Monday, April 30, 2012

Today in History - May 1, 1931 - Empire State Building is Dedicated

Empire State Building is Dedicated - May 1, 1931

 Today in History, President Herbert Hoover dedicates the Empire State Building. Standing at it's completion at 102 stories, it was the tallest skyscraper in the world at that time.

Read more at: History.com-Empire State Building is Dedicated

True History - Veritas Card #22 (Red Card) - Winter at Valley Forge

Winter at Valley Forge - 1777-1778

   The British had taken over the colonies' capital, Philadelphia. Washington's army fled from the British and he led his army to a place of protection called 'Valley Forge'. The army needed to find a place for shelter because winter was coming.
  So George Washington ordered log cabins to be built. He did not want to live in comfort until all the cabins were finished.
  This winter in 1777 and 1778, was brutal. Lots of people died from starvation and disease. This caused George Washington to call upon God for help. He also looked to Congress for aide.
  A German general named Baron Von Steuben was much help to Washington during this harsh winter. He took Washington's troops and trained them, and they became well-trained discipline troops as a result.
  During this time, France was on the American side of the battle. They provided sea power, money and commanding officers as well.
  By the time this harsh winter was over, Washington's army was smaller, but it was more disciplined than prior to this time. The army was also fortified by foreign allies.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Today in History - April 30, 1945 - Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide

Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide - April 30, 1945

      Today in History, Adolf Hitler commits suicide with his newly married bride, Eva Braun. In 1943, it was apparent that the Soviets were advancing and the defeat of the Germans was becoming more imminent.
    Certain things came about days before this suicide event, one of them being an apparent betrayal by one of Hitler's commanders. Hitler also became aware of the murders of Mussolini (see Mussolini and Mistress killed ) and his mistress, and realized the humiliation of those deaths. Perhaps he didn't want to be humiliated in such a way.
   Hitler became irate and blamed the Jews for WWII. Just before his demise, he admitted to his new wife that he would never allow himself to be taken prisoner by the Russians but intended to shoot himself. He also admitted that he knew the war was lost.
   In his planning of suicide, he had cyanide pills made and gave them to his favorite dog, Blondi, and her puppies. Blondi and the puppies died.
   Hitler's headquarters were in a bunker in Berlin, 55 feet under the ground. He was found on a sofa with blood dripping from his head. His wife was also found on the sofa, appearing to look like she was alseep. She died from taking cyanide.
   Their bodies were taken and petrol was poured over them, then they were lighted. The parts of their bodies that didn't get destroyed were taken by various sources. One report says that Hitlers ashes were thrown in a sewer. Another one says that the Russians took the cranium.
Eva Braun and Adolf Hitler Commit Suicide
History Learning Site- Death of Adolf Hitler
History.com-Adolf Hitler Commits Suicide

                                                 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Quote - John Adams

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion....Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams

Friday, April 27, 2012

Quote - Noah Webster

"All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible." (Noah Webster)

Today in History - April 28, 1945 - Benito Mussolini is Executed

Benito Mussolini is Executed - April 28, 1945

   Today in History, Benito Mussolini, along with his mistress, were executed by Italian partisans as they were trying to flee to Switzerland.

Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mussolini-is-executed

True History - Veritas Card #22 (Red Card) - Washington Commands the Continental Army

Washington Commands the Continental Army - 1775-1781

  George Washington was selected to be the commander-in-chief of the American Armies in 1775, and he was successful at winning the first battles. Men were enlisting in the war, and Americans were supportive of it. But there were some setbacks. In the years 1777-1778, Americans fled to Valley Forge, because of suffering defeat. Philadelphia fell to the British.
    But in 1777, there was a turning point. Americans won an important victory at Saratoga, and when that happened, France was brought back into the colonies.
   The famous words of John Paul Jones, "I have not yet begun to fight!" were being heard by those around him. He was in charge of the French ship, Bonhomme Richard. The Bonhomme Richard defeated the Serapis, which was the English ship. John Paul Jones was ready to fight even though a lot of damage  came to his ship.
   Francis Marion, known as the 'Swamp Fox' was a guerilla fighter in the South, who was successful in frustrating the plans of the British, who were mainly fighting in the South now.
  French ships in the Chesapeake Bay surrounded the British army, led by Lord Cornwallis. Washington's troops were on land, and Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Today in History - April 27, 1521 - Magellan Killed in the Philippines

Magellan Killed in the Philippines - April 27, 1521

    Today in the year 1521, Magellan was killed in the Philippines with a poisoned arrow. I will copy and paste the first paragraph of this incident from History.com
  "After traveling three-quarters of the way around the globe, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan is killed during a tribal skirmish on Mactan Island in the Philippines. Earlier in the month, his ships had dropped anchor at the Philippine island of Cebu, and Magellan met with the local chief, who after converting to Christianity persuaded the Europeans to assist him in conquering a rival tribe on the neighboring island of Mactan. In the subsequent fighting, Magellan was hit by a poisoned arrow and left to die by his retreating comrades."
You can read more by going to this web site: History.com-Magellan Killed in the Philippines



