Good Morning!

Only 12 Days Until Christmas!

For those who may not have seen them yet, here’s a picture of Kim’s professionally wrapped Christmas presents. 🙂

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On this day in 1636 the United States National Guard was created when militia regiments were organized by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

In 1862 an estimated 11,000 Northern soldiers were killed or wounded when Union forces were defeated by Confederates under General Robert E. Lee, at the Battle of Fredericksburg.

In 1913 the Federal Reserve System was established.

In 1964, in El Paso, TX, President Johnson and Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz set off an explosion that diverted the Rio Grande River, reshaping the U.S.-Mexican border.

And in 1982 the Sentry Armored Car Company in New York discovered that $11 million had been stolen from its headquarters overnight. It was the biggest cash theft in U.S. history.

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Quote of the Day

“What day is so dark that there is no ray of sunshine to penetrate the gloom?”

Mary Todd Lincoln

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Today is this guy’s birthday.

Today is also Randy Owen’s birthday.

And this one is a request.

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

Only 13 Days Until Christmas!

On this day in 1787 Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 

In 1800 Washington, DC, was established as the capital of the United States.

In 1896 Guglielmo Marconi gave the first public demonstration of radio at Toynbee Hall, London.

In 1901 the first radio signal to cross the Atlantic was picked up near St. John’s Newfoundland, by inventor Guglielmo Marconi.

In 1917 Father Edward Flanagan opened Boys Town in Nebraska. The farm village was for wayward boys.

In 1951 the U.S. Navy Department announced that the world’s first nuclear powered submarine would become the sixth ship to bear the name Nautilus.

And in 1975 Sara Jane Moore pled guilty to a charge of trying to kill President Ford in San Francisco the previous September.

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Quote of the Day

“With reasonable men, I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost.”

William Lloyd Garrison

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Today is Sinatra’s birthday, so we’ll start with him and Bing.

Next up, Marilyn Maxwell and Bob Hope.

And some James Taylor to finish things up for today.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

Only 14 Days Until Christmas!

This day in 1719 was the first recorded sighting of the Aurora Borealis in New England.

On this day in 1844 Dr. Horace Wells became the first person to have a tooth extracted after receiving an anesthetic for the dental procedure. Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, was the anesthetic.

In 1928, in Buenos Aires, police thwarted an attempt on the life of President-elect Herbert Hoover.

In 1941 Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.

And in 1961 the first direct American military support for South Vietnam occurred when a U.S. aircraft carrier carrying Army helicopters arrived in Saigon.

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Quote of the Day

“As nations can not be rewarded or punished in the next world, they must be in this.”

George Mason

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First up, TSO.

From Atlantic Records

Next, some Sidewalk Prophets.

And the Royal Guardsmen.

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

15 Days Until Christmas!

On this day in 1520 Martin Luther publicly burned the Papal Bull (“Exurge Domine”). The papacy demanded that he recant or face excommunication.  Luther refused and was formally expelled from the church in January 1521.

In 1830 Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, MA. Only seven of her works were published while she was alive. 

In 1851 American librarian Melvil Dewey was born. He created the “Dewey Decimal Classification” system.

In 1901 the first Nobel prizes were awarded.

In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, for helping mediate an end to the Russo-Japanese War.

And in 1964 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the youngest person to receive the award. 

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Quote of the Day

“It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen.”

George MacDonald

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Since today is Susan Dey’s birthday, we’ll start with the Partridge Family.

This one’s a request.

And Manheim Steamroller.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

16 Days Until Christmas!

On this day in 1803 the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. Congress. With the amendment Electors were directed to vote for a President and for a Vice-President rather than for two choices for President.

In 1854 Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” was published in England.

In 1907 Christmas Seals went on sale for the first time, in the Wilmington, DE, post office.

In 1917 Turkish troops surrendered Jerusalem to British troops led by Viscount Allenby. 

And in 1962 “Lawrence of Arabia,” by David Lean had its world premiere in London.

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Quote of the Day

“The problem with winter sports is that – follow me closely here – they generally take place in winter.”

Dave Barry

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First up today, Mercy Me.

