Columbus Day
When Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain on August 3, 1492, he planned to create a sea route to India and China. Columbus took three ships Columbus was an Italian explorer. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who ruled Spain, believed in Columbus’s plan to find China so he sailed west with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Columbus landed in the Bahamas Columbus landed in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, but thought he reached the Indies. Most Europeans scholars knew the world was round European scholars knew the earth was round in 1492. They didn’t know about the Pacific Ocean. They believed that sailing across the Atlantic Ocean would lead them eventually to China and Japan. Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean again and...
Read MoreLabor Day
Americans had high work standards in the nineteenth century. They worked hard and took pride in doing their job well. The Idea for Labor Day No one knows for certain who came up with idea to establish a holiday for workers. Some believe it was first suggested by Peter J. McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. Others say Matthew Macguire suggested it while working in New York as secretary of the Central Labor Union. Whoever thought of it, a committee of the Central Labor Union planned a demonstration and picnic in 1882. Working Men’s Holiday Labor Day was first celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. Although the organizers planned Labor Day as a holiday for all workers, it was first known as a Working Man’s...
Read MoreIndependence Day
Did you know … The Revolutionary War started in April of 1775, over a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. At first, many colonists didn’t want complete freedom. When General George Washington and the Colonial Army began fighting for freedom in 1775, many colonists didn’t want complete freedom from England. Continental Congress meets in June, 1776 Attitudes were changing by the time the Continental Congress met in June, 1776. They asked Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert R. Livingston to write a formal document. Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. It gave England the reasons the colonies wanted their freedom. Continental Congress Votes...
Read MoreFather’s Day
In the United States, Mother’s Day was celebrated before anyone thought of giving fathers their own special day. However, it didn’t take long for people to realize they should honor their fathers, also. The Same Idea around the Same Time Folks at the Central Church of Fairmont, West Virginia, held a service to honor fathers on July 5, 1908. Mrs. John Bruce Dodd and her five brothers were raised by her father. She wanted to honor fathers everywhere. Thanks to her hard work, the whole state of Washington celebrated Father’s Day on July 19, 1910. Washington was the first to celebrate the day statewide. A celebration honoring fathers was held in Vancouver, Washington in 1912. Harry C. Meek spoke to Lions Clubs all over the United States to...
Read MoreJuneteenth
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger went to Galveston, Texas. He spread the great news that the Civil War had ended. All slaves had been freed. Shocked but Happy After General Granger read General Order Number 3 announcing that all slaves were free, former slaves were shocked but very happy to hear the news. Some plantation owners tried to offer them jobs. Some lingered long enough to listen. Others left, eager to start a new life somewhere else. They celebrated their freedom. First Celebrated in 1866 African Americans began an annual celebration to remember the day when everyone learned they were finally free. In the early years of celebrating Juneteenth, as it came to be called, people attended prayer services. Sometimes the Emancipation Proclamation,...
Read MoreMemorial Day
Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, has been recognized in the United States since the 1860s. It was first called Decoration Day because family and friends decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers. Memorial Day First Associated with Civil War Until the 1900s, Memorial Day reminded everyone of the sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, asked people to honor Civil War soldiers on May 30, 1868. At Arlington National Cemetery, citizens placed flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. Honors All Veterans As America took part in other wars, Memorial Day became a day to honor our brave soldiers from World War I and all the wars since that time. Last...
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
