Thursday, May 31, 2012

Today in History - June 1, 1942 - News of Death Camp Killings Becomes Public for the First Time

News of Death Camp Killings Becomes Public for the First Time - June 1, 1942

   Today, in the year 1942, death camp killings become known to the Western world. Tens of thousands of Jews were being gassed to death at a death camp in Poland called 'Chelmno'. The Jews were murdered by gasses being channeled into a vehicle that would transport them from the villages to Chelmno. The deaths were not noticed because they were silent and quick. This also differed somewhat from Auschwitz in that the goal of gassing Jews to death was with the intent of fully exterminating them. In Auschwitz, the ones who were fit and could be used were spared. The unfit were destroyed.
Source: Death camp killings at Chelmno, Poland

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Today in History - May 31, 1859 - Big Ben Goes Into Operation in London

Big Ben Goes Into Operation in London - May 31, 1859

    For those of you who don't yet know, Big Ben is a landmark tower clock in London, England. It is located on the top of St. Stephen's Tower and rings out over the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
   Weighing over 13 tons, the tower's bell came down the streets of London, carried by 16 horse teams (that would have been an interesting sight to see!) The clock was designed to have the precise time.
  During WWII, a bomb destroyed the chamber of the House of Commons, but St. Stephen's Tower stayed intact. Big Ben continued to function. The clock has four faces which are lit up at night for everyone to see. There is a light above the tower clock that is lit when Parliament is in session.
Source: History.com-Big Ben Goes Into Operation in London

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Today in History - May 30, 1431 - Joan of Arc is Martyred

Joan of Arc is Martyred - May 30, 1431

     Today in History, the famous lady of France who heard voices that encouraged her to fight for France, was martyred at the stake for heresy. Here is part of the article from History.com on her:

     Joan was born in 1412, the daughter of a tenant farmer at Domremy, on the borders of the duchies of Bar and Lorraine. In 1415, the Hundred Years War between England and France entered a crucial phase when the young King Henry V of England invaded France and won a series of decisive victories against the forces of King Charles VI. By the time of Henry's death in August 1422, the English and their French-Burgundian allies controlled Aquitaine and most of northern France, including Paris. Charles VI, long incapacitated, died one month later, and his son, Charles, regent from 1418, prepared to take the throne. However, Reims, the traditional city of French coronation, was held by the Anglo-Burgundians, and the Dauphin (heir apparent to the French throne) remained uncrowned. Meanwhile, King Henry VI of England, the infant son of Henry V and Catherine of Valois, the daughter of Charles VI, was proclaimed king of France by the English.
You can read the rest of this article at:History.com-Joan of Arc Martyred

Church History - May 20, 325 - Man or God? Council of Nicea

Man or God? Asks the Council of Nicea - 325

    Throughout church History, heresies have always come about. Many of the heresies were based upon a concept of Jesus Christ not really being a human person. The people understood His deity, but couldn't grasp His humanity. But in this time period in church History, in 325 A.D., there were two men in particular, who opposed each other; Arius verses Athanasius. You see, Athanasius understood Jesus to be fully God and fully man, but Arius did not accept Jesus as being Divine. There was much tension in the air. Even the original Santa Claus, who was Saint Nicholas of Myra, became angry and slapped Arius in the face. Athanasius took a firm stand in what he knew was true. Arius fought back, and the result ended up becoming the Council of Nicea, which resulted in the Nicene Creed. Although this article does not mention Athanasius, it does talk about Arius.
Christianity.com-Church History- Man or God?
Also see; The First Council of Nicea

Monday, May 28, 2012

Today in History - May 29, 1942 - Jews in Paris are Ordered to Sew a Yellow Star on their Coats

Jews in Paris are Ordered to Sew a Yellow Star on Their Coats - May 29, 1942

    Today in History, the Jews who occupied Paris were ordered by Adolph Hitler to sew a yellow star on the left side of their coats. Joseph Goebbels advised Hitler to carry this out against the Jews. Goebbels believed, at this point, that the Jews were no longer people but beasts, and he was determined to exterminate them completely according to his journals.
   This was actually not the first time in History that Jews were to wear a type of identification, for, throughout History, while the Pope controlled Central Italy, Jews had to wear yellow hats or stars, and live in ghettos.
Source: History.com-Jews in Paris ordered to sew a yellow star on their coats
See also: Hitler Commits Suicide
Hitler Becomes President of Germany

