Viewpoints from a Homeschool Dad - Homeschool Blogger

Hello, All!

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:50:00 -0500

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.

This Day in History: October 10th

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 01:55:00 -0500

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.

This Day in History: October 9th

Mon, 9 Oct 2006 20:05:00 -0500

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.

What was their reason for losing on purpose? A ring of gamblers PAID them to lose.
Why did they take the money? Well, there were a few reasons. First, many players were unhappy with the fact that, although they were one of the best teams of the era, they were one of most underpaid. Second, Charles Comiskey, the rich owner of the Chicago team, was constantly making and breaking promises to pay the players better. Third, Comiskey had created a faction within the team by paying one group nearly $15,000/year and another group (the group that participated in the scandal) around $5,000 per year. (As a side note, it is believed the higher paid players were more educated than the others and were able to negotiate better contracts.)
What was the amount of their reward for losing on purpose? A few thousand dollars and a life-time suspension from major league baseball!

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!

This Day in History: October 8th

Sun, 8 Oct 2006 13:35:00 -0500

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.

This Day in History: October 7th

Sat, 7 Oct 2006 13:29:00 -0500

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).

This Day in History: October 6th

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 07:44:00 -0500

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.

Geographic Illiterates?

Thu, 5 Oct 2006 14:06:00 -0500

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!?

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 23rd

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 09:15:00 -0500

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,
a can opener,
eyeglasses,

bifocals,
a fountain pen,
a Mazda electric lamp,

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.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 21st

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:04:00 -0500

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.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: DECEMBER 9th

Fri, 9 Dec 2005 12:52:00 -0600

THIS DAY IN HISTORY... On December 9th, 1965, the cartoon "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premieres on television.

What's so special about that? Well, in this day where Jesus' birth is being taken from Christmas, old Charlie Brown has withstood the test of political correctness for yet another year. Walmart and many others no longer desire to wish anyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS because it may offend another. Instead, they opt for HAPPY HOLIDAYS. And sadly, many libraries and other public places are 'correcting' nativity scenes by taking Mary, Joseph, and Jesus from them, leaving but a few shepherds standing in a stable.

Truly, a battle rages.

However, on ABC a few days ago, I witnessed Charlie Brown asking if anyone knew the meaning of Christmas. Then, Linus stood upon a stage to tell the world the story of Christ Jesus.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

Yes, forty years have now passed since this testimony premiered in the form of a cartoon. And, after forty years, it is still being aired to the world. As we approach the day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's remember the true meaning of Christmas and not fall prey to the attempts of the world to make us forget!

HISTORY NOTE: The December 9th, 1965 broadcast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was seen in more than 15 million homes, capturing nearly half of the possible audience.