Today in History - November 30, 1954 - Meteorite strikes an Alabama Woman

Today in History - November 30, 1954 - Meteorite strikes an Alabama Woman

   Today, in the 1800's, two people were born, Mark Twain (1835) and Wintston Churchill (1874). But in the year 1954, a woman from Alabama was struck by a meteorite. So it is really possible for meteorites to hit the earth (and people on it). Here is the rest of that story:

    The first modern instance of a meteorite striking a human being occurs at Sylacauga,Alabama, when a meteorite crashes through the roof of a house and into a living room, bounces off a radio, and strikes a woman on the hip. The victim, Mrs. Elizabeth Hodges, was sleeping on a couch at the time of impact. The space rock was a sulfide meteorite weighing 8.5 pounds and measuring seven inches in length. Mrs. Hodges was not permanently injured but suffered a nasty bruise along her hip and leg.

Ancient Chinese records tell of people being injured or killed by falling meteorites, but the Sylacauga meteorite was the first modern record of this type of human injury. In 1911, a dog in Egypt was killed by the Nakhla meteorite.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/meteorite-strikes-alabama-woman

Veritas Card# 59 - The Temple is Built

The Temple is Built - 1 Kings 6-8

   When David was king, his desire was to build a temple for God, but God had given this task to Solomon to complete. When Solomon had been king for four years, construction on this temple began. David had already put much of the plans together for this and got the materials ready. Cedars were imported from Lebanon, and gold and treasures came from a man named Hiram, who was the king of Tyre. A skilled metal-worker was sent from Hiram as well, to work on the temple furnishings.
    The temple was constructed at the quarry, and no tools were used on the actual construction site. It was a marvelous building and one of the most significant structures in the ancient world. The inside of the temple was overlaid with gold, which made it very valuable. The temple was a beautiful building and awe-inspiring. It was decorated with cherubim, pomegranates, and pillars.
   It must have been an amazing site when it was finished! After it was dedicated, the Ark of the Covenant was brought inside. God's Presence became strong and manifested itself in a glorious display! It was so awesome that the priests could not remain inside the building!
   It took seven years to build this temple. The approximate time period for this event was 967-960 B.C.

Today in History - November 29,1775 - Congress Creates Committees of Secret Correspondence

Today in History - November 29,1775 - Congress Creates Committees of Secret Correspondence

  I thought this was interesting and picked this particular one out to blog about today. The reason I find this one interesting was that somewhere, probably on the Internet, I saw a video or article that discussed this event, but the authors behind the article or video had a different interpretation on why this event took place. I would like to find that video again and watch it in light of this article which was published on www.history.com today.
   Either there really was a secret conspiracy going on among our forefathers or there wasn't. I would like to do more investigating on this. If there was a secret conspiracy, did our forefathers accomplish their goals? If not, why were there secretive meetings? I guess this is bringing out the detective in me! Here is the article and you can read more at: www.history.com :

On this day in 1775, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, establishes a Committee of Secret Correspondence. The committee's goal was to provide European nations with a Patriot interpretation of events in Britain's North American colonies, in the hope of soliciting aid for the American war effort.

The committee, consisting of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison, John Dickinson, John Hay and Robert Morris, instructed Silas Deane to meet with French Foreign Minister Charles Gravier, Count de Vergennes, to stress America's need for military stores and assure the French that the colonies were moving toward "total separation" from Great Britain. Covert French aid began filtering into the colonies soon after the outbreak of hostilities in 1775. Deane, a Connecticut delegate to the Continental Congress, left for France on the secret mission on March 3, 1776.

Deane managed to negotiate for unofficial assistance from France, in the form of ships containing military supplies, and recruited the Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette to share his military expertise with the Continental Army's officer corps. However, it was not until after the arrival of the charming Benjamin Franklin in France in December 1776 and the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 that the French became convinced that it was worth backing the Americans in a formal treaty.

Veritas Card #58 - Writings of Solomon

Writings of Solomon - Proverbs and Ecclesiastes

    We learned yesterday about the wisdom of Solomon. He was a very wise ruler as well, and as a result of that, there was peace throughout the land during his reign. The culture of Israel became well known during this time period of Solomon's rule. Solomon was a patron of the arts as well. He wrote more than 3,000 proverbs. He also wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, which is Solomon's writings on his reflections on life. The book of Ecclesiastes was one of the earliest philosophy books in the world. The book was written to show that man's life outside of God was useless and futile. One of the most important things that Solomon taught was that we should fear God and keep His commandments.
  Solomon's writings took place around 970 B.C.

