At first glance, one day is a mundane thing. Twenty-four hours seems pretty insignificant when compared to the whole of history.

I often find myself falling into this method of thinking, assuming that today is unimportant. I prefer to dream (or worry) about the future or remember (or regret) the past. But then I begin to do a little research and realize how wrong I am…

Today, in 27 BC, Gaius Octavius, or Octavian, first became known as Caesar Augustus.

Today, in 550, the Ostrogoths conquered Rome.

Today, in 1493, Columbus left the new world on his first voyage to return to Spain.

Today, in 1547, Ivan the Terrible was crowned the first czar of Russia.

Today, in 1793, King Louis XVI was sentenced to death during the French Revolution.

Today, in 1920, the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution passed and Prohibition went into effect.

Today, also in 1920, the League of Nations held its very first meeting in Paris.

Today, in 1944, General Eisenhower assumed command of the Allied Invasion Force in London.

Today, in 1991, the White House announced Operation Desert Storm.

Today, in 2003, the spaceship Columbia blasted off on its final mission.

Already today, on January 16, 2015, more than 190,000 people have been born, and over 75,000 have died. Today, people will cry, laugh, shout, sing, leave, arrive, die, and live.

When I look at today from that perspective, it suddenly doesn’t seem insignificant at all. Sometimes it just takes a look into the past (and a closer look at the present) for me to realize that.

So today, instead of worrying or regretting, I’m going to choose to live.

For anyone interested in more famous events, births, and deaths that occurred today in the past, take a look at this website.