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Today in History - May 28, 1754 - The First Blood of the French and Indian War

The First Blood of the French and Indian War - May 28, 1754

       Today in History, in the year 1754, 22 year old lieutenant George Washington led his militia into southwestern Pennsylvania, where they defeated French and Native Americans. 10 French soldiers were killed and 21 were taken as prisoners. The French and Indian War was the last of a series of battles between the Colonists and British soldiers against the French and Native Americans. The French and Indian War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Interestingly, The French ended up joining with the Colonists when they fought against England in the Revolution.
Source: History.com-French Indian War
Also see: Seven Years War
French and Indian War Begins
French and Indian War Ends

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Today in History - May 27, 1703 - Peter The Great Founded St. Petersburg

Peter the Great Founded St. Petersburg - May 27, 1703

  Peter the Great (Czar Peter I) had victories in the Great Northern War which gave him access to the Baltic Sea, which in turn paved the way for the founding of St. Petersburg, Russia's new capital.

Source: History.com-Peter the Great Founds St. Petersburg

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Today in History - May 25, 1944 - Operation Knight's Move is launched


Operation Knight's Move is launched - May 25, 1944


  Today in History, in the year 1944, Gilder troops and parachute drops took place in Yugoslavia, with the  intent on destroying Tito, who was the leader of the anti-Axis guerrilla movement. Tito escaped, but several men and women were destroyed. 
  Also, on this same day, in Auschwitz, a revolt broke out on the extermination camp. Several tried to escape death, but were caught by the SS and brought to their unfortunate fate.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Today in History - May 24, 1943 - Auschwitz Gets a New Doctor the Angel of Death

Auschwitz Gets a New Doctor, the "Angel of Death" - May 24, 1943

   Today in history, Josef Mengele, aka 'The Angel of Death" became the new doctor at the extermination camp at Auschwitz, Poland. Josef Mengele, who had a variety of names matching his description, was 32 years old at the time, and was from Bavaria, Germany.
   Josef Mengele was a very cruel man. He was one of the Nazi doctors that had done cruel acts in different parts of the world, including the United States. After WWII was over, the US government had some concern because there were still brilliant, Nazi doctors left in Germany, and if America did not bring them over here, then the Soviet Union would take them in and use their expertise, possibly against us. One of those doctors was Josef Mengele. He had a fascination with twin babies and would dissect them. He was also involved in the Cold War experiments, such as Mkultra and Bluebird Project in which children were used in mind control experiments. The children were treated with much cruelty under these experiments and Josef Mengele was never caught until later on, when people such as Carol Rutz, brought it to the attention of the government. (See link below on "A Nation Betrayed").
   Josef Mengele not only did his activities here in the U.S., but he also became a citizen of Paraguay and later moved to Brazil, where he found another partner to work his experiments with. Supposedly, he died while swimming in 1979, but there is no positive proof that it was Mengele that died. It may have been his partner.

History.com-Angel of Death
A Nation Betrayed Interview with Carol Rutz


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Today in History - May 23, 1934 - Police Kill Famous Outlaws Bonnie and Clyde

Police Kill Famous Outlaws Bonnie and Clyde - May 23, 1934

   Bonnie and Clyde sounds like a romantic couple. A couple they were as they acted out their lives in crime, but they were known for their cold blooded murders and thefts.
  Bonnie was married to someone else who was serving time in prison and met Clyde. Both managed to be in and out of prison, and they began their life of crime together. They worked as a team robbing banks and stores, and stealing cars. Their crimes were committed across five states; Texas. Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, and Louisiana.
  The couple was shot to death by police while driving a stolen car in Louisiana.
Source: History.com-Bonnie and Clyde

Monday, May 21, 2012

Today in History - May 22, 1843 - A Thousand Pioneers Head West on the Oregon Trail

A Thousand Pioneers Head West on the Oregon Trail - May 22, 1843

   Today in the year 1843, one thousand people headed west on the Oregon Trail. Oregon was not officially part of the U.S. yet, but many fur trappers and missionaries lived there for decades. When the farmers that lived in America were made aware of the potential for good farming in Oregon, it sparked an interest that led people to go out there. This was the first major wagon-train in the United States.
Source: :History.com-Oregon Trail