Today in History - November 28th, 1520 - Ferdinand Magellan Reaches the Pacific

Today in History - November 28th, 1520 - Ferdinand Magellan Reaches the Pacific

I remember studying about him in History. Spices were valuable in those days, much like gold is today.

           After sailing through the dangerous straits below South America that now bear his name, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan enters the Pacific Ocean with three ships, becoming the first European explorer to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic.

On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific. He searched the Rio de la Plata, a large estuary south of Brazil, for a way through; failing, he continued south along the coast of Patagonia. At the end of March 1520, the expedition set up winter quarters at Port St. Julian. On Easter day at midnight, the Spanish captains mutinied against their Portuguese captain, but Magellan crushed the revolt, executing one of the captains and leaving another ashore when his ship left St. Julian in August.

Read more at:  www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Veritas Card #57 - Solomon Given Wisdom

Solomon Given Wisdom - 1 Kings 3

   Once King David's life on earth came to an end, his son, Solomon was to be the new king of Israel. He was young, but demonstrated maturity and humility when God asked him what would be the desire of his heart. After Solomon woke up and thought about what God was asking him, he asked God for wisdom in order to lead the people of Israel properly. Solomon realized the responsibility of ruling this large group of people, who were God's chosen people. Solomon could have asked for a lot of money, or a long life, but he knew he needed God's help with such a great responsibility.
   God did indeed give Solomon wisdom. He had more wisdom than any other man who ever lived on the face of the earth. Not only did God give him wisdom, but God blessed him with wealth and tremendous power throughout the whole world.
   Solomon's reputation spread to far away places. A queen from Sheba heard about Solomon's wisdom and made a special trip to see him. During this part of Solomon's reign, Israel was blessed and was truly a light to the other nations that surrounded them.

This took place around 970 B.C.

Today in History - November 24, 1859 - Origin of Species Published

I am going to pick this as the event of the day in History. I believe it is important that we understand about what the world is teaching us about evolution, such as it is a proven fact (even though the so called authorities know that there is no evidence for it), and the Darwin was the first one to come up with this theory. I am going to post a url that is an online book (pdf file) that you can read that has to do with Darwin and his Origin of Species and let you decide what you think after you read it. I am not defending Darwin 
in any way, but I think he has been put on a pedestal for coming up with something that people really desire to believe in. He is the founder of the theory of evolution, even though there were others who believed in it before his time. His book only puts out a theory, but the evidence to make this theory into a proven fact is just not there. Darwin knew that. Atheists today don't. Here is the url for a book called, The Origin of Species' with a forward written by Ray Comfort, a man who is learned and educated concerning the issues of evolution and the different worldviews people have today.:
http://assets.livingwaters.com/pdf/OriginofSpecies.pdf

Having said all this, here is what www.history.com has to say about the publishing of this book.:

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, a groundbreaking scientific work by British naturalist Charles Darwin, is published in England. Darwin's theory argued that organisms gradually evolve through a process he called "natural selection." In natural selection, organisms with genetic variations that suit their environment tend to propagate more descendants than organisms of the same species that lack the variation, thus influencing the overall genetic makeup of the species.

Darwin, who was influenced by the work of French naturalist Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck and the English economist Thomas Mathus, acquired most of the evidence for his theory during a five-year surveying expedition aboard the HMS Beagle in the 1830s. Visiting such diverse places as the Galapagos Islands and New Zealand, Darwin acquired an intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, and geology of many lands. This information, along with his studies in variation and interbreeding after returning to England, proved invaluable in the development of his theory of organic evolution.

The idea of organic evolution was not new. It had been suggested earlier by, among others, Darwin's grandfather Erasmus Darwin, a distinguished English scientist, and Lamarck, who in the early 19th century drew the first evolutionary diagram—a ladder leading from one-celled organisms to man. However, it was not until Darwin that science presented a practical explanation for the phenomenon of evolution. 

You can read more on this at http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history, plus listen to the video. Please be aware though that those who work for this organization have accepted evolution as fact. Please realize that the authorities in this subject would like you to believe that evolution is a fact, for if it is, then God doesn't exist, or He doesn't exist as the person the Bible tells us of. There is no scientific facts that have proven evolution. The missing link hasn't been found! It never will be. God is God and He is on the throne, yesterday, today, and forever. People can believe a lie with all their hearts, but it will never change what is true. We have to go with what is true, not with what we wish to be true.