Here are a couple of other blog pages on Ferdinand Magellan:
Ferdinand Magellan Reaches the Pacific
Magellan Circumnavigates the Earth

True History - Veritas Card # 21 (Red Card) - American Declares its Independence

America Declares its Independence - 1776

   King George was not happy with the American colonists now and the Americans still hoped that he would listen to their petitions and that they would both come to peaceful terms. But instead King George announced that American leaders were traitors. He said that when they were caught, they would be drawn and quartered.
  It was at this time that Thomas Paine wrote 'Common Sense'. He was thinking of King George while he wrote it. The pamphlet also glorified a free America and became a best seller.
  The Declaration of Independence was now being drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin made very little changes to it. The Declaration became effective on July 4, 1776, and it was signed by a majority of the colonies. Eventually, all the colonies did sign it. War with Britain was now inevitable.

Today in History - April 26, 1986 - Nuclear disaster at Chernobyl


Nuclear disaster at Chernobyl - April 26, 1986


    Today in History the worst nuclear power plant accident occurred at Chernobyl killing thirty-two people and causing many more to have radiation burns. The plant was officially closed in 2000.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

True History - Veritas Card # 20 (Red Card) - British Lose at Bunker Hill

British Lose at Bunker Hill - 1775

   "Don't shoot 'til you see the whites of their eyes' was the command for the colonists as they began to engage in battle at a place called, 'Breed's Hill' also known as 'Bunker Hill'. The American colonists had short range muskets, and to their advantage, the British were directed to go directly up the front of the hill (not a wise idea). They could have won the battle if they would have attacked the American colonists from behind. The American colonists held their ground and followed orders well. The British lost at least 40% of their men in this bloody battle.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Today in History - April 25, 1859 - Ground is Broken for Suez Canal

Ground is Broken for Suez Canal - April 25, 1859

   Today, in the year, 1859, ground was broken for building the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal was intended to connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Seas. The work began with picks and shovels, and the Canal was officially opened in 1869.

Source: Suez Canal-History.com

True History - Veritas Card #19 (Red Card) - The War For Independence Begins

The War for Independence Begins - 1775

    Tensions had built up between England and the colonies. By this time, there was angry between the two countries. Now the British had blockaded Boston Harbor, which resulted in no more commerce. The American colonists built up their supply of ammunition in Lexington and Concord.
   Two men, William Dawes and Paul Revere were aware of the British plan to steal the American supplies, so they had a plan to warn people about the impending British invasion. If the British were coming by land, one lantern would be put in the steeple of the Old North Church, but if the British were going to be coming by sea, two lanterns would be put in the steeple.
    Paul Revere went into the water and could see the steeple from a distance. Then he crossed the George River and rode on his horse, Brown Beauty. "The British are coming. The British are coming". He was warning the people that the British were on their way.
  Both Revere and Dawes started in Concord then made their way to Lexington. Revere was capture, but Dawes continued to warn the people at Lexington. The soldiers were called 'Minutemen' because they were able to be ready to fight at a moment's notice. The soldiers were farmers and shopkeepers, mainly.
   The Battle of Lexington was begun. Ten Americans were wounded, eight were killed, and one British soldier was killed. The British continued on to Concord. The Minutemen were hiding behind bushes and took many of the British by surprise. The British ended up losing 273 troops, and the Americans lost 93 troops. The British experienced defeat in this battle.

   The British Are Coming

Monday, April 23, 2012

Today in History - April 24, 1953 - Winston Churchill Knighted

Winston Churchill Knighted - April 24, 1953

    Today, in the year 1953, Winston Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Winston Churchill was the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through WWII.

History.com-Winston Churchill Knighted

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill Quotes from Brainyquote

Sunday, April 22, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #18 (Red Card) - The First Continental Congress Seeks Peace With Britain

The First Continental Congress Seeks Peace with Britain - 1774

  We recently learned about how Parliament acted unjustly to the new colonies, and as a result of these injustices, the colonies agreed to meet in a Continental Congress. So, all the colonies except Georgia, sent delegates to meet in Philadelphia in 1774. A draft was made of the grievances and a Declaration of Rights  asking King George to help against Parliament. The colonies would no longer buy British goods unless given their English rights. Britain depended heavily on the colonies as a market, and Congress recognized this as well. They were ready to make use of their economic power.
   The First Continental Congress enforced the boycott by telling the colonies not to buy English goods, nor to sell any goods to Britain. They established an effective 'Association' that made sure the colonists obeyed the rules. Tenseness was setting in, and people were well aware that, even though they wanted peace, fighting was going to be eventually inevitable. Volunteer armies sprung up everywhere.

Today in History - April 23, 1564 - William Shakespeare is Born

William Shakespeare is Born - April 23, 1564

   Today in History, William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-on-Avon. It is speculated that he was born on this day, because, according to tradition, a baby was christened three days after his birth, and church records indicate that he was christened on April 26, 1564. Interestingly, he died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52. He was an English dramatist and poet.

Source: History.com-William Shakespeare is Born

Friday, April 20, 2012

Today in History - April 21, 753 B.C. - Rome was Founded

Rome was Founded - April 21, 753 B.C.

