Back in 1978, Patrick Moriarty was teaching an Earth Science class to ninth graders in Rochester, New York. One of his lessons involved the paths of upcoming eclipses.
Patrick pointed to a spot on a worksheet and explained to the students that a solar eclipse was going to pass over Rochester in the future. "Hey, circle that one on April 8th, 2024," Patrick said. "We're going to get together on that one."
His students thought he was joking. From their point of view, it was hard to imagine an event so far in the future.
Patrick wasn't joking. For the rest of his teaching career, Patrick offered the same invitation to all his students, suggesting that they mark their calendars for the eclipse – and the big reunion – in 2024.
Two years ago, Patrick revisited the idea of an eclipse party and created a Facebook event, which led to about 100 former students gathering at his home on Monday.
And while Patrick is retired, he was able to return to his role of teacher. During the event, he borrowed his daughter’s karaoke machine to use the microphone and teach lessons to the crowd before the sky darkened – and the gathered crowd celebrated.
And before everyone went home, Patrick proposed another reunion in August of 2044 ... for the next solar eclipse.