Blackburn Rovers, Chorley and Birmingham City football clubs too which fans pledge their allegiance to, who would have thought! Lastly, in February 21st 1875, Jeanne Calment was born in Ayles, France. Why is this important, well she is the oldest person to have ever lived! She died aged 122years and 164 days to be exact  in 1997, that deserves a high five don't you think!

In London, 1987 also saw:

the Public Health Act passed;

London's main sewers built;

and Captain Matthew Webb becoming the first person to swim the English Channel!

So enough of me looking into things back in time, time to reflect on...

....Tattoos because "You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches up ahead"!  They can be educational you see, especially if you interact with the people wearing them and then do a bit of research - now take some tips from William Shatner on how to make your life full of very good years, hit it Billy!