     Today in History, 753 years before the birth of Christ, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus, twin brothers who were ordered to drown at birth by their uncle, but were washed up on shore and nursed by a she-wolf, as the legend goes. Supposedly, the mother of the twins was Rhea Silvia, whose father was King Numitor. King Numitor was deposed by his brother (Rhea's uncle) and this uncle forced Rhea to become a 'vestal virgin' for fear that if she had a son, it would be a threat to the uncle being dethroned. Well, according to legend, Rhea became impregnated by the war god 'Mars', and gave birth to the twins.
   There is another story that has some credence to it, but not much documentation. I will paste the first paragraph of this theory here:
Another Roman foundation legend, which has its origins in ancient Greece, tells of how the mythical Trojan Aeneas founded Lavinium and started a dynasty that would lead to the birth of Romulus and Remus several centuries later. In the Iliad, an epic Greek poem probably composed by Homer in the eighth century B.C., Aeneas was the only major Trojan hero to survive the Greek destruction of Troy. A passage told of how he and his descendants would rule the Trojans, but since there was no record of any such dynasty in Troy, Greek scholars proposed that Aeneas and his followers relocated.
Source: History.com-Rome Founded


  It is possible that we really don't know the origins of Rome, but the legends that go with its beginnings are made available to us. We can learn some History from them. 


For more information on the founding of Rome, go to the blog page here: Founding of Rome - Veritas Card 8

Today in History - April 20, 1980 - Castro announces Mariel Boatlift

Castro Announces Mariel Boatlift - April 20, 1980

    This day in History, in the year 1980, Castro announced the Mariel Boatlift. He told the people of Cuba that anyone wishing to leave Cuba and enter Florida was free to do so. The next day, 125,000 Cuban refugees made their way to Florida. There was much tension in Cuba because of the ailing economy. The boatlift ended in October 1980 by mutual agreement between the U.S. and Cuba.

Mariel Boatlift History.com

Thursday, April 19, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #17 - Parliament Acts Unjustly

Parliament Acts Unjustly - 1764 - 1774

   Yesterday we studied about the French and Indian Wars. The French and the Indians sided together, while the British and the soon to be 'Americans' sided together. Now there is tension building between the American colonists and the British.
   The British had debt that needed to be payed off. They were hoping that the colonies would provide revenue to help pay the bills. But the colonies were trying to get started and on their own feet. Remember how the Pilgrims came over and wanted to separate from the Church of England. Settling in America did provide some advantages, but England was not happy at the thought of the American Colonies not being under British rule in the same way that they would be if the colonies would have been on the same continent.
   The British Parliament passed a series of taxes which angered the American colonies. Some of the taxes that were passed were; The Sugar Act of 1764, The Stamp Act (1765), The Quartering Act of 1765, and a tax on tea, which ended up bringing about the Boston Teaparty.
  The Stamp Act of 1764 taxed legal documents, newspapers, and similar articles in the colonies. The colonists responded to the Stamp Act of 1764 with a Stamp Act  Congress. They came up with "Taxation without representation is tyranny." Lawyers and printers had a voice in speaking against this tax.
   The Quartering Act of 1765 made it so the colonists had to provide places for the British soldiers to stay and for the supplies the soldiers would need.
   The reason for the tax on tea was because of a failing tea company. Any surplus tea would be taxed. When the tea arrived in Boston Harbor, the colonists dressed like Indians and boarded the ships and threw all the tea overboard. In turn, the British decided to pass several laws against Massachusetts. The laws were called the Intolerable Acts.
   The Intolerable Acts did several things against the colonists. It closed the Boston Harbor. It made it so that the British soldiers would have to be quartered in private homes, and it reduced the self-rule in Massachusetts. As this tension continues, we will see the outcome of this very soon!

True History - Veritas Card #16 - The French and Indian Wars

The French and Indian Wars - 1754-1763

   The French and the English were both competing for the control of North America. In America, the Indians were siding with the French, and the Americans were siding with the English. The British colonists were farmers and settlers, and generally were Reformed Protestants, while the French were trappers and traders, and were generally Catholic.
   In the past, there were other wars between England and France, but this war ended up being the final one that gave the control to the British.
  Some important people who served in this war were George Washington, General Wolfe (British), General Montcalm (French) and Pontiac, who was an Indian chief. Pontiac continued to fight even after the war was over. General Montcalm and General Wolfe were both killed in this war.
  The Treaty of Paris was the event that ended this war. Now England was in serious debt and was hoping the Americans would be able to help pay off the debt.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Today in History - April 19, 1775 - The American Revolution Begins

"The British are coming. The British are coming." The famous words of Paul Revere. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about this event. Here is the last stanza of his poem entitled 'The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere"


So through the night rode Paul Revere;
And so through the night went his cry of alarm
To every Middlesex village and farm,---
A cry of defiance, and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,
And a word that shall echo for evermore!
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,
Through all our history, to the last,
In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,
And the midnight message of Paul Revere.



