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THIS DAY IN HISTORY. On December 2nd, 1942, ENRICO FERMI (1901-1954) creates the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in his laboratory! Many people remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki as ground zero for the atomic age. Still, others remember the Cold War and bomb shelters. But few know that it had its birth on today’s date in 1942. Enrico Fermi, an Italian-born physicist, immigrated to New York City and studied the possibilities of producing nuclear chain reactions. When convinced that such a reaction could be produced, he warned President Roosevelt in a letter of the negatives of Germany developing such a destructive weapon and using it during the Second World War. The letter was signed by Albert Einstein. Convinced that research needed to be done, Roosevelt began the Manhattan Project which ultimately placed Fermi in the position of having to create a nuclear chain reaction… Without such a reaction, bombs of such magnitude could not be made. A few years later, on December 2nd, 1942, Fermi stood ready in his laboratory. The place was Chicago. More specifically, on a SQUASH COURT (as in the sport) in the basement of Stagg Field in Chicago. Under the bleachers! Quite amazing if you think about it. Preparations were made. The scientists stood ready. The test began. It proved successful. Thus, the nuclear age was born. In looking at this date, I have mixed emotions. In part, it’s sad to know that such powerful weapons exist in the world. On the other hand, if such a weapon would have been first developed by those with militaristic, imperialistic goals, then the world (as we know it) may not have existed. Therefore, on this day, let us remember that God is in control of everything--even our lives. And let us be thankful that He steered Enrico Fermi (an Italian) and Albert Einstein (a German) to the shores of America instead of the laboratories of Berlin!
ENRICO FERMI (21? yrs old) The man who would come to America. ------------
ENRICO FERMI -- 1954 Shortly before he died. |
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THIS DATE IN HISTORY… Though in different years, two notable events occurred on this date. On December 1st, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his State of the Union address, and on December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks is jailed for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. In 1862, America was involved in a Civil War. Consider Lincoln's December 1st closing paragraph to Congress, where he addresses freedom: "The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present...fellow citizens, we cannot escape history...The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union...In giving freedom to the slave, we ensure freedom to the free--honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last, best hope of earth." Then, take a trip ninety-three years into the future to 1955 Montgomery, Alabama, where Rosa Parks was asked to give up her seat to a white man. She was asked -- no, she was told! -- to give up her seat. Then, when she refused, she was tossed in jail for violating the city’s racial segregation laws! As a result of her action (or inaction), a boycott of the Montgomery transit system began. Stretching for more than a year, the financial losses to the city were staggering. News spread, support for the boycott grew, and on November 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Montgomery’s city bus segregation laws as being in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Shortly thereafter, Montgomery's buses were desegregated and the boycott ended after 381 days. When looking at this date in history, we can be thankful for the boldness of these two leaders. Abraham Lincoln, the father of freedom to many… And Rosa Parks, the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Both showed courage in doing what was right. Both took a stand to nobly save the last, best hope of earth. And both understood that sometimes a stand is necessary to ensure freedom for the free. In teaching our children, let them remember that THEY, as individuals, can make a difference with God at the helm. Abraham Lincoln (the perfect symbol of successful homeschooling) and Rosa Parks (the symbol of how one peaceful act can change a nation) are dear to remember. ABRAHAM LINCOLN
ROSA PARKS
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THIS DAY IN HISTORY... On November 30th, 1993, the Brady Bill was signed into law. In 1981, press secretary James Brady was shot in the head by John Hinckley, Jr. during an attempt on President Regan’s life. Having been momentarily pronounced dead from the blast, Brady survived his debilitating injury and became a leading proponent of gun-control legislation. Twelve years later, after such a bill made its way to President Clinton’s desk, a law was passed to require prospective handgun buyers to wait five business days while background checks were made by authorities to determine if the sale can be made. Those disapproving of the law cited that by regulating the ownership of firearms, man’s Second Amendment rights were being violated. Those for the regulations believed that homicide rates would fall as a result of control. Twelve years have now passed since the Brady Bill became law. And the results? Well, looking at the statistics, one would be amazed at the number of young who die at the hands of a gun. Divide the population into three groups. Those aged 14-17. Those aged 18-24. And those aged 25 and above. (See diagram below.) In 1970, out of every 100,000 people living in America, five were killed in the youngest group, ten in the mid group, and ten in the oldest. By 1993, those in the youngest group who were murdered doubled to twelve for every 100,000 people. The mid group aslo more than doubled to twenty-five! And the more mature (in age) group saw a slight decrease to eight. Certainly, the streets were