DRINKING THE KOOL-AID
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
NOVEMBER 18TH
DRINKING THE KOOL-AID
Have you ever had a cool cup of Kool-Aid? On this day in history, November18th, 1978, 46
years ago today, 909 people drank some Kool-Aid. Unfortunately for them, it was the last thing
they ever drank. This is a short story that might make you think twice the next time you are
tempted to consume this popular drink.
Jim Jones was a self-proclaimed prophet. He founded a church called the People’s Temple. He
could preach a good sermon, and soon had a large congregation of followers. In the 1970’s Jim
convinced many of his followers to move to South America. Here they would set up a Utopian
paradise. Jonestown, as the civilization came to be called, was nothing like paradise. The poor
people who believed in Jim found themselves stuck in a communist dictatorship. This self-
proclaimed prophet was nothing but a tyrant. He forced people to work long hours, took their
belongings, and punished anyone who questioned him. Jim Jones had total control.
In mid-November of 1978 a United States congressman named Leo Ryan arrived in Jonestown.
He had been asked by former members of the cult, as well as concerned family members of cult
members, to check on the people. On this day in history Leo Ryan the congressman, some
reporters, and a handful of dissatisfied cult members decided to leave this communist
compound. Jim Jones ordered all those leaving to be ambushed and killed. The ambush
occurred while those leaving the compound were loading onto the planes to leave Jonestown.
Leo Ryan the congressman and 4 others were shot and killed in the ambush. The rest of the
people escaped.
Jim Jones was not happy once he realized that some of the people had escaped the ambush.
He knew that the escapees would bring in the law. He knew that he was now in big trouble.
After the failed ambush this power crazed lunatic decided that his followers needed to die. He
told his brain washed believer’s that without him life would have no meaning. The only choice
they had was to die together peacefully. He called it Revolutionary Suicide. Flavor-Aid mixed
with cyanide was soon given to all of his followers. Many drank the Kool-Aid willingly. Others
were forced to drink at gunpoint. The first who were forced to drink the poison were the
children.
On this day in history, just 46 years ago today, over 900 men, women, and children, “drank the
Kool-Aid,” and succumbed to their deaths. They did this to please an oppressive, murdering,
thieving, dictating, self-proclaimed false prophet. The next day South American officials arrived
at the settlement only to find a scene of death and carnage. Jim Jones didn’t drink the Kool-
Aid. He died from a gunshot wound to the head. Supposedly this wound was self-inflicted.
This is a sad story, but it teaches a valuable lesson. Now that you’ve heard it what are you
going to do the next time somebody offers you a cup of this sugar filled concoction? Are you
going to beware? I hope you think twice the next time this beverage is placed before you. You
never know what could be in it. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid!
Rend Petersen