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Today in History - May 21, 1940 - Nazis Kill "Unfit" People in East Prussia

Nazi's Kill Unfit People in East Prussia - May 21, 1940

     I know we have a hard time sometimes, when we see how cruel people can be when they are left to their own devices. Hitler wanted to install 'Ideology" in which a perfect race would life in harmony with itself. There were two things Hitler didn't understand. One of them was the depravity of human beings. The other was the he was not God. He didn't realize that people live in a fallen world that had been cursed by God, when Adam and Eve disobeyed Him in the Garden. Ever since that time, people have lived in discord, and the thinking of human beings had been darkened. Not only that, but the whole human race became weak. People get sick. They die. Some people are born with deformities. Others have been born retarded. Yes, the world is not a pretty picture since the fall of mankind. But Hitler wanted to fix the problem with his 'Ideology'. He thought he could create a perfect human race by destroying human beings that had blemishes and faults. Only a certain type of people met his criteria for living. With that in mind, here is the event that took place today, in the year 1940:

    On this day in 1940, a "special unit" carries out its mission-and murders more than 1,500 hospital patients in East Prussia.
Mentally ill patients from throughout East Prussia had been transferred to the district of Soldau, also in East Prussia. A special military unit, basically a hit squad, carried out its agenda and killed the patients over an 18-day period, one small part of the larger Nazi program to exterminate everyone deemed "unfit" by its ideology. After the murders, the unit reported back to headquarters in Berlin that the patients had been "successfully evacuated."
Source: History.com

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Today in History - May 18, 1926 - Evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson Disappears

Aimee Semple McPherson Disappears - May 18, 1926

     Today in History in the year 1926, evangelist Aimee Semple MePherson disappears from a California beach. McPherson was the 'Billy Graham' of the early 20th century. Along with her disappearance was also the disappearance of a friend Kenneth Ormiston.  About a month later, they were found in New Mexico. 
   McPherson tried to make a comeback as an evangelist, but her efforts failed. But she might be remembered for something else; she baptized Marilyn Monroe. 


Source: History.com-Aimee McPherson Disappears

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Today in History - May 17, 1885 - Geronimo Flees Arizona Reservation

Geronimo Flees Arizona Reservation - May 17, 1885


Geronimo was an Apache Indian who lived in the Arizona Reservation. He achieved fame for being the last Indian to formally surrender to the United States. He was not happy about the United States taking over the Southwestern part of the country. He was confined to the Reservation but managed to escape. He eluded the authorities very well until he became weary. He surrendered and relocated to Florida. He died in 1909 of pneumonia in Oklahoma. 
Source: History.com-Geronimo Flees Arizona Reservation


"The soldiers never explained to the government when an Indian was wronged, but reported the misdeeds of the Indians." Geronimo.
Read more at Brainy quote - Geronimo

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Today in History - May 16, 1770 - Louis Marries Marie Antoinette

Louis Marries Marie Antoinette - May 16, 1770

    Today in History, Louis, the French dauphin married Marie Antoinette, who was the daughter of Austrian Archduchess, Maria Theresa. The people had hoped that this marriage would strengthen the relationship between Austria and France, who were at this time enemies.
   Marie was the one who said, "Let them eat cake" in response to the impoverished French. She did not appear to want to strengthen the ties between France and Austria, and she was a strong influence over her husband. Both died by being executed by the guillotine and were Marie was accused of treason.

Source: History.com-Louis Married Marie Antoinette

Today in History - May 15, 1756 - The Seven Years War Begins

The Seven Years War Begins - May 15, 1756

    Today in History, the Seven Years War, also known as the French and Indian War in America, begins. Fighting and skirmishes in North America between France and England had already been going on, and this day England declared war on France.
   The Seven Years War ended with the Treaties of Hubertusburg and Paris in 1763.
For more info, go to: History.com-Seven Years War begins 1756

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Today in History - May 14, 1948 - State of Israel Proclaimed

State of Israel Proclaimed - May 14, 1948


Today in History, in the year 1948, Israel became a state. Here are the words of David Ben-Gurion:
"We hereby proclaim the establishment of the Jewish state in Palestine, to be called Israel," Ben-Gurion became Israel's first premier. 
Source: History.com-State of Israel Proclaimed