Today in History - November 13, 1940 - Romania Becomes an Axis Power

November 23, 1940 - Romania Becomes an Axis Power

   This has to do with World War II.
 On this day in 1940, Romania signs the Tripartite Pact, officially allying itself with Germany, Italy, and Japan.

As early as 1937, Romania had come under control of a fascist government that bore great resemblance to that of Germany's, including similar anti-Jewish laws. Romania's king, Carol II, dissolved the government a year later because of a failing economy and installed Romania's Orthodox Patriarch as prime minister. But the Patriarch's death and peasant uprising provoked renewed agitation by the fascist Iron Guard paramilitary organization, which sought to impose order. In June 1940, the Soviet Union co-opted two Romanian provinces, and the king searched for an ally to help protect it and appease the far right within its own borders. So on July 5, 1940, Romania allied itself with Nazi Germany—only to be invaded by its "ally" as part of Hitler's strategy to create one huge eastern front against the Soviet Union.

King Carol abdicated on September 6, 1940, leaving the country in the control of fascist Prime Minister Ion Antonescu and the Iron Guard. Signing the Tripartite Pact was now inevitable.

Read the rest of the story at: www.history.com/this-day-in-history/romania-becomes-an-axis-power

Veritas Card #56 - Solomon's Reign

Solomon's Reign - 2 Chronicles 1-9


    From around 971 B.C. until 931 B.C., Solomon, a son of David, reigned as king over Israel. The day came for David to die, and now one of his sons was chosen to be the new king, and that son was Solomon. Solomon was known as one of the wisest persons who ever existed. Solomon now had the task of ruling a country. God asked Solomon in a dream "What shall I give you?". Out of all the things that Solomon could have asked for, he asked for wisdom. He could have asked for riches or for a long life, but he knew that he needed wisdom from God now that he was the leader of the nation.
    During this time, no war was taking place. David had wanted to build a temple for God to be worshiped in. But it was Solomon who was to build this temple. It was an elaborate structure and was decorated with gold. God had chosen people whom he gave special talents to, to work on it as it was being built. The Ark of the Covenant was kept in a room called the Holy of Holies, which was the innermost sanctuary. This temple was in the place where Mount Moriah was located.
   There was a time when Solomon's reputation for his wisdom became known to many people. A woman who was the Queen of Sheba came a very long way to see him. The woman was impressed with the way God had blessed Solomon. She had many questions she wanted to ask him.
   Sadly, during the end of Solomon's life, he was led astray and worshiped idols. He was married to foreign women and they influenced him to turn to idolatry. He turned away from God and became wicked before his death. He reigned over Israel for forty years and his son, Rehoboam became the next king.

Veritas Card #55 - David and Absalom

David and Absalom - 2 Samuel 15-19

   David has many sons, and one of them was named 'Absalom'. Absalom was a handsome man with a lot of hair. He was very good about paying attention to people, and he sat outside the city gate each day talking to the people who were there to see the king.
   He made people feel important and by so doing, he won the hearts of people over to himself. Since he had the support of so many people, Absalom had himself crowned as king. This was troubling to David and David had to flee from Jerusalem. David sent a friend named 'Hushai' to give bad advice to Absalom.
   After all the running that they did, David's army was pretty tired out. At this time, a counselor counseled Absalom to attack them, but Hushai told them to wait and gather all Israel to himself and then attack David.  David's army was now able to rest as Absalom listened to the advice of Hushai instead of the other counselor. David's army became stronger and Absalom's became weaker.
   Absalom did eventually attack David's army. David's forces triumphed over Absalom's and as Absalom tried to escape, he rode his animal under a tree and his hair got caught in the tree branches. He got stuck there and a man named Joab saw him and took advantage of the situation by killing him.
   This was a very sad time, but at the same time it was victorious for the Israelites. David mourned for his son. But he did win a great victory that day and the kingdom was restored to him. This took place around 990 B.C.

Today in History - November 21, 1877 - Edison's First Great Invention

Today in History - November 21, 1877 - Edison's First Great Invention

(Article reprinted from www.history.com)
   The American inventor announces his invention of the phonograph, a way to record and play back sound.

Edison stumbled on one of his great inventions--the phonograph--while working on a way to record telephone communication at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. His work led him to experiment with a stylus on a tinfoil cylinder, which, to his surprise, played back the short song he had recorded, "MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB". Public demonstrations of the phonograph made the Yankee inventor world famous, and he was dubbed the "Wizard of Menlo Park."

