Category Archives: George Washington

Independence Day – How It Happened – Part 1

Posted on by June 24, 2012

One of our great National Holidays is coming up soon–Independence Day! This year it falls on the 4th of July. Oh yeah, every year it falls on the 4th of July–that’s the day we celebrate.

Most of us remember that we celebrate this Holiday to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That magnificent inspired document by which our Founding Fathers declared that the 13 colonies of Great Britain are now free and independent states.

A new country was created!

However, it seems to me, that many of us Americans have forgotten some interesting and significant details that transpired in connection with this historic event. Some that we learned in 8th grade, and some that our teachers never got around to explaining to us. So I’m going to remind you of just a few. read more

George Washington – You’re Quite a Character

Posted on by September 21, 2015

When someone remarks:  “Tom, you’re quite a character,” it can be good or not so good. That phrase falls under the 10th usage of the word ‘character’ in the Webster’s Dictionary. Used that way it conveys to the mind that such a person is one who attracts attention because he is different.

George Washington did attract attention because he WAS different. In addition, George Washington was a “man of character.”  Meaning he had moral strength. Most of his strengths were developed by him because of his self control. He worked at becoming a man of character. read more

The Battle of Trenton — Did You Know?

Posted on by September 24, 2015

I’m sure you’re familiar with the miraculous march to the Battle of Trenton on Christmas Night in 1776. Everyone loves that beautiful painting of Washington crossing the Delaware. He was on his way to stealthily approach that city where the major force of the Hessian soldiers were encamped, along with the British.

Although we love that painting, it is technically not correct in all its details. For example, George Washington never would have stood up in such a precarious position while crossing that river with its ice floes floating so swiftly. And at that date there was no American flag as so prominently positioned in the boat. read more

President’s Day

Posted on by September 21, 2015

I was asked to give a presentatio about our Founding Fathers to an advanced placement Senior High School Government class just a few years ago. It was only a couple of weeks before their school calendar showed a vacation day called Presidents Day.

So I asked the class “What is Presidents Day all about?”

The most common response from the students was “just another reason to have a holiday–a three day weekend.” When I persisted in wanting to know which President to honor the most common response was “it doesn’t matter. Choose your favorite President, or honor all of them.” These are honor students now. read more

Christmas with George Washington

Posted on by September 21, 2015

Christmas tree

Christmas with George Washington

When you are visited by someone as admired and revered as George Washington, you tend to get speechless, reserved and a little discomfited. That’s how we were when George came for Christmas.

We were saved because we knew George and Martha were good hosts, and so were very likely to be good guests as well. We prepared a customary Christmas dinner to be served in our dining room. So there was turkey, ham, roast beef brisket, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, salad, and Kari’s famous orange rolls. Then, for dessert, Linda’s mouth watering Christmas cheesecake. read more

The Constitution: “What? A Half a Bar of Soap?”

Posted on by September 24, 2015

Constitution Day is coming up on September 17. The Constitution of the  United States was unanimously (at the request of Benjamin Franklin) adopted by the People of the United States, through their representatives to the Constitutional Convention on that date in 1787.

Fifty-five wise and noble men put their all into the creation of that immortal document. Among these wise men, two were indispensable, or absolutely essential to its adoption. Without George Washington, the Father of Our Country, and James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, our U. S. Constitution would never have been created. read more

George Washington: A Lesson He Learned…and We Should, Too!

Posted on by September 2, 2011

I was in the food line at a cafeteria the other day when I was disturbed by a raucous, bellicose, guffaw. For those of you who are not close to your dictionary, that means there was an outbreak of loud laughter. I immediately said to myself what kind of a buffoon would resort to such a boorish, rude behavior? It reminded me of that particular rule George Washington had learned as a youth when his tutor was stressing penmanship, and allowing George to learn certain rules of social conduct as he practiced his writing skills. The one I recalled said something like: “laugh not too loud or long in company (or public, or something like that).” read more

Labor Day Quotes from Founding Fathers

Posted on by September 3, 2010

With Labor Day quickly approaching, I thought maybe you’d enjoy some favorite quotes from some of the Founding Fathers (and a few others) relating to labor.

“Well done is better than well said.” Benjamin Franklin

“Success has ruined many a good man.” Benjamin Franklin

“The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.” Benjamin Franklin

“Commerce and industry are the best mines of a nation.” George Washington

“The private virtues of economy, prudence, and industry are not less amiable, in civil life, than the more splendid qualities of valor, perseverance, and enterprise, in public life.” George Washington read more

George Washington and the Meaning of His Words

Posted on by August 31, 2010

I was reading some quotes from a few of our Founding Fathers. I came across a quote from George Washington and as I read it I wondered how many of us could just read the letter and know what George meant.

I decided to write the quote and include the meaning of those words which do not occur in the general conversation of most adults today. So here it is:

“While I reiterate* the professions* of my dependence upon Heaven as the source of public and private blessings; I will observe that the general prevalence* of piety*, philanthropy*, honesty, industry and economy seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs*, particularly necessary for advancing and confirming the happiness of our country. read more

George Washington and the Book of Proverbs

Posted on by September 24, 2015

As I was teaching an adult Sunday School class about the Old Testament book of Proverbs, it struck me how similar the maxims in that book are to the maxims by which George Washington learned penmanship.

By the way, a proverb is a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought, adage,  or saw.

In 1745 George was tutored by a teacher from France who supervised his practice of penmanship. George transcribed from dictation what were known as the “110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” as a method of mastering his proper penmanship. He would hear and write these Rules over and over again. read more