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I'll be taking a break for a couple days, so the Today in History will be put on hold.
Thanks to all of you who are reading. God Bless. |
Posted in Timeless Tidbits From History
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October 10th, 1944 Auschwitz, Germany
The Jewish people weren't the only ones to suffer in Germany's death camps. On this day in history, approximately 800 Gypsy children were put to death at Aushwitz, partly as "punishment" for an earlier uprising by those held captive.
So, why were the Gypsies held captive in the first place? Well, in the words of Hitler, they were considered "carriers of disease" and "unreliable elements who cannot be put to useful work." Yes, a pitiful statement from a pitiful man.
Sadly, it seems such feelings didn't change even after the war. In 1950, while gypsies (along with other groups of people) tried to gain compensation for the sufferings of their people, the German government denied them the request. But the mere denial isn't the reason why I bring this up; it's what the 1950 Government said that's noteworthy: "Gypsies have been persecuted under the Nazis not for any racial reason but because of an asocial and criminal record."
What can be learned from this? Very little. All you can do is lower your head, thank God that we haven't endure 1/1,000,000 as much as some, and consider what we can do to protect the innocent.
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October 9th, 1919 The "Black Soxs" Lose the World Series
Few can name any players from the 1919 Cincinnati team that won the World Series, but many of heard of some of the losers. "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, George "Buck" Weaver, and Claude "Lefty" Williams were just three of the eight men that either participated in or had knowledge of the "fix" to lose baseball's championship series.
Here are some questions and answers from this tidbit of history.
Yes, today is the day when the biggest scandal in sports history came to a head and the names of eight players forever were etched onto the "Wall of Shame." But, what can we learn from this? That money is the root of evil? Well, maybe.
Or that if you do wrong, you may be punished? Yes, that's a good one too.
Still, we can better learn from the actions of Charles Comiskey, the shrewd owner of one of the best teams in history. We can learn that it if you break your promises and don't take care of those under your control, you may end up with a frown on your face.
NOTE: If you're really interested in knowing more about the 1919 World Series and the details surrounding the scandal, visit this link:
http://www.chicagohs.org/history/blacksox.html
It's very interesting! |
Posted in Timeless Tidbits From History
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October 8th, 1918 Alvin York Becomes A Hero!
If you haven't seen the 1941 movie about Alvin York, you need to. For not only was he credited for single-handedly killing 25 German soldiers during World War I, he also captured 132. And all of this happened during the same battle!!!
Even more fascinating than his heroic deed is the fact that Alvin York asked for conscientious objector status when he was first drafted. (His reason for doing so was because his church opposed the war.) However, his request was denied and he reported for duty.
Joining the 82nd Infantry Division, York was shipped to Europe with his unit. There, they were ordered to seize a German rail-point, but found themselves lost behind enemy lines. Then, after that -- well, if you don't already know, then you really need to see the movie! It's just way too much.
What can be learned from Alvin York? Choices can be very confusing. Yes, Alvin wanted to stay out of the war because the Bible says not to kill. Yet, he also understood that some wars are just. He was left with a tough choice, and he chose to fight.
In the end, the survivors of his unit were thankful for the choice he made.
NOTE: After Alvin York became famous for his heroic deed, he raised money and opened a school for underprivileged children in Tennessee. He also opened a Bible school. |
Posted in Timeless Tidbits From History
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October 7th, 1871
On October 8th, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire erupted in Illinois, killing nearly 200 people, destroying 17,500 buildings, and leaving thousands homeless. Sadly, this tragic event is known by most Americans, but do you know what happened the day before?
Well, on October 7th, 1871, the most DEVASTATING fire in U.S. history began in Wisconsin (nearly 250 miles away from Chicago). Sometimes referred to as the Peshtigo Fire (a town named after a lumber and sawmill company), the fire rapidly spread out of control. Within a day, nearly 1,200 people lost their lives and BILLIONS of trees were burned.
What started the fire? Know one knows for sure, but when the "slash and burn" method for clearing farmland is coupled with one of the driest seasons on record, the risk of a disaster was high.