Today in History, Paul Revere made his famous ride from Boston to Concord, alerting people that the British were coming. If the British were to come by land, Paul's friend was to put a lantern in the belfry of the church. If the British were coming by sea, his friend was to put two lanterns in the belfry. Paul Revere rowed out on the water. He was able to see the lantern of the belfry of the church from a distance. As the British began to come over, Paul's friend put two lanterns in the belfry. Now Paul Revere was aware of how the British were coming over; by sea! Paul took off and warned the people of the British coming. That was the beginning of the American Revolution. Would America ever be totally free from the rulership of England?



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #15 (Red Card) - Colonial Trading With England

Colonial Trading With England - c. 1750

   The colonies had an economic system that they used which worked very well. They would trade and sell items to each other. But the 13 Colonies still needed to make money. The way they would do this was through a system called 'Mercantilism' which meant that they would ultimately be involved in selling to a 'mother country' which in this case was England. England also provided charters for the colonies. The colonies were still, in a big sense, under England's rule. The colonies were able to sell items like tobacco, cotton, indigo, and wood products. There were products produced in England that the colonies were unable to make for themselves, such as some clothing items, tea, dishes, and fine tools.
   But problems broke out between England and France because both countries wanted to be the 'mother country' that the colonies would buy from. England had the upper hand and increased its control over this once the French and Indian Wars were over. This also made it harder for the colonies to prosper and make money.

Today in History - April 18, 1906 -Great San Francisco Earthquake

Today in History - The Great San Francisco Earthquake - April 18, 1906

A great earthquake hit San Francisco today in the year, 1906. Hundreds of people lost their lives as building shook and toppled over on them. The quake was caused by a slip of the San Andreas Fault over an area of about 275 miles long. The video below was taken before the earthquake, and then after the earthquake. It is Market Street in San Francisco.

Source:History.com San Francisco Earthquake





T

True History - The Black Book of Communism

From time to time, I want to comment on the subject of Communism. There are a couple of reasons for this. One of them is that when I was young, people feared Communism. The world was in turmoil, not just because of Communism, but because there were many forces working against each other in the governmental systems throughout the world. Ever since the fall of mankind (see Genesis 3 in the Bible), people have had constant conflict with one another. This will continue until this age is over and the renewal takes place. One day, there will be a new heaven and earth. There will not be a bunch of kings and presidents fighting each other. Everyone will be under the rule of One. And because the earth will be restored and mankind will not be sinful and idolatrous anymore, there will be total peace. But until then, we will have much strife, in the spiritual world and in the earthly kingdoms.


"The Black Book of Communism"


We should be wary of believing that communism is a dead issue. A book that created a sensation when it was published in France is now available in English. I can't think of any book that would be more important for Americans to read. If you are going to read only one book this year, make it "The Black Book of Communism".
This is an 800-page history of the terror, repression and killings of communism stretching from the Bolshevik Revolution to the present. Written by scholars who are ex-communists or former fellow travelers, the book establishes beyond doubt that communism is the greatest crime against humanity in the 20th century. Harvard University Press published the book.
The conservative estimate of the number of people killed by communists is 100 million, or four times the number estimated to have been killed by Nazism. Yet 50 years after the destruction of Nazism, Americans still are regaled with its horrors while the worst horrors of communism are ignored. Worse yet, American leftists and amoral businessmen are still trying to paint a human face on the communist monster.
Both systems killed people not because of what they had done but because of who they were. The Nazis killed people by race; the communists, by class. Furthermore, the authors dispel the myth that the horrors of communism were the result of good communism gone bad or some particular person betraying communism. Communism is, in and of itself, a criminal enterprise in which the modus operandi is terror, repression and homicide.
This is shown consistently in every regime from the Soviet Union to China to Vietnam to North Korea to Cuba and to other countries where communists gained a foothold. Unlike the Nazis, the communist killers benefited from the propaganda of their comrades and fellow travelers living in the democracies. And still do. These unrepentant communists are a cancer in every free country where they live.
By coincidence I recently talked with a professional woman who had the opportunity to live in Cuba with some Cuban professionals. She described herself as a liberal Democrat. She described her experience of the reality of Cuba as "horrendous." Though not a Cuban, she came back convinced that it would be a crime for the United States to force Elian Gonzalez, the little boy rescued from the sea, to return to Cuba.
"It would be exactly the same thing as returning a Jewish boy to Nazi Germany," she said. She wishes to remain anonymous to protect her Cuban hosts from reprisals. If you will read the section in the Black Book on Cuba, you will agree with her. It is a hideously criminal regime that spies on and controls every aspect of people's lives. It is fueled by hatred. It is supported by repression, censorship, propaganda and killing.
Americans should be wary of believing that communism is a dead issue. It thrives in Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam and China. Because of President Clinton's incredible blundering, the Russian Federation has renewed its interest in and support of Cuba. It is financing a nuclear power plant. It maintains its large intelligence-gathering stations in Cuba. There is no question that if the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ever put nuclear weapons into Poland, Russian nukes would show up in Cuba. The war with communism won't be over until the last fat commissar sings his death song.
Col. Stanislav Lunev, a defector, recently wrote, "Normalization -- i.e., accommodation of Castro despotism -- means big bucks for profit-hungry businessmen in the short term but would seriously weaken the United States in the long run. In the latter case no one wins for no one will prosper in the second rate, subjugated America that will be the final result."
Americans are vulnerable to subjugation because they are so naïve. Remember, mass murderers and wannabe mass murderers are still among us on this planet.

