By an amazing coincidence, I just started reading The Pluto Files last night and learned, among other factoids (or "dwarf facts," I suppose they should be called), that the discovery of Pluto was first announced on this day, March 13, 1930.Today I learned that it has been "RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that as Pluto passes overhead through Illinois’ night skies, that it be reestablished with full planetary status, and that March 13, 2009 be declared “Pluto Day” in the State of Illinois in honor of the date its discovery was announced in 1930." Read the whole thing here.
California got into the act back in 2006 when Pluto was first demoted to dwarf planet with California Assembly Bill HR36 relative to Pluto's Planetary Status. I'm bummed it's not on the official state legislation link. How could they not pass legislation that states,
WHEREAS, Downgrading Pluto's status will cause psychological harm to some Californians who question their place in the universe and worry about the instability of universal constants; and ...et cetera, et cetera, and so forth.
WHEREAS, The California Legislature, in the closing days of the 2005-06 session, has been considering few matters important to the future of California, and the status of Pluto takes precedence and is worthy of this body's immediate attention; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly hereby condemns the International Astronomical Union's decision to strip Pluto of its planetary status..."
Happy Pluto Day to you. Your place in the universe is secure.
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