DATES TO REMEMBER IN DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

JANUARY

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU! Your gift from me is a verse of Scripture, a promise from our God: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all they ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths," Proverbs 3:56.

1  1862 Lincoln’s "Gettysburg Address".

2  1823 Monroe Doctrine instituted. (Founding Father, James Monroe, president).

3  1775 First American flag raised aboard the flagship Alfred.

3  1799 President John Adams: Thanksgiving in December!  "The flattering prospects of abundance ...demands of the whole American people sincere thanks to a benevolent Deity for the merciful dispensations of his providence."

3  1900 Cruel persecution of Catholics clerics, nuns and orphans by Chinese governor.

3  1933 Repeal of the 18th Amendment: "Prohibiting mfg., sale, etc. of intoxicating liquors...."

4  1950 U.N. forces retreat before Chinese troops; U.S. bomb Chinese communists to rescue U.S. Troops trapped in northern Korea (now North Korea).*

5  1735 Birth of Hugh Williamson, Presbyterian pastor & surgeon, signed the Constitution and served as Surgeon General in the Revolutionary War.

7  1775 England prohibits trade with the colonies & hires mercenaries to fight against them.

7  1787 Delaware was the first colony to ratify the United States Constitution, the next Connecticut was on the10th , on the 12th Pennsylvania, on the 18th New Jersey, and on the 31st Georgia.

7  1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor.

9  1782 Ambassador John. Adams advice to France: "Favor and promote the interest, reputation, and dignity of the United States in everything that is consistent with your own."

10 1898 End of the Spanish American War.

13 1835 Birth of Phillips Brooks author of "O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see the lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight."*

14 1799 George Washington died: his last words "Father of Mercies, take me to thyself."

14 1819 Alabama, State of (December 14, 1819), was the 22nd State admitted to the Union.  The Constitution of the State of Alabama, adopted 1901, stated: Preamble. We, the people of the State of Alabama, invok(e) the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama.

15 1791 The U.S. Bill of Rights became effective this day.  On this day Article IX was added to the "Constitution as promised.  They wrote:  "PREAMBLE The conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of it s powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added:  And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution."

15 2003 Bill of Rights Day.

16 1773 Boston Tea Party.

17 1870 Birth of Beethoven on his becoming deaf wrote, "I know well that God is nearer to me than others in my art, so I will walk fearlessly with Him."*

17 1903 First power driven flights by the Wright brothers 30 mph.  At Kitty hawk Bay, N.C.

18 1707 Birth: Charles Wesley; his "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" became popular during Washington’s youth.

18 1963 A Washington, D.C. newspaper report led to making assassination a Federal crime.*

18 1776 "These are the times that try men’s souls..." from "The Crisis" by Thomas Paine.

19 1777 Gen. Washington went to Valley Forge with his troops.

19 1902 Marconi first wireless sent across the Atlantic.  More obstacles needed to be overcome.

20 1922 Fourteen republics of Russia combined as the U.S.S.R.

21 1807 On this date John Newton, once a drunken slave trader passed into heaven.  God saved him and he later wrote "Amazing Grace."*

23 1783 Gen. George Washington resigned as Commander in Chief of the American Forces. When Washington  bid farewell to his comrades in arms and all of these soldiers, stalwart in battle, wept.

23 1913 During Christmas recess a small group of Congressmen adopted the Federal Reserve Act.

24 1724 Birth of Dr. Benjamin Rush: physician and Revolutionary War patriot.

25 4 B.C. "Away in manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head...."

25 800 Charlemagne, King of Franks crowned Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

25 1776 Christmas Day Eve: Washington was a great tactician.  His attack on the hired Hessians at Trenton was a great success.  (England missed it here! Many Hessians came to admire this country and became good citizens of the U.S.!)

26 1738 Birth: Thomas Wilson, Governor of Virginia & Commander in Chief of the Virginia Militia.

26 1781Washington visited his mother: "Alone and on foot Gen. Washington repaired to pay his humble duty to (his mother)...  They "spoke much of old times and old friends but of his glory not one word....  The last time he saw her she was "leaning on the arm of her son, she entered the (ball)room, dressed in the very plain, yet becoming garb, worn by the Virginia lady of the old time....  The foreign officers remarked, "If such are the matrons of America, well may she boast of illustrious sons."

29 1845 Texas became the 28th State.  Preamble: We, the People of the Republic of Texas acknowledging, with gratitude the grace and beneficence of God, in permitting us to make a choice of our form of government, do...establish this Constitution.."  (adding later)"  nor shall anyone be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."*

30 1853 Gadsden Purchase. This settled the boundary dispute between the U.S. & Mexico.

31 1781 U.S. Bank of North America, first one chartered by Congress.  The end of the founding era.  John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams ,was elected president 1825, the last founding father to fill that office.