Orlando Sentinel Editorial

Charley Reese
Commentary

Published in The Orlando Sentinel on February 13, 2000
OSOreese@aol.com 

True History - Veritas Card # 14 - The First Great Awakening

The First Great Awakening - 1740 - 1742

The First Great Awakening was a time period in early American History, in which God used certain theologians to preach His Word to multitudes of people. Some of the theologians during this Awakening were Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield. Jonathan Edwards is remembered for his sermon entitled 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God', which had an impact on the hearers.
   George Whitefield, was born in England, and came over here to America to preach to thousands of people at one time. He had a vision for sharing the Gospel and believed in using Gospel tracts. He did not approve of John Wesley's message of 'free grace' and because of that, people acknowledged him as the leader of the 'Calvinist Methodism'. Whitefield was also described as the great master of pulpit oratory.

Note: I'm not sure where I read or heard this, but, I remember hearing a story about a time when George Whitefield was preaching, and there was a man near him who was a heckler (someone who makes fun of the person preaching). The person would repeat everything George Whitefield was saying. I think he even copied his movements, making fun of George. After that message was all said and done, the heckler was convicted of his sin and repented and turned to Christ. I don't know the veracity of the story, and if anyone does know, please comment on it. I want to back up what I say with valid sources.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Today in History - April 17, 1970 - Apollo 13 Returns to Earth

Apollo 13 Returns to Earth - April 17, 1970

  Today, in the year 1970, Apollo 13 returns to earth. The astronauts that were on this lunar spacecraft were James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert, and Fred W. Haise. The trip was difficult and had some serious problems. But the spacecraft landed safely in the Pacific Ocean that day.


http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/apollo-13-returns-to-earth

True History - Veritas Card # 13 - 13 Colonies Formed

13 Colonies Formed - 1620-1733

When the early American settlers came over, they were still under England's rule. The King of England owned all the colonies. The people living in these colonies still had to obey the rules of the King of England. The colonies had control over their own affairs as the British Empire was divided into many units.
   The 'Navigation Acts' were passed by the English so they could begin to regulate colonial commerce. These laws were part of the Old Colonial System.
   The original colonies were: Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Today in History - April 16, 1943 - The Hallucinogenic Effects of LSD Are Discovered

The Hallucinogenic Effects of LSD Discovered - April 16, 1943

     By accident, a Swiss chemist accidentally consumes the drug known as LSD and discovered the effects of the drug. The drug had caused strange mental and physical states. Later on in the 1950s and 60s, the drug was used in the Cold War experimentations.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hallucinogenic-effects-of-lsd-discovered

Friday, April 13, 2012

True History - Veritas Card # 12 - Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials - 1692

   Panic, panic, everywhere there was panic. What were people panicking about? There were suspicions that some people were practicing witchcraft. It started with an Indian woman named Tituba, who also involved two girls and practiced witchcraft (which they admitted to). A hysterical fear came over Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, in which over 160 individuals were charged with 'covenanting with evil spirits'.
   Witchcraft was commonplace in the 17th century. The incident involving Tituba and the two girls sparked the interest of many people into this situation. Nineteen men and women were hanged because it was believed that they were practicing witchcraft, and the government of Massachusetts did not deal well with the accusations. The Puritan clergy was suspicious of the 'evidences' that the court had admitted, and over time, the clergy's influence brought this whole panic to a close.

Today in History - Butch Cassidy (1866) and Thomas Jefferson (1743) Are Born

Today in History, Butch Cassidy, the last great Western train robber, was born to Mormon parents in 1866. Also, Thomas Jefferson, our third president and drafter of the Declaration of Independence, was born in 1743.





Butch Cassidy
Thomas Jefferson

Thursday, April 12, 2012

True History - Veritas Card # 11 (Red Card) - Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island

Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island - 1636

   Yesterday we studied two groups of people, the Pilgrims, who believed in complete separation from the Church of England, and the Puritans, who believed that a reform had to take place inside the church.
  Roger Williams was a Puritan who sailed from England to New England in 1630. He preached in Plymouth for about a year before accepting a call to the Salem pulpit. Even though Roger Williams was a Puritan, he was a strong believer in the separation from the Church of England. He also believed that the proper way for the New Englanders to acquire land was to make negotiations with the Indians.
  Roger Williams was examined by some well respected men, John Cotton, and Thomas Hooker. They decided that Williams had to leave the colony. But, Williams had a band of followers who went with him, and together, they founded Rhode Island. In 1636, he established a community that would be religiously tolerant.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Today in History - April 12, 1633 - Galileo Convicted of Heresy

Galileo Convicted of Heresy - April 12, 1633


    Today the inquisition of Galileo begins because of Galileo's belief that the sun was the center of the solar system and everything else revolved around it. It was accepted as fact by the Roman Catholic Church, that everything in our solar system revolved around planet earth. The earth was the center of the solar system. So, chief inquisitor Father Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuola, who was appointed by Pope Urban VIII, began the inquisition. The church had decided that the position of the earth not moving was a fact of Scripture, even though there was another thought that the sun was the center of the solar system.  
  Galileo ended up being under house arrest the rest of his life, and did not continue to teach this 'doctrine' that the church had deemed as heresy anymore. It would be many years later when people realized that Galileo was correct. What Galileo believed in ties in with Scripture, even though the church of his day did not understand this. They mistakenly thought it went against Scripture. We really do need to know and understand what the Scriptures are saying. They contain words for all people, in all places, at all times.       