Friday, May 11, 2012

Church History - French Revolution Cult of Supreme Being

French Revolution Cult of Supreme Being - May 7, 1794

    In this week in History, France decreed worship of a Supreme Being. But that Supreme being was not the God of the Bible. The Revolutionary leader, Robespierre, believed that reason would make a weak God. He was afraid of not believing in a powerful God like the God of the Bible, would cause morals to collapse. This was the beginning of Deism. Deism believes in a Supreme Being that created the world, but doesn't interfere with the lives of the people or events that happen. Here is the link to the article: Christianity.com-Church History-French Revolution Cult of Supreme Being

Thursday, May 10, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #32 (Red Card) - The Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise - 1820

   This is the last card of the Veritas Card series. It has been fun sharing with you all year the Veritas cards and going through them together. My learning experience has been enriched. I will have something else in the fall, to follow I am sure.

     The United States consisted of 'free' states and 'slave' states. The slave states were mostly Southern, while the free states were mostly Northern. In 1818, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states, which created an equal representation in Congress on slavery.
   Missouri was a new state and wanted to be a slave state, and there were many debates in Congress about a compromise. So, in 1820, they came up with one. Here is the compromise: Missouri could be a slave state if the new state of Maine was a 'free' state. In addition, no states north of the 36 degrees latitude would be slave.
Missouri Compromise February 17 1820

Today in History - May 11, 1858 - Minnesota Enters the Union

Minnesota Enters the Union - May 11, 1858

  Today in History, Minnesota, the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' enters the Union. The Native American tribes, the Ojibwe and the Dakotas lived in this land, and around 1820, the white people began to settle the land. Minnesota became a U.S. territory in 1849.
Source: History.com - Minnesota Enters the Union

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #31 -The War of 1812

The War of 1812 - 1812 - 1815

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?



Those are the words penned by Francis Scott Key called, 'The Star Spangled Banner' which is our country's national anthem.



Great Britain and America were not getting along well during this time. There was still tension between them in spite of the Treaty of Paris. The English were at war with France and needed manpower, so they put pressure on Americans so they could use them in their service. They also blockaded American trade. There were many important battles that were won on water. Commodore Perry won a great victory on Lake Erie. He said "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." The British ships were challenged by the American ships in superiority. 
   The British navy invaded Washington D.C., and burned the Capitol and the White House. Also burned were several governmental buildings and individual homes. The President's wife, Dolly Madison, managed to cut a picture of George Washington out of the frame, and ran out of the White House with it. Then the British made their way to Baltimore, but American troops stopped them at Fort McHenry. This is where Francis Scott Key wrote our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. When he awoke the next morning, he saw that the flag was still standing, and penned the words for the song.

                                                      
If you go through that part of Maryland, where Fort McHenry was, you might go through a tunnel. It is called, 'Ft. McHenry Tunnel'.   
                                             
                                               

Today in History - May 10, 1940 - Churchill Becomes Prime Minister

Churchill Becomes Prime Minister - May 10, 1940

   Today in History, in the year of 1940, Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain. He replaced Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister, as Chamberlain resigned after losing a confidence vote in the House of Commons.

""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

Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/churchill-becomes-prime-minister
For more on Winston Churchill go to: 1945 Red Army
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill Iron Curtain Speech

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #30 (Red Card) - The Second Great Awakening

The Second Great Awakening - 1799-1830

     The first Great Awakening occurred almost sixty years prior to this second Great Awakening, in 1740.  Both Awakenings had a great impact on American Christianity.
    The second Great Awakening started in New England and also on the western frontier. There were as many as 20,000 people who would be camped out at the meetings listening to the Word of God as it was being preached. A great wave of desire among Christians to reform America was a result of the second Great Awakening. It is possible that the most conversions in any era of American History was the greatest during this time period.
   Sadly, it did come to an end when Charles Finney preached erroneous doctrine. He also spread 'new measures' for evangelism. Finney later became president of Oberlin College. He changed the face of the church and evangelicalism in America.
   But the camp meetings continued as a tradition in many denominations even after the Second Great Awakening was past.

