Text Examples for
History

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Kwanzaa Gifts:
On December 31st gifts are given. Mainly to children, but should always include a book and a heritage symbol. The book is to emphasize the African value and tradition of learning, and the heritage symbol to reaffirm and reinforce the African commitment to tradition and history. After the children receive their gifts they must tell how they will use the seven principles in the upcoming year to improve their life.

The feast is called "Karamu" is also celebrated on December 31st. It is a celebration of food, music and African dance.
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Mexican Flag:
The colors of the Mexican flag represents:

Green~~Hope, Fertility of the soil
White~~ Purity
Red~~ The blood shed during Independence
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History of the Shamrock:
In written English, the first reference to the Shamrock dates from 1571,
and in written Irish, as seamrog, from 1707. As a badge to be worn on the
lapel on the Saint's feast day, it is referred to for the first time as late as 1681.
The Shamrock was used as an emblem by the Irish Volunteers in the era of
Grattan's Parliament in the 1770's, before '98 and The Act of Union.
So rebellious did the wearing of the Shamrock eventually appear, that in
Queen Victoria's time Irish regiments were forbidden to display it.
At that time it became the custom for civilians
to wear a little paper cross colored red and green.
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April 1st:
April 1 was New Year's Day. The people gave the Nobels gifts on that day. When the calendar was changed to the Gregorian, and January 1 became New Years the Nobels weren't happy because they wouldn't received their fruits and nuts, etc. As a joke, the people brought gifts of bricks and junk on April 1 and so was born April Fool's Day.
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Chanukah, the Festival of Lights:
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights,
is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple.

It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days. Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but the starting date on the western calendar varies from year to year.

The holiday celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel.
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Mexican History:
Many people confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day (September 16, 1810). Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico and many people of Mexican descent celebrate with parades, mariachi music, dancing, and feasting.
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Memorial Day:
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It was established in 1868 to commemorate the soldiers killed during the Civil War. Over the years it has evolved to a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action from all wars.
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Turkey Facts:
Ben Franklin thought that the turkey should have been our national bird instead of the eagle.

There is fossil evidence that turkeys have been around Americas for 10 million years!

Some people think the turkey got its name from the Indian word for the bird--"furkee". Other people think its name came from the sound that the bird makes--"turk, turk."

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Father of the American Revolution November 1, 1777:
(adopted by the 13 states as the first official Thanksgiving Proclamation.
"It is therefore recommended... to set apart
Thursday the eighteenth day of December next,
for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and
one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their
hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine
benefactor..."
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printed in Poor Robin's Alganac:
This month bright Phoebus enters Pisces,
The maids will have good store of kisses,
For always when the fun comes there,
Valentine's Day is drawing near,
And both the men and maids incline
To choose them each a Valentine;
And if a man gets one he loves,
He gives her first a pair of gloves;
And, by the way, remember this,
To seal the favor with a kiss.

This kiss begets more love, and then
That love begets a kiss again,
Until this trade the man doth catch,
And then he doth propose the match,
The woman's willing, tho' she's shy,
She gives the man this soft reply,
"I'll not resolve one thing or other,
Until I first consult my mother."
When she says so, 'tis half a grant,
And may be taken for consent.
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Turtle Doves and Love Birds:
"Oft have I heard both youth and virgin say
Birds choose their mates, and couples too, this day;
But by their flight I never can divine,
When I shall couple with my Valentine."
Herrick In the 1840's messages on early valentines included:

I love thee! Oh! I love thee!
Dearer art thou than life.
I love thee! I love thee!
Say, wilt thou be my wife?
This Valentine's Day, to the church let's away;
No longer I'll wait, let us marry.
You promised, dear maid, that you would be mine,
If I, till today, would tarry.
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Abraham Lincoln's Procolamation of 1863:
"We have been the recipients of the choices bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, the many years, in wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.

We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the decietfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to God that made us!"

Amen
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Exceptional Women:
This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book where all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis are conserved over time.

It says: "Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears.
The woman came out of a man's rib.
Not from his feet to be walked on.
Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal.
Under the arm to be protected, and
next to the heart to be loved."
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Kwanzaa History:
When was the first Kwanzaa celebration?
December 1966

Who started Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa was created and developed by Dr. Maulana Karenga.