Did the Holocaust Really Happen? Some Say it Didn't

I found this article through Face Book, then did some research on it. Who is this woman, and what was it that she did that was so heroic? I will copy and paste the article from Face Book and see what you think. Before I do that though, I want to post a link on the Internet that has her story: Irena Sendler-Auschwitz

                                           
                                                         

REMEMBER THIS LADY!!!

Look at this lady - Let us never forget!
The world hasn't just become wicked...it's always been wicked.
The prize doesn't always go to the most deserving.

Irena Sendler
Died 12 May 2008 (aged 98)
Warsaw, Poland

During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto, as a plumbing/sewer specialist.

She had an 'ulterior motive'.

She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews (being German).

Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids).

She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto.

The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.

During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants.

She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely.

Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard.

After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family.

Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize.

She was not selected.

President Obama won one year before becoming President for his work as a community organizer for ACORN

and

Al Gore won also --- for a slide show on Global Warming.

In MEMORIAM - 63 YEARS LATER

I'm doing my small part by forwarding this message.

I hope you'll consider doing the same...

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended.

This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated!

Now, more than ever, with Iran, and others, claiming the HOLOCAUST to be 'a myth'.

It's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

True History _ Veritas Card #10 (Red Card) - Massachusetts Bay Colony, Home of the Puritans

Massachusetts Bay Colony, Home of the Puritans - 1630

   The Pilgrims were the first group of people to leave England due to the fact that they wanted to be free from being part of a church that was controlled by the King. Another group came over as well, but their goal was to bring about reform in the church. They were called the Puritans. They wanted to 'purify' the Church of England. So they came over to this new land under the leadership of Tom Endicott in 1628. They came to New England and settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
    In 1630, John Winthrop became governor of the colony. He led 1,000 + Puritans to Boston. He wanted to build a society that would be a model for Europe. He also believed that the England should have received divine punishment because of the unfaithfulness of the Anglican Church, which was in much need of reform. John Cotton established laws and government with were consistent with Biblical law.

Today in History - April 11, 1814 - Napoleon is Exiled to Elba

Napoleon is Exiled to Elba - April 11, 1815

  Today in History, Napoleon who was the emperor of France, abdicated the throne, and was exiled to  the Mediterranean Island of Elba. A year later, he reclaimed the throne of France, and a few months later, was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. He abdicated the throne a second time and was now exiled to an island called St. Helena, where he lived out the rest of his life. He died on age 52.

Napoleon Exiled to Elba

Monday, April 9, 2012

Today in History - April 10, 1866 - The ASPCA is Founded

The ASPCA is Founded - April 10, 1866

   Appointed to a diplomat post at the Russian court of Czar Alexander II, Henry Bergh observed horses being whipped to make them obey. Horrified by what he saw, he stopped into London on his way back to the U.S. to visit an animal cruelty prevention society there and took notes. When he came back home, he was able to start the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the law was enacted to protect animals from being mistreated.

ASCPA Foundation
   

True History - Veritas Card # 9 (Red Card) - Pilgrims Build Plymouth Colony

Pilgrims Build Plymouth Colony - 1621

   The Pilgrims settled in Plymouth Plantation, which was located on the coast of Massachusetts. They didn't take much with them when they boarded the Mayflower. But they did have some skills in gardening, which was helpful to them. They also met an Indian who befriended them named 'Squanto' who taught them how to plant corn and fish.
   The Pilgrims were hard working people, who, for the most part, loved God and trusted in His providence. In spite of all their hard work, many died the first year due to disease and the hardships of living in a new land that was very harsh.
   The Pilgrims planted seeds and in the fall, there was an abundant harvest, for which they were grateful to God. They gathered together in November of 1621 to give thanks to God for His abundant provisions. This was the very first actual Thanksgiving, and it lasted about three days. They also invited the Indians to be part of their time of giving thanks.
   The answer to the question 'Who is Tisquantum?" is 'Squanto'.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #8 (Red Card) - The Mayflower Lands at Plymouth

The Mayflower Lands at Plymouth - 1620

   In 1620, the Mayflower sailed across the Atlantic Ocean carrying 102 passengers. 35 of them were called 'Separatists' and the rest were called 'Strangers'. They were two different groups on one ship. One group was traveling to the New World for adventure and searching for gold. The other group came over in order to get away from a church that was controlled by the King. This group is also known as the Pilgrims.
   They had moved out of England into Holland for a short time. They originally boarded the ship called 'The Speedwell' which was an unseaworthy ship, so it ended up being left behind. They boarded the Mayflower and started on their difficult journey across the sea.
  The sailors on the Mayflower were crude and did not treat the Pilgrims with respect. One of the more notable adventures on this voyage was a young man who was swept overboard and somehow he mysterious found a piece of rope and held on to it and was pulled back into the boat.
  The Mayflower landed in December of 1620. At first, it landed at Provincetown, where the Pilgrims and Strangers stayed for five weeks.
   Captain Miles Standish led an expedition that resulted in the discovery of their settlement site which was Plymouth Plantation.
   Also, the Mayflower Compact was signed by 41 of the 44 men.
This journey had been extremely hard. One baby was born while the Mayflower was on the sea.

