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What 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie, which introduced the ever so talented Tippi Hedren, took place at the lovely Northern California town of Bodega Bay?

The Birds (1963) - quotes - The Alfred Hitchcock Wiki The Alfred Hitchcock Wiki Other Quotes about The Birds (1963) Pre-Production I think that "The Birds" was one of the hardest pictures for [my father] to make because it was so technical and he had to be so prepared for it that literally, as we know, when he decided a movie, he would draw the whole movie. Well, it took him a long time to draw all of this. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , The Birds (1963) , and pre-production We had just finished working on "North by Northwest", and I saw Hitchcock on one of the soundstages. He stopped me and said, "I have a friend, Daphne Du Maurier, who has written a short novella." He said, "Would you read it and see if, physically, it creates too many problems." And I read it that night, and I was bowled over by its strength. But I saw it a little differently — I saw it as a mood piece. And I didn't see it as a narrative story. I spent the rest of the night — worked all night on it — and the image that came to me was [Edvard] Munch's Scream. I saw that as a kind of icon for the whole thing. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , Daphne du Maurier , The Birds (1963) , and pre-production It was a sort of apocalyptic short story. It's about these birds inexplicably attacking this isolated little farmhouse in Cornwall. I read it, and I would've given my right arm to work with Alfred Hitchcock. I then spoke to him on the phone and he said, "Come on out with some ideas. We're throwing away everything but the title and the notion of birds attacking human beings. So come on out with some ideas." I remember Hitch showing me a lot of newspaper articles about unexplained bird attacks as a reminder that these things do happen, so we weren't dealing entirely with fantasy. We searched for the turning point where it would get ominous. We recognized immediately that the audience wasn't gonna sit there for two hours waiting for a bird attack. So we very carefully measured out the lengths between the bird attacks so that the audience would sit there, we'd throw them a crumb, so to speak. So the first one was when the gull hits Melanie in the rowboat. One of the ideas I brought to Hitch was a school teacher coming to a town and bird attacks start when she comes to the town to teach there. And the provincials think she must have something to do with it. There's an echo of that in the scene in the Tides Restaurant, from the mother — "You're responsible for this. They tell me this didn't happen before you got here", and the school teacher survived as Annie Hayworth. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , The Birds (1963) , pre-production, and screenplay Because of the difficult technical problems, we knew we were going to have to have continuity sketches. Well, Hitchcock loved to work that way anyway. His main thrust in all of his work was preparation. Matter of fact, he sometimes facetiously said he was bored with shooting the picture. The excitement came with the ideas that were generated in the preparatory portion of the film making process. He liked to have it all clear in his mind so that before he started to shoot, he saw the whole movie in his mind. There are very few people, directors or otherwise, that can hold this kind of a concept. Harold Michelson was the main production illustrator on "The Birds". He did, I think, almost all of the illustrations. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , Harold Michelson , The Birds (1963) , and pre-production We were just trying to find a hook — a way to get into the movie. And on the lunch hour, while I was walking around, I came up with the notion of a screwball comedy — doing a couple who meet cute and go from there into comedy until it turns to terror. And I told him this after lunch that day, and he said, "Yeah, that sounds interesting." So then we tried to find characters who would be mismatched, who would strike sparks and, we hoped, comic sparks. And it seemed to me that a society woman, first of all, in the old screwball comedies of the '40s was your mainstay, that she always was a madcap society woman. And a lawyer is the very notion of solidity and stolidity. So it seemed that a lawyer would be a good type also. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , The Birds (1963) , pre-production, and screenplay I think northern California always reminded Hitch of England. There was something about the weather, which was very unpredictable. It was fog and rain and then sunshine and then fog and rain again. It was a moody, strange area — both forbidding and foreboding. I believe that's what intrigued him. It had a kind of mystical quality. We had to get all of these various pieces and put them together to make one small community out of it. We built a schoolteacher's house in Bodega, which was a few miles from Bodega Bay. But Bodega Bay just was perfect. It was an almost completely enclosed bay, and there was what is called Bodega Head, which is where the house was. There was an old house that had gone to wrack and ruin. So we could only use sort of almost the foundation. We rebuilt the house and we added a barn, and that could be reached by road and by boat, which suited the purpose of the film perfectly. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , Bodega Bay , California , The Birds (1963) , location filming, and pre-production Hitch would say, "Do you think we should explain it?" And we decided that it would be science fiction if we explained why the birds were attacking, and that it would have a greater meaning if we never knew, if it were kind of this unsettling thing that these creatures we see in the park every minute can suddenly come at our heads, you know? If it was feeding, it can suddenly come at us with no reason. I got a call from Hitch saying, "I think we need a scene where we don't explain what's happening but where the people involved are trying to understand what's happening so that we can proffer different things here." And this was the spur for the scene in the Tides Restaurant, which I thought was one of the better scenes in the movie. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , The Birds (1963) , pre-production, and screenplay Casting I had been modelling in New York for a long time. It was about 11 years. And my career was sort of waning in that fashion business. I had done a number of commercials, and at one point I had about 12 of them going, and one of them ran on the "Today" show every morning for about a month. And apparently, a producer/director was watching the show and decided to find out who the girl was, where she was, and all of that. So I received a call on Friday, the 13th of October of 1961. It was, "Are you the girl in the Sego commercial?" — it was a diet product. And I said, "Yes." And they said, "Would you come over to Universal Studios?" I did, and I met with an executive there. I asked, who is the director, and he wouldn't tell me. And then he asked if I would leave my photographs and commercial film over the weekend. So I said, "Yes, but I will have to pick them up on Monday." So Monday I was introduced to a number of other executives. Nobody would tell me who it was — who the producer/director was. They just said, "Would you go over to MCA tomorrow morning and meet with Herman Citron," who was an agent there. I went over and met with Mr. Citron, and I sat down and he said, "I suppose you're a little bit curious as to who this director is." I said, "Yes." He said, "Alfred Hitchcock wants to sign you to a contract if you will agree with the terms." And I was stunned. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or run up and down the halls or what to do. And he said, "If you are in agreeance to this, we will go over to Paramount Studios and meet with him." So Herman Citron and I went over to meet with Hitch, and we didn't talk about anything other than — Oh, we talked about food, we talked about travel, we talked about wines. We didn't mention movies at all. Not at all. I heard that they were doing "The Birds", that Evan Hunter was working on the script and Hitch was working with him on it, and I thought, that's very interesting, this is very exciting and all that, but it never occurred to me that I would be involved in this movie at all. I thought I would do the television shows which he did every week. They talked about doing a screen test, and they chose three different roles for me to play in this screen test — one from "Rebecca", one from "Notorious" and one from "To Catch a Thief". Now, the se are three entirely different women. And Hitch was my drama coach, and I would go over to the Hitchcock home where Alma and Hitch would both go over the scenes with me, which was fantastic. Alma had a great deal to do with a lot of his work. So we eventually did the screen test. It took three days. And Robert Burks was the D.P. on it and Edith Head did all of the designs of the clothes and she did a personal wardrobe for me. It was an extraordinary time. In order to do the screen test, we needed a leading man and Hitch flew Martin Balsam out from New York to be my leading man. He had just come out of Psycho. The screen test was put together, and I guess everybody saw it, and Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock invited me to dinner at Chasens. Lew Wasserman was sitting to my left and Alma and Hitch were to my right, and — he placed — Hitch placed a very, very beautifully wrapped package from Gumps in San Francisco. It was one of his favorite shops. And I opened the box and there was this beautiful pin of three birds in flight, with the seed pearls and gold, and I looked over at Hitch, and he said, "We want you to play Melanie in The Birds." Well, I started to cry. These big tears welled up, because I didn't expect that. I really didn't expect that. And I looked at Hitch, and he was a little watery, and Alma and even Lew Wasserman, this big movie mogul, he had one little tear coming down here. It was a very exciting evening. It was just incredible. And then the whole — all of the work really began. We didn't actually do any pre-rehearsals. I didn't meet Rod Taylor till we were — you know, till we were really ready to film. keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , The Birds (1963) , music scores, production, and screenplay Post-Production The blue screen process, while it had been essentially perfected in 1958, was still not quite to the level that Hitchcock wanted. And the best examples of travelling matte work in general that Hitchcock had seen was the sodium travelling matte shot process that was used primarily at the Disney studio. The sodium process was a method of combining foregrounds and backgrounds that were photographed at different times in an optical printer in post production. At some point, you have to create a matte, or a silhouette, that enables you to distinguish photographically between the foreground, which is usually an actor against a screen, and the background. In the sodium process, the background was illuminated by yellow sodium light. Of course, the actors in the foreground were illuminated by white light. There were two films in a special camera, an old Technicolor camera. One film was sensitive only to the sodium light on the backing. The second film in the camera was sensitive only to the white light falling on the actors. As a result, there was absolutely no contamination of the foreground actors by the lighting from the background. Typical of blue screen shots of the period was a sort of blue fire in hair and on the edges of objects. And the sodium light, because there literally was no light from the backing on the actors at any time, the sodium system could produce a higher-quality composite that didn't exhibit the sort of blue flare and blue halos that were sometimes seen on blue screen composites of the day. Disney had brought the sodium process to a high level of perfection, and Ub Iwerks, who was the head of the Disney special processes department, was hired as a consultant, and the Disney sodium equipment was used to create the travelling matte shots on "The Birds". keywords: Alfred Hitchcock , Bernard Herrmann , Remi Gassmann , The Birds (1963) , music scores, and post-production Other Quotes about The Birds (1963) Hitch was not only my director, he was my drama coach, which was fantastic. I couldn't have had a better teacher. He not only helped me with developing the character of Melanie Daniels, he had me sit in on meetings with Evan Hunter; with Robert Burks, the D.P.; with Bobby Boyle, the set director; with, of course, Edith Head, who I worked very closely with on designing not only the clothes for "The Birds" and "Marnie" but my own private wardrobe. But in every phase of making that motion picture, he was sure that I was educated in it. And it was stunning. It was an amazing education that I received.

Bird (disambiguation)

According to the tongue twister, who picked a peck of pickled peppers?

save hitchcock | A forum for Hitchcock's co-workers to discuss his portrayal in the media | Page 2 A forum for Hitchcock's co-workers to discuss his portrayal in the media Joan Fontaine was a superb Hitchcock heroine in Rebecca and Suspicion Joan Fontaine (1917-2013), the leading lady of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca and Suspicion, has sadly passed away. She was Oscar nominated for both of her performances and won for Best Actress for Suspicion. “It was a Romantic Victorian Novel in modern dress and it stands up very well,” says Hitchcock of Rebecca. “(Laurence) Olivier was very good in that picture. He did come up to me once and say this girl (Fontaine) is terrible, you’ll have to change her. I said, no, she’ll be alright really Larry. And she won the Oscar for the second picture! When they miss the first picture, they’re bound to get the second.” We know the true story says Hitchcock’s Granddaughter Mary Stone The Hitchcock Family have kept a dignified silence during the recent year, throughout the intense media speculation fuelled by the biopics “Hitchcock” and “The Girl”. Now in a rare interview for Talking History – News Talk Radio, Mary Stone, Hitchcock’s eldest grand daughter speaks out on 14th October 2013: “To be honest with you, we completely ignore those kinds of things because they are not true and can be very hurtful to the family. And we just decided a long time ago, you can’t stop someone from publishing something or shooting a movie about something, because we just take no opinion of the individuals or works because we know the true story.” You can listen to the whole interview here: How to Turn Your Boring Movie into a Hitchcock Thriller now an exciting E-book For those readers who are avid fans of Alfred Hitchcock, they will be already aware of Jeffrey Michael Bay’s awesome website How To Turn Your Boring Movie into a Hitchcock Thriller. Well, the good news is that it’s now a very readable e-book. Jeffrey, writing as The Master himself, takes the reader through the stages of putting together a Hitchcock thriller, from characters, to dialogue to the MacGuffin, all written in the voice of Alfred Hitchcock, with his lugubrious tones and deadpan humour. Wonderfully comic illustrations accompany each chapter, evoking the spirit of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Hitch’s best delivery and comic timing that framed the beginning and ending of each story. Jeffrey has really captured the voice and spirit of Hitchcock so that exposition is never a dull moment. Order your copy today: Kim Novak slams Hitchcock slurs in The Daily Mail Outspoken Hitchcock blonde Kim Novak has publicly slammed Tippi Hedren’s claims in this week’s Daily Mail. “I never had a problem with him,” she says. “He wasn’t that way with me. I found him to be quite proper. I mean, his wife was usually there on set. When she wasn’t he didn’t act any differently, but was just a decent man and a strong director.” In previous interviews she has said, “I feel bad when someone attacks a man who is no longer alive to defend himself. When someone is living is the time to confront them.” You can read the whole story here: Always a bridesmaid, Never a bride, The Girl fails at The Emmys Controversial Hitchcock drama The Girl failed to win at The Emmy Awards, repeating its run of bad luck at the Golden Globes and the Baftas, where it also failed to win in major categories. Toby Jones was predictably beaten by Michael Douglas in the Best Actor category, Imelda Staunton lost Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Single Drama, and Julian Jarrold scored nought for his directing efforts. So ends this year’s television awards season which has seen The Girl being mired in controversy. Maybe Hitchcock’s spirit of ill luck winning an Oscar – he was nominated five times for Best Director – overshadows this unfortunate production. 10 Reasons why The Girl should fail at The Emmys The Girl is up for 6 Emmys broadcast on Sunday 22nd September. Here are 10 good reasons why we think it shouldn’t win. Crew members from The Birds and Marnie who were interviewed for the TV drama,  Rita Riggs and Jim Brown all deny the sensationalist portrayal of Hitchcock. Other crew members who were not interviewed – Virginia Darcy, Jerry Adler, Lois Thurman, Hilton Green and actress Louise Latham – have also spoken out against the drama. The initial meeting between Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock is inaccurate and took place in the presence of agent Jerry Adler (see his post) who denies any suggestive dialogue on Hitchcock’s part. Scenes suggest that Hitchcock put his leading lady in physical jeopardy, while the production records show that all due care was taken on the set, for both cast members and the trained birds. The American Humane Association was on set all the time when birds were used. Virginia Darcy was supervising the leading lady’s hair and denies that any physical harm was intentional on Hitchcock’s part. The depiction of the telephone booth and attic filming is contradicted by the production archives at the Margaret Herrick Library and also on-set witnesses Virginia Darcy, Rita Riggs and Lois Thurman. Production was not shut down after the infamous filming of the bird attack in the attic. Co-star Veronica Cartwright confirms that they carried on filming while the leading lady recovered. Production records also show that the movie’s secretary Suzanne Gauthier reported she wasn’t harmed but needed three work days of rest, returning on Thursday 7th June 1962 to film the sand dune scene. Hitchcock producer Norman Lloyd called the TV movie ‘basically bullshit’ to Variety magazine – here speaks the wisdom of a 98 year old. The script is one-sided masquerading as objective truth. There is no mention of Noel Marshall, who the leading lady was engaged to at the time, which was a major reason for Hitchcock being upset, leading to the famous falling out. Star Kim Novak has publicly defended Hitchcock: “I never saw him make a pass at anybody or act strange to anybody. And wouldn’t you think if he was that way, I would’ve seen it or at least seen him with somebody? I think it’s unfortunate when someone’s no longer around and can’t defend themselves.” Hitchcock never raped or intentionally injured anyone. He lived his life in fantasy which is reflected in his movies. Vertigo has been named the Number 1 film of all time. John Russell Taylor, Hitchcock’s official biographer, calls the TV drama ‘errant nonsense’ and a tissue of ‘melodramatic invention’. Jim Brown, Hitchcock’s AD on The Birds and Marnie, contradicts the portrayal in Emmy nominated The Girl The late Jim Brown (1930-2011), Hitchcock’s Assistant Director (left of Hitch in the picture, holding the child actor) on The Birds and Marnie, was interviewed on tape in his home in Angels Camp, Northern California, about working with Hitch. Now for the first time, a portion of the unedited interview is published which contradicts his portrayal (played by Carl Beukes) in the Emmy nominated The Girl. “Some of the things that are expressed about Hitchcock was highly over exaggerated. I think Hitch became upset because he thought Tippi wasn’t fulfilling the starquality that he thought she had or was looking for. After the preparation he was just fulfilling the obligation, so he’d be falling asleep when we were shooting. Tippi he took through every word, every line. Tippi got his full attention. I think he got a little bored with the project (Marnie), but I didn’t see much difference in his behaviour between Marnie and The Birds. Hitch didn’t like being in the elements, he stayed in the car alot in The Birds. The Birds was more complex, we had children and animals to work with. I had the pleasure of getting close to him as anyone else had because we worked on both pictures back to back. When it came to work he kept pretty much inside himself. I didn’t like working on the stage that much, my background was early television doing westerns, I loved working outdoors. Anytime you’re on the stage got claustrophobic. Tippi and Hitch had their differences on Marnie, but I don’t think that there is any  – there were some tensions between the two of them that you could feel on the set that permeated through the cast and crew. Maybe Tippi didn’t get as much direction at times as she could have done. But Marnie was a cinch compared to doing Dallas (Jim Brown was line producer for three years from 1985). . .they were already wealthy, established multimillionaires. And none of them wanted to come to work they all wanted to go out and open grocery stores for $150,000. When Bob Burks was ready, he’d give me a nod, and say 5 minutes, or sometimes he would nod and then I’d walk to Hitchcock’s portable dressing room on the stage, and knock on the door if it’s closed, or poke my head in. I started in 1953, in the mailroom, started in the business at the age of 23, 25 when I became a second AD, first AD director at the age of 27, I directed a couple of Wells Fargo Westerns then worked with Hitch when I was 32 years old. Same age as Tippi. In 63, I was 33, and Tippi was the same age also. Hitchcock was the greatest boost that anyone could have in his career. The mere fact that he chose me to work with him as his AD, Everyone else in the business thought I was good. His reputation rubbed off on me, and it became a tremendous boost in my career. Hitch used fixed lenses he rarely used a zoom lens. He used to play games with me. He say where are we cutting the girl, where’s the size of this two shot? So by looking at the distance where the camera was to the distance the person being photographed. He’d train my eye to a 50 mm lens which he used most of the time, and it gave me a lot of confidence for looking through the camera. He was an absolute genius with the visuals. I was much more pleased with the conclusion of The Birds, there was something special about it (compared to Marnie). But I didn’t feel Marnie was that special a project. I certainly wouldn’t rate Marnie among his better projects, comparable to some of his other works like To Catch A Thief, and Rear Window. It wasn’t the lack of stars. Sean and Tippi did a marvelous job. Because the way it was shot, process and backgrounds, at a time when commercials, were a lot more interesting, motion pictures were being shot on location, different techniques, was too old fashioned, there was a breakthrough at that time when movies for television were being made, they were more exciting than that type of motion picture which was old fashioned. I didn’t think that Hitchcock would ever make a picture that wasn’t going to be commercial. He made Psycho for 700,000 dollars and I think he felt his obligation for Universal and himself to make pictures that were successful. He never expressed that he wasn’t pleased with it (Marnie) to me. I think he really had a lot of respect for actors and actresses, and I think that the cattle quote was sort of the mystique that built up and he enjoyed that. I don’t think he actually felt that deep down, and I think it worked for him. He did his casting in the projection room.” The Truth About the Phone Booth Attack The Emmy nominated “The Girl” implies that Hitchcock deliberately tried to harm his leading lady with broken glass after she rejected an alleged kiss in the car on the way back from Bodega Bay to the Santa Rosa Motel in March 1962. Filming of the phone booth attack took place in mid June 1962, almost three months later, with much studio filming taking place in between at Universal. Now three of the Crew Members and On-set witnesses, Los Thurman the script supervisor, Rita Riggs the wardrobe mistress and Virginia Darcy the hairdresser, all deny that the smashing of the phone booth was a deliberate attempt by Hitchcock to harm Tippi. Moreover, the call sheets at the Margaret Herrick Library show that the filming of the pet shop scene (pictured) took place the day after the phone booth, with no visible signs of physical harm to the leading lady. Lois Thurman was interviewed on 17th April 2013, Rita Riggs (left in picture) was interviewed on 5th September 2012 and Virginia Darcy (right in picture) was interviewed on 26th August 2013.  Photo courtesy of Dave DeCaro http://www.davelandweb.com “I don’t think he (Hitch) told them (the prop men) to make the glass break (in the phone booth),” says Lois Thurman. “How could he have done that? I was there all the time during filming of The Birds.” “I really don’t buy that and I’m sorry that the BBC has taken that line,” agrees Rita Riggs. “I was on set all the time and have nothing but kind words to say about Mr. Hitchcock.” Virginia Darcy says, “That was the prop man’s fault because he didn’t have unbreakable glass. Mr. Hitchcock didn’t have anything to do with it. Why would he endanger his lead actress on a $3million film so that she’s deformed for the rest of the movie? Use your brains people!. . . I was right there! I was never further than this (indicates six feet away) If the camera was here, I was here. I had to watch what those birds did, and I had to get it to match Tippi’s hair with every take. I couldn’t leave the set. I couldn’t have my eyes off my actor. Stick with the money you know. I was just behind the camera. Besides, those guys (the prop men) can not do that on purpose, they’d be fired. We were all looking out for her.” “At the end of The Birds, we were sitting outside his office,” Virginia remembers. Hitch asked have you ever tried English cider? Tippi said don’t tell him no because you know we’ll get cases of it! So we said yes. He said, with alcohol in it? And she was sitting on the steps next to him. If he was so awful and such a pervert, why would she even get near him? If I was frightened of a man I’d stay as far away as possible.” Hitchcock’s Secretary from Paramount calls BS on Emmy nominated The Girl and Hitchcock Blonde Yvonne Hessler, who worked at Hitchcock’s Paramount Studios from 1960-1962, was interviewed on Friday July 19th, 2013 in Los Angeles: I worked at Paramount, because Hitchcock’s offices were there, and I was a secretary. Hitch was doing a lot of publicity for Psycho and going around the world for public relations and he was preparing later for The Birds. He was a very generous person and highly intelligent, and had a business side to him that was very conscious of costs. He hired you because you knew your job. If you didn’t, then that was terrible. It was a pleasure to work for him. Hitch was very conservative. He was in the same navy blue suit, black shoes, black socks. Very conservative, never made a pass to anyone professionally, and anyone who says he did must have been imagining things, because he was not that kind of person. I met Tippi a few times, she came into the office, She was a very quiet person, photogenic, very polite, very conservatively dressed, was very ladylike – and that’s what Hitch liked. She was in his office for 10 minutes at a time, and I saw nothing unusual. None of us could understand why he thought he could make a great actress out of this person at that time. We were all a little puzzled. But nevertheless he went ahead with that. He just felt that she would photograph well. Blonde hair photographs better than dark hair. We were puzzled because Hitch had worked with Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly and some great, great actresses, and we couldn’t see that this person was a great actress. We saw that she was photogenic and photographed well and that was about it. But Hitch became determined – and could have been something like a Pygmalion complex. But that sort of voyeurism and sexuality (as depicted in the movies) was not ever evident to me – ever. They played this up in the play Hitchcock Blonde and the Anthony Hopkins’ film – it was so obviously made up to sell the picture and sell the play. It was not Hitch – he was a conservative individual who was very cost conscious which is why they loved him at Universal. He did not have to harrass actresses if that was on his mind. I don’t believe that story one bit, knowing Hitchcock as I did. It was something that didn’t interest him, his only sensual pleasure was food and all you have to do is look at him to know that. He adored his wife,  I never witnessed anything else. There was never a pass to me or Peggy or Joan Harrison or any woman and we were all very ladylike. Vertigo’s Production Manager Doc Erickson talks about working with Hitch Doc Erickson, the production manager who worked with Hitchcock at Paramount on Rear Window, To Catch A Thief, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Trouble with Harry and Vertigo was interviewed on June 16th 2013. I was the production manager and was concerned with the physical operation of the sets, working with Hitch was a joy because I’d spend so much time with him. He was a great storyteller and an interesting man to be around. I guess my favourite was To Catch A Thief because of the setting, it was a joy to be working in the South of France. Wonderful. Cary (Grant) was a handful on location, we did not have a joyous relationship, he couldn’t have been a bigger headache. It was one thing after another, something he was unhappy about, and most of it contrived. Grace (Kelly) was one in a million, absolutely beautiful, marvelous, a delight, on both Rear Window and To Catch A Thief, a gorgeous, lovely person. At the time she was Hitch’s favourite actress. I don’t know how he felt about Fontaine and Bergman and some of the others, but I would think Grace was number 1. I think it (Vertigo) meant a lot to Hitch, filming and people, and actors, opinions are so subjective. Hitch would be overjoyed to know it was the best picture of all time. The way he worked with the actors, he gave a small amount of guidance, you didn’t have to do a lot with Grace, Cary or Jimmy, these people knew what they were doing. Hitch was criticised from some sides, saying he’d only direct by saying stand here, look this way and I’ll take care of the rest – that wasn’t really true. He was a master at composition, and the actor’s movements to relay the importance of the story that he was trying to tell. Hitch liked to sit right under the camera lens so he was looking right at the actors and their relationship to each other, and seeing the way the camera saw it. The camera would insist on seeing what they’d see. On To Catch A Thief, working with Hitch in my capacity was no effort, it was very clear what he had in mind, all he had to do was deliver, there was no mystery in that regard, and he was very straight forward. You never found that he was leading you down the path or reluctant to tell you what he wanted. It was all very clearcut in the beginning, he used to say it was all in the script, never a doubt to what was on the set. The only time I saw him angry was when we were shooting The Trouble With Harry on Stage 14, he had trouble getting a shot, getting the set just right. I looked at my wristwatch and he came running over and shook his finger in my face. He really went on, and then he walked away, and then he was smiling, and had his arm around me, he was exasperated and had to take it out on somebody.

i don't know

Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Charlie Watts, Buddy Rich, Phil Collins and Karen Carpenter are all what type of musician?