Edison set aside this invention in 1878 to work on the incandescent light bulb, and other inventors moved forward to improve on the phonograph. In 1887, Edison resumed work on the device, using the wax-cylinder technique developed by Charles Tainter. Although initially used as a dictating machine, the phonograph proved to be a popular tool for entertainment, and in 1906 Edison unveiled a series of musical and theatrical selections to the public through his National Phonograph Company. Continuing to improve on models and cylinders over the years, the Edison Disc Phonograph debuted in 1912 with the aim of competing in the popular record market. Edison's discs offered superior sound quality but were not compatible with other popular disc players.

During the 1920s, the early record business suffered with the growth of radio, and in 1929 recording production at Edison ceased forever. Edison, who acquired an astounding 1,093 patents in his 84 years, died in 1931.

Veritas Card #54 - David and Bathsheba

David and Bathsheba - 2 Samuel 11-12

    Almost a thousand years before Jesus was born, David, the great psalm writer was king of Israel. King David was very successful, but he did some things that were seriously wrong. David had many wives and one day he noticed a beautiful woman who was not his wife. The woman was married to a man name Uriah, who was a Hittite, but was serving Israel by fighting in the war. The woman, Bathsheba, was taken by David and he fell in love with her. The Bible calls this sin, adultery. Not only did King David commit adultery with Bathsheba, but he had her husband, Uriah, placed in the fiercest part of the battle so that he would be killed. Uriah was killed and David took Bathsheba to be his wife now.
     Bathsheba was now pregnant with a baby, and David was the father. David wanted Uriah to spend time at home with Bathsheba so it would look like the baby would belong to Uriah, but instead, Uriah wouldn't come home to spend time with his wife because he took the battle seriously. So, since Uriah did not cooperate with David's plan, David had him sent in the front of the battle lines to be killed. God was not pleased with David's actions. Not only did he commit adultery, but he also planned for Uriah to be murdered.
     Over a period of time, God sent a prophet named Nathan to speak to David about his sin. Because of David's sin, the kingdom suffered terrible consequences, plus, the child that was born to David and Bathsheba died. But God was merciful and sent David and Bathsheba another child later on. His name was Solomon.

Today in History - November 18, 1978 -Jonestown Massive Suicide Takes Place

Today in History - November 18, 1978 - Massive Suicide Takes Place at Jonestown

  This wasn't so long ago in History, as we usually think of historical events. But I do remember when this happened. This is one of the serious dangers of getting involved in a cult. What happened here sounds similar to what happens in ritual abuse. More reason why the Gospel needs to be preached everywhere, as commanded.

   People's Temple leader Jim Jones leads hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide at their agricultural commune in remote northwestern Guyana. The few cult members who refused to take the cyanide-laced fruit-flavored concoction were either forced to do so at gunpoint or shot as they fled. The final death toll was 913, including 276 children.

Jim Jones was a charismatic churchman who founded the People's Temple, a Christian sect, in Indianapolis in the 1950s. He preached against racism, and his integrated congregation attracted mostly African Americans. In 1965, he moved the group to northern California, settling in Ukiah and after 1971 in San Francisco. In the 1970s, his church was accused by the press of financial fraud, physical abuse of its members, and mistreatment of children. In response to the mounting criticism, Jones led several hundred of his followers to South America in 1977 and set up a utopian agricultural settlement called Jonestown in the jungle of Guyana.

A year later, a group of ex-members convinced U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan, a Democrat of California, to travel to Jonestown and investigate the commune. 

Read more at:  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mass-suicide-at-jonestown

Veritas Card #53 - David Writes Many Psalms

David Writes Many Psalms - Psalms

   Around 1000 years before the birth of Christ, a shepherd boy, who also became king, was a psalm writer.  David was not only musically inclined, but he was also poetic. Art and music are marks of an established kingdom.
   The book of Psalms, which is in the Old Testament, was written mainly by David. David was a man after God's heart, and he wrote many psalms that described his relationship with God, and gave much description of what God is like. David also gave prophecies about the Christ who was to come, in the psalms that he wrote.
    There are five different types of psalms. There were psalms that were made up of crying out to God for help. There were psalms that included confessions for sin. Psalm 51 is an example of that kind of psalm, in which David reflects on his sin with Bathsheba. It also expresses his sorrow for sin, and desire for restoration to God. There are prayers in the Psalms that call for God to avenge David's enemies, who really were God's enemies. This type of psalm is called, 'imprecatory' psalm. There are also psalms of praise and thanksgiving.
     The Psalms have been used throughout church history and are still continuing to be used today as part of worship services and in church liturgy.

