DATES TO REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

OUR COUNTRY’S BEGINNINGS

1623 The Pilgrims First Thanksgiving Gov. Bradford wrote:

"...through his (God’s) blessing, caused a fruitfull & liberall harvest, to their no small comforte and rejoycing. For which mercie (in time conveniente) they also set aparte a day of thanksgiving."

1  1787 Richard Henry Lee (Christian, signer of the Declaration of Independence & 10th president of the Continental Congress), warned that the Constitution would "...sacrifice the liberties of the people to the power and domination of a few."  From the time the Constitution was sent to the colonies for their scrutiny, through the whole month of November and into December, they carried on discussion, debates, and arguments in print and vocally as to whether they believed, as Lee stated, that a central government would result in the loss of the sovereignty of the states or be beneficial to our country. This was a big decision and it took nearly three months for them to decide.

3  1781 Surrender of Cornwallis to Washington at Yorktown. Word was sent to Philadelphia where Congress was informed. "The Congress assembled at an early hour, when Charles Thomson read Washington’s despatch, and then they resolved to go in procession at two o’clock the same day, to a temple of worship, ‘and return thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied armies of the United States and France with success.’"  "Oh! on that day of general thanksgiving and praise, how many an aspiration ascended to the Most High, imploring blessings on him whom all time will consecrate as the Father of his Country."  (Quoted in "Private Memoirs of Washington" by his grandson, George Washington Park Custis, pp. 246-note; 247)

3   1783 The American Army of the Revolution was disbanded.

10 1775 The United States Marine Corps was founded as part of the army. (Fourteen years later became a separate organization.)

11 1620 The Pilgrims on the Mayflower sat down to decide how to prevent anarchy as a result of having landed in an area not covered by their "patent."  The result was the composition of a compact signed by all the men creating the first Christian foundation for civil government in this  country.  It began "In ye name of God, amen" and included these words, "For the glorie of God, and advancement of ye Christian faith...doe by these presents solemnly & mutually in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick...."

15 1777 Articles of Confederation adopted by the Continental Congress at which time Peyton Randolph of Virginia was chosen for the honor of being the first President of this country.

22 1800 Our capitol was moved from New York to Washington, D.C. from which, on this day, Congress along with President John Adams first utilized the new offices.  Washington was a very rugged place at that time: muddy streets, no landscaping, and none of the amenities now enjoyed by its occupants including air conditioning!

24 1789 In the evening, President Washington "went to a play-sent tickets to the following ladies and gentlemen, and invited them to take seats in my box, viz. Mrs. Adams (lady of vice president), General Schuyler and lady, Mr. King and lady, Major Butler and lady, Colonel Hamilton and lady, Mrs. Green-all of whom accepted and came, except Mrs. Butler, who was indisposed." (From Washington’s diary, in Custis, p. 367, note.)

25 1783 The British Evacuate New York.

26 1789 The first Thanksgiving Proclamation of the first Congress of the United States by President Washington:

"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the proficiency of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor-and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me ‘to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness,’ Now therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.  That we may then all unite in thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation....and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us."

GENERAL EVENTS

3  1840 Rodin, famous for his fine sculptures, was born in France.  His "The Thinker" owned by the San Francisco Museum of Art, is one of those beautiful sculptures he executed.

5  1605 Have you ever heard of  "Guy Fawks Day"?  An amusing English custom observing the day his plot to blow up the Parliament House in London was discovered!

6  1905 The death of George Williams who founded the YMCA (Young Mens Christian Association) in 1844.  Williams stated that, "The only power...that can effectively keep one from evil...is that which comes from an intimate knowledge of the Lord...and...the safe Guide Book by which one may be led to Christ is the Bible."  Both basketball and volleyball were invented by instructors at the YMCA. (Gathered from Federer, "American Minute," p. 319.)

16 1869 The official opening of the Suez Canal.

21 1694 Birth of Voltaire he hated and tried to destroy Christianity stating that the Bible would one day become extinct.  His house now is home for the storage and distribution of Bibles.

22 1963 The world was staggered with the report of the assassination of Pres. J. F. Kennedy.  We are still saddened by the memory of that day.

22 1963 Death of C. S. Lewis, author of, "Chronicles of Narnia," "Screwtape Letters," "Mere Christianity." and many more writings.  Some good advice he gave a lady gives us some idea of his beliefs and Christian character: "But of course our anxiety about unbelievers is most perfectly employed when it leads not to speculation but to earnest prayer for them and the attempt to be in our own lives such good advertisements for Christianity as will make it attractive," (quoted in Purtill, C.S. Lewis’s Case for the Christian Faith, p.83).

27 1950 Motorola advertised T.V. sets stating, "Smart mothers have found that TV entertainment is the cheapest money can buy & the best baby minder you can find."  Do we still believe that?  If not, why not?  Fifty three years of brainwashing should tell us something.