Today in History - May 9, 1926 - Byrd Flies Over the North Pole

Byrd Flies Over the North Pole - May 9, 1926

   Today in History, Richard E. Byrd, along with co-pilot Floyd Bennet fly over the North Pole for the first time in History. The trip started in Norway and took about 15.5 hours round-trip. A triple engine monoplane carried the men across the North Pole.
Read more at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/byrd-flies-over-the-north-pole

True History - Polycarp

    There is a reason I want to bring the subject of church History up. Today there are people who are rewriting History. Some have seen the movie, 'The DaVinci Code' and, while saying that it was only a movie, there are those who truly believe there was a hidden conspiracy behind it. The movie subtly promotes Gnosticism, which is a distortion of the true Gospel. It believes that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament were not the same God. They actually believe that Cain was in the right, in the issue where he murdered his brother. Of course, they do not see Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who died to pay for the sins of mankind. You can do your own research on the teachings of Gnosticism on the Internet.
   In order to combat the idea (which comes from Gnosticism) that the Gospels were written in the 4th Century, all one has to do is to study church History. You can see the life of the people who were acquainted with Jesus, or even with the apostles, lived lives that were experiencing the reality of the God of the Bible. People who are going after trends, tend to be ignorant of church History. If they knew what took place in the early days of the church, they would not believe the things they are holding onto right now (such as 'the gospels were written in the 4th Century'). The Gospels were written as the first apostles and early Christian writers wrote letters to different churches and people in the church. We can learn a lot from studying the letters that these people wrote, whether they are the Scriptures, or whether they were just letters written to people that got written down and preserved. So with that in mind, I am writing just a little bit about Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John.
   Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John who lived from about 70 A.D to 155 A.D. He contended for the faith and his chief opponent was Marcion. Polycarp was fighting Gnosticism that was beginning to infiltrate the Christian church. Polycarp died a martyrs death because he would not renounce Christ. "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" said Polycarp who was then burned at the stake. 
   There are some web sites that have info on Polycarp. Here are a couple of them:
http://www.polycarp.net/
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/polycarp.html           


                                                       




True History - Veritas Card #29 (Red Card) - The Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis & Clark Expedition - 1805

   Thomas Jefferson had orders for two men, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who were appointed to explore the territory that was purchased in the Louisiana Purchase. The orders that were given to these men were; to find the source of the Missouri River, to find a waterway that connected the east and west coasts, and to find out about the Indian inhabitants and geographical features of the land.
   As Lewis and Clark were exploring, an Indian woman accompanied them name Sacajawea. She was a help to them as she was able to communicate with other Indians they encountered.
  In 1805, they reached the Pacific Ocean, and a year later, they returned to St. Louis. In two and one-half years, they traveled almost 8,000 miles. Though there were some real hardships, there was very little loss of life.
  Lewis and Clark were able to journal about their traveling adventures, and the Journal was published a few years later. The Journal contained information about Indian life, botany, geography, and wildlife, plus journals of their own adventures.
    Because of all their explorations, they were able to pave the way for the settlement and acquisition of the Oregon Territory.

Here is a web site you can go to that contains the Lewis and Clark Journals. If you are a child, have your mom or dad help you with this.
http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/

                                                   

Monday, May 7, 2012

Today in History - May 8, 1541 - De Soto Reaches the Mississippi River

De Soto Reaches the Mississippi River - May 8, 1541

   Today in History, conquistador Hernando de Soto  reached the Mississippi River. He was one of the first Europeans ever to do so.
   De Soto explored the area of the future United States in hope of becoming rich from gold and silver, but that never happened. He became wealthy because of the Indian slave trade. De Soto came down with a fever a year after he reached the Mississippi, and died. His body was buried in the river.

Source : History.com-De Soto Reaches the Mississippi May 8 1541

Sunday, May 6, 2012

True History - Veritas Card # 28 (Red Card) - The Louisiana Purchase From France

The Louisiana Purchase From France - 1803

     How would you like to live in a brand new land and to be able to explore all the different areas available? The land in the United States was vast, but much of it had been unexplored, plus, it really didn't belong to the U.S. yet.
   The United States was now a growing nation. The Northwest area had been won from Great Britain. Indian attacks were happening, but the new army which had been established by the Constitution, was used to control these attacks.
   Now there were farms and farmers in the U.S. and they used the Mississippi River to transport their crops to different markets. New Orleans was the main shipping place in this newly discovered land.
  Napoleon planned French settlement and control west of the Mississippi, and New Orleans had changed from Spanish to French control because of these plans.
   Thomas Jefferson had to make some decisions about Napoleon's control of the west. He didn't think it was in the best interest for western American commerce and sent James Monroe to negotiate buying New Orleans. Napoleon not only sold New Orleans but all of the Louisiana Territory for the price of $15,000,000. This decision resulted in our new nation doubling its size! This decision was made quickly and was swiftly approved by the Senate.