And then BarlowGirl.

And some Casting Crowns too.

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

The weekend has arrived! 🙂

And There Are 18 Days Until Christmas.

On this day in 1787 Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. constitution becoming the first of the United States.

In 1796 John Adams was elected to be the second president of the United States.

In 1926 the gas operated refrigerator was patented by The Electrolux Servel Corporation. 

In 1941, Pearl Harbor, located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, was attacked by nearly 200 Japanese warplanes.  The attack resulted in the U.S. entering into World War II.

And in 1972 the  Apollo 17 was launched at Cape Canaveral.  It was the last U.S. moon mission.

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Quote of the Day

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”

Washington Irving

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“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941.

Next, “This is Christmas.”

And a favorite of mine, “Mary Did You Know?”

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

19 Days Until Christmas!

On this day in 1790 Congress moved from New York to Philadelphia.

In 1865 the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.

In 1884 the construction of the Washington Monument was completed by Army engineers. It took 34 years to complete.

In 1973 Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the vice-president of the United States after vice-president Spiro Agnew resigned.

And in 1998 astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavour connected the first two building blocks of the international space station in the shuttle cargo bay.

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Quote of the Day

“Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect.”

Steven Wright

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First up today, Brandon Heath.

Next up, another request, and Callie and Collette (katilette) do it very well.

Today is also Ira Gershwin’s birthday. Here’s one written by him and his brother George.

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

20 Days Until Christmas!

Note to all, to comment click the post title, or one of the Christmas balls to the left of the title.

On this day in 1782 the first native U.S. president, Martin Van Buren, was born in Kinderhook, NY. 

In 1848 President Polk triggered the Gold Rush of ’49 by confirming the fact that gold had been discovered in California. 

In 1901 movie producer Walt Disney was born in Chicago.

In 1908, at the University of Pittsburgh, numerals were first used on football uniforms worn by college football players. 

In 1933 Prohibition came to an end when Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

And in 1945 the so-called “Lost Squadron” disappeared. The five U.S. Navy Avenger bombers carrying 14 Navy flyers began a training mission at the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station. They were never heard from again.

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Quote of the Day

“There are not enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry.”

George Armstrong Custer

Turns out that wasn’t true. 😯

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Since today in 1791 is the day that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died, we’ll start with him. “Exsultate, jubilate” from Christmas in Vienna 2011.

This one my wife requested. From ManorHouseMusic

And it’s Jose’ Carreras’ birthday. So here he is doing “White Christmas,” with some help.

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Anyone have a QoD?

Good Morning!

21 Days Until Christmas!

On this day in 1783 Gen. George Washington said farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.

In 1812 Peter Gaillard patented the power mower. 

In 1945 the U.S. Senate approved American participation in the United Nations. 

In 1980 the bodies of four American nuns slain in El Salvador two days earlier were unearthed. Five national guardsmen were later convicted of the murders.

And in 1991 Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson was released after nearly seven years in captivity in Lebanon. 

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Quote of the Day

“During the holidays, everyone needs a break from studying for exams and Christmas shopping. I wanted to put together a diverse tour that rocks in many musical directions but always points to Christ.”

TobyMac

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So I guess the first one today is TobyMac.

And never let it be said that I can’t take a hint. 🙂

And it’s Dennis Wilson’s birthday.

And it’s also Gary Rossington’s.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Good Morning!

22 Days Until Christmas!

On this day in 1828 Andrew Jackson was elected president of the United States. 

In 1910 the neon lamp was displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.

In 1931 Alka Seltzer was sold for the first time.

In 1950 Paul Harvey began his national radio broadcast. 

And in 1968 the rules committee of Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that in 1969 the pitcher’s mound would be lowered from 15 to 10 inches. This was done in order to “get more batting action.”

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Quote of the Day

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?”

Gilbert  K. Chesterton

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First up today, the very talented Lindsey Stirling.

This next one the lyrics and music were written by Paul Williams, who has a birthday today too.

And it’s also Carlos Montoya’s. From RarGuitarVC

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Anyone have a QoD for us?