Re: "60 Minutes" Interview On Superior Autobiographical Memory To Air Sunday, January
Bill, another question - how far back does your memory go, to what age. The reason I'm curious is that, although I just have a better-than-average memory, I have verified memories all the way back to 18 months, although they are not each and every day the way yours are...
I can recall pretty much every day (granted some are beyond mundane) since November 30, 1977, when I was eight. I recall sporadic days before then, particularly holidays, although I might not necessarily know the day of the week without looking (example: I know that December 25, 1974, I got a battery operated toy clock that was designed to tell kids how to tell time. I have no idea what day of the week that was back then; however, knowing the 28-year repetition, I know that the same calendar was used in 2002 and thus the 25th was on Wednesday (as it also was in 1985, 1991, and 2013).
I know that on Saturday, May 29, 1976 (which I do recall specifically being on a Saturday) we went to stock car races in the UK. There was both a day and a night session, and my folks paid for both. I still remember my Dad screaming at me because we had to go back to the house and pick up my ticket (I had left it in the bathroom).
I have other days that I recall quite vividly, including July 23, 1974 (I was four), when we got up early and ate breakfast (don't remember specifics, probably eggs and sausage with OJ knowing Mom), had choccolate cake, then drove from Columbus, MS to Lanett, AL to see her folks. I even recall us stopping at Hardee's in Valley, AL to relieve ourselves.
The earliest date of which I can recall is July 23, 1972, the day my brother was born. I was 33 months old. I only recall the snippet of my Dad picking me up at my neighbor's and saying I had a brother (e.g. Mom had a boy).
I also vividly recall September 15-16, 1975, although I'd have to think for a moment about the day of the week (Monday/Tuesday IIRC). We were traveling from Atlanta to the UK. When we approached the escalator, it looked like a huge monster with teeth. I started screaming hysterical. My grandfather who was tall (not really, but when you're five, getting put on someone's shoulders feels like you need ATC clearance), put me on his shoulders. To this day, my heart skips a beat when I get on an escalator. If you're with me, you'll notice I sort of "jog" to get on it. Anyway, I also had a little orange Tonka truck, an ambulance. I remember putting it into the basket for the metal detector. I even had a fit when the attendant said I would not be allowed to take it on the plane. She got corrected quickly by my mother and others. Flew Eastern Airlines to Philly, caught a blue bus to McGuire AFB, NJ (overcast/rainy that afternoon) and then hopped on a C-141 type plane to RAF Mildenhall, where my Dad met us. We rode a bus to RAF Bentwaters, dropped by the commissary for food, then drove to our bungalow in Ipswich. I slept under US Army blankets that were scratchy.
I also know that a few weeks before then - no exact dates known - we drove from Lanett to Roanoke Rapids, NC. When we were in the car getting ready to go, I was eating Apple Jacks and stung on the left mandible (skin obviously) by a bee. It hurt the entire trip. My guess - and I'll admit this is a guess - is that it was Saturday, September 5, because I explicitly remember going to church the next day.
So Earle, I would in no way discount an 18 month old memory. I believe Henner says that's her first. But mine doesn't go back that early. Also, my Mom has been flabbergasted. I will point out things to her - and her memory is very good about details but not necessarily what happened what day. So she has been shocked when I've told her things like the trip to the UK (and verified every single detail).
Let's just say it's interesting to say the least.