Today in History - November 17, 1421 - Massive Flood Kills Thousands

Today in History - November 17, 1421 - Massive Flood kills Thousands

           A massive flood takes place along the European coastline killing thousands in the Netherlands.

On this day in 1421, a storm in the North Sea batters the European coastline. Over the next several days, approximately 10,000 people in what is now the Netherlands died in the resulting floods.

The lowlands of the Netherlands near the North Sea were densely populated at the time, despite their known vulnerability to flooding. Small villages and a couple of cities had sprung up in what was known as the Grote Waard region. The residents built dikes throughout the area to keep the water at bay, but fatal floods still struck in 1287, 1338, 1374, 1394 and 1396. After each, residents fixed the dikes and moved right back in after the floods.

Even the St. Elisabeth's flood of November 1404 (named after the November 19 feast day for St. Elisabeth of Hungary), in which thousands died, could not dissuade the residents from living in the region. Seventeen years later, at the same time of year, another strong storm struck the North Sea.

You can read more of this article at:  www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thousands-die-in-massive-flood

Veritas Card #52 - The Ark Enthroned in Jerusalem

The Ark Enthroned in Jerusalem - 2 Samuel 6

   The Ark of the Covenant was extremely important for Israel. After David captured Jerusalem, he desired to bring this Ark to his new capital. God had given specific rules for moving the ark, and if they were not followed there would be great consequences.
   So the Israelites were bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, but were moving it the wrong way. They were doing it the way they saw the Philistines doing it. They had the Ark on a cart that was being pulled by oxen. Well, one of the oxen stumbled, which caused the Ark to fall, but a man named Uzzah put out his hand to help steady the Ark. This was a very serious offense against God, and God struck him down because of his irreverent act. The Ark was kept at the house of a man named Obededom for three months.
    The house of Obededom was being very blessed because of the Ark being there, and David found out about this. He wanted to try to bring the Ark to Jerusalem again. The Israelites were very careful this time and followed the directives that God had given on how to move the Ark. For every six paces, the Israelites would sacrifice an ox and a fatling. At this point, David danced before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14) with all his might. His wife, Michal, saw David dancing before the Lord and became ashamed of him. David rebuked her for her pride. She was unable to have children all the days of her life. David pitched a tent and placed the Ark inside of it.
   The time period for the Ark being enthroned in Jerusalem was around 1000 B.C.

Today in History - November 16, 1945 - German scientists brought to United States to work on rocket technology

Today in History - November 16, 1945 - 

German scientists brought to United States to work on rocket technology

    I find this article very interesting as the bringing in of these German scientists brought about 

some terrible ramifications for our country. One of the worst things that happened to many children in the 1950s through the 1970s was the 'Cold War Projects' also known as the Bluebird project or 'Artichoke'. Nazi doctors were hired by the US government and unfortunately, they were trusted and left to do their 'experiments' on children and also a group of people who were in the military. (These doctors were left unchecked and they worked with the CIA, while only 3 CIA agents were aware of what was going on at the time). These German scientists were experts in 'mind control' programming. Remember, these doctors were Nazis and they did not lose their vision just because they were here in America. After the war, these doctors would either be taken in by the Soviets or the the US. The American government thought quickly and brought them over here before the Soviets could get to them. I believe today we are reaping the devastating consequences of what these doctors were trying to accomplish in their experiments. Although this article doesn't bring all of this information out, you can go on the web and do your own research. Here are some keywords: Project Artichoke, Manchurian Candidate, Bluebird Project, mind control experiments, Dr. Mengele, Angel of Death, cold war project.

   You can also find information about this from a woman who was a child whose father brought her in to the 'compounds' for her to be used as experimentation. Her name is 'Carol Rutz'. She has a lot of articles about what she went through and she survived the ordeal, and was able to take the government to court to make sure that the documents that were written up on this were made open to the public. (Declassified documents). She also wrote a book called, A Nation Betrayed, and made a movie as well.