Keith Moon & Buddy Rich - First thoughts about Keith Moon & Buddy Rich Keith John Moon (23 August 1946 – 7 September 1978) was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. Bernard Buddy Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. 5.0/5 Keith Moon Buddy Rich John Bonham Neil Peart Gene Krupa Ginger Baker Mitch Mitchell Lars Ulrich Max Roach Philly Joe Jones Ringo Starr Charlie Watts Mike Portnoy Steve Gadd Ed Shaughnessy Elvin Jones Art Blakey Van Halen Bill Ward Bob Weir Neal Peart 22 Dec 2014     17:25 I get sick and tired of seeing these year end musical questions every year about the Top Ten Greatest Drummers of All Time. Really, John Bohnam? I'm sorry but John Bohnam, Ginger Baker , Keith Moon, Mitch Mitchell , etc were all excellent drummers, maybe even great, but no way do any of them belong on a top ten list. None of them could lick the loafers of Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa , Joe Morello , Max Roach , Philly Joe Jones , Kenny Clarke , Art Blakey , Elvin Jones , Earl Palmer or Ed Shaughnessy . Now there's a top ten list. 26 Sep 2014     15:38 of the mighty Zep in one moment and Jim Morrison in the next. It's the Black Crowes and Keith Moon and Buddy Rich and Hendrix and *** 01 Aug 2014     01:15 you need the top 3 drummers to form the SUPER drummer... John Bonham 's Feet, Keith Moon's Tom Work, and Buddy Rich's Flair 30 May 2014     15:44 BIRTHDAY WISHES: Topper Headon was born today in 1955 in London, England. Topper Headon is best known for his drumming contributions in the punk rock band The Clash. He is regarded as one of the most inspirational and technically inventive punk rock drummers of the late 1970s and early 1980s and appeared on many seminal recordings by the Clash. Although he was not an original member of the Clash, his arrival helped push them to the next musical level, as he quickly became an integral part of the group. Born Nicholas Bowen Headon, he became known as "Topper" due to his resemblance to the character "Mickey the Monkey" from the U.K. comic "The Topper." Headon started playing drums at an early age and was a fan of jazz and soul music. Legendary drummers Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa , Keith Moon, HarveyMason, Billy Cobham , and Steve Gadd were all some of his first major influences. In 1973, Headon joined the cult progressive rock outfit Mirkwood. He appeared with them for a year and a half as they supported major act ... 22 Feb 2014     18:25 MUSIC HISTORY 101 February 22, 2002- English-born jazz drummer Ronnie Verrell died one day after his 76th birthday. Although he'd worked with two of the UK's most prestigious and acclaimed jazz giants, The Ted Heath Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, most Americans that do know of him recognize him mainly as the man behind the talent of ANIMAL, the hirsute and spastic but enthusiastic drummer on TV's The Muppet Show (whose voice is provided by actor Frank Oz ). When American jazz percussionist Buddy Rich, (one of Verrell's heroes), guested on the show, Verrell (as Animal) had a drumming duel with Rich, and won after Animal smashed a snare drum over Rich's head. Fans of The Who's drummer Keith Moon claim that the character of Animal was based on Moon, who was known for his wild antics. However, there is no evidence in the original sketches for the character that suggest that he was based on anybody in particular. Three of the other members of the Electric Mayhem were created by Muppet designer Micha ... 10 Feb 2014     20:25 Only somewhat vintage Ludwig realted, but who would you guys pick as 10 best drummers of all time? I'll get it going, in no particular order. Tough to limit it to only 10, and not use the criteria of 'influential'. I'm sure my taste in music affect my list... -Vinny Colaiuta - John Bonham - Neil Peart -Terry Bozio -Buddy Rich -Ian Pace - Steve Smith - Alex Van Halen - Ginger Baker -Keith Moon 01 Feb 2014     23:39 As many people are asking, the Top 25 in Modern Drummer 's list of the 50 Greatest Drummers of all time was: 1. Buddy Rich (RIP) 2. John Bonham (RIP) 3. Neil Peart 4. Tony Williams (RIP) 5. Elvin Jones (RIP) 6. Steve Gadd 7. Vinnie Colauita 8. Keith Moon (RIP) 9. Ringo Starr 10. Gene Krupa (RIP) 11. Mike Portnoy 12. Stewart Copeland 13. Max Roach (RIP) 14. Jeff Porcaro (RIP) 15. Billy Cobham 16. Papa Jo Jones (RIP) 17. Bill Bruford 18. Roy Haynes 19. Philly Joe Jones (RIP) 20. Art Blakey (RIP) 21. Phil Collins 22. Dave Weckl 23. Ginger Baker 24. Terry Bozzio 25. Bernard Purdie I must say (as I always do): there is no "greatest" or "best", there's only "favorites" as it's all so subjective...but regardless, it is such an incredible honor to be recognized along side so many of my heroes and I am grateful for such an incredible acknowledgment. It's not always about technique...a list like this is also about the impact and influence drummers can have on young, aspiring drummers...and to me, that acknowledgemen ... 19 Dec 2013     00:00 Some gift ideas for my studio: any memorabilia autographed by Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa , John Bonham , Keith Moon or Ringo ! Thanks lol 06 Dec 2013     09:44 There's only one rock drummer who can match jazz drummers and that's Neil Peart . John Bonham , Keith Moon and Ginger Baker can almost do it, but put your average rock drummer in a contest with a jazz drummer and the rock drummer will lose every time. It's hilarious to see rock drummers use double bass drum kits and get smoked by Buddy Rich, Ed Shaughnessy or Gene Krupa using tiny basic kits. 14 Nov 2013     02:08 If you Google "greatest drummers of all time," the list of names you'll find is pretty consistent: Buddy Rich; Neal Peart (Rush); John Bonham (Led Zeppelin); Lars Ulrich (Metallica); Keith Moon (The Who); Stephen Dale, Mark McAlister; J. Conly Brewer (sorry – I had to add my three favorites to this list!). One name you won’t see is Scot Halpin...but one could argue that there has never been a more valuable percussionist in the history of rock music. On November 20, 1973, The Who were in San Francisco for a concert promoting their latest album. The Who had met with tremendous success...but their drummer, Keith Moon, was battling an addiction to alcohol and drugs. And on that day the demons won as Moon passed out on his drum kit. As stage hands dragged the unconscious drummer away, guitarist Pete Townshend looked to the crowd and yelled, "Can anyone play the drums?!?!?!" I’m sure the scene was surreal. After all, The Who were arguably to hottest band in the world at the time...and here was their gui . ... 26 Sep 2013     07:22 well him and Keith Moon, and Charlie Watts , and Ringo Starr , Neal Peart , Dino Danelli, Hal Blaine , Buddy Rich, , Mitch Mitchell , Ginger Baker , and never forget Johnny Carson and his pencils.etc. 31 Mar 2013     23:21 Not as good as Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa , Keith Moon, John Bonham , Mitch Mitchell or Neil Peart but I can hold my own lol. 07 Mar 2013     23:05 Discussing Ringo's place among the best drummers ever makes me want to list my 10 best drummers of all time 1. Buddy Rich - For those too young to know of him. lookup "Buddy Rich impossible drum solo" on Youtube & you'll see why he's Stewart Copeland - Only my favorite drummer ever. 3. Neil Peart - his reputation is deserved. 4. Keith Moon - The Who is my all time favorite band. 5. Chad Wackerman - Saw him play with Frank Zappa & he was astonishingly great. 6. John Bonham - Nothing more needs to be said. 7. Aynsley Dunbar - Anyone good enough to tour with Zappa belongs on my list. 8. Alex Van Halen - Cerrtainly one of the best. 9. Simon Phillips - Toured with The Who after Keith Moon died. Way better technique. 10. Duane Timlin - The guys plays 64th notes.with his feet! Must be seen to be believed. 06 Jan 2013     18:50 12 Drummers Drumming, for yesterday. Buddy Rich, Charlie Watts , John Bonham , Lars Ulrich , Keith Moon, Ringo Starr , Bill Kreutzman, Mickey Hart ( Bob Weir on guitar), Ron Bushy, Karen Carpenter , Steve Gadd and Rick Allen . I think some repeats from last year. But now this is over. 13 Dec 2012     04:01 "Better drummer Keith Moon or John Bonham ? Go" why doesn't Buddy Rich get brought up in these discussions? 14 Aug 2012     08:08 Alright kids, here's your task... By far and away Buddy Rich is the greatest drummer that ever swung a stick! I give you the next nine in no particular order. You rank 'em, or tell me how Im wrong: Jordy Jordison, Phil Collins, Mike Portnoy , Alex Van Halen , Neil Peart , Keith Moon, John Bonam, Lars Ulrich , Bill Ward . LETS GO! 15 Jun 2012     20:41 Thoughts on Rush's Clockwork Angels : - very very heavy album - I don't think Geddy Lee & Neil Peart have ever played this dirty and groovy before. That said, I can hear a lot of Neil's big band jazz influences more on this CD than ever - a lot of his fills have those snare based fills I associate with Buddy Rich than Keith Moon or John Bonham . There's just an overall heaviness to the CD even in the more intricate work that is profound - I like this a lot - I wish that the band didn't state that they wanted this CD to be their "Tommy" - now I swear I spend a lot of my time comparing this CD to that one. I definitely hear the similarities in terms of everything - even the feel that they are on the edge of control just like early Who material. I guess they achieved the feel they were going for... - I like the balance of control Geddy gets on his vocals now - he is stretching to get to some of the notes that vintage material had, but keeps it melodic the entire time. I guess its a matter of taste... - I like ... 15 Jun 2012     08:18 I just told Graham Winchester that he sounds like Keith Moon meets Neil Peart meets Bonham and I think he should be called John Keith Peart or Neil Bonham Moon.I think the second one now.and just WAIT until we get David Mason and Graham in a " Max Roach vs. Buddy Rich battle!!! Dave you down? I see a new Superfunk Memphis All Star show in the works. 19 May 2012     01:43 Here are my top five drummers...Who are your? 1. Buddy Rich 2. Ginger Baker 3. John Bonham 4. Keith Moon 5. Neil Peart 16 Apr 2012     22:35 Watch clips of the winners, including John Bonham , Neil Peart , Keith Moon and more

Drummer

The male is a cob, the female a pen, & the young a cygnet: which bird are we talking about?

Best Drummers | List of Top Drummers of All Time The Best Drummers of All Time 495k votes 65k voters 1M views 689 items tags f t p @ List Criteria: Vote on the most skilled drummers who predominately played the drums in a band; all genres of music are acceptable Who is the greatest drummer ever? This is a list of the best drummers of all time, voted on and ranked by music lovers worldwide. Add your own list or vote on the greatest drummers of all time here. Although many of the top drummers in history are rock drummers, this list is not restricted to just rock music. It covers all genres, so feel free to add anyone you think is missing. Need some ideas for the best drummers of all time? Check out this list of the best female drummers  - many of them are outstanding and certainly worthy of inclusion here. Debate about who is truly the best drummer ever can get heated. Once you start looking at the legendary drummers like John Bonham, Neil Peart, Keith Moon, and Buddy Rich, well, it's hard to rank one over the other. Many of the drummers listed here are also singers and songwriters, and some are/were band leaders as well. If you need examples, check out this list of the best singing drummers for inspiration. What made these famous drummers so amazing? An incredible sense of time and meter, for one thing. But it's more than just technical prowess: it's an overall presence, as well. Being a drummer is about skill, first and foremost, but it's also about showmanship, particularly in the rock genre. Disagree? That's totally fine. Just make sure you vote on these best drummers in the world, one way or the other. Collection Photo: user uploaded image 278 ReRanks 2 See list ranked by Z G Options B Comments & Embed 2rerank list 1

i don't know

Who memorialized a battle of the Crimean War in his 1854 poem The Charge of the Light Brigade?

Charge of the Light Brigade Printer Friendly Version >>> What specifically ignited the Crimean War in 1854 has long been forgotten in the collective memory. The conflict erupted in 1854 with the Russian Empire on one side and Britain, France, the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Ottoman Empire on the other. Their dispute centered on which side would have dominant influence in the declining Ottoman Empire. The wars's major battleground was in Russia's Crimean Peninsula, which gave the conflict its name. British and French forces landed in the Crimea in the fall of 1854 with the objective of attacking Russia's naval base at the city of Sevastopol and thereby weaken its naval presence in the Black Sea. An artist's conception of the Charge of the Light Brigade   Although the war itself is only a dim recollection, what is vividly remembered is one valorously tragic incident of the campaign: the headlong cavalry charge of the British Light Brigade into murderous Russian fire; an action immortalized by Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem. The Charge of the Light Brigade took place during a battle near the city of Balaclava on October 25, 1854. Through a miscommunication of orders, the Light Brigade of approximately 600 horsemen began a headlong charge into a treeless valley with the objective of capturing some Russian field artillery at its end. Unbeknown to them, the valley was ringed on three sides by some 20 battalions of Russian infantry and artillery. The result was disastrous. An estimated 278 of the Light Brigade were killed or wounded. Observing the charge, a French Marshall remarked: "It is magnificent, but it is not war. It is madness." When news of the action reached London, it caused a national scandal that prompted Tennyson to pen his poem. History remembers the charge of the Light Brigade as an example of the extraordinary bravery of the British soldier in the face of enemy fire in spite of poor leadership. "They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun. . ." William Howard Russell was a correspondent for the London Illustrated News and was present at the battle. It was his description that prompted Tennyson's poem. We join Russell's account as the Light Brigade begins its charge: "They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendor of war. We could hardly believe the evidence of our senses! Surely that handful of men were not going to charge an army in position? Alas! it was but too true - their desperate valor knew no bounds, and far indeed was it removed from its so-called better part - discretion. ADVERTISMENT They advanced in two lines, quickening their pace as they closed towards the enemy. A more fearful spectacle was never witnessed than by those who, without the power to aid, beheld their heroic countrymen rushing to the arms of death. At the distance of 1200 yards the whole line of the enemy belched forth, from thirty iron mouths, a flood of smoke and flame, through which hissed the deadly balls. Their flight was marked by instant gaps in our ranks, by dead men and horses, by steeds flying wounded or riderless across the plain. The first line was broken - it was joined by the second, they never halted or checked their speed an instant. With diminished ranks, thinned by those thirty guns, which the Russians had laid with the most deadly accuracy, with a halo of flashing steel above their heads, and with a cheer which was many a noble fellow's death cry, they flew into the smoke of the batteries; but ere they were lost from view, the plain was strewed with their bodies and with the carcasses of horses. They were exposed to an oblique fire from the batteries on the hills on both sides, as wed as to a direct fire of musketry. Through the clouds of smoke we could see their sabers flashing as they rode up to the guns and dashed between 'them, cutting down the gunners as they stood. . .We saw them riding through the guns, as I have said; to our delight we saw them returning, after breaking through a column of Russian infantry, and scattering them like chaff, when the flank fire of the battery on the hill swept them down, scattered and broken as they were. Wounded men and dismounted troopers flying towards us told the sad tale. . . .At the very moment when they were about to retreat, an enormous mass of lancers was hurled upon their flank. Colonel Shewell, of the 8th Hussars, saw the danger, and rode his few men straight at them, cutting his way through with fearful loss. The other regiments turned and engaged in a desperate encounter. With courage too great almost for credence, they were breaking their way through the columns which enveloped them, when there took place an act of atrocity without parallel in the modem warfare of civilized nations. The Russian gunners, when the storm of cavalry passed, returned to their guns. They saw their own cavalry mingled with the troopers who had just ridden over them, and to the eternal disgrace of the Russian name the miscreants poured a murderous volley of grape and canister on the mass of struggling men and horses, mingling friend and foe in one common ruin. It was as much as our Heavy Cavalry Brigade could do to cover the retreat of the miserable remnants of that band of heroes as they returned to the place they had so lately quitted in all the pride of life. At twenty-five to twelve not a British soldier, except the dead and dying, was left in front of these bloody Muscovite guns." References:     This eyewitness account appears in: Russell, William Howard, The British Expedition to the Crimea (1858); Royle, Trevor, Crimea: the Great Crimean War, 1854-1856 (2000). How To Cite This Article: "The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1854", EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2008). The end of the Crimean war was negotiated at the Congress of Paris in 1856. During the war Florence Nightingale headed a staff of 38 women nurses that provided nursing care to wounded British soldiers.    

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

What radio station do you find at 950 on your local AM dial?

