Category Archives: history

George Washington is Elected

Posted on by February 25, 2017

GeorgeWashingtonWhen someone says that America isn’t a Christian nation, I understand. It’s just that I believe they don’t know history. American principles are based on the Christian religion and on the Bible. No, that’s just history.

George Washington was elected unanimously to serve as our first U.S. President. He was inaugurated at Federal Hall in New York City, NY. Washington, D.C. wasn’t built yet.

Washington requested a Bible upon which to lay his hand as he took the oath of office. A Bible was secured and the oath was administered. After George was sworn in he spontaneously added “so help me God” to the words given in the Constitution. He knew he needed God’s help in this new task. New not only to him, but to the world. read more

Benjamin Franklin the Hero

Posted on by February 24, 2017

Franklin_in_his_fur_capBenjamin Franklin was greeted with a hero’s welcome when he arrived back in America in 1785. He had been in Paris, France, under the direction of Congress to finally achieve a Treaty, The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War. In that achievement he was assisted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and John Jay. They were successful, and the Treaty was heavily in favor of the United States.

John Adams was sent to England to be the man to negotiate a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson remained in Paris as the Diplomat to France, replacing Benjamin Franklin. read more

Benjamin Franklin and His Words

Posted on by February 23, 2017

As I have given many presentations over the years, people attending my talks are often prone to asking me which of the Founding Fathers is my favorite. I sometimes say: “When I’m speaking about George Washington, he’s my favorite. When talking about Patrick Henry, he’s my favorite.” And so on.

Ben FranklinBut this much I can tell you, it’s clear to me who the favorite Founding Father is in the hearts of my listeners. It’s obviously Benjamin Franklin. My lectures about Ben are the most popular, bring the highest attendance, and produce the most questions and comments. And I do love Benjamin Franklin. read more

Happy Birthday George Washington

Posted on by February 22, 2017

GeorgeWashingtonToday, February 22, is George Washington’s birthday.

As we reflect on his life, it becomes apparent that he was an unusual and uncommon man. The things he accomplished in his 67 years on the earth are just astonishing.

He became a surveyor and businessman at the age of 15. He was a hero in the French and Indian War. He was a terrific dancer and married Martha just a few months after their first meeting. He turned Mount Vernon into a beautiful mansion and a business center with a carpenters shop, blacksmith shop, fishing business, and a farm with sheep, wheat, and other animals and crops. read more

George Washington and Rules of Civility

Posted on by February 21, 2017

When George Washington was still very young, his father, Augustine, employed a mentor, a tutor, to help George perfect his penmanship. To accomplish this his teacher would dictate some sentences to George so that he could write these words over and over again to perfect his writing. George became a very good and easy to read writer.

GW RulesAt the same time, George was introduced forcefully into the world of decent behavior when he was in company with other children and adults. He learned manners, customs, and behaviors that would be acceptable when in company. He learned to behave and converse with ease. It affected his character. read more

Happy Birthday George Washington

Posted on by February 20, 2017

Landsdowne paintingI was a little bit encouraged and heartened by the newscasts today. I’m talking about the treatment and reporting about President’s Day. Two of the popular news show reporters on the evening news, when talking about the holiday actually referred to George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

They bantered back and forth and postulated that the holiday actually came about to honor Washington and Lincoln who were both born in the month of February. It was a nice conversation. But then they admitted that President’s Day has changed. Now we kind of honor many of the late U.S. Presidents. Oh well, it was a good start. read more

Posted on by February 18, 2017

President George Washington

I am officially chagrined. Meaning marked by disappointment, annoyed, vexed and irritated. One of my favorite TV talk show hosts treated President’s Day like most uninformed or misinformed students today.
He went around a busy college and showed pictures of several U.S. Presidents and asked the young people if they knew who the person in the picture was.

Of course, most of those asked didn’t have a clue as to which President was pictured. That was to be expected. What I did not expect was that the moderator treated President’s Day as if it were a day to honor any president of your choosing. That wasn’t the idea when the holiday came into being. But that’s what he made it sound like. read more

U. S. Presidents

Posted on by February 16, 2017

Landsdowne paintingYesterday’s post was about President’s Day. I hope you will all be celebrating this holiday. Be sure to remember George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. These are the two presidents for which the day was made a holiday by combining their two birthdays.

Abraham Lincoln loved the early American history, and especially loved George Washington. They were so alike. Both were tall. Abe, “6’4” nearly” and George 6’3” exact on his death bed. You know what happens when you age.

Both men are known for their honesty. George “I cannot tell a lie,” and “Honest Abe.” Both led the country during tumultuous timAbraham_Lincoln_2es. George the Revolutionary War and Abe the Civil War. Both turned to the Bible and to God for protection and inspiration. read more

Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

Posted on by February 15, 2017

GeorgeWashingtonI have missed creating my Blog ever since the Christmas Holidays at the end of last year. Things got in the way. You know how life can be sometimes!

Here we are just a few days away from ‘”President’s Day”. I just wanted to gear up again about these men for which President’s Day was created and named. I’ll have more to say about these two men.

But I just wanted to clarify something. I have discovered in talking with younger people, that many do not know why we have a President’s Day. Many are of the opinion that on this holiday one can choose to honor whichever U.S. President they wish. It could be Calvin Coolidge, Jimmy Carter, or even Barack Obama. read more

Our Founding Fathers and Character

Posted on by December 18, 2016

George Washington learned character at an early age because of his father. Among other things, Augustine saw to it that George was mentored in penmanship, and at the same time, CHARACTER.

GW RulesGeorge learned the “110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” by practicing his penmanship. This became an important part of George’s youth—learning character traits that he valued all his life.

After seeing the results of our last Presidential Election, I am all the more convinced that teaching character is now the most important educational topic that our schools should now be involved in. In athletics and sports, good sportsmanship is taught by the coaches and P.E. instructors. I propose it now needs to be taught as a part of the English curriculum, or in history, or as a separate course. read more