Today in History - May 7, 1960 - Leonid Brezhnev Becomes President of U.S.S.R

Leonid Brezhnev Becomes President of the U.S.S.R. - May 7, 1960


  We must never forget the rising up of Communism in the 20th Century. One key event was the selection of Leonid Brezhnev as the chairman of the presidium of the Soviet Supreme. This would be the equivalent of being a U.S. president, only in the Soviet Union. Leonid Brezhnev was one of Nikita Khrushchev's most trusted proteges and this event helped him to rise to power in Russia.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brezhnev-becomes-president-of-the-ussr

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Exciting News! US Researchers Say They Have A New Clue For the Lost Colony


CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — A new look at a 425-year-old map has yielded a tantalizing clue about the fate of the Lost Colony, the settlers who disappeared from North Carolina's Roanoke Island in the late 16th century.
Experts from the First Colony Foundation and the British Museum in London discussed their findings Thursday at a scholarly meeting on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 
You can read the rest of the article here: News Researchers Have New Clue To Lost Colony

Today in History - May 5, 1862 - Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo - May 5, 1862

   Today in History, the Mexicans won a battle with the French that was unexpected. It started when the Mexicans gained their independence from Spain in 1810. The Mexicans spent a lot of money in their war with the US and the Mexican Civil War, and borrowed a lot of money from European Countries. They stopped paying back their debt to France, so France sent troops into Mexico. France was a powerful country, so they were not overly concerned about Mexico defeating them. So the Mexicans won the victory in the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. It was unexpected, but it happened and that it what is celebrated on May 5th.
http://socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/holidays/cincodemayo1.htm

Friday, May 4, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #27 (Red Card) - Washington, Our First President

Washington, Our First President - 1789




     "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen". Those are the words that describe how the people felt about a man named George Washington. Washington had done a lot for our new nation, and after the war was over, he went back to his home in Mount Vernon. 
   Now our country had a brand new government. It started in March 1789. Washington was elected president in April of that same year. He didn't feel like he met the qualifications for being president, but he was very knowledgable and experienced and made good decisions concerning the affairs of our country. 
    The first capitol of our country was in New York City! The Constitution was already in effect, but more laws had to be made. 
   George Washington was the first president, and the vice-president was John Adams. Thomas Jefferson was the Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary of Treasury helped to regulate money, which was desperately needed as our nation was weak in that area.
   In 1793, Washington was re-elected as president. He held a second term in office. He also made plans to build a new capitol in a location between the North and the South, in an area called, 'The District of Columbia', which we know as 'Washington D.C.'.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Today in History - May 4, 1945 - The Red Army Rises as the Nazi Threat Dies

The Red Army Rises as the Nazi Threat Dies - May 4, 1945




Today in History, 16 Polish Peace negotiators were arrested by the Red Army because they had met with a Soviet army colonel near Warsaw back in March. Word got to U.S. Secretary of State Stettinius on this day. Winston Churchill had something to say about this event:


Winston Churchill "There is no doubt that the publication in detail of this event...would produce a primary change in the entire structure of world forces."


Read more about this at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/as-the-nazi-threat-dies-the-red-army-rises

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #26 (Red Card) - America's Founding Fathers

America's Founding Fathers - c. 1788

    Today we will talk about three men in particular, who were influential in shaping our nation into what it became in American History.
  The first one is Benjamin Franklin. He was a very talented man who had a variety of jobs during his lifetime. He was a writer, scientist, statesman, and printer. He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac, which was famous for its witty sayings such as "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." He was instrumental in getting France to be on the side of the Americans during the war. He also participated in major decisions and documents of the War for Independence. He also invented the bifocal, the Franklin stove and lightning rods. But he is most remembered for his discovering electricity while flying a kite in a thunderstorm.
   The next person is Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He was responsible for sending out Lewis and Clark on their expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory shortly after its purchase. He was an architect, scientist, and inventor. He invented the dumbwaiter. If you don't know what a dumbwaiter is, look it up in a dictionary or encyclopedia! He also was the third president of our nation.
   The last man is James Madison, who was our fourth president. He was presiding when the White House was burned by the British during the War of 1812. James Madison was the principal author of the Constitution and was largely responsible for the Bill of Rights. He held Scripture and Christian training in highest regard. He also worked hard to see religious freedom protected.
   While we respect these men for their accomplishments, we really do not know whether they were ever true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were deists, and they were very wise decision makers. We don't want to come to any false conclusions about their relationship with God.