The Crimean War The Crimean War [ Victorian Web Home —> Victorian Political History —> Victorian Social History —> Crimean War ] Part II of the author's "Mark Twain on the Crimean War." In-text citations refer to items in the bibliography [ GPL ]. ontinuing our assumption that there may be some historical truth to "Luck," the obvious starting point for any investigation is the Crimean War. It is generally accepted that after the Napoleonic Wars, the British army went into a decline. According to Lord Garnet Wolseley, war "as an art was not studied, and hence, when the Crimean War broke out, so ignorant were our generals and our colonels, it is a marvel to me that any of us survived. Our officers had no training. They never read a book upon military matters, and at the mess, when allusion was made to tactics, or military problems, the offender was summarily told to 'shut up.' Hence, at the Crimea, our officers were totally ignorant . . . " (Stead, 278). So it comes as no surprise that the Crimean War has long provided historians with a wealth of examples of incompetent generalship. Even contemporaries were aware of the deficiencies of the senior officer corps. The long list of derisive descriptions and nicknames for generals shows the low esteem in which they were held. One general was called an "old imbecile bully," another a "nincompoop" and "a shocking old dolt," yet another a "terrible fool" (Edgerton, 87). Subaltern officers in the Crimea seemed to vie to outdo each other in original descriptions of how stupid their commanding officers were. One was called "the biggest fool in the army," and another had the distinction of being "the biggest fool ever" (Hibbert 1961, 126, 198). For our purposes, the names of these generals — now known only to specialists — are neither here nor there. Not one of them has ever passed for a military genius. If Twain had anyone in mind when writing "Luck," it was not one of them. The British commander Lord Raglan was loved by some and respected by most, but no one considered him a very great general, including Raglan himself. The French commander, Canrobert, was by some accounts more popular among the British troops than any British general; indeed, he was said by one British officer to be the only one who had "not made a fool of himself" (Hibbert 1961, 217). But it was Lord Wolseley, writing more than 50 years later, who offered the most comprehensive indictment of the incompetence of commanders and staff officers in the Crimea. "Good heavens! What generals then had charge of England's only army, and of her honour and fighting reputation! They were served to a large extent by incompetent staff officers as useless as themselves; many of them merely flaneurs 'about town,' who knew as little of war and its science as they did of the Differential Calculus! Almost all our officers at that time were uneducated as soldiers, and many of those placed upon the staff of the Army at the beginning of the war were absolutely unfit for positions they had secured through family or political interest. There were, of course, a few brilliant exceptions, but they made the incompetence of the many all the more remarkable." He added, "Before the Crimean War began there were few incentives for officers to study their profession scientifically. The great bulk of the staff at home, and most of those selected for staff work with the army sent to Turkey, were chosen for family reasons. However, that was soon changed, for they were found to be mostly incompetent for all practical work in the field. Clever educated professional soldiers took their places as vacancies occurred. I knew the officers well who were, as late as the fall of Sebastopol, the quarter-master-generals of two of our five divisions, and they were not men whom I would have entrusted with a subaltern's picket in the field. Had they been private soldiers I don't think any colonel would have made them corporals" (Wolseley 1903, 95f, n. 100). Wolseley made exactly the same comment about his superior officers that the reverend made about Scoresby, particularly the remark that he "was actually gazetted to a captaincy in a marching regiment . . . I could just barely have stood it if they had made him a cornet . . . " (Merry Tales, 71). Wolseley later reiterated his view that many officers were unfit for their posts, and should not have been promoted. "We had several stupid men amongst those who served in the Crimea, who could not, I think, have passed the examinations now required for entrance into that corps [of engineers]." As we have seen, Scoresby only passed his examinations due to incredible luck. But Wolseley's censures were not restricted to the engineers. The generals, too, were out-of-date. "No new light, no useful gleam of imagination or originality ever illuminated whatever may have been their reasoning powers" (Wolseley 1903, 136-137). "If the Russians at Sebastopol had not been very badly led not one of our men could have escaped," Wolseley recalled during an interview. "Our officers were very ignorant of their profession; the Russians were worse. I always think that, so far from complaining of the reverses we had suffered, it was a miracle any of us returned to tell the tale" (Stead, 282). Wolseley's charges have been echoed by modern historians, who point out that "formal standards of professional education were low" (Baumgart, 76). An officer's promotion was not based on merit but rather "depended on the number of his seniors who died, were promoted outside the regiment, exchanged into other regiments, resigned or retired" (Glover, 26). The result was that many commanding officers were aged, and so it is perhaps more understandable that younger officers became impatient and regarded their superiors as overly hesitant and out-of-touch. In sum, it is hardly surprising that Twain chose the Crimean War as the setting for his example of military blundering. He knew he was on safe terrain. No one was likely to object that this war had been characterized by anything but monumental stupidity. When his audience read the words "Crimean War," they practically expected a tale of incompetence. Inkerman wain, who had visited the Crimea in 1867, blanks out the name of the battle in which Scoresby won his honors, but if we assume for the moment that the story is based, however loosely, on fact, there are only two that can be considered: Inkerman and Balaclava. In the late 1990s, when I was teaching "Luck" at a Lyceum in Moldova, not far from the Crimea, my patriotic students (patriotic for Russia) were always quick to point out that nothing like what Twain describes happened in reality. True enough, there was no headlong flight of a Russian army at the sight of a British regiment. But there were many instances in this war of smaller British units attacking and defeating much larger Russian formations — though apparently none of Russians running away from such attacks without first putting up a fight. For example, assistant-surgeon Wolseley (brother of Garnet) found his field hospital surrounded during the fighting for the Sandbag Battery at Inkerman. The doctor gave the order to all men within earshot: "Fix bayonets, charge, and keep up the hill." "The soldiery answered him with a burst of hurras, sprang forward to the charge and in the next instant were tearing their way through the thicket of Russians. They suffered, it is believed, heavy loss in proportion to their scanty number; but they achieved their purpose, and came out at length on the southern or English side of the force which had undertaken to block their path" (Kinglake, III, 196-197). Leo Tolstoy, who saw action in the Crimea, called the poor Russian performance at Inkerman a "treasonable, an outrageous action. 10th and 11th divisions attacked the enemy's flank, turned it and spiked 37 pieces. Then the enemy brought up 6,000 carbines, only 6,000 against our 30 [thousand] strong force. And we retreated, losing some 6,000 brave men" (Tolstoy, 16). Though the 26-year-old Tolstoy was not present at the battles of Inkerman or Balaclava, he did serve as an artillery officer during the later siege of Sebastopol. A modern historian has summed up the action at Inkerman as follows: "And so on this part of the front also, thousands of the dispirited enemy were retreating before the determined charges of a few hundred men." While in this battle the French held back, the British army was "saved from a similar inactivity by one of those sudden, unauthorised displays of initiative and heroism for which the battle of Inkerman will always be famous" (Hibbert 1961, 172, 193). Though the Crimean War provided few if any examples of brilliant generalship, it did offer many instances of inspired heroism. Lord Wolseley also addressed this when he acknowledged "the helpless, feckless ignorance of war displayed by many of our generals and their inept staff upon that occasion." He went on to note, "The fighting characteristics of our soldiers and regimental officers were so conspicuous throughout the Battle of Inkerman that we have been content to forget the culpable professional ignorance of those who had been selected to command them." (Wolseley 1903, 142-143). Balaclava he closest parallels to the events in "Luck" occurred, however, not at Inkerman but at Balaclava, the scene of the two most famous cavalry charges of the war. The first of these was led by General Scarlett, commander of the Heavy Brigade. When advancing up the Causeway Heights, "he had no idea of the [Russian] forces opposing him. Even when they appeared over the crest of the hill he did not know their full numbers, which were, in fact, three thousand. He himself had six squadrons (a total of eight hundred) . . . Scarlett's success was due to his swiftness of decision. Seeing that the Russians were virtually at a halt he decided that a quick assault would be productive of considerable results. To accomplish this he wheeled into line the left column, which consisted of only three hundred sabres (swordsmen on horseback) and led the charge himself . . . But the main effect was caused by the vigour, speed and determination of the charging squadrons, not only as they arrived but in the way they fought when once among the Russians. The latter, perhaps thinking that another similar charge must be on the way at any moment, gave ground, broke up, and finally rode fast away from the scene. It was an incredible situation, eight hundred men putting three thousand to rout" (Warner, 64-65). The similarities to Scoresby's attack are too obvious to require commentary. But today it is another cavalry charge at Balaclava that is better remembered. "The famous 'charge of the Light Brigade' is still celebrated for the astonishing bravery of the British cavalry, and justly so. But it was also one of the more spectacular blunders in the history of war" (Edgerton, 94). Shortly after the charge of the Heavy Brigade, Lord Raglan , having a commanding view of the battlefield, saw that the Russians were preparing to remove some captured British cannon. To Captain Nolan he gave the order for the Light Brigade, under the command of Lord Cardigan , to prevent this. The order was imprecise as to the location of the enemy, this being obvious to Raglan on his high perch. Captain Nolan rode off down the hill to relay the order to Lord Lucan , Cardigan's immediate superior. It was well known that Lucan and Cardigan, who happened to be related as brothers-in-law, detested each other. On top of that, both men were held in equally low esteem by their fellow officers. Cardigan was regarded as "invincibly stupid," and Nolan's personal opinion was that Lucan and Cardigan were "the two greatest fools in the entire history of the British army." Another cavalry officer observed, "As to Lord Cardigan, he has as much brains as my boot, and is only equaled in want of intellect by his relation Lord 'Look-on.' " George Lucan had acquired the derisive nickname "Look-on" because earlier, during the battle of the Alma, he had done nothing to help the French when they had come under attack, but had merely "looked on." This cavalry officer continued, "Without mincing words, two bigger fools could not be picked out of the British Army to take command" (Edgerton, 94, 96; see discussion of Kinglake ). But even if he had been a military genius, Lucan could not have understood the order he received. From his ground-level vantage point he could not see the Russian troops — atop a hill a bit to his right — that Raglan had meant. Instead, the only enemy forces visible to him were at the far end of a valley, a bit to the west or left of where Raglan intended him to go. Attacking them would be tantamount to suicide. The Russians "were perfectly arranged to deal with any British formations that would be so monumentally stupid as to move straight down the middle of the valley where they would be assailed from the front and both flanks all at the same time" (Gibbs, 211). When Lucan quite reasonably asked Nolan for clarification, the captain contemptuously waved his hand in the general direction of the enemy and said, "There, my lord, is your enemy!" So the obedient Lucan (historian Edgerton calls him "stupidly obedient,") relayed the order to Lord Cardigan, who was also appalled at the prospect. Not at all foolishly, he asked for confirmation. Lucan replied that it was a positive order from Lord Raglan and that he must attack immediately, even though "this decision to charge represented arrant stupidity" (Edgerton, 98). So Cardigan, motivated by what Kinglake (V, 364) termed "chivalrous obedience," led his approximately six hundred men into what Tennyson would call the "Valley of Death." Among the first to be killed was Captain Nolan, who at the last minute evidently tried to redirect the charge in the proper direction — in vain. While suffering terrible losses, the Light Brigade succeeded in reaching the Russian position at the end of the valley and taking over some of their cannon, but before long they were driven back down the length of the valley by the vastly superior Russian forces. Canrobert launched a supporting attack which kept the retreat from being quite as frightful as it might have been. In the end, fewer than two hundred made it back to the British lines, Lord Cardigan surprisingly being one of them. At first glance, this famous charge seems less related to the events in "Luck" than the charge of the Heavy Brigade. Yet there are similarities. In Cardigan's case, a misunderstood order (he went to the left of where he should have gone), carried out bravely but idiotically, leads to glory. In Scoresby's case, an order misunderstood by an idiot — so stupid he doesn't know his right from his left — leads to glory. It is as though Twain took the unquestioning obedience to a senseless order, which characterized the Charge of the Light Brigade, and combined it with the result of the Charge of the Heavy Brigade: the surprising defeat of a numerically superior enemy. And of course he also transposed cavalry to infantry. The Charge of the Light Brigade was certainly an example of bravado, and in part through Tennyson's poem it was mythologized into an example of British bravery. "The public regarded the charge as a deed of spectacular heroism, not often pausing to reflect, like a correspondent in the Spectator: 'The order was a blunder; . . . the Balaklava charge should warn them [the government] how dangerous it is to select officers for staff appointments on any other ground than that of personal fitness'" (Vulliamy, 150). There was "an eagerness [on the part of British public opinion] to find heroes in a wasteful war. The public treated what happened as a victory for courage rather than a defeat through stupidity and blunder. The surviving members of the Light Brigade and Lord Cardigan, never known as a likable man, became heroic figures when word reached Britain about the brigade's willingness to obey orders at all costs" (Goldberg, 38). The Tennyson connection is instructive, because according to his own account, his poem "was written after reading the first report of the Times correspondent . . . my poem is dactylic, and founded on the phrase, 'Some one had blundered.' " (Poems, II, 369). Though Tennyson made it quite clear that the charge was the result of someone's foolish mistake, nonetheless the impression that remained with the reading public was one of poetic glorification ("When can their glory fade?"). Tennyson also wrote another Crimean War poem, albeit less well known, about the charge of the Heavy Brigade. It evokes the charge of the "gallant three hundred" who charged uphill to attack "thousands of Russians." "Thousands of horsemen had gather'd there on the height" and Scarlett's men "Drove thro' the midst of the foe" who surrounded them. All the onlookers thought they must be lost in "the heart of the Russian hordes," when suddenly the enemy broke, as the Heavy Brigade . . . Drove it in wild disarray, For our men gallopt up with a cheer and a shout, And the foeman surged, and waver'd, and reel'd Up the hill, up the hill, up the hill, out of the field, And over the brow and away. In the Epilogue to this poem, the pacifist "Irene" reproaches the Poet by saying, "You praise when you should blame / The barbarism of wars," leading to a long self-justification by the Poet: . . . who loves war for war's own sake Is fool, or crazed, or worse; But let the patriot-soldier take His meed of fame in verse . . . . Irene greets this with a simple but emphatic "No!" leading to another twenty lines of the Poet's self-justification, ending with . . . The song that nerves a nation's heart Is in itself a deed. Tennyson was not naive in his praise of war and glory, the way some Civil War romantics were whom Twain subjected to withering criticism. Tennyson acknowledged the generals' blunders, and was not only aware of the critics of his war poetry but even included one in his verse — though her objections are clearly marginalized as feminine, if not feminist. In the end, Tennyson seems to come down squarely on the side of poetic glorification as a patriotic, masculine deed. A reading of this poem that justified Irene's point of view would be a reading against the grain. The literary exaltation of war, like the misunderstanding of chivalry, is something that Twain consistently sought to undermine. In "Luck," he took aim at the public's tendency toward hero worshipping. In "The Private History of a Campaign that Failed" (the most substantial of the stories in Merry Tales) he recounted his own inglorious contributions to the Confederate war effort. "Much of Twain's article is antiheroic in tone, and it consistently ridicules notions of valorous military activity." And again: "Twain dramatizes his doubts about military values and their effect from a skeptical and antiauthoritarian position" (Messent, 144, 149). Thus for Twain, it would not have made much difference whether the obedience on display during the battle of Balaclava had been stupid or chivalrous.

i don't know

Stop, drop, and roll was drilled in your head in elementary school if you ever caught on fire. What did they expect you to do in the case of a nuclear attack?

Duck and Cover Drills Bring the Cold War Home     After the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949, the American public was understandably nervous. They were aware of the destruction that individual atomic bombs did to the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But the general public did not know a lot yet about the dangers of radiation and fallout. So, a new Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) was set up in 1951 to educate – and reassure – the country that there were ways to survive an atomic attack from the Soviet Union. They commissioned a university study on how to achieve "emotion management" during the early days of the Cold War. One of their approaches was to involve schools. Teachers in selected cities were encouraged to conduct air raid drills where they would suddenly yell, "Drop!" and students were expected to kneel down under their desks with their hands clutched around their heads and necks. Some schools even distributed metal "dog tags," like those worn by World War II soldiers, so that the bodies of students could be identified after an attack. The next logical step was to promote these "preparedness" measures around the country, and the FCDA decided the best way to do that was to commission an educational film that would appeal to children. In 1951, the agency awarded a contract for the production to a New York firm known as Archer Films. Archer called in teachers to meet with them and got the endorsement of the National Education Association. An administrator at a private school in McLean, Virginia, mentioned that they had participated in the "duck and cover" drills. That was the first time the producers had heard the drills called that, and they thought the phrase would work as a title. The producers went to work on a script that would combine live actors and an animated turtle to encourage kids to duck down to the ground and get under some form of cover – a desk, a table or next to a wall – if they ever saw a bright flash of light. The flash would presumably be produced by an atomic blast. The hero of the film was the animated Turtle named Bert who wore a pith helmet and quickly ducked his head into his shell when a monkey in a tree set off a firecracker nearby. At the time, not that much was generally known about the effects of radiation sickness and radioactive fallout away from Ground Zero of a nuclear blast. In addition, the first atomic weapons were produced by a fission reaction. In the early bombs, uranium was compressed into a "critical mass," where enough radioactive material came together to create a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Millions of free neutrons would hit uranium or plutonium atoms and break them apart, releasing more neutrons. An explosion resulted. The resulting explosion of this fission reaction was the equivalent of at least 15,000 tons of TNT – the most powerful conventional explosive. In the parlance of the time, the Hiroshima bomb was a 15-kiloton weapon. Most people were concerned with the tremendous heat and blast damage that atomic bombs produced, not with the relatively small amount of radiation produced. So, when Duck and Cover was completed in January 1952, its admonition perhaps could have saved some lives in the event of an atomic-bomb attack. Civil Defense officials liked the animated turtle and his monkey tormentor so much that they included the film in the "Alert America Convoy." The convoy had 10 trucks and trailers that toured he country for nine months in 1952. Each vehicle contained civil defense dioramas, posters, 3-D models and a film theatre showing Duck and Cover and other educational movies. The theme was practical ways individuals could "beat the bomb." According to the FCDA, 1.1 million people eventually saw the convoy exhibits. At the same time, Duck and Cover was premiered to educators at a gala screening at a Manhattan movie theatre. From there, it was distributed to schools around the country by one of the largest educational film distributors. It was shown on television stations around the country, and some educated guesses put the TV audience in the tens of millions. Many baby boomers like Alex Martin (left) remember duck and cover drills in their schools . "It was a little bit like a fire drill except you don't run outside," Alex says. "So, the Cold War, that's past now, and today people who were born in the last 20 years probably can't appreciate that. But we were not on very friendly terms with Russia at the time, to say the least." JFK's special counsel, Ted Sorensen (right), also remembers duck and cover drills, but admits that even fallout shelters probably wouldn't have done much good . "If they were truly air tight, and if you could truly stay done there for weeks and weeks until the nuclear fallout had passed, some people might have survived that way. But, in the meantime they would have been fighting off their neighbors and maybe perishing from eating rotten food. Who knows?" Then came the fusion- or hydrogen-bomb.     H-bombs are a lot more powerful than A-bombs. In fact, the H-bomb uses a smaller A-bomb just to ignite the fusion material. The Hiroshima bomb was the equivalent of 15,000 tons of TNT. The first H-bomb produced the equivalent of 10,400,000 tons of TNT. That's 10.4 megatons of energy – over 450 times more power than the 15 kilotons of the Hiroshima bomb. The second H-bomb was tested in February 1954 at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands (in the background of photo illustration above). It yielded 15 megatons of energy, and something else very unexpected – massive amounts of radioactive fallout that contaminated over 7,000 square miles. A Japanese fishing boat nearby wasn't affected by the blast or the heat, but got a dusting of fallout in a snow-like mist. The boat, the "Fifth Lucky Dragon," made it to port but members of the crew were suffering from skin burns and radiation sickness. One died. The fish they caught were contaminated. Nearby islands in the Marshall chain were also contaminated and islanders had to be evacuated. Many islands are still uninhabitable. The huge destructive power of hundreds of H-bombs along with the growing knowledge of the dangers of radioactive fallout made the simple "duck and cover" drills cruelly ironic. By the mid-60s at least, there were not many who believed they, or the world, could survive a nuclear war, and the film Duck and Cover became a sardonic icon of nuclear propaganda. All of this is important to rural America because the nuclear arms race required the military to test hundreds of weapons, most in the rural desert of Nevada. Recently, the National Cancer institute produced a map (left, above) showing high levels of radiation exposure – in the form of Iodine-131 – from the Nevada nuclear tests concentrated in the Great Plains and farming regions of the Midwest. In addition, FEMA recently produced a map (below) of where they would expect radioactive fallout to be deposited in the event of a large nuclear exchange. Again, the highest levels are concentrated in the Great Plains and upper Midwest. Written by Bill Ganzel, the Ganzel Group . First published in 2007. A partial bibliography of sources is here .  

Duck and cover

Roald Amundsen, along with Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, and Oscar Wisting, became the first to reach the South Pole on December 14, 1911. What countries flag did they fly over the pole?

Duck and Cover Drills Bring the Cold War Home     After the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949, the American public was understandably nervous. They were aware of the destruction that individual atomic bombs did to the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But the general public did not know a lot yet about the dangers of radiation and fallout. So, a new Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) was set up in 1951 to educate – and reassure – the country that there were ways to survive an atomic attack from the Soviet Union. They commissioned a university study on how to achieve "emotion management" during the early days of the Cold War. One of their approaches was to involve schools. Teachers in selected cities were encouraged to conduct air raid drills where they would suddenly yell, "Drop!" and students were expected to kneel down under their desks with their hands clutched around their heads and necks. Some schools even distributed metal "dog tags," like those worn by World War II soldiers, so that the bodies of students could be identified after an attack. The next logical step was to promote these "preparedness" measures around the country, and the FCDA decided the best way to do that was to commission an educational film that would appeal to children. In 1951, the agency awarded a contract for the production to a New York firm known as Archer Films. Archer called in teachers to meet with them and got the endorsement of the National Education Association. An administrator at a private school in McLean, Virginia, mentioned that they had participated in the "duck and cover" drills. That was the first time the producers had heard the drills called that, and they thought the phrase would work as a title. The producers went to work on a script that would combine live actors and an animated turtle to encourage kids to duck down to the ground and get under some form of cover – a desk, a table or next to a wall – if they ever saw a bright flash of light. The flash would presumably be produced by an atomic blast. The hero of the film was the animated Turtle named Bert who wore a pith helmet and quickly ducked his head into his shell when a monkey in a tree set off a firecracker nearby. At the time, not that much was generally known about the effects of radiation sickness and radioactive fallout away from Ground Zero of a nuclear blast. In addition, the first atomic weapons were produced by a fission reaction. In the early bombs, uranium was compressed into a "critical mass," where enough radioactive material came together to create a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Millions of free neutrons would hit uranium or plutonium atoms and break them apart, releasing more neutrons. An explosion resulted. The resulting explosion of this fission reaction was the equivalent of at least 15,000 tons of TNT – the most powerful conventional explosive. In the parlance of the time, the Hiroshima bomb was a 15-kiloton weapon. Most people were concerned with the tremendous heat and blast damage that atomic bombs produced, not with the relatively small amount of radiation produced. So, when Duck and Cover was completed in January 1952, its admonition perhaps could have saved some lives in the event of an atomic-bomb attack. Civil Defense officials liked the animated turtle and his monkey tormentor so much that they included the film in the "Alert America Convoy." The convoy had 10 trucks and trailers that toured he country for nine months in 1952. Each vehicle contained civil defense dioramas, posters, 3-D models and a film theatre showing Duck and Cover and other educational movies. The theme was practical ways individuals could "beat the bomb." According to the FCDA, 1.1 million people eventually saw the convoy exhibits. At the same time, Duck and Cover was premiered to educators at a gala screening at a Manhattan movie theatre. From there, it was distributed to schools around the country by one of the largest educational film distributors. It was shown on television stations around the country, and some educated guesses put the TV audience in the tens of millions. Many baby boomers like Alex Martin (left) remember duck and cover drills in their schools . "It was a little bit like a fire drill except you don't run outside," Alex says. "So, the Cold War, that's past now, and today people who were born in the last 20 years probably can't appreciate that. But we were not on very friendly terms with Russia at the time, to say the least." JFK's special counsel, Ted Sorensen (right), also remembers duck and cover drills, but admits that even fallout shelters probably wouldn't have done much good . "If they were truly air tight, and if you could truly stay done there for weeks and weeks until the nuclear fallout had passed, some people might have survived that way. But, in the meantime they would have been fighting off their neighbors and maybe perishing from eating rotten food. Who knows?" Then came the fusion- or hydrogen-bomb.     H-bombs are a lot more powerful than A-bombs. In fact, the H-bomb uses a smaller A-bomb just to ignite the fusion material. The Hiroshima bomb was the equivalent of 15,000 tons of TNT. The first H-bomb produced the equivalent of 10,400,000 tons of TNT. That's 10.4 megatons of energy – over 450 times more power than the 15 kilotons of the Hiroshima bomb. The second H-bomb was tested in February 1954 at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands (in the background of photo illustration above). It yielded 15 megatons of energy, and something else very unexpected – massive amounts of radioactive fallout that contaminated over 7,000 square miles. A Japanese fishing boat nearby wasn't affected by the blast or the heat, but got a dusting of fallout in a snow-like mist. The boat, the "Fifth Lucky Dragon," made it to port but members of the crew were suffering from skin burns and radiation sickness. One died. The fish they caught were contaminated. Nearby islands in the Marshall chain were also contaminated and islanders had to be evacuated. Many islands are still uninhabitable. The huge destructive power of hundreds of H-bombs along with the growing knowledge of the dangers of radioactive fallout made the simple "duck and cover" drills cruelly ironic. By the mid-60s at least, there were not many who believed they, or the world, could survive a nuclear war, and the film Duck and Cover became a sardonic icon of nuclear propaganda. All of this is important to rural America because the nuclear arms race required the military to test hundreds of weapons, most in the rural desert of Nevada. Recently, the National Cancer institute produced a map (left, above) showing high levels of radiation exposure – in the form of Iodine-131 – from the Nevada nuclear tests concentrated in the Great Plains and farming regions of the Midwest. In addition, FEMA recently produced a map (below) of where they would expect radioactive fallout to be deposited in the event of a large nuclear exchange. Again, the highest levels are concentrated in the Great Plains and upper Midwest. Written by Bill Ganzel, the Ganzel Group . First published in 2007. A partial bibliography of sources is here .  

i don't know

According to the classic 12 Days of Christmas song, what group were there 11 of?

The Twelve Days of Christmas The Twelve Days of Christmas Dennis Bratcher The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany   (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6. The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas ).  In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.  In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).  Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th. By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with (sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year. The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day.  Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. Many European  celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).  In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany . The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children with secular origins. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Christian Faith.  They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn. However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.  While some have tried to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy (see Snopes on The 12 Days of Christmas ).  There is little "hard" evidence available either way.  Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies. The reality is that the "evidence" for both perspectives is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities.  Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide negative evidence.  On the other hand, logical deduction and probability do not provide proof either. One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that, "there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything but a fanciful modern day speculation. . .."  Yet, there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either. The view of the song as a secret catechism is most likely legendary or anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive evidence," we probably should not take overly rigid positions from either perspective. It is all too easy to turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth.  So, for the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge the likelihood that the song had secular origins. However, on another level, this should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation. Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy, as important as that might be on one level, is not really the point.  Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue during the Advent and Christmas seasons.  Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song,"  they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world.  After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway? (Click on a picture below to go to a devotional for that day) On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me... A Partridge in a Pear Tree The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34) On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Two Turtle Doves The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world. On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Three French Hens The Three Theological Virtues:  1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13) On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Four Calling Birds The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ. [* This is the 1909 American version.  Earlier English versions have "colley birds" or blackbirds.  There are other versions as well.] On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Five Gold Rings The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world. On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Six Geese A-laying The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1). On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Seven Swans A-swimming The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11) On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eight Maids A-milking The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10) On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Nine Ladies Dancing The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22) On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Ten Lords A-leaping The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17) On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eleven Pipers Piping The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans. On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Twelve Drummers Drumming The Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed : 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting. Epiphany, January 6 Thanks to Yvonne Edwards for suggesting this page and finding the graphics. -Dennis Bratcher, Copyright © 2015, Dennis Bratcher, All Rights Reserved

pipers piping

Dec 13, 1953 saw the birth of Ben Bernanke, Harvard grad with a PhD from MIT. What governmental position does he hold?

The Twelve Days of Christmas The Twelve Days of Christmas Dennis Bratcher The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany   (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6. The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas ).  In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.  In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).  Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th. By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with (sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year. The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day.  Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. Many European  celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).  In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany . The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children with secular origins. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Christian Faith.  They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn. However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.  While some have tried to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy (see Snopes on The 12 Days of Christmas ).  There is little "hard" evidence available either way.  Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies. The reality is that the "evidence" for both perspectives is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities.  Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide negative evidence.  On the other hand, logical deduction and probability do not provide proof either. One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that, "there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything but a fanciful modern day speculation. . .."  Yet, there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either. The view of the song as a secret catechism is most likely legendary or anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive evidence," we probably should not take overly rigid positions from either perspective. It is all too easy to turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth.  So, for the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge the likelihood that the song had secular origins. However, on another level, this should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation. Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy, as important as that might be on one level, is not really the point.  Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue during the Advent and Christmas seasons.  Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song,"  they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world.  After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway? (Click on a picture below to go to a devotional for that day) On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me... A Partridge in a Pear Tree The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34) On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Two Turtle Doves The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world. On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Three French Hens The Three Theological Virtues:  1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13) On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Four Calling Birds The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ. [* This is the 1909 American version.  Earlier English versions have "colley birds" or blackbirds.  There are other versions as well.] On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Five Gold Rings The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world. On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Six Geese A-laying The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1). On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Seven Swans A-swimming The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11) On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eight Maids A-milking The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10) On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Nine Ladies Dancing The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22) On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Ten Lords A-leaping The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17) On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eleven Pipers Piping The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans. On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Twelve Drummers Drumming The Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed : 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting. Epiphany, January 6 Thanks to Yvonne Edwards for suggesting this page and finding the graphics. -Dennis Bratcher, Copyright © 2015, Dennis Bratcher, All Rights Reserved

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Holding office from 1901 to 1909, who was the 26th President of the United States?

