Just a few days ago we greeted loved ones and friends with a cheery, "Happy New Year." And we sincerely hoped it would be a year of joy and happiness for all. A New Year's card put it beautifully: "I am the New Year -- all that I have I give with love unspoken. All that I ask -- you keep the faith unbroken!" 

Newspapers and magazines covered the fascinating story of Admiral Richard Byrd's second trip to the South Pole. The 180th meridian is an imaginary but important marker. It is the International Date Line. When a traveler crosses it, he either adds a day or subtracts a day, depending on his direction. Admiral Byrd spoke of his experience of flying southward to the pole: "All the time we continued flying as closely as possible along the 180th meridian. Even without wind drift -- for whi…