Today in History - May 3, 1561 - Sir Francis Bacon Accused of Bribery


Sir Francis Bacon Accused of Bribery - May 3, 1561

   Today in History, Sir Francis Bacon, was accused of bribery. He was knighted on the accession of King James I, became lord chancellor, and was made viscount Saint Albans in 1621. But he was dismissed from the chancellorship as he was convicted of taking a bribe.


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

True History - Veritas Card #25 (Red Card) - The Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention - 1787

     The 13 colonies were gathered together under what was called, 'The Articles of Confederation' once the War was over. But the Articles of Confederation were very weak. The colonists needed something more adequate. So each of the colonies (except one) sent a delegate to Philadelphia in order to work on a new governing document. Two men in particular were there; George Washington and James Madison. Both men showed great wisdom, and James Madison also was the principal author of the Constitution.
   They wanted to come up with a workable plan that resembled the British system. They also wanted to limit the central government and protect property rights. So a plan was established in which the majority ruled, but the minority was treated with respect.
  Both the North and South came to agreement on certain ideas. Together they came to a compromise which resulted in the establishment of the three branches of government, which are the Judicial, executive, and legislative branches. Also, Congress was divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate.
  Several states refused to sign the Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added. The Constitution gave government the right to levy and collect taxes. Also, given by the Constitution was the regulation for commerce between states and foreign countries. The colonies were also able to establish a currency system under the Constitution.

Here is a brief outline of the Bill of Rights:

  1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition
  1. Right to keep and bear arms
  1. Conditions for quarters of soldiers
  1. Right of search and seizure regulated
  1. Provisons concerning prosecution
  1. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.
  1. Right to a trial by jury
  1. Excessive bail, cruel punishment
  1. Rule of construction of Constitution
  1. Rights of the States under Constitution


Here is a copy of the first amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Many people think this amendment guarantees 'Separation of Church and State' but in reality, it has nothing to do with it. Rather, it guarantees that the government cannot establish a religion. It is interesting to note that the first amendment is used today to prohibit the very activities that our Founding Fathers themselves once encouraged under that same amendment. See book entitled, 'Separation of Church and State, What the Founders Meant' (David Barton).

Today in History - May 2, 1933 - Loch Ness Monster Sighted

Loch Ness Monster Sighted - May 2, 1933

    There have been written reports of some type of animal that may be like a dinosaur or a whale, throughout History at Loch Ness. The Loch Ness Monster was again sighted on May 2, 1933. A local couple saw the animal rolling and plunging in the water. Loch Ness is a great body of water located in
Scotland, and there have been about a dozen accounts in Scottish History of this animal.

  You can read more at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/loch-ness-monster-sighted

True History - Veritas Card #24 (Red Card) - Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris

Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris - 1781, 1783

  Now the Americans were fighting against the British. When will it ever end? What was left of the British army was under General Cornwallis at the Yorktown peninsula in the Chesapeake Bay. Now George Washington had it in his mind to trap the British army and came up with a plan. The British were cut off from the sea because French ships blockaded the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Now the American troops surrounded them by land. The British were forced to surrender in 1781.
   The Americans played 'Yankee Doodle' at the surrender. Here are the words to the song:
Yankee Doodle went to town,
A-riding on a pony;
He stuck a feather in his hat,
And call it macaroni.



The British played 'The World Turned Upside Down'. 
The Treaty of Paris came about in 1783, in which both the British and American colonies signed. The Treaty recognized the independence of the American colonies. The negotiators of the Treaty were John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
   Americans were still 13 separate colonies at this time, even though the Treaty was signed and gave them independence. The colonies acquired a lot of land in the west which extended all the way to the Mississippi River.