Theodore Roosevelt, 26th Us President, 1901-1909 - Timeline Index Theodore Roosevelt, 26th Us President, 1901-1909 Theodore Roosevelt, 26th Us President, 1901-1909 Theodore Roosevelt is mostly remembered as the twenty-sixth President of the United States (1901-1909), but this astonishingly multifaceted man was a great many other things as well. In addition to holding elective office as a New York State Assemblyman, Governor of New York, Vice President, and President, he was also a deputy sheriff in the Dakota Territory, Police Commissioner of New York City, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Colonel of the Rough Riders *, all by the age of 42, at which time he became the youngest man ever to hold the office of President. His specific achievements are numerous. Perhaps his greatest contribution was his work for conservation. During his tenure in the White House from 1901 to 1909, he designated 150 National Forests, the first 51 Federal Bird Reservations, 5 National Parks, the first 18 National Monuments, the first 4 National Game Preserves, and the first 21 Reclamation Projects. Altogether, in the seven-and-one-half years he was in office, he provided federal protection for almost 230 million acres, a land area equivalent to that of all the East coast states from Maine to Florida. More on this Website

Theodore Roosevelt

Christmas Island, a territory of Australia, is located in what ocean?

Theodore Roosevelt's Inagural Site--Presidents: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site New York Theodore Roosevelt’s 1901 inauguration from the Nashville, Tennessee News on October 13, 1901 Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation On September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office as the 26th and youngest president of the United States in the library of Ansley Wilcox’s fine house in Buffalo.  Only 42 years old, he succeeded President William McKinley, who had succumbed to an assassin’s bullet earlier that day.  For Roosevelt, who had hoped to rise to the presidency some day, it was "a dreadful thing to come into the Presidency in this way.”  In typical Roosevelt fashion, however, he continued, “Here is the task, and I have got to do it to the best of my ability." Three years later, he was elected to a full term in his own right.  Roosevelt had a lasting impact on the nation, expanding the powers of the presidency, advocating consumer protection laws and regulation of big business, supporting conservation, and asserting America's authority abroad. President McKinley was visiting the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo on September 6, 1901, when an assassin shot him twice in the stomach.  By September 10, doctors in Buffalo thought he was recovering.  They encouraged Vice President Roosevelt to reassure the country by continuing with a planned family outing in the Adirondack Mountains.  Before leaving, he gave a copy of his itinerary to his friend Ansley Wilcox, at whose house he had been staying.  Three days later, returning from climbing the highest peak in the Adirondacks, he met a messenger bearing the fateful telegram summoning him to return. A hired wagon carried him 35 miles through the dark night over rough “ordinary wilderness roads” to reach the nearest station.  At dawn, he boarded a special train that took him to Buffalo.  The country had been without a president for about 12 hours when Roosevelt arrived, and everyone was anxious that the inauguration take place as quickly as possible.  The library where Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office in 1901. Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation After paying his respects to McKinley’s widow, Roosevelt rushed to the Wilcox house. He had no formal attire with him, but managed to borrow a long frock coat, trousers, waistcoat, four-in-hand tie, and patent leather shoes.  Judge John R. Hazel administered the oath of office in a ceremony that was brief, private, and solemn.  Ansley Wilcox later wrote, “It takes less in the way of ceremony to make a president in this country, than it does to make a King in England or any monarchy, but the significance of the event is no less great.” Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

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Yesterday saw the maiden flight of the new Boeing Dreamliner. What model number is it given?

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner Takes Flight - Slashdot Slashdot Please create an account to participate in the Slashdot moderation system   Check out the new SourceForge HTML5 internet speed test! No Flash necessary and runs on all devices. × 7824692 story on Tuesday December 15, 2009 @05:27PM from the million-lines-of-code-on-the-wing dept. Bordgious and a number of other readers sent word of the 787 Dreamliner's first flight after two years of delays . The four-hour test kicks off nine months of airborne testing. Aviation Week has video of the test flight and a timeline of the 787's development. Here is the flight path . 840 of the planes are on order now, down from a high of 910, as some customers canceled orders due to the delays.

seven hundred and eighty seven

Arch enemy of Count Dracula, what is the name of the vampire hunter in Bram Stokers 1897 novel Dracula?

Flightblogger: Boeing faces hurdles, opportunities on the road to an on-time 787 entry into service Boeing faces hurdles, opportunities on the road to an on-time 787 entry into service According to multiple sources inside the 787 program, Boeing has delayed delivery of major structural parts for Dreamliner Two indefinitely as work feverishly continues on preparing Dreamliner One for its first flight this fall. Put simply, there is a small bottleneck inside of Building 40-26 at the Boeing factory in Everett interfering with deliveries. Two of the four final assembly positions are in use. The first position in the rear of the factory is occupied by the Static Rig (ZY997), the second by Dreamliner One (ZA001). Dreamliner One continues to undergo extremely extensive structural and systems assembly and is currently jacked up off its landing gear surrounded by scaffolding, making the forward movement to make way for the Static Rig difficult until it returns to pavement. Dreamliner One undergoing extensive assembly in Everett In addition, Flightblogger has learned that once deliveries do resume, the Fatigue Test Rig (ZY998) will be delivered prior to Dreamliner Two (ZA002). Mary Hanson, spokeswoman for the 787 program confirmed that a change in the delivery schedule existed, “The 787 program has directed several structural partners to re-look at their ship dates on [Dreamliner Two] and complete systems, wiring and other critical installations before shipping to final assembly.” Hanson added that the delay has nothing to do with Dreamliner One, and felt the characterization of the schedule change as a postponement or delay was not accurate, and that first flight, certification and entry into service are not affected by this decision. Hanson also declined to comment on the bottleneck inside Building 40-26. According to sources, Boeing’s public stance on the delay is accurate with regard to the travel work; however the delay in deliveries is in part due to the around-the-clock singular focus of the final assembly team on preparing Dreamliner One for its maiden flight. With Dreamliner One in its current position, there is no room in the rear of the factory to begin final assembly of the Fatigue Test Rig or Dreamliner Two. Delivery of Dreamliner Two structures from South Carolina, Kansas, Japan and Italy were all initially planned for an August 18 timeframe. In addition, Dreamliner One still has yet to have its tail, engines, wing-body fairing, flaps and landing gear doors reinstalled following a comprehensive disassembly which occurred after the July 8th roll-out ceremony. "Boeing is doing everything they can to finish the job but there are jobs that just cannot be sped up," said one Boeing employee with knowledge of the program. Testing on the Static Rig needs to take place three doors down in Building 40-23, which is located between the 747 and 767 final assembly lines. Before the Static Rig can move to Building 40-23, Dreamliner One must be rolled out of the factory. The width of Building 40-26 is only large enough to accommodate one 787 at a time. According to sources who have seen Boeing's internal schedules the Static Rig is tentatively scheduled to move out of 40-26 on August 23. The move will take place during the late night shift change just as it did for the appearance of Dreamliner One when it left the factory for the paint shop on June 25. The indefinite delay of continued deliveries to Everett present a distinct problem for Boeing, which has an ambitious nine month flight test program planned. The test program will employ four aircraft (ZA001-ZA004) as the 787 Dreamliner seeks certification with Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines for entry into service in May of 2008 with All Nippon Airways. Without a second, third and fourth 787 to quickly join Dreamliner One on the rigorous flight test regime, Boeing will be hard-pressed to meet its May 2008 EIS goal. As an important point of comparison, the first and second 777 aircraft flew 32 days apart in 1994 and the third 777 followed just 22 days later. The 777, the last all-new Boeing aircraft, completed an eleven-month, five aircraft flight test certification program in April 1995. The 787 certification program will likely have to match or exceed the pace of aircraft introduction on the 777 program to meet its goals. Facilities in Charleston and Wichita are working around-the-clock to prepare 787 fuselage sections for final assembly and delivery to Everett. The first 787 fuselage pieces delivered to Everett were almost entirely bare of systems and represented mainly the structural shell of the aircraft. Extensive "travel work" is being currently performed by the final assembly team in Everett to install wiring, ducting, insulation and systems for the first 787. The indefinite delay in deliveries to Everett could also provide an opportunity for Boeing to test its groundbreaking business model. Boeing hopes that by delaying deliveries to Everett, they can allow the 787 subcontractors to more fully complete the assembly of follow-on aircraft fuselage sections. Section 46 for ZY998 arrives in Charleston The deferment of assemblies will allow for independent work to be done outside of Puget Sound, enabling the Everett-based final assembly and delivery team to continue its focus on Dreamliner One. Once Dreamliner One has been fully assembled, the follow-on fuselage structures can be joined in less time in hopes of keeping the flight test, certification and delivery on track. Hanson added, “To allow traveled work to continue to flow from our partners into final assembly would deter the 787 program from setting up the Lean production system we envision. [The change] is necessary and will enable the program to get the right production system up and running over the long term.” Another source, a veteran engineer of Boeing commercial aircraft programs, including the 787, is concerned about the planning moving forward. “Boeing needs to look at the certification date and work backwards from those milestones looking at how to achieve this program goal by goal. Right now they are moving forward, but there’s no connection between milestones.” Deliveries to sub-contractors are expected to continue with fuselage sections arriving in Charleston from Italy and Japan; however no timeline for the next deliveries appear to be in place. The veteran engineer added, “There’s a lot of energy and time being wasted. Teams all over the globe are ready to work. The [Large Cargo Freighter] should be moving empty fixtures back to their respective partners' manufacturing locations. This could be done while Evergreen International flight crews are doing required training. Forward motion is essential - even if it’s slow progress, it’s still progress.”

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Ralph Wilson Stadium is home to what NFL team?

New Era Field Seating Chart, Pictures, Directions, and History - Buffalo Bills - ESPN Directions HISTORY: Home to the only NFL franchise to appear in four consecutive Super Bowls and renowned as the site of "The Comeback" – a Jan. 3, 1993, wild-card playoff game during which the Bills overcome a 32-point deficit (the greatest in NFL playoff history) to beat the Oilers 41-38 in overtime – New Era Field, formally Ralph Wilson Stadium, opened for business in August 1973 as Rich Stadium. The Bills opened their tenure at the stadium in style with a 9-7 triumph over the New York Jets on Sept. 30, 1973. Luxury boxes were added in 1999. A new Mitsubishi scoreboard -- 33.5 feet by 82.8 feet -- was added in 2007. The field, which is 50 feet below ground level, received a new A-Turf Titan 50 surface in 2011. -- Information from the Buffalo Bills media guide was used in this overview SEATING NOTES: Sections 224-227 are Family Corner-Alcohol Free seating areas. No alcohol is permitted in these sections. Club Level seating is located on the Club Level, but are not premium seating areas and do not feature additional Club amenities. Kids: All children two years of age or older must have a ticket. Children under the age of two, do not need a ticket and are expected to sit on an adult's lap during the game. Address: Orchard Park, NY 14217 Directions: From Buffalo Airport: Head out of the airport and proceed through the light to Route 33 West. This should lead you to New York State Thruway (Route 90). Get on the Thruway and follow toward Erie until you reach Exit 55 (Orchard Park). Get off at Exit 55 and follow Route 219 south toward Orchard Park. Exit Milestrip Road West and proceed ahead to the first traffic light, which will be Abbott Road. Make a left on Abbott Road and follow straight ahead through traffic light and past the stadium. After passing the stadium, look for One Bills Drive and make a left. Driveway will lead to the parking area. From Rochester or points east: Take 90 West to Exit 55 (Route 219). Exit 219 on Milestrip Road West Exit. Be prepared to stop at the end of the ramp. Counting the signal at the end of the Milestrip ramp, go to the third signal and make a left turn on Abbott Road. Follow south on Abbott Road to the stadium. From Southern Expressway: Take Route 219 North to Exit 20A West. Follow 20A to the stadium approximately 1 mile west. From Erie and southwest New York: Take 90E to Exit 57, and bear right heading west from toll booth to Route 20. Make a right on 20 heading east to the stadium. From Peace Bridge-Canada: Head south on 190 to 90W, follow to Exit 55 (Route 219). Exit 219 on Milestrip Road West Exit. Be prepared to stop at the end of the ramp. Counting the signal at the end of the Milestrip ramp, go to the third signal and make a left turn on Abbott Road. Follow south on Abbott Road to the stadium. Or, head south on Intrastate 190 to Route 5; follow Route 5 to Route 179 (Milestrip Rd.). Take Route 179 East to Abbott Road (sixth signal light). Make right turn onto Abbott Road and head south to the stadium. For additional details, consult the Bills team website , the interactive Ralph Wilson Stadium guide (Page 6) and tune to AM 1610 for the most up-to-date construction information. Parking:

Buffalo Bills

Who was the first American to win a Nobel prize?

$22 Buffalo Bills Tickets 2016 | Rukkus Showing events 0-0 of 0 Buffalo Bills Event Information How Do I Buy The Best Buffalo Bills tickets? The best way to purchase Buffalo Bills tickets is to go directly to their specific ticket page. There you will find the entire schedule for the Bills listed in order starting with the games that are closest in geographical location. Proceeding that will be all of their games in chronological order with games from similar teams near the bottom. After finding a seat, you can flip through the pictures taken from each seat to provide the best possible experience when buying Bills tickets. Every step of the Rukkus process will ensure that you are able to find the best NFL tickets in no time. Is there a seating chart for the Bills tickets that I just purchased? Rukkus has a seating chart for Ralph Wilson Stadium that provides a seat view of every possible section. If you are either looking to purchase a ticket or have already bought your seat, our seat views will give you the ability to see exactly what the view of the game will be from your seat. The interactive seating charts of Ralph Wilson Stadium provide a convenient way to preview everything about your experience so that you are completely informed before making your game purchase. How much do Buffalo Bills tickets cost? Rukkus uses algorithms to find the best Bills tickets for your budget. Whether that is cheap tickets or more expensive tickets, Rukkus has access to thousands of great value tickets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. You may encounter a high fluctuation of NFL ticket prices. If you are having trouble finding the perfect ticket, our fan operations team will be happy to take your call and make certain that you are able to buy the best ticket out there. Where is the best parking at Ralph Wilson Stadium? Ralph Wilson Stadium has parking lots and spaces that are available for purchase adjacent to the stadium. Passenger vehicles cost $20 for pre-paid premium lots, $25 for public lots, $40 for game day entry, and $50 for early entry. Can I buy away tickets for the Bills? Purchasing tickets for the Buffalo Bills when they are on the road is simple. Check the schedule for the night that they will be in town and go to Bills . Rukkus has every home and away game listed from tonight on through the end of the season. Regardless of whether you bought a ticket last minute or months ahead of time, rest assured that we always guarantee every ticket sold. When do Buffalo Bills tickets go on sale? There are a couple simple ways to be notified when Bills tickets go on sale. They are usually able to be purchased a few months before the opening game. It is also possible to set up a personal price alert for both a team or a specific game, so that you can know right away if any game information has changed. Rukkus is one of the first companies to display tickets for a NFL game at Raymond James Superdome. If you can’t find the information that you are looking for please email our team over at: hi@rukkus.com Can I purchase home game tickets for the Bills? Rukkus makes is simple to find and buy home games for the Bills. The schedule for all games happening at Ralph Wilson Stadium are listed on the team tickets page. Since Rukkus pulls all NFL ticket information, it is a simple process to purchase home games for the Bills. Whether your home game purchase is the cheapest, most expensive, or best ticket around, you can rest assured that Rukkus always guarantees every ticket sold. If there is ever an issue with your ticket purchasing experience, please feel free to reach out to our customer service team for help. Am I able to buy cheap tickets for the Buffalo Bills? You can find cheap Bills tickets by using one of our simple price filters. To be the first alerted for the cheapest Bills tickets, sign up for price alerts on the Rukkus App or personalized email list. What makes Ralph Wilson Stadium special? Ralph Wilson Stadium is named after late owner, Ralph Wilson. It is currently the 6th oldest stadium being used in the NFL. Due to its age, in 2013 the Bills revealed a newly renovated and updated entrance plaza, sports store, expanded concession areas, and extra media boards across the stadium. Ralph Wilson Stadium is an open air stadium that is situated downwind of Lake Erie and because of this is known for its swirling winds that change direction rapidly. Buffalo Bills Details Buffalo Bills Ticket Information Few experiences can match the excitement of a live Buffalo Bills game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The fan-friendly environment and beautiful facilities are inviting to anyone who enjoys the thrill of live sporting events. The Bills have always played an exciting type of football, and their loyal fan base is there to cheer them on. Get your tickets today and don’t miss this incredible experience! The Bills have a long history in the city of Buffalo, and have seen many great teams and individual players through the years. Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Bruce Smith are just a few of the legends to proudly play for the Bills. The franchise has seen many successful teams dominate the difficult AFC East division, including four straight Super Bowl appearances, from 1990 to 1993. Come and join the Bills’ faithful as they cheer on their team! The city of Buffalo adds to the enjoyment of attending a Bills game. The city is very passionate about their football team, through the good times and the bad. The colors of red, white and blue can be seen throughout the city during game days, while restaurants and bars are known to host festive activities. Make sure to get the full experience of a Buffalo Bills game by visiting the city as well! There is no better way to watch a football game than to experience it live at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The passionate fan base and exciting football will have you coming back for more. Come join the thousands of Buffalo Bills fans and be a part of thrilling NFL action. Be sure to grab your tickets today! Buffalo Bills Overview The Buffalo Bills are often forgotten when the discussion of New York pro sports teams comes up. This is rather disappointing because, not the least of which is the fact that the Bills are actually the only NFL franchise to even play its games in the state of New York. It’s also disappointing because Buffalo has had years and years of great success in the country’s most popular sport. What a difference a nickname can make. It is hard to know for sure if things would be different if the Buffalo Bills were the New York Bills, or if the Jets and Giants were both fashioned with New Jersey monikers. Nevertheless, Buffalo has become the third wheel. It is surprising because, while the Giants have a number of league titles under their belt, Buffalo is arguably the more successful franchise when compared to the Jets, even though it lacks that ring. The Bills are among a group of teams who have made championship appearances but never escaped with the victory. Along with the Minnesota Vikings , the Bills have done so on four separate occasions. The team has been in the NFL since the start: the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Prior to that, it played 10 years in the AFL, winning two league titles in the process. Of course, those championships are long forgotten and are never considered when discussing NFL success. They came a few seasons too early. Once the two leagues merged, Buffalo continued some semblance of success but never got over the hump. It made postseason appearances five times in the 1970s and 80s leading up to the pinnacle of Bills history. After making the playoffs in 1988 and 1989, the Bills went on a historic run never before seen in the sport’s history. They made it to four consecutive Super Bowl s from 1990 through 1993. There though came heartache and heartbreak. 1990 – Lost to the Giants 20-19 1991 – Lost to the Washington Redskins 37-24 1992 – Lost to the Dallas Cowboys 52-17 1993 – Lost to the Cowboys again, 30-13 Four straight AFC titles resulted in four straight Super Bowl losses, each more excruciating than the last because of the added breadth of the accomplishment. Since those early 90s days, it has been slow progress for the franchise. There have been only four postseason berths since and none since the turn of the century. Instead, the Bills have fallen into mediocrity, only recently buoyed by a 9-7 season in 2014, just their second winning season since the year 2000. Buffalo should be remembered and thought of for more than title failure though. There are so many wonderful players and personalities in this team’s history, starting as early as the 1970s. O.J. Simpson joined the Bills in 1969 out of USC and joined the NFL with them the following year. Soon after that transition, it became evident that Simpson was one of the best players in the league, let alone at his own position. In 1972, just his second full season (which was only 14 games back then), he ran for 1,251 yards and six touchdowns. The very next season, Simpson was the best player in the sport, rushing for 2,003 yards, 12 touchdowns and winning the NFL MVP award. His dominance, although not quite on that level again, continued for three more seasons after that. As Buffalo wallowed in mediocrity, Simpson excelled. All in all, O.J. ran for over 11,000 yards in his career and scored 75 total touchdowns. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1985, the first year he was on the ballot. To this day, he remains the only player to ever rush for 2,000 yards in a 14-game season. While post-career actions off the field rightfully form folks’ opinion of Simpson now, he remains one of the greatest running backs who ever lived. He also has some Bills company in the football Hall of Fame though. The early 90s teams overwhelm Bills’ lure, and their influence is felt heavily in the HoF as well. Marv Levy (inducted in 2001), Jim Kelly (2002), Thurman Thomas (2007), Bruce Smith (2009) and Andre Reed (2014) were all main cogs in the championship run. Levy, the only non-player of the bunch, piloted the team to all four of its Super Bowl s. Then there’s the skill-position trio of Kelly, Thomas and Reed. Kelly and Reed are all-time greats at their position. Thomas, overshadowed a bit by the others, was a spectacular back who led the league in all-purpose yards for four years in a row from 1989 through 1992 thanks to his supreme rushing/receiving balance. Thomas topped 1,000 rushing yards for eight straight years. He was tremendous, and the stats help his performances live on. Kelly lives more in the stories than on the stat sheet. He was the 14th-overall pick in the famed 1983 NFL Draft . His passing numbers don’t stand up to the figures guys today are reaching because it was a different era for offensive football. Kelly never threw the ball more than 480 times in any season of his career. For some comparison, Drew Brees has topped 480 pass attempts 11 different seasons. He’s topped 600 attempts seven of those seasons! But Kelly still stands the test of time because of his leadership and playoff chops. As does Reed who, even with the ballooning passing outputs of teams today, ranks 15th all-time in receiving yards. It wouldn’t be fair to gloss over the defensive heart of those title teams, that being Bruce Smith. The Virginia Tech product is second in history in playoff sacks and number one all-time in career sacks. He is the only man to reach the 200-sack threshold, and he hit it on the nose. The closest active sack artist, Jared Allen, remains close to 70 sacks behind Smith’s mark. Buffalo is looking to get back to that early 90s culture of winning. It may be on its way, although the process has been slow, having taken a number of detours. The Bills ventured into Canada for a number of regular seasons to play a game in the Rogers Centre in Toronto. They scrapped their old buffalo animal logo for a revamped, active buffalo/stripe combination. They dealt with the death of owner Ralph Wilson and then renamed their stadium in Wilson’s honor. Through the lean years and the consecutive postseasons, Buffalo has remained New York’s franchise, even if the state passes it off because the city doesn’t claim it. Today’s Bills, with the newly acquired and electric LeSean McCoy at running back, the sensational second-year receiver Sammy Watkins on the outside and a punishing defense, are looking to make enough waves and headlines that no one will be able to forget about them. More about Buffalo Bills on the web

i don't know

How the Grinch Stole Christmas was written by who?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error How the Grinch Stole Christmas ( 2000 ) PG | On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town. Director: From $9.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 25 titles created 13 Nov 2013 a list of 25 titles created 03 Dec 2013 a list of 33 titles created 07 Dec 2013 a list of 24 titles created 10 months ago a list of 44 titles created 3 months ago Title: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) 6/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 35 nominations. See more awards  » Photos After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. Director: Jon Favreau An 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Director: Chris Columbus When a man inadvertantly kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Director: John Pasquin A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas. Director: Robert Zemeckis One year after Kevin was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself in New York City, and the same criminals are not far behind. Director: Chris Columbus An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions. Director: Robert Zemeckis Scott Calvin has been a humble Santa Claus for nearly ten years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs. Claus. Director: Michael Lembeck A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker. Director: Tim Burton Four kids travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia and learn of their destiny to free it with the guidance of a mystical lion. Director: Andrew Adamson Set during the Ice Age, a sabertooth tiger, a sloth, and a wooly mammoth find a lost human infant, and they try to return him to his tribe. Directors: Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha Stars: Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Ray Romano When a massive fire kills their parents, three children are delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents' vast fortune. Director: Brad Silberling Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Director: Chris Columbus Edit Storyline Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville. In Whoville, live the Whos, an almost mutated sort of munchkinlike people. All the Whos love Christmas, yet just outside of their beloved Whoville lives the Grinch. The Grinch is a nasty creature that hates Christmas, and plots to steal it away from the Whos which he equally abhors. Yet a small child, Cindy Lou Who, decides to try befriend the Grinch. Written by Filmfreak <webmaster@filmfreak.co.za> See All (51)  » Taglines: Inside a snowflake, like the one on your sleeve, there happened a story you must see to believe. See more  » Genres: Rated PG for some crude humor | See all certifications  » Parents Guide: 17 November 2000 (USA) See more  » Also Known As: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas See more  » Filming Locations: $55,082,330 (USA) (17 November 2000) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia Many Cirque du Soleil performers were used for the more acrobatic tricks and stunts in the movie. They can be spotted in the beginning as some of the Whos in the parade. See more » Goofs At the point when the Grinch visits Who-ville, the color of his eyes changes from yellow to white occasionally. See more » Quotes [first lines] Narrator : Inside a snowflake like the one on your sleeve, there happened a story you must see to believe. Very eerie, but definitely worth the watch. Creepy, yet good Christmas movie. 14 January 2015 | by The_Riddler_1948 – See all my reviews How the Grinch Stole Christmas is by far one of the most enjoyable, feel-good Christmas movies ever made. Fact. It's creepy, nonetheless, but it's also very heartwarming in some particular scenes more than others. A lot of the film revolves around a young Taylor Momsen, but the title character, the Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, is of course the best thing about the film. Not all Christmas films are like this one. This one's unique. It's a different take on Christmas - a different approach. A good approach, too. How the Grinch Stole Christmas has plenty of Christmas feel-good moments, a few funny scenes here and there, and good makeup. It's almost entirely consistently eerie, because The Grinch is a very eccentric, creative, eerie character in the film. It's a good film overall, and you should always watch it around Christmas time. It's definitely one of the best Christmas movies ever made. 8.5/10. 8 of 9 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? Yes

Dr. Seuss

If Misogyny is the hatred of women, what is the hatred of men?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Book) | Dr. Seuss Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia How the Grinch Stole Christmas! How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Book) 831pages on Setting: {{{setting}}} How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a classic book written by Dr. Seuss . The Grinch was a "Mean One" and is the only one that hates Christmas in Whoville, where all of the Who's like it a lot. Icebox This book has an iOS and Android app by Oceanhouse Media. Goofs, Errors, Corrections, and Differences This is a review of the Goofs, Errors, Corrections and Differences between the video and the book.

i don't know

Dec 18, 1620 is the official landing date of the Mayflower. At what Massachusetts location did they make land?