Today in History - April 9, 1881 - Billy the Kid Convicted of Murder

Billy the Kid Convicted of Murder - April 9, 1881

   Today in History, Billy the Kid is convicted of murder. In a one day trial, he was sentenced to be hanged for killing the sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico. Three years prior to this trial, he killed William Brady, as an act of revenge for the murder of his boss. During this time, he was on the run, and after he was caught, went to trial and sent to prison. Not too long after he was imprisoned, he managed to escape from the jail. He managed to kill two jail guards and after this he danced around fearing no one would capture him. He escaped and was returned in July, and was shot by the new sheriff of Lincoln County, and died.

Source: Billy the Kid Convicted of Murder-History.com

Christ Died, was Buried, Then Rose the Third Day According to the Scriptures

Luke 24: 1-27


Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about it, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words,
And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
 nd they talked together of all these things which had happened.
 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?
 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and do not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?
 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
 Yes, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
 And when they did not find his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Today in History - April 7, 1963 - Tito Made President For Life

Tito Made President For Life - April 7, 1963

     On April 7, 1963, Tito, formerly known as Josip Broz, became the President for Life, according the the new Yugoslav Constitution. He became the president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Today in History - April 6, 1830 - Mormon Church Established

Mormon Church Established - April 6, 1830

   Today in History, in the year 1830, Joseph Smith organizes the first meeting of the Church of Christ with a small group of believers.
   Smith was said to have been visited by an angel named 'Moroni' who informed him of an ancient text, which was engraved on gold plates, that was lost for 1,500 years. He spent the next six years translating the text which told of ancient people in America, who were Israelites. Out of this work came the book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
  The Bible tells us that if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel preach any other Gospel than that which was given to us, let that person or angel be accursed. Here is Paul talking to the Galatians:


"I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

For more info the beginnings of the Mormon church, go to:

Mormon Church Established

True History - Veritas Card # 7 (Red Card) - Jamestown is Founded in Virginia

Jamestown is Founded in Virginia - 1607


   "If anyone would not work, neither would he eat." are the words of John Smith, who helped the people of this colony to understand the value of hard work and the reward of being able to eat. The people that settled in Jamestown did not come to this country because they wanted religious freedom, but rather, they were seeking after gold. They were not used to doing the hard work that needs to be done for people to survive.
   It all started when 120 men from London boarded three different ships and took a four month journey across the ocean. Unlike the Pilgrims, who came over a little later, these men were adventurers. They were not used to gardening and farming and they spent a lot of time quarreling.
   The colony really struggled the first year, and only forty men survived. John Smith was the third leader of these men and he insisted that they work if they wanted to eat. This agrees with what the Bible says. People need to be responsible for themselves and not try to take the easy way out. Life is hard and requires a lot of work.
   So, from 1609 - 1610, became known as the 'starving time'. For the following seventeen years, five thousand- five hundred more people would come to this colony, but only a little over a thousand survived.
  Jamestown was the first colony in this country that was permanent. The colony was named after James I of England. John Rolfe learned how to cultivate tobacco from the Indians, and he was able to grow tobacco in such a way that it flourished and became Jamestown's much needed 'pay crop'.
  For more information on John Rolfe and Pocahontas, go to the blog page here: John Rolfe and Pocahontas
 

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Today in History - April 5, 1614 - Pocahontas Marries John Rolfe

Pocahontas Marries John Rolfe - April 5, 1614

     Jamestown was the first colony in this country that was permanent. Pocahontas was from the Powhatan Indian tribe. She is credited for saving the life of John Smith, who was about to be killed by Pocahontas' father. She intervened and his life was spared.
   She married John Rolfe and they had a son. Pocahontas was baptized and her Christian name was 'Lady Rebecca'. The family took a trip to London, where she died and was buried there. John Rolfe returned to Virginia and was killed in an Indian massacre in 1622. The son had returned to Virginia as well, and became a prominent citizen.
   The married of John Rolfe and Pocahontas was intended to bring peace between the new settlers and the Powhatan tribe.
  For more info on this story go to : This Day in History - Pocahontas Search for April 5 .