becoming more violent prior to gun-control legislation. Then, in 1993, the Brady Bill was passed. And since then, vicitms within the youngest group have declined from twelve per every 100,000 to only five. The mid-group has decreased from twenty-five to fourteen. And the oldest group has decreased from eight to five. Having first believed people would switch from guns to knives or some other means to kill, I was surprised in looking at these statistics. Now, I have to wonder if a person had to really use their hands to kill someone versus pulling a trigger from a short distance away, they would think twice before stabbing or choking someone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Victims of Homicide: 1970 1993 2005 Age 14-17 5 per 100,000 12 per 100,000 5 per 100,000 Age 18-24 10 per 100,000 25 per 100,000 14 per 100,000 Age 25+ 10 per 100,000 8 per 100,000 5 per 100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, it may be true that other factors may have led to the sharp decrease in America's homicide rates. However, with prayer out of the schools; with the music, video game, and television industry glorifying violence more than ever; with the disintegration of the homes continuing its spiral; and with many forms of ungodliness growing within society, I somehow doubt that children are growing in the spirit of love and restraint. Please remember to keep all children in our prayers and warn them of the dangers of society. Many of the obstacles they face pale in comparison to the ones we faced as children. And statiscally, those aged 18-24 are more prone to having harmful things done to them than more mature adults. Links to some statistics: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/weapons.htm http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/homage.htm |
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THIS DAY IN HISTORY. On November 29th, 1947, the United Nations votes for the creation of an independent Jewish state by partitioning Palestine.
In looking at this date, I’m reminded that many disputes can’t be settled in black and white. As early as 1918 (thirty years before the U.N. paved the way for a Jewish state), both Arabs and Jews had been laying claim to Jerusalem and its surrounding areas that were then occupied by Britain. A few years later, in 1929, the tensions turned bloody. Both sides began sporadically killing one another and the British to boot. Then, a few years after that, as the Second World War was drawing to an end, the situation worsened. Many Jews fled Europe for Palestine in the hopes of finding a more peaceful land. When they got there, they were sadly disappointed. Two sides were firmly entrenched in the Holy Land. Each wanted the land for themselves. And each was willing to die and kill to keep the land. So, what was the world's solution for two bitterly opposed sides wanting the same real estate? Well, as history has shown, the U.N. (in it’s bid to create peace) stepped in and divided the land into two parts. One for the Arabs. One for the Jews. A simple solution. Two people? One land? Divide it up! Did this plan work? On paper, yes. Everywhere else, no! Since November 29th, 1947, the bloodshed has continued. Wars. Calls for more war. Suicide bombings. Innocent lives taken by strategic missile strikes. Meaningless treaties. Ignored ceasefire agreements. And a growing hatred that increases with each passing generation. SO, what lesson can be learned from November 29th? A day of hope which was SUPPOSED to lead to an age of peace? Simply this… In the absence of love, man can not create peace. |
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THIS DAY IN HISTORY. On November 28th, 1520, Ferdinand Magellan was the first known person to enter the Pacific Ocean by sailing around the southern tip of South America...
If you've ever felt that obstacles were preventing you from reaching your goal, then consider Magellan! On paper, his feat of navigating the southern tip of South America may not seem like much, but when you consider what he encountered along the way, you'll appreciate his journey as nothing but miraculous.
Can you imagine sailing into a driving wind for thirty-eight days on a trip which would normally take three days at most? Can you imagine fighting against a swift current which attempts to push you in the opposite direction? And can you imagine being continually pelted with rain and crashing billows that were only a few degrees above freezing? This is the image of the southern tip of South America. It's a place where few venture; fewer want to be; and Magellan dared to go.
As Christian educators, we must remember many obstacles stand in the way of our smoothly navigating the waters of life and reaching our goal. Forces often try to hold us at bay. Many times, we take two steps forward before being thrust three steps back by forces seemingly beyond our control. And often, we are tempted to take the easy route by turning the other way.
Are the bills mounting and you don't know how they'll get paid? Are your children encountering difficulty with subjects that you find equally hard to teach? Do you feel like you're juggling umpteen different tasks and nothing is getting done? Are you feeling tempted to put your children in public school and get a paying job outside the home?
When these discouraging signs occur, remember Magellan. With his faith in God, he persevered when he could have turned his boat around and allowed the winds and currents to carry him in a more pleasurable direction. With his faith in God, he kept his eyes fixed on the SET GOAL and not on the day's weather. With his faith in God, he eventually succeeded where others never even tried.
Like Magellan's task, the one before many homeschooling parents isn't without their problems. So, stay fixed. Keep looking to the horizon. Establish your faith in God. And persevere against adversity! Lord willing, you will pass through the straits of turmoil and reach calm water. |