Is Kwanzaa a religious holiday?
No, Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday

Colors and Decorations

Black, red, and green are the colors of Kwanzaa.
Decorations include African items such as African basket, cloth patterns, art object, and harvest symbols.

What is this called?

Seven Candles: Mishumaa Saba

Candle Holder: Kinara

Unity Cup: Kikombe cha Umoja

Flag: Bendera Ya Taifa
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Dia de los Reyes or Three Kings Day:
The Epiphany, or Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), is a Catholic celebration that falls on January 6. Three Kings Day celebrates the Biblical story of the Three Kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (or Three Wise Men} who saw the star over Bethlem when Christ was born. They followed it and found the Christ child on January 6th. They brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

In Latin America , children receive most of their gifts from the Three Kings every Jan. 6 instead of Christmas day. Since the Three Kings brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, so too did they bring gifts to the good boys and girls. Like Santa Claus, the Three Kings would be the recipients of children's letters and wish lists.

Instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. On the evening of January 5, children leave candy for the wise men and grass, hay and water for the camels and horses the Three Kings rode on.

On the morning of January 6 when the children wake up, they look under their beds for their gifts. The hay would be gone and the shoes will be full of presents.

The tradition is that the three wise men are to give gift to all children who have been good all year through.

The three wise men were viewed as humble, wise men whose gifts to the children were not necessarily expensive, but meaningful.
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Cinco de Mayo:
This date is of great importance for on May 5th, 1862, a great battle was fought. The Battle at Puebla. It was on this day the 2000 poorly trained Mexican peasants, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza and 6000 French soldiers under the command of Napoleon the third. The Mexicans defeated the French at Puebla, inflicting serious losses.

Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity to celebrate Mexican and Chicano culture in general. Cinco de Mayo celebrations often include huge fairs with Mexican singing, dancing, food, costumes, fireworks, parades, and entertainment. Mariachi bands play while dancers perform native Mexican dances such as the Mexican Hat Dance and the Raspa. In Mexico, several towns elaborately reenact the Battle of Puebla in a day-long dramatization that includes acting and speeches encompass a large part of the celebration too.

Today on May fifth, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by native Mexican ( but very especially in the state of Puebla and in Mexico City.) and American people everywhere.
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April Fools Day History:
April Fools Day also called ALL FOOLS Day, first day of April, named from the custom of playing practical jokes or sending friends on fools errands on that date. Although it has been observed for centuries in several countries, the origin of the custom is unknown.

It resembles other festivals, such as the Hilaria of ancient Rome (March 25) and the Holi festival of India (ending March 31). Its timing seems related to the vernal equinox (March 21), when nature "fools" mankind with sudden changes in the weather. On April Fools Day all people are given an excuse to play the fool.

In France the fooled person is called poisson d'avril ("April fish"), but the origin of the name is unknown. In April the cuckoo, emblem of simpletons, comes, so in Scotland the victim is called gowk (cuckoo). The custom of playing April Fools jokes was taken to America by the British. It has continued to be observed by children and adults and sometimes involves rather elaborate hoaxes as well as merely simple jokes.
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Las Posadas:
In Mexico, Christmas is an important holiday season with strong
traditions. One of the most colorful traditions is the posada party.
Christmas festivities begin with Las Posadas, nine consecutive days of
candlelight processions and lively parties starting December 16. From December 16th through December 24th a religious and social celebration takes place to commemorate Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. Posada means, simply, shelter or lodging in Spanish. Nowadays, the posada has evolved into a religious and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey.

Traditionally, the posada party begins with a group of guests carrying candles who stand outside house doors, singing about their long, tiring journey, asking for shelter. The posada song is a representation of an elaborate conversation between Joseph and the inn-keeper. Joseph (who is played by the procession) asks for shelter at the door and is refused also in song (sung by the hosts inside the house where the posada will be held). He asks again, and again is refused. Finally they are admitted into the house and the party begins.

There is singing, dancing, fireworks and games, but the highlight of the posada is always the breaking of the piñata. The classic piñata is a clay pot wrapped in a few layers of newspaper. It is then decorated with tissue paper cardboard and other bits of colored paper. The piñata is filled with peanuts, sugar cane, oranges, tejocotes (similar to apricots), and other fruits. These days piñatas come in all shapes and sizes. Traditionally made in the shape of a star symbolizing the star of Bethlehem they are filled with candy, toys, and sometimes money. The fun part is trying to break the piñata suspended from a rope; a group of children and adults gather around the piñata and each takes a blindfolded turn, swinging at it with either a bat or a broomstick until the piñata is broken and all its contents spill out.