With all this in mind, here is today's article:

In a move that stirs up some controversy, the United States ships 88 German scientists to America to assist the nation in its production of rocket technology. Most of these men had served under the Nazi regime and critics in the United States questioned the morality of placing them in the service of America. Nevertheless, the U.S. government, desperate to acquire the scientific know-how that had produced the terrifying and destructive V-1 and V-2 rockets for Germany during WWII, and fearful that the Russians were also utilizing captured German scientists for the same end, welcomed the men with open arms.Realizing that the importation of scientists who had so recently worked for the Nazi regime so hated by Americans was a delicate public relations situation, the U.S. military cloaked the operation in secrecy. In announcing the plan, a military spokesman merely indicated that some German scientists who had worked on rocket development had "volunteered" to come to the United States and work for a "very moderate salary." The voluntary nature of the scheme was somewhat undercut by the admission that the scientists were in "protective custody." Upon their arrival in the United States on November 16, newsmen and photographers were not allowed to interview or photograph the newcomers. A few days later, a source in Sweden claimed that the scientists were members of the Nazi team at Peenemeunde where the V-weapons had been produced. The U.S. government continued to remain somewhat vague about the situation, stating only that "certain outstanding German scientists and technicians" were being imported in order to "take full advantage of these significant developments, which are deemed vital to our national security."The situation pointed out one of the many ironies connected with the Cold War. The United States and the Soviet Union, once allies against Germany and the Nazi regime during World War II, were now in a fierce contest to acquire the best and brightest scientists who had helped arm the German forces in order to construct weapons systems to threaten each other.

The article came from: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/german-scientists-brought-to-united-states-to-work-on-rocket-technology

Veritas Card # 51 - The Conquest of Jerusalem

The Conquest of Jerusalem - II Samuel 5

   Saul and his son, Jonathan were now dead, and there was a dispute over who was going to be king now. David had been anointed by Samuel, but Ish-Bosheth, who was Saul's son, was anointed by Saul's commander. The nation was divided between the two parties. It stayed that way for two years, until Ish-Bosheth was murdered. David became king over all Israel.
  David wanted to have a stronghold. He attacked a city called 'Jebus', which was inhabited by Jebusites. The Jebusites didn't realize that David had to ability to break into their stronghold. David and his men entered the stronghold through an underground water supply. Now the city became David's and it was known as 'The City of David'. God blessed David's city by using other people to supply cedar, stone masons, and carpenters. Hiram, who was the king of Tyre was very generous in helping David build his city. It was evident that the Lord was establishing David as king over Israel. This took place around 1003 years before Christ.

Today in History - November 15, 1943 - Himmler orders Gypsies to concentration camps

Today in History - November 15, 1943 - 

Himmler orders Gypsies to concentration camps

  Not only is Communism bad, we have a whole slew of different ideas that people think will bring about a Utopian Society if its rules and philosophy are followed.

On this day in 1943, Heinrich Himmler makes public an order that Gypsies and those of mixed Gypsy blood are to be put on "the same level as Jews and placed in concentration camps."

Himmler was determined to prosecute Nazism racial policies, which dictated the elimination from Germany and German-controlled territories all races deemed "inferior," as well as "asocial" types, such as hardcore criminals. Gypsies fell into both categories according to the thinking of Nazi ideologues and had been executed in droves both in Poland and the Soviet Union. The order of November 15 was merely a more comprehensive program, as it included the deportation to Auschwitz of Gypsies already in labor camps.

That Himmler would promulgate such a program should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with his resume. As head of the Waffen-Schutzstaffel ("Armed Black Shirts"), the SS, the military arm of the Nazi Party, and assistant chief of the Gestapo (the secret police), Himmler was able over time to consolidate control over all police forces of the Reich. This power grab would prove highly effective in carrying out the Fuhrer's Final Solution. It was Himmler who organized the creation of death camps throughout Eastern Europe and the creation of a pool of slave laborers.

Read more at:  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/himmler-orders-gypsies-to-concentration-camps

Veritas Card #50 - Davidic Kingdom

Davidic Kingdom - 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles

    Remember how the Israelites wanted to be like the other nations and have a king? God warned them what that king would be like and what he would do to them. Saul was anointed as the first king. He started out humble, but became prideful and eventually was removed from his kingship as he rebelled against God. Then David was chosen to be king. Samuel visited Jesse and had Jesse present all of his sons to Samuel to see which one was to be the new king. One son right after the other passed before Samuel, but Samuel knew that none of these sons were to be the new king. He asked Jesse if there were any more sons, and Jesse said that there was another son, but he was taking care of sheep. David was brought in and God revealed to Samuel that David was the new king!
    David did some amazing feats in his day! He took five smooth stones and had a sling, and put one of the stones in the sling and projected it. It landed right in the Giant's forehead! No more Goliath. The bully was gone forever! Saul was so impressed that he invited David to be part of his family. But the people started recognizing David's power and less of Saul's power, and Saul became jealous and angry. Then he wanted to kill David. David was able to escape, but had to live as an outlaw until Saul's death.
     David's reign lasted about forty years. He was a man after God's own heart and became a prominent king. The time period for the Davidic Kingdom is around 1011 B.C. - 971 B.C.