The village of Sugar Bush was the first to feel the wrath. Everyone was killed. Then, Peshtigo was next. When the swift-moving flames reached the town, they were over 200 feet high and temperatures had reached nearly 2,000 degrees! In one tavern, two hundred people died; in the river, several died from drowning; and INSIDE a water tank, three were boiled to death.
In the end, it was a disaster like no other. However, it was merely a footnote in most American newspapers due to the Great Chicago Fire that started the next day.
What can be learned from this tidbit of history? Well, a couple things come to mind. First, important events in life are sometimes overlooked by the masses. And second, life-changing events that don't become "big news" can still effect our lives -- whether it be physically (as in the case of the Peshtigo Fire) or spiritually (as in the case of people turning their lives to Christ on a daily basis). |
Posted in Timeless Tidbits From History
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OCTOBER 6th, 1973 The YOM KIPPUR WAR Begins
Yep, that's right. In 1973, the HOLIEST day on the Jewish calendar fell on October 6th. And what happened? Israel was attacked by the combined forces of Egypt and Syria.
Many Israeli soldiers were observing the holiday, so it isn't too surprising to see how Egypt and Syria made advances. But, once the Jewish troops were mobilized for a counter-offensive, Egypt and Syria were defeated (yet again!).
What can be learned from this? When the enemy thinks you'll be ill-prepared, they'll be most likely to strike! Sadly, this happens often. Whether it be war, in the schools, or in our own spiritual lives. |
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GEOGRAPHIC ILLITERATES?
National Geographic did a survey of Americans and discovered that 49% of those surveyed couldn't find NEW YORK state on a U.S. map! And on a world map, 11% couldn't find the U.S.A. -- their own country.
SO, with that in mind, I would like your opinion(s) on WHY this is. Lack of teaching by the school systems? The information is taught, but nobody cares? A combination of factors?
What's the beef!? |
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AMERICAN'S BURY A BIBLE!
No, it's not as bad as it sounds. But on this date in 1938, a time capsule was buried in preparation for the 1939 New York World's Fair. Some of the items included are:
an alarm clock, bifocals, a boys toy, a girls toy, a Mickey Mouse cup, clothing, tobacco and a pipe, a baseball, a golfball, cards and poker chips, metals and alloys, money, seeds, and -- YES -- even a BIBLE!
The capsule is buried under a concrete marker in Flushing Meadows. It isn't supposed to be opened until the year 6939. |
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BENEDICT ARNOLD HATCHES HIS PLAN!
On this date in 1780, General Benedict Arnold of the Continental Army weakened the positions of his men at West Point and gave British Major Andre the plans to the fort. (Arnold's plan was to surrender the fort in exchange for 20,000 pounds.)
Now, if Arnold's documents would have been successfully delivered to Andre's commander, this traitorous act could have given the British a strategic advantage that could have split the country, leading to an American surrender. However, Andre was captured by three soldiers in the Continental Army; Benedict Arnold then fled to the protection of the English; and the defensive positions of the important fort along the Hudson River were not compromised.
In the end, America can be thankful for the THREE men who stopped Andre as he tried to go back to the English lines. Although Andre was dressed in civilian clothes and the plans were hidden in his boot, these three men had the foresight and desire to do what they believed was right.
Today, we hear on the news about the potential SHOE BOMBER that tried to destroy an airplane. Well, the "BOMB" in Andre's shoe would have been big enough to destroy the American Revolution. |
Posted in School Daze
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Hello Everyone!
My children like numbers... Many months ago, during a bible study, I showed them the mysterious number 153.
What's so special about it? ---------------------------------------------------------- Well, for one, it's the sum of the numbers 1 through 17.
1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17 = 153.
Secondly, the sum of each of its numbers cubed is 153.
1 cubed + 5 cubed + 3 cubed = 1 + 125 + 27 = 153.
And finally,
1! + 2! + 3! + 4! + 5! = 153.
That is: (1x1) + (1x2) + (1x2x3) + (1x2x3x4) + (1x2x3x4x5) = 153. -----------------------------------------------------------
"And you brought this up in a bible study?" someone may ask.
That's right! It's the same number of fish the disciples caught after Jesus asked them to cast their nets (John 21:11).
So, if you have any children interested in math or numbers, have them look at good old 153 next time you study the Book of John. |