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #6 (Red Card) - Raleigh Settles Roanoke

Raleigh Settles Roanoke - 1585

   Did you know there was an early colony in Roanoke that disappeared? It all started with a man named Sir Walter Raleigh, who came to this country hoping to establish a base for raiding the Spanish empire here. He sent 108 men from England to settle in a land called  'Virginia'. In 1585, he settled a colony there.
   In 1590, another man named John White came over to bring supplies from England, but, he was the one who was surprised! Everyone was missing. A little girl named Virginia Dare was born and even she was gone! The only clues that they found were the letters CRO carved on a tree, and the word 'Croatian' was carved on another tree. It is a mystery as to the whereabouts of the colonists was, as none of them were ever found. Roanoke is known as the 'Lost Colony'.
  There is an Indian tribe in North Carolina that used to have the name 'Croatian' and it is possible that these Indians are the descendants of the lost colonists and the Indians that lived nearby.

See the other blog page on the Lost Colony at:The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Today in History - April 4, 1968 - Martin Luther King Jr. is Assassinated

Martin Luther King Jr. is Assassinated - April 4, 1968

   Today in History, Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray, while staying at a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. King is known for his quote, "I have a dream..". This civil rights leader was around 39 years old at the time of his death.

Martin Luther King Jr. is Assassinated

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

True History - Explorers of the Northeast: Cartier, Champlain and Cabot

Explorers of the Northeast: Cartier, Champlain and Cabot - 1497 - 1603

   We studied the Spanish explorers yesterday. Today we will look at the explorers of the Northeast. Their names were Cartier, Champlain, and Cabot.
   Cabot was an Italian explorer who was the first European to reach the coast of North America. He was funded by the King of England, Henry VIII. He landed on the coast of Newfoundland in 1497. This was about five years after Columbus made his special voyage, and like Columbus, Cabot thought that he had reached the Indies.
   Thirty-seven years later, a French navigator, Jacques Cartier, went to the place that Cabot landed to study it further. He also investigated the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the St. Lawrence River.
    Further research into this area was done in 1603 by another French explorer, Samuel de Champlain. He also founded Quebec and discovered Lake Champlain.

Today in History - April 3, 1860 - The Pony Express Debuts

The Pony Express Debuts - April 3, 1860

     For those who aren't familiar with the 'Pony Express', it was a type of mail service used to bring mail long distances in America. It used a rider and pony relay. The first one started in St. Joseph, Missouri, and ended in Sacramento, California. Riders were switched every 75 - 100 miles, and horses were switched every 10 - 15 miles. It would ordinarily take about a month for a letter sent from New York to California, but with the Pony Express, it would take 10 days.
   The Pony Express was short lived and unprofitable, but it did spark an interest in the American people to invent ways to mail letters faster and more efficiently.

Pony Express in History

Monday, April 2, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #4 (Red Card) - Corte´s, de Soto, de Leon, and Coronado: The Spanish Explorers

Corte´s, de Soto, de Leon, and Coronado: The Spanish Explorers - 1513 - 1538

   For a brief description on Ponce de Leon, read my blog from yesterday at: Ponce de Leon. It is interesting to note that yesterday, in the year of 1513, Ponce de Leon arrived on the coast of Florida while searching for the 'Fountain of Youth'. He must have heard a story about a fountain that could be found in Florida, that would bring about eternal youth. He never did find his 'Fountain of Youth' though. But he did name the state of Florida 'la Florida' because of the many flowers that he saw.
   The time period for the Spanish explorers is often known as the 'Spanish Conquest'. Spain had now taken over both Central and South America.
   Hernando Cortez conquered the great Aztec Empire in Central America. Cortez was able to see Montezuma killed and the Empire destroyed. He continued on his journeying though Honduras and Baja, California.
   Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi River in North America. When he died, his body was placed in the Mississippi River.
  The first Spanish explorer to see the Grand Canyon was Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. As he was searching for gold, he explored the southwest part of the United States.
 

Today in History - April 2, 1513 - Ponce de Leon Lands on Florida Coast

Ponce de Leon Lands on Florida Coast - April 2, 1513

   Today in History, Ponce de Leon comes ashore on the Florida coast and claims the newly discovered land for Spain.
   Ponce de Leon was on a search for the 'Fountain of Youth' a fabled water source that was supposed to be able to keep one eternally youthful.
  He named the land ' la Florida' from the words , because the time of his arrival was during the Easter Feast.
   Ponce de Leon return years later to Florida, but was met by hostile natives, who mortally wounded him. He went to Cuba where he eventually died from the wounds he received in the battle.

Ponce de Leon Discovers Florida- History.com

Sunday, April 1, 2012

True History - Veritas Card # 3 (Red Card) - Magellan Circumnavigates the Earth

Magellan Circumnavigates the earth - 1519 - 1522

  The word 'circumnavigates' simply means to go around the world. Magellan, a Portuguese sea captain, was the first to travel by sea all the way around the world, although Magellan actually was killed in the Philippines before he would have made it back around to Spain.
   Magellan had five ships for this voyage; The Conception, San Antonio, Santiago, Trinidad, and Victoria. This voyage was funded by the King of Spain, Charles I.
   While they were on the trip, mutiny broke out, and the mutineer was executed, and also two of the followers were marooned. Once this was over, the fleet set out again.
   The 'Strait of Magellan' was a passage to the Pacific, that was discovered by Magellan while he was on this voyage. Magellan himself never made it back to Spain, but one of the ships did. Eighteen of the people that started on this voyage returned on that ship. This was in 1522, almost three years after the expedition began.