Today in History - November 14, 1914 - Ottoman Empire Declares a Holy War

Today in History - November 14, 1914 - Ottoman Empire Declared a Holy War  and
Moby Dick Published in 1851

On November 14, 1914, in Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman Empire, the religious leader Sheikh-ul-Islam declares an Islamic holy war on behalf of the Ottoman government, urging his Muslim followers to take up arms against Britain, France, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro in World War I.

By the time the Great War broke out in the summer of 1914, the Ottoman Empire was faltering, having lost much of its once considerable territory in Europe with its defeat in the First Balkan War two years earlier. Seeking to ally themselves with one of the great European powers to help safeguard them against future loss, the ambitious Ottoman leaders--members of the Committee of Union and Progress (CUP), known collectively as the Young Turks--responded favorably to overtures made by Germany in August 1914. Though Germany and Turkey secretly concluded a military alliance on August 2, the Turks did not officially take part in World War I until several months later. On October 29, the Ottoman navy--including two German ships, Goeben and Breslau, which famously eluded the British navy in the first week of the war to reach Constantinople--attacked Russian ports in the Black Sea, marking the beginning of Turkey's participation in the war.

Read more at:   www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ottoman-empire-declares-a-holy-war

Also in 1851, the novel, ˆMoby Dick' was published. 

True History - Veritas Card # 49 - The Death of Saul and Jonathan

The Death of Saul and Jonathan - 1 Samuel 31

   Saul was now suffering many afflictions and was still angry at David. Saul was no longer a good king and David was rising to power. There was war going on in Israel. David was fighting people called the Amalekites, and Saul was fighting against the Philistines.
   During this time period, David was continually being chased by Saul and he had to run for his life. David, on the other hand, had two different opportunities that he could have killed Saul. But David refused to kill Saul because he would not raise his hand against the Lord's anointed.
  Saul was badly wounded by an arrow sent from the Philistines. He asked his armor bearer to pierce him with the sword, rather than being killed by an uncircumcised Philistine. His armor bearer refused to kill him, so Saul killed himself. The armor bearer did the same and both died together. Three of Saul's sons died as well in this battle. One of the sons was Jonathan, one of David's best friends. The Philistines defeated Israel. It was definitely a very sad time for Israel and Saul's family.
     A soldier came to David and told him that he had killed Saul. He wanted to impress David because he thought that killing Saul was a good thing to do. But David wasn't pleased when he heard this news. So he had this soldier killed for what he supposedly did. Then David wrote, The Song of the Bow, lamenting the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. David also became king at this time.
   The time period for this event was around 1011 B.C.

Today in History - November 11, 1918 - World War I Ends

Today in History - November 11, 1918 - World War I Ends

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France. The First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded, with Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, and Great Britain each losing nearly a million or more lives. In addition, at least five million civilians died from disease, starvation, or exposure.

On June 28, 1914, in an event that is widely regarded as sparking the outbreak of World War I, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, was shot to death with his wife by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Ferdinand had been inspecting his uncle's imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the threat of Serbian nationalists who wanted these Austro-Hungarian possessions to join newly independent Serbia. Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification for settling the problem of Slavic nationalism once and for all. However, as Russia supported Serbia, an Austro-Hungarian declaration of war was delayed until its leaders received assurances from German leader Kaiser Wilhelm II that Germany would support their cause in the event of a Russian intervention.

Read more at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/east-germany-opens-the-berlin-wall

True History - Veritas Card # 48 - Jonathan Protects David

Jonathan Protects David - 1 Samuel 20

    After David killed Goliath, he became very well known. The people of Israel looked to him as a leader because he did what kings are supposed to do, protect the nation. By this time, Saul figured out that God had chosen David to be king and that David had God's blessings on his life. Saul was obviously jealous of David and did not want to honor him, but instead, wanted to kill him.
    When Jonathan, one of Saul's sons, realized that his father didn't like David anymore, he made an agreement with David to protect him. David and Jonathan were the best of friends. But now Saul was really angry with David and was planning on killing him. It was dangerous for Jonathan to be seen with him. Jonathan found a clever way to tell David that his father was going to kill him, and that he should flee. It was during a new moon festival, that Jonathan took some arrows and made himself look like he was practicing shooting them. David was hiding in a nearby field. Jonathan sent a servant boy to pick up the arrows. By calling to the boy that the arrows were beyond him, Jonathan was telling David in a secret way that he would have to run for his life. Saul did not have control over his anger, and now his anger was leading him to try to murder David. The Bible talks about anger as being the same as murder of the heart. Our only hope for help is in the Cross of Jesus Christ. The power of God can help us say 'no' to sin, and 'yes' to righteousness.
     The time period for Jonathan and David was around 1020 B.C.