The Voyage of the Mayflower     One hundred and two individuals, most of whom were Puritans, received a grant of land on which to set up their own colony. They set sail from England on the Mayflower, arriving in Massachusettes in December. When they landed, the colonists called their new home "New Plymouth." The colonists all signed the "Mayflower Covenant" before landing, promising to establish "just and equal laws." The Anglican Church was the official church of England. It was headed by the King. There were groups within England who opposed the policies of the church . They wanted to purify and simplify the church. Puritans were persecuted in England and many emigrated to Holland. They were not happy in Holland, as it was not England. Thus, they were enthusiastic about the possibility of settling the new world. More on the Puritans On September 6th, 1620, the Mayflower left Plymouth, England. The second part of the voyage was stormy, but finally, on November 11th, the ship anchored off of Cape Cod. The members of the Mayflower spent over six weeks exploring different location to find an appropriate one to settle. On December 21st the Pilgrims made their first landfall at Plymouth Harbor. More on the Voyage The Pilgrims established a settlement at what had been an abandoned Indian village known as Patuxet. There were a limited number of houses that first winter in New Plymouth. Many of the colonista were forced to stay on the Mayflower. Half of the settlers died that first winter. William Bradford became the governor of colony, after the death of John Carver in 1621. The colony grew slowly and eventually became part of the much larger Massachusetts Bay Colony. More on Settling The Native Americans who they met were very friendly. The settlers entered into an alliance with them. When spring came, the colonists, with help from the natives planted the native corn crop. By the time the second fall came around, the colonists harvested a bountiful crop of corn, along with other crops. To celebrate that crop yield the colonists had a feast. Thus began the tradition of Thanksgiving. Smith was forced to return to England after being injured. The winter following his departure was the worst winter in the short history of the colony. It became known as "the starving time". Starving Time About American history and world history can be found at historycental- History's home on the web. Explore our complete time lines of major events in American history as well as World History. Research our special sections on diverse subjects ranging from presidential elections to naval history. Whatever aspect of history you wish learn about, you will find it at Historycentral.com Facebook

Plymouth

In the Transformer universe, who do the Autobots battle?

1000+ images about Mayflower Pilgrims - Richard Warren on Pinterest | Mayflower compact, Plymouth and Pilgrims Forward William Brewster with his fellow Mayflower passengers. Elder William Brewster (c. 1566 - April 10, 1644), was a Pilgrim colonist leader and preacher who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620. He is generally considered to be the most famous of the pilgrims. He was accompanied by his wife, Mary Brewster, sons, Love Brewster and Wrestling Brewster. Son Jonathan joined the family in Nov 1621, arriving at Plymouth on the ship Fortune; daughters Patience and Fear arrived in July 1623 aboard the Anne. See More

i don't know

Name the only US president who has won the medal of honor.

The Medal of Honor: 6 Surprising Facts - History in the Headlines The Medal of Honor: 6 Surprising Facts July 12, 2012 By Jennie Cohen Share this: The Medal of Honor: 6 Surprising Facts Author The Medal of Honor: 6 Surprising Facts URL Google One hundred fifty years ago today, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a measure calling for an award known as the U.S. Army Medal of Honor to be bestowed upon “such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection." (The conflict referenced was the Civil War.) A provision the previous December had created a similar honor for the U.S. Navy. Since then, 3,458 men and one woman have received the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military decoration. On the anniversary of the medal’s creation, discover six surprising facts about the award and its recipients. 1. At first, the idea of a Medal of Honor was dismissed as too “European.” During the American Revolution, George Washington established the first combat decoration in U.S. history, known as the Badge of Military Merit. After the conflict it fell into disuse, as did its successor, the Certificate of Merit, bestowed during the Mexican-American War. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, proponents of a new award made their case to Winfield Scott, general-in-chief of the Union Army. Scott, a respected commander despite being too feeble and corpulent to mount a horse in the waning years of his career, scoffed at the suggestion, saying it smacked of European tradition. It was only after his retirement that Medal of Honor supporters in Congress could introduce bills providing for the decoration. 2. Only one woman has received the Medal of Honor, and her award was temporarily rescinded. A medical doctor who supported feminist and abolitionist causes, Mary Edwards Walker volunteered with the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War. Despite her training, she initially had to work as a nurse before becoming the Army’s first female surgeon. Known to cross enemy lines in order to treat civilians, she may have been serving as a spy when Confederate troops captured her in the summer of 1864. Walker was later released as part of a prisoner exchange and returned to duty. On November 11, 1865, President Andrew Johnson presented her with the Medal of Honor, making her the only woman to date to receive the decoration. In 1917 the Army changed its eligibility criteria for the honor and revoked the awards of 911 non-combatants, including Walker. Nevertheless, she continued to wear her medal until her death two years later. An Army board restored Walker’s Medal of Honor in 1977, praising her “distinguished gallantry, self-sacrifice, patriotism, dedication and unflinching loyalty to her country, despite the apparent discrimination because of her sex.” Theodore Roosevelt, the only U.S. president to have received the Medal of Honor. 3. Theodore Roosevelt is the only U.S. president to have received the Medal of Honor, which he was awarded posthumously. When the Spanish-American War broke out, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt famously quit his job to lead a volunteer regiment known as the Rough Riders. Roosevelt and his men played a decisive role in the Battle of San Juan Hill and took part in other confrontations in Cuba. In 1916, less than three years before his death, the 26th president was nominated for the Medal of Honor, but the Army passed him over, citing a lack of evidence for his heroic actions at San Juan Hill. President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded him the decoration in 2001. Roosevelt’s son, Theodore Jr., who served in both World Wars, also received the Medal of Honor. 4. The youngest Medal of Honor recipient earned his award at 11 and was granted it at 13. Born in New York, 11-year-old Willie Johnston enlisted in the Union Army alongside his father, serving as a drummer boy with the 3rd Vermont Infantry during the Civil War. In June 1862, overpowered by Confederate forces, his unit retreated down the Virginia Peninsula under orders from General George McClellan. Along the way, the men discarded their equipment to hasten their pace. Young Willie, however, clung to his drum throughout the march and was later asked to play for his entire division on July 4. When Abraham Lincoln heard about the drummer’s bravery, he recommended him for the Medal of Honor, and Willie received the award in September 1863. In the 20th century, the youngest recipient was Jack Lucas, a marine who at just 17 shielded fellow squad members from grenades at Iwo Jima. General Winfield Scott, who opposed the idea of a Medal of Honor. 5. The award is not called the Congressional Medal of Honor. Contrary to popular belief, the official title of the highest U.S. military distinction is simply the Medal of Honor, not the Congressional Medal of Honor. The confusion may have arisen because the president presents the award “in the name of Congress.” There is also a Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which represents recipients of the Medal of Honor, maintains their records and organizes reunion events, among other responsibilities. 6. It’s illegal to wear someone else’s Medal of Honor, but it’s not illegal to pretend you have one. U.S. criminal law forbids the unauthorized wearing, manufacture and sale of military decorations, and misuse of a Medal of Honor carries a particularly heavy penalty. In 2006 President George W. Bush signed into law the Stolen Valor Act, which imposed a prison sentence of up to one year on anyone falsely claiming to have received a Medal of Honor. (Pretenders to other military decorations faced imprisonment for up to six months.) The Supreme Court struck down the act on June 28, 2012, ruling that it violated the right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment. Tags

Theodore Roosevelt

Dec 18, 2008 marked the death of Mark Felt. What prominent role in the watergate scandals did he play?

Medal of Honor Facts Stories of American Heroes - Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado ? Interesting Medal of Honor Facts The correct title for the award often called the "Congressional Medal of Honor" is simply "MEDAL OF HONOR" and the men who have received it prefer to be called "RECIPIENTS" (of the award), not "winners".  It is the only United States Military Award that is worn from a ribbon hung around the neck, and the only award presented "By the President In the Name of the Congress".  1Lt. Arthur MacArthur (Civil War) and General Douglas MacArthur (WWII) were the only FATHER & SON in history to each receive a Medal of Honor until the January 16,2000 presentation of the Medal of Honor to Theodore Roosevelt.  The award has been presented to 5 sets of brothers.  Only one WOMAN, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (Civil War) has ever received the Medal of Honor.  There are, however, the names of TWO women on the Roll of Honor.  During the Vietnam War Marine Captain Jay R. Vargas received the Medal of Honor.  Before his award could be presented to him his mother passed away at home in Arizona.  Vargas requested that his mother's name be engraved on the back of his Medal of Honor instead of his own.  President Nixon honored that loving request and the name of M. Sando Vargas....Jay Vargas' mother...was added to the Honor Roll. Theodore Roosevelt is the only President to receive the Medal of Honor.  The sons of TWO Presidents have received Medals of Honor:  Webb Cook Hayes (Philippine Insurection) and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (World War II). The youngest person ever to receive the Medal of Honor was probably William "Willie" Johnston , who earned the Medal during the Civil War just prior to his 12th birthday and received his award 6 weeks after his 13th.  The oldest recipient was probably General Douglas MacArthur who was 62 years old when he earned the Medal.  World War II hero Jack Lucas became the youngest man in THIS CENTURY to receive the award when he threw is body over TWO grenades at Iwo Jima just 5 days after his 17th birthday.  (At the time of his heroism he had already been in the Marine Corps for THREE years. The last Medal of Honor action of the Vietnam War occured on Halloween night in 1972 when Navy SEAL Michael E. Thornton risked his own life to rescue his wounded team leader.  His team leader, Navy Lt. Thomas R. Norris had been submitted for the Medal of Honor for his own heroic actions just 6 months earlier.  It was the only time since the Korean Incursion of 1817 that a Medal of Honor was awarded for saving the life of a fellow Medal recipient (though Mr. Norris did not receive his award until 1976). The brotherhood of Medal recipients is strong and generates many long-lasting friendships.  Pvt. Jacob Parrott , the first person ever to be presented with the Medal of Honor remained such a close friendship with fellow "Raider" Wilson W. Brown (one of the two men who engineered The General in the "Great Locomotive Chase"), that their children became more than friends.  Parrott's only son John Marion Parrott married Edith Gertrude Brown, one of Wilson Brown's eight children.  

i don't know

What is the name of the Christmas Poo, who emerges from the toilet bowl on Christmas Eve and brings presents to good boys and girls whose diets have been high in fiber, who appears on TVs South Park?

