History of New Years Day

History of New Years Day 145 The celebration of the new year is one of the oldest holidays. Many believe it was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago it marked the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox. The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. How did New Years Day move from the summer to the winter? A good question, especially since the spring is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. Today New years Day is January 1st.  The month of January was named for their god, Janus, who is pictured with two heads. One looks forward, the other back, symbolizing a break between the old and new. The Greeks paraded a baby in a basket to represent the spirit of fertility. Christians adopted this symbol as the birth of the baby Jesus and continued what started as a pagan ritual. Today our New Year's symbols are a newborn baby starting the next year and an old man winding up the last year.  Not all countries celebrate New Year at the same time, nor in the same way. This is because people in different parts of the world use different calendars. Long ago, people divided time into days, months, and years. Some calendars are based on the movement of the moon, others are based on the position of the sun, while others are based on both the sun and the moon. All over the world, there are special beliefs about New Year.  The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah. It is a holy time when people reflect on the things done wrong in the past, with a promise to do better in the future. Religious services are held in synagogues, and an instrument called a Shofar, which is made from a ram's horn is played. Children are given new clothes, and New Year loaves are baked and fruit is eaten to remind people of harvest time.  The Chinese New Year is celebrated some time between January 17 and February 19, at the time of the new moon, and it is called Yuan Tan. It is celebrated by Chinese people all over the world, and street parades are an exciting part of their New Year. At the Festival of Lanterns thousands of lanterns are used to light the way for the New Year. The Chinese people believe that there are evil spirits around at New Year, so they let off firecrackers to frighten the spirits away. Sometimes they seal their windows and doors with paper to keep the evil spirits out.  The traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. Making a resolutions to change some part of one's life also dates back to the early Babylonians. Today most people promise to lose weight or quit smoking.  Our ancestors thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. It has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends.  New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. Some put coins in black-eyed peas and the person who gets the coin in their meal will be prosperous in the coming year.

Hello friends, Well here we are again toasting in the new year, hoping that it will be a happy and healthy one. Well for some of us it will  be, but not for all of us, and that makes ME sad. You see, that the new year is a time to look back, as well as forward, to see what's ahead. WE need to change the mindset in our society today, so that we can have a positive outlook for OUR tomorrows. What I can see is, that those in charge of our well being, DIDN'T do what they said they would DO. That leaves US in uncertainty, as to the direction in which were headed, it's not the right answer for me. It's our jobs, our homes, our food, our health, and our land that is in jeopardy! This is not acceptable, and those who were elected to serve and protect the people, should be held accountable to them for not doing so. So OUR NEW YEARS resolution should be WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN IF WE WANT IT TO BE, because it's the HOME of the BRAVE and the LAND of the FREE. Just BELIEVE in "WE THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE and ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL, UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL! Have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR  GOD BLESS

CHRISTMASThe popular celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian and secular themes and origins.[19] Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations, including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Kris Kringle among other names, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.[20] Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Hello friends, Well Christmas is here, and what have we done to keep  "CHRISTMAS" alive and well? First, Christmas is when Jesus Christ was born, hence CHRISTmas, so let's keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS. A day of reflection and celebration, in his holy honor for us to keep the FAITH. Goodwill towards us, is what Christmas is all about, faith, family and friends. Peace on earth, love one another, help each other, and show we care is also part of the CHRISTMAS SPIRT. Giving of what we can to those who need it the most, is what we should be doing, but ARE WE?  I think not the best we could do, don't you agree with me_____ I'll take that as a yes. Giving can be a simple "MERRY CHRISTMAS" to everyone you talk to, a handshake as well, shows you care about them. It's nice to receive, just as nice to give, makes it a double blessing. Gratitude, to be grateful to be able to share the simple things, that bring joy and happiness to us. Christmas has gotten to commercialized, it''s turned into a business, to bad. To give to the people who have not, makes us realize what we have to give. Sounds simple and easy huh, why not try it for yourself and see how it feels. It's one of  the best feelings that we can feel, knowing that you helped make it better for others. Don't let the SPIRT of Christmas slip away, it's what we all need to stay connected. Not the disconnection, division and dysfunction that is in our society today, slowly dissolving all human feelings for each other. WE should celebrate Christmas 365 days a year, to GIVE every day, would definitely change the world to be a better place in which to live. Which brings to mind a quote from me," in order to live you have to give, if you only take it's going to break" So please keep CHRISTMAS alive and well, because if you don't we're going to hell(sorry). Christmas is for the children, so teach them about Christ first, then about Santa Claus and the present. GOD'S gift to us every day, is the PRESENT, the here and now, so make it the best day possible. Today and every day hereafter! GIVE- GOODWILL- PEACE-LOVE-MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL

History of Veterans Day World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France. Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words: Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible." President Eisenhower sigHistory of Veterans Day World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France. Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words: Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible." President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.ning HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

VETERANS DAY REMEMBERANCE

Hello friends, It's Veterans Day 2011 a national holiday since November 11, 1918 when it was regarded as the end "the war to end all wars".  Well it didn't end all wars as we know, or stop what it should have from happening again. Why? I'm not sure, but here's what I do know. War's have been going on since man does not know how to achieve or attain peace on this planet. So we  have wars and wars and wars and people dying and injured because of wars. How many more wars and how many people have to suffer? We need to stop this now, before it's to late for all of US.  Our Government did not and does not take care of our veterans the way it should. THEY know it, WE know it, and the veterans are suffering today, and have been for years. They need our support to make it through the changes they face day to day to survive. Some have given their LIVES for OUR FREEDOM, some injured, their lives will never be the same. All this has to be dealt with and made right for our veterans NOW! So on this Veterans Day all of us should make a sacrafice to help any way we can. GIVE your time, GIVE your possessions, GIVE your money, whatever is needed to make our veterans know WE support them like they supported US! God bless you, God bless them, and God bless America. THE INDEPENDENT PEOPLE PARTY AMERICANS FOR AMERICA  ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL

People get ready "taking it to the streets"

Hello friends,  well it looks like "we the people" are ready to take a stand against what we believe in. It's about time we wake up and make others KNOW were here for justice and accountability. Why it took us so long is in the past, what matters now is where WE go from here. I know it's not going to be easy today, but it will make US stronger in the future. The "occupy" movement is just the beginning of the people not willing to accept the present politics anymore in AMERICA. So I hope you agree with me that NOW is the time for US people to get ready and change the direction were headed in from down to up! All we need is a positive mind set, and were on our way. "Taking it to the streets" march on people.

Take a LOOK take a STAND!

Hello friends, Well I don't know how you see the current political circus in America is  going, but it's not in the people's hands right now. All the party's seem to be in opposite directions as usual, because they are "divided" in their minds. On what direction to take for us, the "PEOPLE of AMERICA", which should be simple for them to SEE. Because RIGHT now it's clear to ME, that DIVIDED is not the answer for US. So WE have to take a STAND to make them aware, that WE will not let AMERICA fail for us, like they have! WE THE PEOPLE must come together right now,  before it's to late to change the direction they have us heading, "DOWN". We all need to be on the same page in OUR MINDS, which is POSITIVE and the direction is "UP" So WE need to make this happen RIGHT NOW to get us out of the revolving door going in circles syndrome. WE'VE been in it to long, divided going nowhere, not where WE SHOULD BE or COULD BE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, wouldn't you say? We the people, For the people, By the people, "THE INDEPENDENT PEOPLE  PARTY"is the answer! This is my quote to you " ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL, UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL! Let's take a stand, you and me, and make it WE.                   

Sept. 11, 2011 10th year memorial

 Hello friends, It's been ten years to the day, when our people and loved ones, were taken away. Suddenly without warning or notice to say "GOODBYE", those terrorists took to our sky. They took away the towers, the Pentagon, and those people too, but not our love for me and you. The Strength and Spirt that we possess, is truly AMERICA, we have been BLESSED. We will ALWAYS remember this day in our hearts, because we are AMERICANS, right from the start. We are BRAVE and we are FREE, and we believe in our DIGNITY. So Whenever or Whoever invades this land, be aware WE WILL TAKE A STAND. And like the STATUE OF LIBERTY standing tall, we will DEFEND her, AND WILL NOT FALL! OMDB