Today in History - November 10, 1775 - Birth of the U.S, Marine Corps

Today in History - November 10, 1775 - Birth of the U.S. Marine Corps

   During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress passes a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces for the recently formed Continental Navy. The resolution, drafted by future U.S. president John Adamsand adopted in Philadelphia, created the Continental Marines and is now observed as the birth date of the United States Marine Corps.

Serving on land and at sea, the original U.S. Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations during the Revolutionary War. The first Marine landing on a hostile shore occurred when a force of Marines under Captain Samuel Nicholas captured New Province Island in the Bahamas from the British in March 1776. Nicholas was the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and is celebrated as the first Marine commandant. After American independence was achieved in 1783, the Continental Navy was demobilized and its Marines disbanded.

In the next decade, however, increasing conflict at sea with Revolutionary France led the U.S. Congress to establish formally the U.S. Navy in May 1798. Two months later, on July 11, President John Adams signed the bill establishing the U.S. Marine Corps as a permanent military force under the jurisdiction of the Department of Navy. U.S. Marines saw action in the so-called Quasi-War with France and then fought against the Barbary pirates of North Africa during the first years of the 19th century. Since then, Marines have participated in all the wars of the United States and in most cases were the first soldiers to fight. In all, Marines have executed more than 300 landings on foreign shores.

You can read more at: www.history.com/this-day-in-history/birth-of-the-us-marine-corps

True History - Veritas Card #47 - David and Goliath

True History - Veritas card #47 - David and Goliath

    I'm sure many of you have heard the story of David and Goliath. What do you think the point of the story is? This event took place around 1028 B.C.
   Israel had a lot of enemies. Because they were God's chosen people, and God was fighting for them, the other nations were not happy. One of those countries was the Philistines. We have already seen some of the activity of the Philistines (see Samson and Delilah). Well in today's lesson, Israel was at war with this group of people.
    The people of Israel and the Philistines were both getting their armies ready to do battle. While they were in the camp grounds, a really big guy named Goliath steps forward. Not only does he make fun of the Israelites, but he defies the true and living God. He challenged Israel to send out a champion to fight him. He was so tall, probably around nine feet (how would you like your dad to be that tall?), and he was trained in battle. He told the Israelites that if the champion could defeat him, the Philistines would have to serve Israel. But if he were the winner, Israel would have to serve the Philistines. This challenge went on for forty days. No one on Israel's side dared to answer Goliath's challenge.
    David had to go into the camp to bring food to his brothers. David also heard what Goliath had said and the challenge he put out to the Israelites. David became distressed when he heard Goliath mocking God. David volunteered to fight Goliath. At this time, Saul sent for David. He told Saul that he was willing to fight Goliath. He related how he had killed a lion and a bear. So Saul gave David his armor. The armor didn't fit well on David as it was too large for him to wear. So he took it off.
   While David was by a brook, he picked up five smooth stones. Goliath thought that David was funny. But David informed Goliath that he came in the name of the Lord. Then David used his sling and stone and he struck Goliath in the forehead killing him. That was the end of Goliath. He wasn't so powerful after all. David took Goliath's sword and cut off his head. All his taunting and now he is no more. God saw to that and now Israel would be at peace again for a little while.

Today in History - November 9, 1989 - East Germany Opens the Berlin Wall

Today in History - November 9, 1989 - East Germany Opens the Berlin Wall

   East German officials today opened the Berlin Wall, allowing travel from East to West Berlin. The following day, celebrating Germans began to tear the wall down. One of the ugliest and most infamous symbols of the Cold War was soon reduced to rubble that was quickly snatched up by souvenir hunters. 

The East German action followed a decision by Hungarian officials a few weeks earlier to open the border between Hungary and Austria. This effectively ended the purpose of the Berlin Wall, since East German citizens could now circumvent it by going through Hungary, into Austria, and thence into West Germany. The decision to open the wall was also a reflection of the immense political changes taking place in East Germany, where the old communist leadership was rapidly losing power and the populace was demanding free elections and movement toward a free market system.

Please read the rest of the story at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/east-germany-opens-the-berlin-wall