On July 19, 1994, twelve friends gathered for an early morning breakfast on the National Mall in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial.

On the menu that day were fresh strawberries, salmon, oysters on the half shell, crepes, dancing and much laughter and celebration.

A photographer from the Washington Post was nearby and took a photograph of them sitting at a long table with candelabra, place settings of fine china, young ladies in wide brimmed hats and floor length dresses and men in formal attire, some wearing top hats and holding canes.

It was a splendid occasion, but why? Who were they? While the photograph became famous all over the country, no one knew the answers to those questions until now.

The Washington Post, in an article by the reporter Marissa J. Lang, put it all together, last September 29.

See or hear this podcast and find out for yourself. It is rich in friendship, life and death, and living well in the moment.

It can give everyone a new idea for the best New Year's Resolution!