What is "Labor Day"

Hello friends, Here we are celebrating "Labor Day 2011" but should we with what's going on in our country today. Labor Day was first observed  on Sept. 5, 1882, by the Central Labor Union of New York. President Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement, following the deaths of some workers by U.S.military and U.S. marshals, during the Pullman strike. He rushed through a bill making it a national holiday in 1894. The pattern of celebration was a street parade, to show the STRENGTH and SPIRT of trade and labor organizations. Speeches by prominent men and women with more emphasis on ECONOMIC and CIVIL significance of the holiday. So with that said, should WE be celebrating or THINKING of our future TOMORROWS? I think not, with MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people out of work today, WHY? Labor is the backbone of AMERICA, it's what got us to who we are as a COUNTRY! So how did we get to this point, we got GREEDY and DID NOT care about the consequences to the people. Both the government and the unions are to blame for this as I see it. They knew what could happen and it did, the bottom fell out. They did not support the people who support them, the TAXPAYER who pays their salaries and dues. Instead, they sold us DOWN the river and OUTsourced  OUR work ELSEWHERE! What happened is our fault, because WE let AMERICA down plain and simple. DO we all buy american products and goods? If I can find them I do, DO YOU? What country do you support?  Where is the car, clothes, food, products from, that you buy? AMERICA? I guess you get my point here, if we ALL support AMERICA, AMERICA will support US. It"s not TWO hard to understand, WE both go HAND in/to HAND, get it? Happy "LABOR DAY"

United or Divided?

Hello friends, So here we are again thinking and talking about, United States or Divided States? Well to me it's real simple, we're the "divided states" because of our current politics. As I stated before when we formed the United States, the 13 colonies agreed on acting as one for  all. But somewhere and sometime ago, we lost sight of those goals they had.  I made up this quote "All for one and one for all, UNITED we stand   d i  v  i   d  e  d  we fall". I think that says it all, that we are no longer the United States, but the divided states we are! Why have "we the people" chosen not to be United anymore, and settle for division? Our elected government has been divided for years, and make us choose what side we're on. They can't make decisions that they can agree on, to benefit the people who elect them on their behalf why? Because they are divided in their beliefs, when OUR COUNTRY is the one that suffers their lack of concern. So when do we the people get back to being united as we should be? What does it take for us to see that this way we're going is in circles. Over and over again we vote someone in office who says they will help us, have they? WE still haven't got what we were promised, so we need to start to make up our minds NOW. We need the  "INDEPENDENT PEOPLE" party to get this country back on the right track. In order to change this direction we're headed, some may need to change the way they think. In order to do this everyone must be on the same page, in their mind it must be on the positive side. When we all think positive, we will get positive results, so will our positive actions prove this as well. The United States is more than a country on this planet, it stands for freedom, liberty, peace and the pursuit of happiness for ALL! So are we UNITED or DIVIDED? If you feel like I do, and agree with me, let's start by uniting us "WE THE INDEPENDENT PEOPLE PARTY' of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Once and for all.

Are we really independent and free?

Hello friends, sorry it's been so long, but I'm still learning how to reach you on my computer. Well it's the fourth of July again, Independence Day, a time to celebrate the United States independence. But are WE independent and free, the way they said it in the Declaration of Independence, and signed it back in 1776? I think not, because of all the problems we are being faced with today. "We the people" are not being heard, and haven't been in a long, long time, don't you agree? I'm old enough to know that we need to get back to what made us, the " United States of America". That all men and women are created equal, pursuit of happiness, with freedom and justice for all. But we don't practice what we preach, do we? And why not, is what I would like to know NOW! how about you? It's time has come to take back our country, and bring respect, truth, dignity, freedom and peace via intelligence,wisdom and common sense! As I said before, we need a "positive mindset" for all of us to make it work. We need to be on the same page, so there are no reasons, problems or excuses. Our work is cut out for us, so we need to start today, to form a new old party, the "Independent People "party.We are the" United" States Of America, not the "Divided" States of America, which we are now. So what do you say? Are you "IN" or out, to join our quest to bring back independence and freedom to this great land of America?