The Union victory of the Civil War forced the southern states back into the Union under its jurisdiction.  On February 1, 1865 President Lincoln signed a resolution permanently outlawing slavery in the U.S. (www.timeanddate.com).  

This resolution became the 13th amendment which was ratified later that year after Lincoln’s death (www.timeanddate.com).  

A former slave named Richard Wright became a successful businessman in Philadelphia in the 1900s (http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/pa/es_pa_free_1.html). 

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Continue reading “Happy National Freedom Day!”

Did you know these two interesting facts about Halloween?

• The National Retail Federation says that Halloween is a big consumer-spending occasion. 
• Traditionally people ate only vegetarian food on Halloween. 

If you are looking for a type of cinnamon that you do not eat and yearn for that creepy green glow color, try Linux Mint (not the type you eat) on a 

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Continue reading “Happy Halloween!!”

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Nobel Peace Prize winner who died before the age of 40.  He was not quite 5’7″ but made a massive impact on U.S. history.  It is unlikely Barack Obama would have been elected President in 2008 had Martin Luther King Jr. not advanced the cause of civil rights for African Americans.  King’s influence and inspiration will be felt for decades to come.  On January 15, 2018 we observe Martin Luther King Jr.

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People who come to this blog, and homeschooled people, often learn from Google or other search engines.  The woman who wrote the song “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Sarah Josepha Hale, was homeschooled herself.  She made two historic contributions, one was musical and the other was political.  She influenced Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday for many years before it was officially recognized.  Wikipedia reports that she was from New England where people regularly celebrated Thanksgiving for years before it was was proclaimed as the third national holiday in 1863. 

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Continue reading “The Histories Behind the American Thanksgiving(s)”

Today is Constitution Day.  It was the final day of what was then called The Grand Convention or The Federal Convention.  We now know that almost three month convention in Philadelphia as the Constitutional Convention.  The meeting place was then called the State House.  This building still stands, and is now called Independence Hall.  We recommend people make a trip to Independence Hall and the nearby The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to learn more about how the Constitution was drafted,

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Continue reading “Happy Constitution Day!”

While this quote from Virgil’s Aeneid is controversial in its 9/11 Museum usage, it is an interesting idea that people may be remembered no matter what happens in the future.

On Patriot Day, also known as the National Day of Service and Rememberance, we have the opportunity to reflect on Americans who have given the full measure of devotion to our country.  

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Continue reading ““No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time””

Problem scenario
When replacing an aerator to a kitchen or bathroom sink, you cannot easily install a new one.  What is the problem?

Possible solution #1
There is a gasket attached to the new aerator that needs to be removed.

Possible solution #2
The new aerator is a male aerator and you need a female aerator.

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Continue reading “How Do You Install a Kitchen or Bath Faucet Aerator When It Does Not Want to Screw On?”

Problem scenario
You are at a hotel, and you want to go to sleep.  The freeway, train, or other guest room noise is too loud.  The hotel cannot or will not do anything about the problem.  What do you do?

Possible solutions
You may want to try ear plugs.  But sleeping in them can be uncomfortable.  They can fall out at night.

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Continue reading “What Do You Do when It Is Too Loud at a Hotel?”