In the old days, the last posada held on December 24 was most popular, because it was followed by midnight Mass. In the provinces of Mexico, this tradition lives on.
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Dia de los Reyes or Three Kings Day:
January 6

The Epiphany, or Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), is a Catholic
celebration that falls on January 6. Three Kings Day celebrates the
Biblical story of the Three Kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar (or
Three Wise Men} who saw the star over Bethlem when Christ was born.
They followed it and found the Christ child on January 6th. They
brought him gold, frankincense and myrrh.

In Latin America , children receive most of their gifts from the Three Kings
every Jan. 6 instead of Christmas day. Since the Three Kings
brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, so
too did they bring gifts to the good boys and girls. Like Santa Claus, the
Three Kings would be the recipients of children's letters and wish lists.

Instead of leaving milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. On the
evening of January 5, children leave candy for the wise men and grass,
hay and water for the camels and horses the Three Kings rode on. On the morning of January 6 when the children wake up, they look under
their beds for their gifts. The hay would be gone and the shoes
will be full of presents.

The tradition is that the three wise men are to give gift to all children who
have been good all year through.

The three wise men were viewed as humble, wise men whose gifts to the
children were not necessarily expensive, but meaningful.
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The Infantryman:
The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years.

He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.
He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.
Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

For our Military

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, US Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.
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Interesting Facts about Iraq:
Just in case you might think of Iraq as "only" an oil rich nation, ruled by an evil dictator for 30 years, whether it has been supporting terrorists or may not be very important, here are a few important facts regarding the important history and roles that this nation has played down through history*

1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.

2. Mesopotamia which is now Iraq was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor which is in Iraq.

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.

9. Assyria which is in Iraq conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

10. Amos cried out in Iraq!

11. Babylon which is in Iraq destroyed Jerusalem.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The 3 Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (that's good news to know that JESUS has been in Iraq too as the 4th person in the fiery furnace!)

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

17. The wise men were from Iraq.

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon which was a city in Iraq!

And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots. Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible. Here's why.

* Eden was in Iraq--Genesis 2:10-14
* Adam & Eve were created in Iraq--Genesis 2:7-8
* Satan made his first recorded appearance in Iraq--Genesis 3:1-6
* Nimrod established Babylon & Tower of Babel was built in Iraq-- Genesis 10:8-97 & 11:1-4
* The confusion of the languages took place in Iraq--Genesis 11:5-11
* Abraham came from a city in Iraq--Genesis 11:31 & Acts 7:2-4
* Isaac's bride came from Iraq--Genesis 24:3-4 & 10
* Jacob spent 20 years in Iraq--Genesis 27:42-45 & 31:38
* The first world Empire was in Iraq--Daniel 1:1-2 &2:36-38
* The greatest revival in history was in a city in Iraq--Jonah 3
* The events of the book of Esther took place in Iraq--Esther
* The book of Nahum was a prophecy against a city in Iraq--Nahum
* The book or Revelation has prophecies against Babylon, which was the old name for the nation of Iraq--Revelation 17 & 18

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated it than Iraq
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Diwali, the Festival of Lights.:
Diwali, or sometimes spelled Divali, is celebrated late October or early November.

The history of Diwali, or to put it correctly, Deepavali, is an interesting festival who's origin is not known, but it has gathered a number of legends around it over the centuries. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over the evils. The festival is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the country to dispel darkness and light up their lives. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way.

The celebration of the four-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and concludes on Kartika Shudda Vijiya. Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. On the first day, many Hindus start the day with a cleansing ritual. After a bath, they then put on their finest clothing. Most clean house and some even go as far as to white wash their homes. Flowers are placed as decorations throughout the house. This is because the goddess Lakshmi loves flowers. Some people build an altar to Lakshmi and decorate it with symbols of prosperity, cars, homes, and fake money. expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a great feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.

One of the last things done on Diwali is to drive out Alaksmi, or the goddess of bad luck, poverty, and misfortune. Traditionally in India, the oldest woman of the house will sweep the entire house. This is suppose to also sweep out the goddess of bad luck. Some Hindus try to scare away misfortune by making loud noises and yelling throughout the house.
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The Twelve Days of Christmas:
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol, so pass it on if you wish.
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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."
Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
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