Terrance and Philip : Wikis (The Full Wiki) 26 References Big Gay Al Big Gay Al (voiced by Matt Stone ) is a stereotypical homosexual man known for his flamboyant and positive demeanor. For example, he almost always responds to the greeting "How are you?" with an upbeat "I'm super! Thanks for asking!" At one point in the show, he runs an animal farm for gay animals who have been rejected by homophobic pet owners. He temporarily adopted Sparky , Stan's gay dog, who had run away from home. Later on in the episode, his large shelter vanishes, but the various animals remained, and were adopted by their former owners who had missed them greatly. Ever since, he has been a particularly good friend to Stan. He had a minor role in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, where it is revealed he is in fact a celebrity (or had become so since his appearance in his first encounter with Stan). He was the co-host and an entertainer at the troops' USO show, in which he performed his own musical number called "I'm Super". In the episode " Cripple Fight ", he is the leader of the boys' Boy Scout troop. However, the parents of the children are uneasy about a gay scout leader, and the club fires him. The boys rally to get him back, and Gloria Allred and others lobby the Scouts to reaccept him, suing the Scouts in a Supreme Court case that they win. Al rejects this, saying that he knows the Scouts are still good men, and since the Scouts are a private club, they should have the right to exclude people if they choose to, just as he has the right to express himself as a gay man. Big Gay Al eventually enters into a relationship with Mr. Slave , the ex-boyfriend of Mr. Garrison , whom he married in " Follow That Egg! ". Big Gay Al and Mr. Slave later appeared in an attempt to help the boys change the definition of the word fag in " The F Word ". Mechanic Mechanic is a nameless character who first appears in " Butter's Very Own Episode ", in which he directs Butters down a dark road to South Park giving the horrific history of the road to him, ending his speech with "Yah, lotta history down that road." He appears again in " Asspen " when he tries to talk Stan out of racing down the K-13 while giving the terrible history about the run and the lives lost on it, ending his speech with "Yah, a lotta history on that ski run." He also appears in " Marjorine " when he tries to talk Mr. Stotch out of burying what he believes to be Butter's body on the Indian burial ground, saying, "Don't bury your son's body at the Indian burial ground, Stotch! The one that's right up over there, behind the Andersons' bar. Sometimes... dead is better." Darryl Weathers Darryl Weathers is a worker from the Construction Workers' Union and says 'They took his Job" in every appearance he has. He has a flock of red hair and a big red mustache. His first appearance is in " Goobacks " where he is hosting a rally of many working-class men upset over losing their jobs to the Goobacks, time travelers from the future, who work for next to nothing. He and the other men decide to all "get gay" with one another, having homosexual sex in the hopes that this will prevent future generations of children that will give rise to the Goobacks. His next appearance is a one liner in " Smug Alert! " where he appears in the background, getting angry at Kyle's dad for putting a fake ticket on his car. His also appeared is in the episode " Margaritaville " in which he again loses his job, this time to economic hardships. He's latest appearance is in W.T.F. when he becomes a fan of the W.T.F and repeats his catchphrase with many variations like "They Broke His Jaw". Dr. Alphonse Mephisto and Kevin Dr. Alphonse Mephisto (also spelled and pronounced Mephesto, [1] while once referenced as "Alfonz Mephisto"; [2] voiced by Trey Parker ) is a mad scientist who specializes in genetic engineering , and has a son named Terrance (not to be confused with Terrance from Terrance and Phillip ). The character is an extended reference to Marlon Brando 's portrayal of Dr. Moreau in the 1996 film version of The Island of Dr. Moreau . [3] He always tries to help those who require his talents, but his experiments sometimes go wrong and put the whole town in danger. Like Dr. Moreau, Dr. Mephisto creates strange creatures with his talents, such as animals with multiple buttocks. Mephisto believes it is for the good of the Earth, and that one-assed animals are useless and must be destroyed. In " Spontaneous Combustion ", he even goes as far as presenting a "seven-assed Galapagos Turtle" in an attempt to win a Nobel Prize , but loses to Randy Marsh 's "Unified Theory of Fart Thing." He genetically splices a squirrel with provolone cheese in " Cartman Joins NAMBLA ". He also performs experiments ranging from simple DNA tests to creating a genetic clone of Stan Marsh for his son's science project. Mephisto also provides normal genetic testing services, as when Cartman has him determine who was his father in " Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut " and " Cartman's Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut ". Mephisto has a brother who attempts to kill him every month for unrevealed reasons, as mentioned in the aforementioned episode. Playing on his real-world origins, he is a member of the National Association of Marlon Brando Look-Alikes, a group not fond of "that other NAMBLA ", as seen in "Cartman Joins NAMBLA". Kevin, Dr. Mephisto's silent companion, described as "that little monkey guy", is a small little creature who dresses like Dr. Mephisto. He is based on Majai, a character created for the 1996 film adaptation of The Island of Dr. Moreau. While Kevin's exact nature is never addressed on the show, his story is told in the song "Mephisto and Kevin" by Primus from Chef Aid: The South Park Album. He was apparently a failed attempt to create a perfect pop singer, a test tube baby created from Michael Jackson's sperm and the egg of an unspecified, musically talented female donor, brought to term inside the womb of a llama. Dr. Doctor Dr. Doctor is a South Park doctor seen during scenes set at Hells Pass Hospital, known for making unusual medical diagnoses, including instances in which he reifies abstract or metaphorical ideas as actual diseases or injuries. In " The Biggest Douche in the Universe ", after Cartman is admitted to the hospital following his possession by the soul of his deceased friend, Kenny McCormick , the Doctor's diagnosis is "his time is running out", and uses that phrase as if it were a literal medical diagnosis, explaining if he doesn't get a "time transplant", he will die. In the episode " You Got F'd in the A ", which is a spoof of the film You Got Served , the Doctor treats Randy Marsh after Randy is "served" (slang term for being defeated in a dance competition) by a group of street dancers, as if "being served" constitutes an actual physical transgression that incurs major injuries. In " Pre-School ", he treats the kids of South Park after bullying , even though they were merely the victim of mild abuse such as the "second-degree titty twister." In " Cartman's Incredible Gift ", after Cartman is hospitalized following an attempt to fly by jumping off a roof with cardboard wings, the Doctor tells his mother that he is "incredibly stupid" and that the stupidity caused the fall. In the series, he has been voiced by Trey Parker since 1997, though he was voiced by George Clooney in the 1999 feature film South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut, in which his character was called Dr. Gouache. Although he wears a name tag also identifying him as "Dr. Doctor", he was called "Doctor Gouache" in "Cartman's Incredible Gift". Father Maxi Father Maxi (aka Priest Maxi [4] ) (voiced by Matt Stone) is a Catholic priest who serves as the mouthpiece for South Park's Christian community. His name is a play on the name of reggae star Maxi Priest . He first appeared in the first season episode " Damien ". In the episode " Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery ", Maxi, in his hatred of Halloween, kills many South Park citizens in order to convince people that Halloween is evil. In " Do the Handicapped Go to Hell? ", he claims that Timmy will go to Hell, since Timmy's speech impediment makes it impossible for him to confess his sins. Though Father Maxi is a priest and required to be celibate, he does not seem to regularly practice this. Like most of the adults in South Park, he has had sex with Mrs. Cartman at some point in his life, and was caught having sex with a "Mrs. Donovan" (not Clyde Donovan 's mother, however, as she is seen in " Free Willzyx " and " The List ", and doesn't resemble the woman in the confession box in "Do the Handicapped Go to Hell?") In " Cripple Fight ", he admitted to having gone through a homosexual phase in his youth, but claims to be reformed. However, he apparently once had a relationship with a man named Peterson whom he was supposed to be reforming of homosexuality. In " Red Hot Catholic Love ", he pursues Catholic sex abuse cases as the only uncorrupted priest in the episode, and espouses a version of liberal Christianity in saying that the Bible is a collection of moral parables meant to act as an ethical guide, and not be taken literally. In " Follow That Egg ", he officiates Big Gay Al and Mr. Slave's wedding, despite his earlier stand against homosexuality. In " The F Word ", he is seen outside his chapel displaying a " God Hates Fags " sign towards an obnoxious gang of Harley-Davidson riders, who have been deemed as "fags" under city ordinance. God God is portrayed on South Park as a composite of several animals. His first appearance was in " Are You There God? It's Me, Jesus ". He can be summoned in Heaven when his name is spoken, and sometimes on Earth, where he appears as beams of light with a deep voice. God is a Buddhist , although only people of the Mormon faith are allowed in Heaven. As the population of Heaven began to dwindle, and the population of Hell rose, as told in " Best Friends Forever ", God started to allow others into Heaven. This was an attempt to build up Heaven's army to protect God's Kingdom from the increasingly larger Army of Satan. It is said that the PlayStation Portable was created by God to help find the human who could lead his army, which turned out to be Kenny. Every 2000 years, he comes to Earth to answer one question. He is included as a figure with the South Park series 3 Jesus action figure by Mezco. Jesus Jesus on Jesus and Pals Jesus is a fictional character based on the biblical Jesus . On South Park, Jesus had his own public access television show called Jesus and Pals. He was killed while fighting Iraqis during an attempt to rescue Santa on Christmas Eve in the episode " Red Sleigh Down ." This was his last major role on the show until he was resurrected five years later in the eleventh season episode " Fantastic Easter Special ". He is voiced by Matt Stone . He is portrayed as represented in Christian thought—i.e., he is the Son of God, has numerous miraculous powers (including prophecy, healing and resurrection), as well as the ability to fly and expert carpentry skills. He tells people to do good things and they will go to heaven but many church people go to Hell making Jesus moot. The exact nature of his abilities varies from episode to episode—for example, " Super Best Friends " portrays some of his most famous miracles as farces, despite still having basic powers, while in " Fantastic Easter Special ," he claims to only have his powers after being killed and resurrected, so he makes Kyle kill him so he can save the Easter bunny. Jesus is usually portrayed as being calm and self-assured, being kind and peaceable to everyone; nevertheless, he often acts more typical of South Park characters. He is often seen, for example, fighting villains, and while inept at it in " Damien ", he later is shown (" Red Sleigh Down ," " Fantastic Easter Special " and " Imaginationland Episode III ") as being very skilled with guns, swords and a glaive (in "Imaginationland III" he leads the charge of the good imaginary characters into battle.) He is a soldier in the US army, as seen in South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut. He is also a member of the Super Best Friends , a group of religious figures who fight against the forces of evil (except for Buddha , who doesn't believe in evil). Before his second death, Jesus hosted a television talk show called Jesus and Pals on South Park Public Access. Jesus would often receive on-air calls from guests, and would be depicted as reluctant to respond to questions regarding issues such as homosexuality , euthanasia and his own crucifixion . In the episode " The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka ", Jesus's show entered a ratings war with Jimbo Kern and Ned Gerblansky 's hunting program Huntin' and Killin'. The show's producer, in an attempt to increase ratings, fabricates controversy between guests, and Jesus and Pals turns into a Jerry Springer -style farce. During live production of the face-off between Ned and Jimbo vs. the children on Jesus and Pals, the guests and audience breakout into a brawl. It led to a huge fight until Jesus discovered what happened, and sent his producer to Hell. In the Jesus vs. Frosty short which started South Park, the boys make a snowman which comes to life after they put a hat on him. The snowman kills Cartman and Kenny and even poses as Santa. Stan and Kyle are the only ones left and seek help from a baby Jesus who comes alive from a Nativity Scene and knocks Frosty's hat off. In Jesus vs. Santa, Jesus arrives from Heaven to seek retribution. He wants to get rid of Santa once and for all since people don't see Christmas as Jesus's birthday anymore. With help from Brian Boitano , the boys tell Jesus that Santa is keeping his birthday alive and they tell Santa if it wasn't for Jesus there wouldn't be a Christmas. At that point, both Santa and Jesus apologized to each other, and Jesus decided to offer Santa an orange smoothie, which Santa likes. Some footage from this short was used in the episode " A Very Crappy Christmas ". In the Imaginationland -trilogy he is depicted as "one of the most revered fictional characters". To add to the confusion: in previous "South Park" episodes Jesus interacted in real life with other South Park citizens, just like Santa Claus who is also shown in the "Imaginationland" episodes as a fictional character. Other famous religious icons such as Moses , Ganesha , Buddha , Joseph Smith and God are also shown as citizens of Imaginationland. [5] Loogie Loogie made his first appearance in " The Tooth Fairy Tats 2000 ". The boys try to make money by snatching Tooth Fairy money underneath other boys' pillows, when they encounter another set of boys trying to do the same thing. These rivals bring the boys back to Loogie, whereupon they learn that the Tooth Fairy business is actually a crime syndicate, with Loogie being portrayed as a youth Mafia kingpin. He wears a zoot suit and his headquarters is a basement Italian restaurant. Instead of merely dressing up like the Tooth Fairy and procuring the money, he has an entire assembly line of employees who procure the teeth and inspect them for quality. When the boys attempt to break off into their own independent syndicate, Loogie intervenes and targets Kenny to teach them a lesson (which is a spoof on common Mafia practices). He is voiced primarily by Richard Belzer , although the final recordings were performed by Trey Parker . [6] He made another cameo appearance in " Professor Chaos ", where he was one of twenty candidates to replace the then-deceased Kenny in the boys' group. He survived the first round to become a semi-finalist , but was one of four boys cut in the second round. In this episode, when his name was called out to advance to the next round, he was referred to as "Luigi". Mayor McDaniels Mayor McDaniels is the mayor of South Park. She attended Princeton University , thinks South Park is a dump and thinks lowly of its residents. She hates Barbrady as well, but is largely stuck with him, though it is implied that they have had some secret, rather unusual liaisons together, at least some of which may involve the Japanese mafia . In one episode, he performs oral sex (off camera) on her under her desk as she sat at it, although it is implied that she tricked him into it and he was too stupid to fully realize what he was doing. While acting as mayor, she often makes light of serious situations. Her civic ideas for the city are often made without regard for future consequences, which are usually disastrous. In " Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo ", she tries to resolve offended feelings towards the public school Christmas play by having a play created that makes no references to any religion or religious holiday, resulting in an esoteric production that all the townspeople loathe. In " Summer Sucks ", after all fireworks are declared illegal with the exception of snakes , the town is endangered by a giant snake she arranges to have set off. She nearly commits suicide in " Die Hippie, Die ", after a hippie music festival she signs the permit for has deleterious effects on the town. McDaniels was conceived because Trey Parker and Matt Stone wanted the mayor to be someone more sophisticated than other South Park residents and believed she was better than the rest of the town. [7] Moses Moses , the Jewish prophet, appears in " Jewbilee " as the focus of a ritual in which Jews make macaroni pictures, popcorn necklaces and soap carvings at a Jewish scout camp. His appearance is patterned after the Master Control Program from the film Tron . [8] The episode's antisemitic antagonist, Garth, captures him in a conch shell before calling upon the Biblical character Haman . Kenny McCormick , who had been banished from the camp by Moses for not being Jewish, saves the camp by breaking the conch shell open with his head. Moses also appears in the episode " Super Best Friends ", in which; like Zordon of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ; he acts as the computer at the Super Best Friends headquarters, and demonstrates the ability to play a tape by having it inserted through a port in his front. Mr. Hankey Mr. Hankey the "Christmas Poo", voiced by Trey Parker, is a talking piece of feces . He first appeared in the first season episode " Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo ". He emerges from the toilet bowl on Christmas Eve and brings presents to good boys and girls whose diets have been high in fiber . He is especially close to Kyle , consoling him during his Christmas-Hanukkah depression and generally appears to help the boys out with something or gives them advice. Mr. Hankey has appeared in various Christmas episodes, and inspired an actual retail CD Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics in which he has his own theme song. In his first appearance, he appeared anthropomorphic only to Kyle and Chef, although he often leaves a trail behind that is attributed by the adults to antisocial behavior by Kyle. Due to his physical state, he can only emerge from the sewers during the Christmas season or he will dry up and die. The Mr. Hankey character was based on an idea Trey Parker's father created when he was potty-training Trey as a child. [9] Parker said he refused to flush the toilet at age three or four, so his father told him if he did not flush the stool, who he called "Mr. Hankey", it would come to life and kill him. [10] Parker said he planned to incorporate Mr. Hankey into South Park, but did not decide right away to make him a Christmas figure; previously, Parker envisioned the character simply as a talking stool and drew him with a sailor's hat, not a Christmas hat. [11] John Kricfalusi , the creator of The Ren and Stimpy Show , claimed Mr. Hankey concept was stolen from Kricfalusi's cartoon short, "Nutty the Friendly Dump", [9] and even discussed taking legal action against the show. [12] Parker and Stone denied the allegation and said they were not fans of Ren & Stimpy. [13] Mr. Kitty Mr. Kitty is a grey housecat owned by Cartman , prone to showing interest in Cartman's food, to which Cartman usually responds, "No, Mr. Kitty, that's mine! That's a bad kitty!" Her first appearance was in " Cartman Gets an Anal Probe ". In the episode " Spookyfish ", a kindhearted and generous Cartman from a parallel universe arrives and is friendly to Kitty, much to our universe's Cartman's irritation. Kitty's most prominent role was in the season three episode " Cat Orgy ". Since " Cat Orgy " (where it is revealed that Mr. Kitty is female). Mr. Kitty has been seen infrequently, though she was mentioned in " The Death of Eric Cartman " as being part of the list of beings to whom Cartman needed to apologize in order to reach Heaven , when he believed he was dead. She shows up again in the season 12 episode, " Major Boobage " in which the boys experiment with her urine to become intoxicated. Ned Gerblansky Ned Gerblansky (voiced by Trey Parker) and his best friend Jimbo Kern represent South Park's large population of stereotypical "rednecks". They are obsessed with large trucks, beer, guns, explosions, and killing animals. They detest "liberals" and circumvent hunting regulations, which they refer to as anti-hunting laws, by yelling, "it's coming right for us!" before shooting any animal, thereby justifying the kill as self-defense. After a court ruling, they are seen shooting animals so as to "thin out their numbers", despite the fact that they are shown shooting at endangered species while shouting, "it's coming right for us!" Jimbo and Ned met while in the Vietnam War , where Jimbo was a helicopter pilot. During the war, Ned lost his right arm when a hand grenade exploded in his hand. Ned also lost his formerly mellifluous voice due to cancer, apparently caused by cigarette smoking, and is forced to speak with a mechanical larynx . Despite the fact that Ned lost one of his arms, he can still wield two-handed weapons, such as a flamethrower, and even an M249 SAW in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. It was revealed in the episode "Summer Sucks" that Ned has an ex-wife, though her name is never mentioned. Ned and Jimbo were inspired by characters Trey Parker used to draw during high school. [7] Nellie and Thomas McElroy Nellie and Thomas McElroy were the parents of Chef . They first appear in the episode " The Succubus ", when they come to South Park for Chef's wedding. They appear later in the episode " The Biggest Douche in the Universe " when Chef takes Cartman and his mother to his parents' manor house in Scotland . They perform a shaman-esque ritual to exorcize Kenny's soul from Cartman's body. In " Red Sleigh Down ", they are seen in a crowd during the town's Christmas celebration. Interestingly, they are not seen at Chef's funeral in " The Return of Chef ". The McElroys' main subject of conversation is their supposed encounters with the Loch Ness Monster . They repeatedly claim that they have seen him on multiple occasions, and are constantly harassed by him, as he tries to swindle them out of "tree-fiddy" ($3.50). According to Thomas, the monster has pretended to be a girl scout, an alien, and Chef's imaginary friend from childhood. Officer Barbrady Officer Barbrady (voiced by Trey Parker) is a South Park city police officer who is extremely incompetent at what he does and is generally a bumbling oaf, incapable of solving any of the crimes he is charged to investigate. He even unintentionally helped Mr. Garrison try to kill Kathie Lee Gifford . Mayor McDaniels still often summons him, as he actually does keep the peace in South Park, as shown in " Chickenlover " when shortly after he quits, the city falls into chaos. Officer Barbrady doesn't drink coffee, as seen in episode " Gnomes "; he instead prefers to get hit in the face by a cat swung by the tail. Barbrady was illiterate until season two's "Chickenlover". After his illiteracy was exposed, Barbrady was ordered to learn how to read by the Mayor. Chickenlover made him learn to read by leaving the notes at the crime scenes describing where he would strike next. Barbrady was thankful at first to Chickenlover, but arrested him nonetheless for his crimes. Chickenlover then gave him the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand , which Barbrady thought was such an awful book that he vowed never to read anything ever again. In "Chickenlover" and " Spookyfish " Barbrady claims to have a wife. However, she has never appeared on the show. In other episodes, it has been implied that he and Mayor McDaniels are in a relationship, despite her general disdain for him. In the season seven episode " Toilet Paper ", Barbrady claims, while being interrogated by Hannibal Lecter -like character Josh, that he was beaten with a belt by his uncle and that his father forced him to wear a dress and sit on all of his uncle's laps on poker night. Josh interjects that this is the reason he became a police officer in the first place; to protect himself. Parker's voice for Officer Barbrady was inspired by Dennis Prager , a syndicated radio talk show host, who Parker said he and Stone liked to make fun of for his "big, bombastic, stupid voice". [7] In "Chickenlover", it was established that Barbrady was the only police officer in town. In later seasons, he was phased out in favor of an actual police force, led by the equally incompetent Sergeant Yates. Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein is depicted with appearance and mannerisms that differ dramatically from the real Saddam Hussein . Matt Stone performs his voice (although in the credits, it is said to have been voiced by himself). He is the main antagonist in "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut". Saddam in the show is known as the arch-nemesis of Terrance and Phillip . He had a love relationship with Satan in Hell . Though he was technically deceased from South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, he returned to Hell, and was still a recurring character until " It's Christmas in Canada ". Saddam Hussein's body is made in the usual South Park style (resembling construction paper ), but his head is a photograph cutout; while this is sometimes done with celebrities on South Park, other than Ben Affleck in " How To Eat With Your Butt ", Saddam and Mel Gibson seem to be the only recurring characters with this feature. Saddam is also notable for having a "Canadian-style" head; that is, his head is cut into two pieces, which come apart when he talks, instead of having a normal mouth. This is probably because his first appearance was in " Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus " (see below), which featured almost all Canadians/was supposed to be a "cartoon-within-a-cartoon" and thus had unusual animation; however Saddam's head has retained this quality in other appearances, unlike any other non-Canadian. He also uses [uː] in place of [aʊː] [14] (as Canadians are often perceived to do with "aboot" in place of "about" in South Park). [15] While Saddam on South Park is based on the real-life Saddam, he also displays many important differences. For one thing, he has a very high-pitched, whiny voice, he is homosexual , speaks English and often calmly insists that people "relax", especially those people who are (usually correctly) suspicious of his motives. He usually says "relax guy" to men. He often insults people, especially in his romantic relationship with Satan; he was so emotionally abusive that their relationship did not last and Satan exiled him to Heaven (see below). Saddam seems to have a rather unusual obsession with Canada, and has conquered it three times ("Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus", "It's Christmas in Canada"). He also conquered Canada along with the rest of the world for a very short amount of time in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. Santa Santa Claus lives at the North Pole in his Fortress of Solitude , aided two months out of the year by the Underpants Gnomes . Santa is often shown with South Park's other Christmas-related characters, Mr. Hankey and Jesus. His relationship with the latter has been rocky. In the animated short, " The Spirit of Christmas ", Jesus and Santa had a fight to determine what the true meaning of Christmas was - giving or Jesus' birth. With some advice from Brian Boitano , the boys told Jesus that Santa keeps the spirit of Christmas alive, and then told Santa that if it wasn't for Jesus there would be no Christmas at all. The two reconciled, though they would later fight again in " Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics ", when Santa felt gypped that there are more Jesus-related Christmas songs than ones about him. Nevertheless they made up again, and Jesus later lost his life to save Santa from Iraqis in " Red Sleigh Down ." To commemorate his good friend, Santa declares that in every Christmas, everyone should remember Jesus. Santa is known for not being afraid to get violent to protect the true meaning of Christmas. In " Red Sleigh Down " he was captured by Iraqis and had to shoot his way free, in " Woodland Critter Christmas " his skill with a shotgun and sledgehammer saved Christmas from the Anti-Christ, and in " Imaginationland Episode III " he was seen sporting a golden axe to fight off the army of evil imaginary creatures after being revived by Butters (who used his imagination, due to the fact the Santa had died in flames during the terrorist attack). Satan From left to right: Saddam, Satan and Chris. Satan is an occasional character in South Park, voiced by Trey Parker and based on the Judeo-Christian Satan . He presides over Hell and is constantly at war with God , but far from being merciless and innately evil as Satan is often portrayed in other media, he is depicted in South Park as a soft-hearted, misunderstood anti-hero capable of compassion and genuine emotional attachment. Many of Satan's appearances on South Park (as well as his role in the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) focus on his romantic attachments, all of which so far have been homosexual . In the beginning of the story, Satan is romantically involved with Saddam Hussein . As the plot of South Park progresses, Satan exiles Saddam after Saddam becomes too domineering. Satan has since had two other partners, Chris and Kevin (see below). Satan also has a rarely seen son named Damien , who, while never specifically labeled as the Antichrist , is based on the character from The Omen . Satan makes a cameo on the end of the current opening. According to the audio commentary for the episode " Damien ", South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone came up with the idea of Satan and Saddam Hussein being lovers on the set of BASEketball , where they would attempt to impress girls by improvising scenes between the two characters, one assuming the role of Satan and one of Saddam. Parker also mentions on the same commentary track that he and Stone were inspired to make Satan a wimp by the character of Pinhead in Hellraiser 3 . Satan has tried three times so far in the course of South Park's run to take over Earth: in the episodes " Damien " and " Best Friends Forever ", and also in the feature film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. All three attempts failed, with the last also leading to Satan's breakup and out-of-anger murder of his then-boyfriend Saddam Hussein, although his attempt in " Damien " was fake - the real reason he did it was to get rich on the money that the townsfolk had bet on him. Though presently single, Satan has had three romantic relationships so far. His most significant relationship was with Saddam Hussein in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. However, Saddam was emotionally abusive to the comparatively-meek and ineffectual Satan, and seemed more interested in Satan for sex and world domination than out of love. With some prompting from Kenny , Satan finally got the nerve to break up with Saddam by throwing him onto a giant rocky spike and killing him. Saddam returned to Hell in " Do the Handicapped Go to Hell? " (with the explanation that, since he was killed, he was just going to wind up right back there). By this time Satan had a new boyfriend, a man named Chris. Chris was a nutritionist , was kind to everyone, and while Satan liked this, he also found Chris to be somewhat of a "pussy" and was not sexually attracted to him. After getting drunk and spending a night with Saddam, Chris and Saddam began to kill each other over and over again—appearing alive in Hell the next day—until Satan sought the advice of the one being wise enough to aid him: God . God told Satan that neither boyfriend was right for him, that his dependence on a relationship had made him a "whiny little bitch", and that he should spend some time to find himself before devoting himself to a relationship, while also revealing that He's Buddhist. With that in mind Satan thanks God and dumps both men. Chris manages to leave, but Saddam refuses to leave, saying he won't let Satan leave him. With that in mind, Satan asks God to let Saddam live in Heaven forever much to Saddam's dismay, as Heaven is shown to be populated entirely by Mormons . In the 2005 episode Best Friends Forever , Satan has a demonic advisor who urges Satan in his attempts to conquer the universe; however, when it is clear the battle is lost for them and the figure continues to press him, Satan yells at him "No, Kevin! I'm breaking up with you!" and shoots bolts at him, killing him. Sergeant Harrison Yates Sergeant Yates (called Lou in " Cartman's Incredible Gift "), voiced by Trey Parker, is a police detective with the Park County Police Department and a minor antagonist in South Park. He was originally shown as working for the FBI in " Christian Rock Hard ". He was shown (though depicted with a different voice) working for the South Park Police Department in " Casa Bonita ". In " Free Willzyx " he and his men were investigating the theft of an orca whale in Denver . He is often depicted as either incompetent, or corrupt. In " The Jeffersons ", when he learns that a wealthy black man named Mr. Jefferson has moved into South Park, he leads a police conspiracy to frame the man for a crime he did not commit , but aborts the plan when he actually sees the light-skinned Mr. Jefferson, and becomes disillusioned with the long-time police tradition of framing wealthy black men for crimes they didn't commit . (In actuality, Mr. Jefferson was an incognito Michael Jackson ). In "Cartman's Incredible Gift", when a serial killer strikes South Park, Yates becomes enamored with the idea that Cartman has psychic powers that can capture the killer, and dismisses proven criminal science such as fingerprinting and blood analysis as "hocus pocus". As a result, he arrests and even kills a number of innocent people based on Cartman's alleged "psychic visions", failing to identify the killer as such when he first investigates him, despite an overabundance of evidence, and nearly letting him go free. In " Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy ", he initially takes no action when it is reported that Ike Broflovski's kindergarten teacher is having sex with him, because he finds the idea of a female teacher having sex with a male student alluring. Cartman asks Yates to help him get back a photo he wrongfully thinks Kyle stole in the episode " Cartman Sucks ". In the season 13 episode " Butters' Bottom Bitch ", Yates goes undercover as a (female) prostitute to try and crack down on prostitution in South Park - and insists on going through various sexual acts (including oral sex and a gang bang ) before arresting the clients. Yates is usually seen with his grey-haired partner, voiced by Matt Stone. His partner has been called Harris ("The Jeffersons", "Free Willzyx"), Murphy ("Cartman's Incredible Gift"), and Mitch ("Cartman's Incredible Gift", " Eek, A Penis! ", " The China Probrem "). Skeeter Skeeter is a red-haired townsperson. He first appeared in the episode " Sexual Harassment Panda ". He has a southern accent, and typically is portrayed as a redneck. He hangs out at the bar a great deal, where in the aforementioned episode, he greets newcomers by saying, "Hey! We don't take kindly to your type around here!" This is generally followed by the bartender interjecting, "Now, Skeeter, he/she/they/it ain't hurtin' nobody". He is shown leading various mobs in different episodes, or otherwise appears as a background character or regular townee. His most notable appearances include leading the campaign to "Free Hat McCullough" in " Free Hat ", and as a war supporter who excoriates anti-war protesters in the episode " I'm a Little Bit Country ". He also appears in the " With Apologies to Jesse Jackson " episode. He has a daughter, as indicated near the end of " Good Times with Weapons ". Sparky the Dog Sparky (voiced by George Clooney ) [16 ] is Stan's dog. He first appeared in " Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride " in which it was revealed that he is gay. Stan was very upset that Sparky was gay, provoking Sparky to run away to " Big Gay Al 's Big Gay Animal Sanctuary", where he would live with other gay animals. He, along with all of the other animals, returned to their owners after the people of South Park learned to become more accepting of their sexuality. He has been seen in " Proper Condom Use ", and " Good Times With Weapons ", in which his fur was used to disguise Butters as a dog. Sparky also makes a cameo in " Woodland Critter Christmas ", and was briefly seen in the episode " Spookyfish ". He is included as a figure with the South Park series 2 Stan action figure by Mezco . Terrance and Phillip Terrance and Phillip are a comedy duo from Canada who appear on The Terrance and Phillip Show, which is frequently watched by Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny. Terrance Henry Stoot of Toronto (voiced by Matt Stone ) has black hair and wears a red shirt with a letter "T," while Phillip Niles Argyle of Montreal (voiced by Trey Parker ) has blond hair, diabetes, and a blue shirt with a "P." Initially, it is indicated that Terrance and Phillip are cartoons, although generally from second season appearances onwards, they are presented as real living people within the South Park universe. The pair are also partly based on Beavis and Butt-head , particularly in their early appearances. The characters were inspired by the number of complaints about fart jokes in South Park. In commentary by Matt Stone and Trey Parker during the first episode in which Terrance and Phillip appeared, they complained of many people claiming that South Park was poorly animated and just all fart jokes. In response the creators invented Terrance and Phillip to demonstrate just what a show that was indeed all fart jokes would be, and made it even more poorly animated. It is revealed in "Terrance and Phillip: Behind the Blow" that Terrance and Phillip met at the "Canadian School for Gifted Babies" (a school full of Ike-style babies). The duo briefly separated in the episode "Terrance and Phillip: Behind the Blow", with Phillip having a "serious job" as an actor in " Canadian Shakespeare " plays. Terrance also becomes obese in this episode. Terrance and Phillip have small beady eyes and Pac Man -like heads which flap up and down whenever they speak, as do all Canadians featured on the show. In the 1999 movie South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, outrage on the part of American mothers to the duo's profane act leads to their arrest, and a war between Canada and the United States. Their deaths at the hands of Kyle 's mother Sheila cause the upwelling of Satan and his partner-in-evil, Saddam Hussein , from the underworld . However, they are resurrected at the end of the movie by Kenny 's wish that everything should return to normal. They both got married at the end of the episode " Eat, Pray, Queef ". Towelie Towelie, voiced by Vernon Chatman of electro-rock band/art collective PFFR , is a talking "RG-400 Smart Towel" manufactured by Tynacorp. The exact details of his creation are hopelessly confused, but he was apparently meant to be an alien spying weapon, and was stolen by a paramilitary group before he simply "got high and just sort of wandered off" to South Park. He often speaks in a high pitched voice. He is usually seen either giving towel-related advice to the citizens of South Park or, more often, getting high on marijuana . Towelie constantly reminds other characters, "Don't forget to bring a towel!" Then, after an awkward pause, he asks the subjects, "You wanna get high?" Towelie first appeared in the fifth season episode " Towelie ", which the boys run into him after he flees a paramilitary group and aliens. After Kenny's death, the boys went searching for a replacement friend in the sixth season episode " Professor Chaos ". Towelie, a possible candidate, was said to be "high all the time" and undependable by the boys. This episode also stated that Towelie is 17 years old in towel years. Nonetheless, Towelie makes it to the final round. He also makes brief cameos in " Osama Bin Laden Has Farty Pants " and " Red Man's Greed ". He starred as the main character in " A Million Little Fibers ", a parody of the controversy that surrounded James Frey 's memoir A Million Little Pieces on The Oprah Winfrey Show , after it was discovered to have been partially fabricated. Trey Parker and Matt Stone explained on the DVD commentary for "Towelie" that the character was conceived as a joking reference to the overmarketing of characters in the wake of the series' success. In the episode, Cartman describes Towelie as the "worst character ever". Tuong Lu Kim Tuong Lu Kim, a.k.a. City Wok Guy (voiced by Trey Parker), is a stereotypical Chinese character, [17] prone to mispronouncing the word "city" as "shitty", and pronouncing R's instead of L's . He first appeared in the episode " Jared Has Aides ", though his name was not given until " Child Abduction Is Not Funny ". According to the DVD commentary on "Jared Has Aides", Kim is based on an actual person. While doing sound mixing on their film Orgazmo , Parker and Matt Stone would phone a real life City Wok just to hear the man’s voice. Kim’s main job is the owner of City Wok, a Chinese take out service. He also operates the airline service City Airlines in " It's Christmas in Canada ". In " Child Abduction Is Not Funny ", he is established to be an expert at building walls, a stereotypical parody of the Chinese building of the Great Wall of China , although his efforts are thwarted by a pack of Mongolians . He is also depicted as being married to the singer Wing in the episode of the same name . References ^ Eric Cartman addresses him as "Mephesto" when seeking his advice in " Cartman Joins NAMBLA ", and a search at SouthParkstudios.com shows that episode to be the only instance in which that spelling and pronunciation is used. "Mephisto" is used in all other instances. ^ Season 3 episode "Spontaneous Combustion"

List of recurring South Park characters

What is the name of the King of Halloween Town who tries to take over Christmas in the Disney movie The Nightmare Before Christmas?

Learn and talk about List of recurring South Park characters, Fictional characters from Colorado, Lists of South Park characters, Lists of minor fictional characters Al Gore[ edit ] " Al Gore " (voiced by Trey Parker in the " ManBearPig " episode and Matt Stone in " The Red Badge of Gayness " episode) is the former Vice President of the United States and also tries to alert the children of South Park of a mystical creature named "ManBearPig". He constantly says "I'm super cereal!" and "excelsior!" during certain situations; he also appears to be ignorant and insecure. Gore also appears in during the Imaginationland saga where he's shown wearing a red cape and yelling "excelsior!"; he also appears in the South Park: The Stick of Truth video game. Big Gay Al[ edit ] "Big Gay Al" redirects here. For the first season episode, see Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride . Big Gay Al (speaking voice Matt Stone , singing voice Trey Parker ) is a stereotypical homosexual man known for his flamboyant and positive demeanor. For example, he almost always responds to the greeting "How are you?" with an upbeat "I'm super! Thanks for asking!" At one point in the show, he runs an animal farm for gay animals who have been rejected by homophobic pet owners. He temporarily adopted Sparky , Stan's gay dog, who had run away from home. Later on in the episode, his large shelter vanishes, but the various animals remained, and were adopted by their former owners who had missed them greatly. Ever since, he has been a particularly good friend to Stan, and is one of the few people in South Park who are genuinely nice. He had a minor role in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut , where it is revealed he is in fact a celebrity (or had become so since his appearance in his first encounter with Stan). He was the co-host and an entertainer at the troops' USO show, in which he performed his own musical number called "I'm Super". In the episode " Cripple Fight ", he is the leader of the boys' Mountain Scout troop. However, the parents of the children are uneasy about a gay scout leader, and the club fires him. The boys rally to get him back, and Gloria Allred and others lobby the Scouts to reaccept him, suing the Scouts in a Supreme Court case that they win. Al rejects this, saying that he knows the Scouts are still good men, and since the Scouts are a private club, they should have the right to exclude people if they choose to, just as he has the right to express himself as a gay man. Big Gay Al eventually enters into a relationship with Mr. Slave , the ex-boyfriend of Mr. Garrison , whom he married in " Follow That Egg! ". Big Gay Al and Mr. Slave later appeared in an attempt to help the boys change the definition of the word fag in " The F Word ". Dr. Alphonse Mephesto and Kevin[ edit ] Dr. Alphonse Mephesto (right) and Kevin. Dr. Alphonse Mephesto (also spelled and pronounced Mephisto [1] while once referenced as "Alfonz Mephesto"; [2] voiced by Trey Parker ) is a mad scientist who specializes in genetic engineering , and has a son named Terrance (not to be confused with Terrance from Terrance and Phillip ). The character is a reference to Marlon Brando 's portrayal of Dr. Moreau in the 1996 film version of The Island of Dr. Moreau . [3] He always tries to help those who require his talents, but his experiments sometimes go wrong and put the whole town in danger. Like Dr. Moreau, Dr. Mephesto creates strange creatures with his talents, such as animals with multiple buttocks. Mephesto believes it is for the good of the Earth, and that one-assed animals are useless and must be destroyed. In " Spontaneous Combustion ", he even goes as far as presenting a "seven-assed Galapagos Turtle" in an attempt to win a Nobel Prize , but loses to Randy Marsh 's "Unified Theory of Fart Thing". He genetically splices a squirrel with provolone cheese in " Cartman Joins NAMBLA ". He also performs experiments ranging from simple DNA tests to creating a genetic clone of Stan Marsh for his son's science project. Mephesto also provides normal genetic testing services, as when Cartman has him determine who was his father in " Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut " and " Cartman's Mom Is Still a Dirty Slut ". Mephesto has a brother who attempts to kill him every month for unrevealed reasons, as mentioned in the aforementioned episode. However, in the episode 201, it is revealed that his brother actually shot him in an attempt to keep Cartman's father from being revealed. Playing on his real-world origins, he is a member of the National Association of Marlon Brando Look-Alikes, a group not fond of "that other NAMBLA ", as seen in "Cartman Joins NAMBLA". Kevin is Dr. Mephesto's silent companion, described as "that little monkey guy". He is a small creature who dresses like Dr. Mephesto and is based on Majai, a character created for the 1996 film adaptation of The Island of Dr. Moreau. While Kevin's exact nature is never addressed on the show, his story is told in the song "Mephesto and Kevin" by Primus from Chef Aid: The South Park Album . He was apparently a failed attempt to create a perfect pop singer, a test tube baby created from Michael Jackson's sperm and the egg of an unspecified, musically talented female donor, brought to term inside the womb of a llama. In " 200 ", Cartman's DNA paternity test from "Cartman's Mom is a Dirty Slut" was revisited. Cartman learns that results he was given were tampered with. In the next episode, " 201 ", Dr. Mephesto tells Cartman that his real father is Jack Tenorman . The character has made sporadic background appearances since. [4] Dr. Doctor[ edit ] Dr. Doctor, also known as Dr. Horatio Gouache, is a South Park doctor primarily seen during scenes set at Hell's Pass Hospital, known for making unusual medical diagnoses, including instances in which he reifies abstract or metaphorical ideas as actual diseases or injuries. In " The Biggest Douche in the Universe ", after Cartman is admitted to the hospital following his possession by the soul of his deceased friend, Kenny McCormick , the Doctor's diagnosis is "his time is running out", and uses that phrase as if it were a literal medical diagnosis, explaining if he does not get a "time transplant", he will die. In the episode " You Got F'd in the A ", which is a spoof of the film You Got Served , the Doctor treats Randy Marsh after Randy is "served" (slang term for being defeated in a dance competition) by a group of street dancers, as if "being served" constitutes an actual physical transgression that incurs major injuries. In " Pre-School ", he treats the kids of South Park after bullying , even though they were merely the victim of mild abuse such as the "second-degree titty twister". In " Cartman's Incredible Gift ", after Cartman is hospitalized following an attempt to fly by jumping off a roof with cardboard wings, the Doctor tells his mother that he is "incredibly stupid" and that the stupidity caused the fall. In recent years, South Park has employed a number of unnamed, recurring doctor characters, but Dr. Doctor continues to appear occasionally, including in " Medicinal Fried Chicken " where his actions and mistaken research lead to the return of KFCs and re-illegalization of marijuana. In the series, he has been voiced by Trey Parker since 1997, though he was voiced by George Clooney in the 1999 feature film South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut , in which his character was called Dr. Gouache. Although he wears a name tag also identifying him as "Dr. Doctor", he was called "Dr. Gouache" in "Cartman's Incredible Gift". In "Medicinal Fried Chicken", his medical degree on the wall refers to him as Dr. Horatio Gouache. Father Maxi[ edit ] Father Maxi (aka Priest Maxi [5] ) (voiced by Matt Stone) is a Catholic priest. His name is a play on that of British singer Maxi Priest . He first appeared in the first season episode " Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo ". In the episode " Korn's Groovy Pirate Ghost Mystery ", Maxi, in his hatred of Halloween, kills many South Park citizens in order to convince people that Halloween is evil. In " Do the Handicapped Go to Hell? ", he claims that Timmy will go to Hell, since Timmy's mental disabilities make it impossible for him to confess his sins. Though Father Maxi is a priest and required to be celibate, he does not seem to regularly practice this. Like most of the adults in South Park, he has had sex with Mrs. Cartman at some point in his life, and was caught having sex with a "Mrs. Donovan". In " Cripple Fight ", he admitted to having gone through a homosexual phase in his youth, but claims to be reformed. However, he apparently once had a relationship with a man named Peterson whom he was supposed to be reforming of homosexuality. In " Red Hot Catholic Love ", he pursues Catholic sex abuse cases as the only uncorrupted priest in the episode, and espouses a version of liberal Christianity in saying that the Bible is a collection of moral parables meant to act as an ethical guide, and not be taken literally. In " Follow That Egg! ", he officiates Big Gay Al and Mr. Slave's wedding, despite his earlier stand against homosexuality. In " The F Word ", he is seen outside his chapel displaying a " God Hates Fags " sign towards an obnoxious gang of Harley-Davidson riders, who have been deemed as "fags" under city ordinance. God[ edit ] God is portrayed on South Park as a composite of what appears to be a hippo and an orangutan. His first appearance was in " Are You There God? It's Me, Jesus " as part of the millennial celebrations, where he answers Stan's question of why hasn't he gotten his period yet when all of his friends had (Cartman and Kenny were suffering from an intenstinal virus and Kyle was lying). He can be summoned in Heaven when his name is spoken, and sometimes on Earth, where he appears as beams of light with a deep voice. God is a Buddhist , although only people of the Mormon faith are allowed in Heaven. The population of Heaven began to dwindle, and the population of Hell rose, as told in " Best Friends Forever ", God started to allow others into Heaven. This was an attempt to build up Heaven's army to protect God's Kingdom from the increasingly larger Army of Satan. It is said that the PlayStation Portable was created by God to help find the human who could lead his army, which turned out to be Kenny. He appears in the second part of Do the Handicapped Go to Hell? , where he gives advice to Satan in regards to his relationship troubles. He is included as a figure with the South Park series 3 Jesus action figure by Mezco. He is voiced by Trey Parker. Jesus[ edit ] Jesus on Jesus and Pals Jesus (voiced by Matt Stone ) is a character based on the biblical Jesus. On South Park, Jesus had his own public-access television cable TV show called Jesus and Pals. He was killed while fighting Iraqis during an attempt to rescue Santa on Christmas Eve in the episode " Red Sleigh Down ". This was his last major role on the show until he was resurrected five years later in the eleventh season episode " Fantastic Easter Special ". He is portrayed as represented in Christian thought—i.e., he is the Son of God, has numerous miraculous powers (including prophecy, healing and resurrection), as well as the ability to fly and expert carpentry skills. The exact nature of his abilities varies from episode to episode—for example, " Super Best Friends " portrays some of his most famous miracles as farces, despite still having basic powers, while in " Fantastic Easter Special ", he claims to only have his powers after being killed and resurrected, so he makes Kyle kill him so he can save the Easter bunny. Jesus is usually portrayed as being calm and self-assured, being kind and peaceable to everyone; nevertheless, he often acts more typical of South Park characters. He is often seen, for example, fighting villains, and while inept at it in " Damien ", he later is shown (" Red Sleigh Down ", " Fantastic Easter Special " and " Imaginationland Episode III ") as being very skilled with guns, swords and a glaive (in "Imaginationland III" he leads the charge of the good imaginary characters into battle.) He makes a cameo as a soldier in South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut , implying that he is on the American side. He is also a member of the Super Best Friends , a group of religious figures who fight against the forces of evil (except for Buddha , who does not believe in evil). In the Jesus vs. Frosty short which started South Park, the boys make a snowman which comes to life after they put a hat on him. The snowman kills Cartman and Kenny and even poses as Santa. Stan and Kyle are the only ones left and seek help from a baby Jesus who comes alive from a Nativity Scene and knocks Frosty's hat off. In Jesus vs. Santa, Jesus arrives from Heaven to seek retribution. He wants to get rid of Santa once and for all since people don't see Christmas as Jesus's birthday anymore. With help from Brian Boitano , the boys tell Jesus that Santa is keeping his birthday alive and they tell Santa if it was not for Jesus there wouldn't be a Christmas. At that point, both Santa and Jesus apologized to each other, and Jesus decided to offer Santa an orange smoothie, which Santa likes. Some footage from this short was used in the episode " A Very Crappy Christmas ". Before his second death, Jesus hosted a television talk show called Jesus and Pals on South Park public-access television cable TV . Jesus would often receive on-air calls from guests, and would be depicted as reluctant to respond to questions regarding issues such as homosexuality , euthanasia and his own crucifixion . In the episode " The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka ", Jesus's show entered a ratings war with Jimbo Kern and Ned Gerblansky 's hunting program Huntin' and Killin'. The show's producer, in an attempt to increase ratings, fabricates controversy between guests, and Jesus and Pals turns into a Jerry Springer -style farce. During live production of the face-off between Ned and Jimbo vs. the children on Jesus and Pals, the guests and audience breakout into a brawl. It led to a huge fight until Jesus discovered what happened, and sent his producer to Hell. In Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut, when Mr. Garrison asks "who here hasn't had sex with Mrs. Cartman", Jesus and Priest Maxi exchange uncomfortable glances, implying that he, like most everyone else in South Park, has at some point had a relationship with Cartman's mother. In the Imaginationland -trilogy he is depicted as "one of the most revered fictional characters" and a member of the Council of Nine. To add to the confusion: in previous "South Park" episodes Jesus interacted in real life with other South Park citizens, just like Santa Claus who is also shown in the "Imaginationland" episodes as a fictional character. Other famous religious icons such as Moses , Ganesha , Buddha , Joseph Smith and God are also shown as citizens of Imaginationland. [6] He was also mentioned at the end of episode Sarcastaball . Despite the subject material, the South Park iteration of Jesus was absent from the episode " The Passion of the Jew ", an eighth season episode dealing with Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ and the various responses to the film from the four principal characters as well as the rest of the town itself. Joseph Smith[ edit ] Joseph Smith , the founder of Mormonism, made his first appearance in " Super Best Friends " in which he was depicted as a member of a superhero group composed of the central figures of many of Earth's religions. He later appeared in " All About Mormons ", which depicts the events in his life that led to the founding of Mormonism, and in the two-part episodes " 200 " and " 201 ". Lennart Bedrager[ edit ] Lennart Bedrager (known in most promotional materials as The Troll Hunter) is the CEO of a startup company in Denmark and the main antagonist of the latter half of Season 20 . Following the suicide of a Danish celebrity brought on by trolling from Gerald Broflovski , Bedrager leads a war against internet trolling as a whole. He creates a service called "TrollTrace," which aims to allow people to run internet posts through their database and match them to a name and physical location. When questioned about TrollTrace's potential for misuse, Bedrager simply states that it is only intended for use against trolls. When TrollTrace is launched in the town of Fort Collins , it descends into chaos, necessitating that it be walled off from the rest of the world. Bedrager makes a deal with Hillary Clinton to shut down TrollTrace in exchange for Gerald and other trolls he's associated with. Upon capturing the trolls, however, Bedrager states that his true intentions are to pit countries against each other and destroy society so that he can create a new one "where everyone is happy, and singing, and has no secrets. Like Denmark." Later, it is revealed that this is a sham, and that Bedrager is actually an American who lied his way to leadership in Denmark so that he could initiate World War III for his own amusement. "Bedrager" roughly translates to "deceiver" or "con-man" in English, hinting at his darker intentions. Loogie[ edit ] Loogie (or Luigi) made his first appearance in " The Tooth Fairy Tats 2000 ". When the boys try to make money by snatching tooth fairy money left underneath other boys' pillows, they encounter another set of boys trying to do the same thing. These rivals bring the boys back to Loogie, whereupon they learn that the Tooth Fairy business is actually a crime syndicate, with Loogie being portrayed as a youth Mafia kingpin. He wears a zoot suit and his headquarters is a basement Italian restaurant. Instead of merely dressing up like the Tooth Fairy and procuring the money, he has an entire assembly line of employees who procure the teeth and inspect them for quality. When the boys attempt to break off into their own independent syndicate, Loogie intervenes and targets Kenny to teach them a lesson (which is a spoof on common Mafia practices). He is voiced primarily by Richard Belzer , although the final recordings were performed by Trey Parker . [7] He made another cameo appearance in " Professor Chaos ", where he was one of twenty candidates to replace the then-deceased Kenny in the boys' group. He survived the first round to become a semi-finalist but was one of four boys cut in the second round. In this episode, when his name was called out to advance to the next round, he was referred to as "Luigi". To date, the show has not specified whether the character's name is actually Loogie, such that the "Luigi" reference is a "nod" or "nonce usage", or whether instead his given name is Luigi and the appellation "Loogie" is a (likely pejorative ) nickname. Mayor McDaniels[ edit ] Mayor McDaniels is the mayor of South Park. In one episode, she is discovered ordering Officer Barbrady to perform oral sex on her, and in another, she indicates obliquely that they have had dealings with the Japanese mafia.[ citation needed ] Her civic ideas for the city are often made without regard for future consequences, which are usually disastrous. In " Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo ", she tries to resolve offended feelings towards the public school Christmas play by having a play created that makes no references to any religion or religious holiday, resulting in an esoteric production that all the townspeople loathe. In " Summer Sucks ", after all fireworks are declared illegal with the exception of snakes , the town is endangered by a giant snake she arranges to have set off. She attempts suicide in " Die Hippie, Die ", after a hippie music festival she signs the permit for has deleterious effects on the town. In " Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut ", when Garrison asks the question of who has not slept with Mrs. Cartman, she exchanges uncomfortable glances with Principal Victoria , implying that she, like most everyone else in South Park, has at some point been involved with Cartman's mother. In the new episode, Tweek x Craig, she is shown looking at a picture of a man, who is assumed to be her husband, during a love song. Later in the episode, during a breakup song, she's shown crying over a grave, implying that she's a widow. McDaniels was conceived because Trey Parker and Matt Stone wanted the mayor to be someone more sophisticated than other South Park residents and believed she was better than the rest of the town. [8] Mechanic[ edit ] Mechanic is a nameless character who wears a wide-brimmed fedora and overalls , and speaks with a heavy Maine accent . He resembles Fred Gwynne 's portrayal of the character Jud Crandall in the 1989 film Pet Sematary , parodying Crandall's character by ominously sharing horror stories from the past and warning people not to repeat them. He first appears in " Butters' Very Own Episode ", in which he directs Butters down a dark road to South Park, giving the horrific history of the road to him, ending his speech with "Yah, lotta history down that road." He appears again in " Asspen " when he tries to talk Stan out of racing down the K-13 while giving the terrible history about the run and the lives lost on it, ending his speech with "Yah, a lotta history on that ski run." A more direct parody of Pet Sematary is made in " Marjorine " when he spontaneously tries to talk Mr. Stotch out of burying what he believes to be Butter's body on an Indian burial ground (despite Mr. Stotch not having considered it), saying "Don't bury your son's body at the Indian burial ground, Stotch! The one that's right up over there, behind the Andersons' barn...", closing with Crandall's signature line "Sometimes... dead is better". He appears again in the sixteenth-season episode " Insecurity ", telling the husbands of South Park how the local milkman used to have sex with everyone's wives, warning the husbands they may be suffering a similar fate at the hands of the UPS man and bluntly instructing them to kill him. Member Berries[ edit ] Member Berries are talking anthropomorphic fruits that resemble grapes with faces. They serve as the main antagonists of the first half of season 20 , and act as something of an anti-depressant for anyone who eats them by bringing back fond childhood memories . As such, most of their dialogue consists of asking people if they "'member" various pop culture elements from the 80's and 90's (chiefly Star Wars characters and plot points). However, the berries are shown to have sinister intentions. In addition to making cultural references, they also try to instill fear and hatred by asking people if they remember such things such as "when there weren't so many Mexicans," "feeling safe," and "when marriage was just between a man and a woman." They possess the ability to take control of people who eat them, who in turn can brainwash others by vomiting their juices into their faces. It is suggested that they are being utilized by J.J. Abrams to brainwash people into liking his Star Wars film . They are led by an aged berry who plans to bring back " the real Stormtroopers ." Their storyline is not resolved by the end of the season, and they disappear completely in the final two episodes, save for a brief cameo in the finale. Moses[ edit ] Moses , the Jewish prophet, appears in " Jewbilee " as the focus of a ritual in which Jews make macaroni pictures, popcorn necklaces and soap carvings at a Jewish scout camp. His appearance is patterned after the Master Control Program from the film Tron and a large glowing spinning dreidel . [9] The episode's antisemitic antagonist, Garth, captures him in a conch shell before calling upon the Biblical character Haman . Kenny McCormick , who had been banished from the camp by Moses for not being Jewish, saves the camp by breaking the conch shell open with his head. Moses also appears in the episode " Super Best Friends ", in which he acts as the computer at the Super Best Friends headquarters, and demonstrates the ability to play a tape by having it inserted through a port in his front. Additionally, Moses appears at the Hall of the Super Best Friends in the episode " 200 ", where he offers the opinion that it will be okay for the Islamic prophet, Muhammad to appear in Southpark in a U-Haul , if the U-Haul has no windows. "Mr. Hankey" redirects here. For the first season episode, see Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo . Mr. Hankey the "Christmas Poo", voiced by Trey Parker, is a talking piece of feces . He first appeared in the first season episode " Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo ". He emerges from the toilet bowl on Christmas Eve and brings presents to good boys and girls whose diets have been high in fiber . He is especially close to Kyle , consoling him during his Christmas-Hanukkah depression and generally appears to help the boys out with something or gives them advice. Mr. Hankey has appeared in various Christmas episodes, and inspired an actual retail CD Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics in which he has his own theme song. In his first appearance, he appeared anthropomorphic only to Kyle and Chef, although he often leaves a trail behind that is attributed by the adults to antisocial behavior by Kyle. Due to his physical state, he can only emerge from the sewers during the Christmas season or he will dry up and die. The Mr. Hankey character was based on an idea Trey Parker's father created when he was potty-training Trey as a child. [10] Parker said he refused to flush the toilet at age three or four, so his father told him if he did not flush the stool, whom he called "Mr. Hankey", it would come to life and kill him. [11] Parker said he planned to incorporate Mr. Hankey into South Park, but did not decide right away to make him a Christmas figure; previously, Parker envisioned the character simply as a talking stool and drew him with a sailor's hat, not a Christmas hat. [12] John Kricfalusi , the creator of The Ren and Stimpy Show , claimed that the Mr. Hankey concept was stolen from Kricfalusi's cartoon short, "Nutty the Friendly Dump", [10] and even discussed taking legal action against the show. [13] Parker and Stone denied the allegation and said they were not fans of Ren & Stimpy. [14] Mr. Kitty[ edit ] Mr. Kitty is a grey housecat owned by Cartman , prone to showing interest in Cartman's food, to which Cartman usually responds, "No, Mr. Kitty, that's mine! That's a bad kitty!" His first appearance was in " Cartman Gets an Anal Probe ". In the episode " Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut ", he was voiced by Jay Leno . In the episode " Spookyfish ", a kindhearted and generous Cartman from a parallel universe arrives and is friendly to Kitty, much to our universe's Cartman's irritation. Kitty's most prominent role was in the season 3 episode " Cat Orgy ". Mr. Kitty was mentioned in " The Death of Eric Cartman " as being part of the list of beings to whom Cartman needed to apologize in order to reach Heaven . Although Mr. Kitty is indicated to be female in "Cat Orgy", in the season 12 episode " Major Boobage ", the children experiment with Mr. Kitty's urine after learning that the urine of male cats can cause intoxication . Ned Gerblansky[ edit ] Ned Gerblansky (voiced by Trey Parker) and his best friend Jimbo Kern represent South Park's large population of stereotypical "rednecks". They are obsessed with large trucks, beer, guns, explosions, and killing animals. They detest "liberals" and circumvent hunting regulations, which they refer to as anti-hunting laws, by yelling, "it's coming right for us!" before shooting any animal, thereby justifying the kill as self-defense. After a court ruling, they are seen shooting animals so as to "thin out their numbers", despite the fact that they are shown shooting at endangered species while shouting, "it's coming right for us!" Jimbo and Ned met while in the Vietnam War , where Jimbo was a helicopter pilot. During the war, Ned lost his right arm when a hand grenade exploded in his hand. Ned also lost his formerly mellifluous voice due to cancer, apparently caused by cigarette smoking, and is forced to speak with a mechanical larynx . Despite the fact that Ned lost one of his arms, he can still wield two-handed weapons, such as a flamethrower, and even an M249 SAW in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut . It was revealed in the episode "Summer Sucks" that Ned has an ex-wife, though her name is never mentioned. Ned and Jimbo were inspired by characters Trey Parker used to draw during high school. [8] Nellie and Thomas McElroy[ edit ] Nellie and Thomas McElroy were the parents of Chef and are both voiced by Trey Parker . They first appear in the episode " The Succubus ", when they come to South Park for Chef's wedding. They appear later in the episode " The Biggest Douche in the Universe " when Chef takes Cartman and his mother to his parents' manor house in Scotland . They perform a shaman-esque ritual to exorcize Kenny's soul from Cartman's body. In " Red Sleigh Down ", they are seen in a crowd during the town's Christmas celebration. They are not seen at Chef's funeral in " The Return of Chef ". The McElroys' main subject of conversation is their supposed encounters with the Loch Ness Monster . They repeatedly claim that they have seen him on multiple occasions, and are constantly harassed by him, as he tries to swindle them out of $3.50 ("tree fiddy"). According to Thomas, the monster has pretended to be a Girl Scout, an alien, and Chef's imaginary friend from childhood. Officer Barbrady[ edit ] Officer Barbrady (voiced by Trey Parker) is a South Park city police officer who is extremely incompetent at what he does and is generally a bumbling oaf, incapable of solving any of the crimes he is charged to investigate. He even unintentionally helped Mr. Garrison try to kill Kathie Lee Gifford . Mayor McDaniels still often summons him, as he actually does keep the peace in South Park, as shown in " Chickenlover " when shortly after he quits, the city falls into chaos. Officer Barbrady does not drink coffee, as seen in episode " Gnomes "; he instead prefers to get hit in the face by a cat swung by the tail. He is slightly overweight and talks louder than he should, most likely because of his hearing aid. Barbrady was illiterate until season two's "Chickenlover". After his illiteracy was exposed, Barbrady was ordered to learn how to read by the Mayor. Chickenlover made him learn to read by leaving the notes at the crime scenes describing where he would strike next. Barbrady was thankful at first to Chickenlover, but arrested him nonetheless for his crimes. Chickenlover then gave him the book Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand , which Barbrady thought was such an awful book that he vowed never to read anything ever again. In "Chickenlover" and " Spookyfish " Barbrady claims to have a wife. However, she has never appeared on the show. In other episodes, it has been implied that he and Mayor McDaniels are in a relationship, despite her general disdain for him. In the season seven episode " Toilet Paper ", Barbrady claims, while being interrogated by Hannibal Lecter -like character Josh, that he was beaten with a belt by his uncle and that his father forced him to wear a dress and sit on all of his uncles' laps on poker night. Josh interjects that this is the reason he became a police officer in the first place; to protect himself. Parker's voice for Officer Barbrady was inspired by Dennis Prager , a syndicated radio talk show host, who Parker said he and Stone liked to make fun of for his "big, bombastic, stupid voice". [8] In "Chickenlover", it was established that Barbrady was the only police officer in town. In later seasons, he was phased out in favor of an actual police force, led by the equally incompetent Sgt. Harrison Yates. Barbrady's role in the series has decreased as a result, but he still appears regularly, such as in " 200 " while protecting the town, and was considered a possible father for Eric Cartman, having been in the room on the day of the DNA test ; however, this was ruled out when the true identity of Eric Cartman's father was revealed in " 201 ". He also played a very prominent role in the 2015 episode " Naughty Ninjas " . In which we see him without his trademark Sunglasses and his home interior, along with an ageing dog that requires medication. Saddam Hussein[ edit ] Saddam Hussein is depicted with appearance and mannerisms that differ dramatically from the real Saddam Hussein. Matt Stone performs his voice even though he is credited as himself in the credits of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. He first appeared in the season 2 episode Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus , and later in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut as the film's main antagonist, in which he is revealed as Satan 's lover in Hell . Though Satan eventually kills him in the movie, he returns to Hell in the series, and remains a recurring character until " It's Christmas in Canada ". Saddam Hussein's body is made in the usual South Park style (resembling construction paper ), but his head is a photograph cutout, a technique also used with appearance by Mel Gibson and Ben Affleck (in his appearance in How to Eat with Your Butt ) [15] ). His head is cut into two pieces, which come apart when he talks, instead of having a conventionally articulated mouth like a Canadian. While Saddam on South Park is based on the real-life Saddam, he has a very high-pitched voice, is homosexual , speaks English and often calmly uses Canadian slang , as when he says, "relax guy". He was so emotionally abusive to Satan during their relationship that Satan ultimately exiles him to Heaven. Saddam attempts to conquer Canada in "Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus" and "It's Christmas in Canada". Santa Claus[ edit ] Santa Claus (voiced by Trey Parker ) lives at the North Pole in his Fortress of Solitude , aided two months out of the year by the Underpants Gnomes . Santa is often shown with South Park's other Christmas-related characters, Mr. Hankey and Jesus. His relationship with the latter has been rocky. In the animated short, " The Spirit of Christmas ", Jesus and Santa had a fight to determine what the true meaning of Christmas was—giving or Jesus' birth. With some advice from Brian Boitano , the boys told Jesus that Santa keeps the spirit of Christmas alive, and then told Santa that if it wasn't for Jesus there would be no Christmas at all. The two reconciled, though they would later fight again in " Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics ", when Santa felt unhappy that there are more Jesus-related Christmas songs than ones about him. Nevertheless, they made up again, and Jesus later lost his life to save Santa from Iraqis in " Red Sleigh Down ". To commemorate his good friend, Santa declares that in every Christmas, everyone should remember Jesus. Santa is known for not being afraid to get violent to protect the true meaning of Christmas. In "Red Sleigh Down" he was captured by Iraqis and had to shoot his way free, in " Woodland Critter Christmas " his skill with a shotgun and sledgehammer saved Christmas from the Anti-Christ, and in " Imaginationland Episode III " he was seen sporting a golden axe to fight off the army of evil imaginary creatures after being revived by Butters (who used his imagination, due to the fact the Santa had died in flames during the terrorist attack). Satan[ edit ] From left to right: Saddam, Satan and Chris. Satan is a recurring character, based on the Abrahamic figure of the same name, voiced by Trey Parker . He presides over Hell and is constantly at war with God, but is often depicted as a sensitive and emotionally vulnerable person who has suffered from dependence on relationships. Many of Satan's appearances on South Park (as well as his role in the film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut ) focus on his romantic attachments, all of which so far have been homosexual . In the film, he is the main antagonist alongside Saddam Hussein, though at the end of the film, he undergoes a change of heart, and calls off his attack upon Earth. In the beginning of the story, Satan is romantically involved with Saddam Hussein . As the plot of South Park progresses, Satan exiles Saddam after Saddam becomes too domineering. Satan has since had two other partners, Chris and Kevin (see below). Satan also has a rarely seen son named Damien , who, while never specifically labeled as the Antichrist , is based on the character from The Omen . Satan makes a cameo on the end of the current opening. According to the audio commentary for the episode " Damien ", South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone came up with the idea of Satan and Saddam Hussein being lovers on the set of BASEketball , where they would attempt to impress girls by improvising scenes between the two characters, one assuming the role of Satan and one of Saddam. Parker also mentions on the same commentary track that he and Stone were inspired to make Satan a wimp by the character of Pinhead in Hellraiser 3 . Satan has tried three times so far in the course of South Park's run to take over Earth: in the episodes " Damien " and " Best Friends Forever ", and also in the feature film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. All three attempts failed, with the last also leading to Satan's breakup and out-of-anger murder of his then-boyfriend Saddam Hussein, although his attempt in " Damien " was fake—the real reason he did it was to get rich on the money that the townsfolk had bet on him. Satan has been depicted in three romantic relationships. His most significant relationship was with Saddam Hussein in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. However, Saddam was emotionally abusive to the meek and emotionally dependent Satan, and was interested in Satan solely for sex and world domination than out of love. With some prompting from Kenny , Satan stands up to Saddam, casts him back down into hell, impaling him on a stalagmite , and calls off his invasion of Earth. Saddam is seen again in " Do the Handicapped Go to Hell? ". By this time Satan has a new boyfriend named Chris, a passive milquetoast who avoids conflict and confrontation. Saddam asserts to Satan that Chris is not fit for Satan, who truly prefers rebellious troublemakers like Saddam himself, and after inviting Saddam to his hotel room, the conflicted Satan spends the night with him. Subsequently, Chris and Saddam began to kill each other over and over again—appearing alive in Hell the next day—until Satan seeks God's advice. God points out to Satan that Satan is too dependent on relationships, and needs to learn to develop his own sense of independence and self-worth, rather than choose partners who are bad for him. Satan decides to break up with both Saddam and Chris, and when Saddam refuses to acknowledge Satan's wishes, Satan banishes Saddam to Heaven, which is populated entirely by Mormons . In the 2005 episode " Best Friends Forever ", Satan has another boyfriend named Kevin, who acts as his advisor, and urges Satan along in his attempts to conquer the universe; however, when it is clear the battle is lost for them and the figure continues to press him, Satan breaks up with Kevin and dispatches him. In the Season 18 episode " Freemium Isn't Free ", Satan is summoned to explain the evils of the Freemium pricing model to Stan, who has been spending exorbitant amounts of money in the Terrance and Phillip game app. He then realizes the culprit, and temporarily takes over Stan's soul to fight the Canadian devil. Scott the Dick[ edit ] Scott lives in Canada where he is a television critic for magazines and is known by most Canadians as being obnoxious and "a dick ", as evidenced by his nickname. He is uptight and short-tempered, especially with Terrance and Phillip 's toilet humour (as a result he wishes that Terrence and Phillip had cancer) and almost all the rest of his Canadian ilk though he has patriotism for his country and expresses special contempt for Americans and ethnic hatred towards the Inuit people. Scott was also Saddam Hussein's advisor twice, first in " Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus " and then to the new Prime Minister of Canada in " It's Christmas in Canada ", who turned out to be Saddam in disguise. Scott's first appearance was in "Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus", where he was shown to be the nemesis of Terrance and Phillip. He then appeared in "real life" during "It's Christmas in Canada", attempting to stop the boys from getting Kyle Broflovski 's brother Ike back. Scott returned in the season 15 episode " Royal Pudding ", labeled as the "The Giant" due to radiation poisoning in Ottawa causing him to grow to slightly larger in size. After being wrongly accused of abducting the Princess of Canada, Scott helps in her rescue from Tooth Decay and is awarded the Canadian Medal of Courage. Harrison Yates[ edit ] Sgt. Harrison "Harris" Yates (sometimes shortened to Detective Harris [16] and called Lou in " Cartman's Incredible Gift "), voiced by Trey Parker, is a police sergeant and the top detective with the Park County Police Department. He is often depicted as either incompetent or corrupt, but nonetheless dedicated to his job, though prone to excessive violence and often racism. Yates has a supportive but rarely-seen wife named Maggie, [17] and an unseen son mentioned in " Cartman's Incredible Gift ". The Park County Police Department was first seen with a similar character named Lieutenant Dawson in " Lil' Crime Stoppers ", also voiced by Parker with a similar design, voice, and role, while Yates was first shown working for the FBI in " Christian Rock Hard " in a similar building. Yates was briefly shown working for the older South Park Police Department in " Casa Bonita ". Though the character has since been firmly established as a detective in South Park, occasionally he is still seen elsewhere - in " Free Willzyx " he and his men were investigating the theft of an orca whale in Denver . In " The Jeffersons ", he is first introduced as South Park's police sergeant when he learns that a wealthy black man named Mr. Jefferson has moved into South Park, he leads a police conspiracy to frame the man for a crime he did not commit , but aborts the plan when he actually sees the light-skinned Mr. Jefferson, and becomes disillusioned with the long-time police tradition of framing wealthy black men for crimes they didn't commit . (In actuality, Mr. Jefferson was an incognito Michael Jackson ). In "Cartman's Incredible Gift", when a serial killer strikes South Park, Yates becomes enamored with the idea that Cartman has psychic powers that can capture the killer, and dismisses proven criminal science such as fingerprinting and blood analysis as "hocus pocus". As a result, he arrests and even kills a number of innocent people based on Cartman's alleged "psychic visions", failing to identify the killer as such when he first investigates him, despite an overabundance of evidence, and nearly letting him go free. In " Miss Teacher Bangs a Boy ", he initially takes no action when it is reported that Ike Broflovski 's kindergarten teacher is having sex with him, because he finds the idea of a female teacher having sex with a male student alluring. In the season 13 episode " Butters' Bottom Bitch ", Yates goes undercover as a (female) prostitute to try and crack down on prostitution in South Park—and insists on going through various sexual acts (including oral sex and a gang bang ) before arresting the clients. The character also appears in the season 18 episode " Cock Magic ", leading his men in a personal vendetta against illegal sports, but is referred to as Detective Harris, [18] a name that has been used in scripts for a number of years, [19] [20] and was re-used in " #HappyHolograms ". It was briefly considered his official name by Comedy Central and South Park Studios [16] though many fans continued to render his name as Sergeant Yates, or consider 'Harris' a nickname based on 'Harrison'. He was once again referred to as Harrison Yates by his wife in the season 19 episode " You're Not Yelping ", seeming to confirm Harris as a nickname. Yates was often seen with his gray-haired partner Detective Mitch Murphey, voiced by Matt Stone. Murphey, along with the rest of the Park County Police Department, is generally shown to be more sensible and less corrupt than Yates, often following his example reluctantly, although they are still prone to the typical incompetence seen in the show's adults. Murphey has also been referred to by the name Harris ("The Jeffersons" and "Free Willzyx") but the name Murphey is used in scripts and he has been known as Mitch (" Eek, a Penis! " and " The China Probrem "). Yates has referred to other officers as 'Mitch' on occasion as well, most of which have been voiced by Matt Stone. While other members of the police force have been named and identified, only Yates and Barbrady have remained recurring characters with consistent personalities, though the relationship between the two is largely unexplored. The two can be seen dining together in "The City Part of Town". [21] Skeeter[ edit ] Skeeter is an ill tempered red-haired townsperson often seen at the local bar. He has a southern accent , and is typically is portrayed as a redneck . He first appeared in the episode " Sexual Harassment Panda ", where he greets newcomers by saying, "Hey! We don't take kindly to your types in here!" This is generally followed by the bartender interjecting, "Now, calm down, Skeeter, he ain't hurtin' nobody". The bar has since come under his ownership, having been renamed Skeeter's Bar during the eleventh season, and he is portrayed as the owner in the video game " South Park: The Stick of Truth ", where he urges the player to help deal with a rodent problem and mentions taking therapy for his anger problems. He is also shown leading various mobs in different episodes, or otherwise appears as a background character or regular townee. His most notable appearances include leading the campaign to "Free Hat McCullough" in " Free Hat ", and as a war supporter who excoriates anti-war protesters in the episode " I'm a Little Bit Country ". He also briefly appears in the " With Apologies to Jesse Jackson " episode. He has a daughter, as indicated near the end of " Good Times with Weapons ". Sparky the Dog[ edit ] Sparky (voiced by George Clooney ) [22] is Stan's dog. He first appeared in " Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride " in which it was revealed that he is gay. Stan was very upset that Sparky was gay, provoking Sparky to run away to " Big Gay Al 's Big Gay Animal Sanctuary", where he would live with other gay animals. He, along with all of the other animals, returned to their owners after the people of South Park learned to become more accepting of homosexuality in animals . He has been seen in " Proper Condom Use ", and " Good Times with Weapons ", in which his fur was used to disguise Butters as a dog. Sparky also makes a cameo in " Woodland Critter Christmas ", and was briefly seen in the episode " Spookyfish ". He is included as a figure with the South Park series 2 Stan action figure by Mezco . Terrance and Phillip[ edit ] Terrance and Phillip are a comedy duo from Canada who appear on The Terrance and Phillip Show, which is frequently watched by Stan, Kyle, Eric Cartman and Kenny. Presented as a cartoon-within-the-cartoon at first, they are portrayed later as actors from Canada. Terrance Henry Stoot of Toronto (voiced by Matt Stone ) has black hair and wears a red shirt with a letter "T", while Phillip Niles Argyle of Montreal (voiced by Trey Parker ) has blond hair, diabetes, and a blue shirt with a "P". The characters were inspired by the number of complaints about fart jokes in South Park. In commentary by Matt Stone and Trey Parker during the first episode in which Terrance and Phillip appeared, Death , they complained of many people claiming that South Park was poorly animated and just all fart jokes. In response, the creators invented Terrance and Phillip to demonstrate just what a show that was indeed all fart jokes would be, and made it even more poorly animated. It is revealed in the episode " Terrance and Phillip: Behind the Blow " that Terrance and Phillip met at the "Canadian School for Gifted Babies" (a school with students who bear uncanny resemblances to Kyle's brother Ike). The duo briefly separate in this episode, with Phillip having a "serious job" as an actor in " Canadian Shakespeare " plays. Terrance also becomes obese in this episode. Terrance and Phillip have small beady eyes and Pac-Man -like heads which flap up and down whenever they speak, as do the majority of Canadians featured on the show. In the 1999 movie South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut , American mothers' outrage at the duo's low-life act leads to their arrest, and a war between Canada and the United States ensues. Their deaths at the hands of Kyle 's mother, Sheila, causes the upwelling of Satan and his partner-in-evil, Saddam Hussein , from the underworld . However, they are resurrected at the end of the movie by Kenny McCormick 's wish that everything should return to normal. They married their girlfriends in a double wedding at the end of the episode " Eat, Pray, Queef ". Towelie . Towelie, voiced by Vernon Chatman , is a talking "RG-400 Smart Towel" introduced in the fifth season episode " Towelie ". The exact details of his creation are comically confused, but he was apparently genetically engineered to be an alien spying weapon, and was stolen by a paramilitary group before he simply "got high and just sort of wandered off" to South Park. He speaks in a high-pitched voice, and is usually seen either giving towel-related advice to the citizens of South Park or, more often, getting high on cannabis and voicing his permanent confusion. After Kenny's death, the boys went searching for a replacement friend in the sixth season episode " Professor Chaos ". Towelie, a possible candidate, was said to be "high all the time" and therefore unreliable. This episode also stated that Towelie is 17 years old in towel years. He also makes brief appearances in " Osama Bin Laden Has Farty Pants " and " Red Man's Greed ". He starred as the main character in " A Million Little Fibers ", a parody of the controversy that surrounded James Frey 's memoir A Million Little Pieces on The Oprah Winfrey Show , after it was discovered to have been partially fabricated. By the episode " Crippled Summer ", Towelie's addictions, which have come to include heroin and crystal meth , are addressed by his friends in an intervention , as a parody of the A&E documentary TV series Intervention . [23] [24] [25] Trey Parker and Matt Stone explained on the DVD commentary for "Towelie" that the character was conceived as a joking reference to the over-marketing of characters in the wake of the series' success. Eric Cartman , partially breaking the fourth wall , delivers the penultimate line of Towelie's eponymous episode: "You're the worst character ever, Towelie", to which Towelie responds, "I know." Tuong Lu Kim[ edit ] Tuong Lu Kim, also known as the City Wok Guy (voiced by Trey Parker), is a stereotypical Chinese character. [26] He is prone to mispronouncing the word "city" as "shitty", and thus he often refers to his dishes in a way that sounds like "Shitty Chicken", "Shitty Beef", etc. Lu Kim first appeared in the episode " Jared Has Aides ", though his name was not given until " Child Abduction Is Not Funny ". According to the DVD commentary on "Jared Has Aides", Tuong is based on an actual person. While doing sound mixing on their film Orgazmo , Parker and Matt Stone would phone a real life City Wok just to hear the man's voice. Lu Kim's main job is the owner of City Wok, a Chinese take out service. He also operates the airline service City Airlines. [27] Keeping with Chinese stereotypes , Tuong is depicted in the episode " Child Abduction Is Not Funny " as an expert at building walls , and displays anti-Mongolian [28] and anti-Japanese sentiments . [29] In the episode " Wing ", he appears as the husband of the titular character , a Chinese-New Zealand singer guest starring as herself. Lu Kim's actual identity, Dr. William Janus, appears in the episode " City Sushi ". In the episode's two plotlines, Dr. Janus falsely diagnoses Butters with multiple personality disorder before being revealed to suffer from the disorder himself, while Lu Kim plots to murder his new Japanese rival Junichi Takayama. In a twist, Dr. Janus and Kim are revealed to be one and the same. Although Kim's actual identity is revealed to the people of South Park (leading Takayama to commit suicide in disgrace), the police decide not to help him with his condition, so that the town will still have an Asian restaurant. Lu Kim thus remains unaware of his true self. [26] Dr. Janus is likely to be named after Janus , the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, who is usually depicted with two heads facing opposite directions. [26] [30] Ugly Bob[ edit ] Bob's first appearance was in " Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus ". He is called "Ugly Bob" by Terrance and Phillip due to his hideous appearance, despite the fact that he looks very much like them and other Canadians. Because of his looks, Terrance and Phillip encourage him to wear a paper bag over his head. Later, he reappears as the boyfriend of Terrance's ex-wife Celine Dion , who is pregnant with Bob's child. Bob told Celine his name was "Handsome Bob"; Dion leaves him when she sees his face. He returned in the season 15 episode " Royal Pudding ", meeting Ike on a bus back to Canada to save the Princess. Bob joins Ike, Scott and an Inuit duo to rescue the Princess from her kidnapper, Tooth Decay . Tooth Decay is killed when Ike removes Bob's paper bag mask, the sight of Bob turning Tooth Decay to stone . For his actions, Bob was awarded the Canadian Medal of Courage. Lemmiwinks[ edit ] Lemmiwinks is the school's gerbil . He first appears in " The Death Camp of Tolerance " and reappears in " Bass to Mouth ". In the former episode, he is stuffed into Mr. Slave's rectum by Mr. Garrison in an effort by the latter to get himself fired over such exaggerated acts of sexual depravity, and inside is greeted by a series of animal spirits, apparent previous victims of Slave's rectal-swallowing habits, who guide him in his journey to escape the gay man's ass, which is musically narrated in a parody of songs from Rankin/Bass 's The Hobbit . Upon exiting through Mr. Slave's mouth, Lemmiwinks is congratulated by the three animal spirits, who are now also free from his body, and told that he is in fact the "Gerbil King", and destined to have many more adventures. One such adventure is witnessed in "Bass to Mouth", where Lemmiwinks is called upon to battle and kill his evil, gossip-spreading brother " Wikileaks ", again with music parodying The Hobbit.

i don't know

Immortalized in an 1851 painting by Emmanuel Gottlieb Leutze, which river did George Washington cross on Christmas night in 1776 before attacking the Hessian forces during the Battle of Trenton?

Washington Crossing the Delaware - Factbites American Revolution - Washington's Crossing, By David Hackett Fischer George Washington lost ninety percent of his army and was driven across the Delaware River. Over the middle of the mantel, engraving -- Washington crossing the Delaware; on the wall by the door, copy of it done in thunder-and-lightning crewel by the young ladies -- work of art which would have made Washington hesitate about crossing, if he could have foreseen what advantage to be taken of it. The small remnant who crossed the Delaware River were near the end of their resources, and they believed that another defeat could destroy the Cause, as they called it. www.americanrevolution.com /WashingtonsCrossingBook.htm   (3327 words) Washington Crosses the Delaware, 1776 The ragtag Continental Army was encamped along the Pennsylvania shore of the Delaware River exhausted, demoralized and uncertain of its future. To compound Washington's problems, the enlistments of the majority of the militias under his command were due to expire at the end of the month and the troops return to their homes. We marched on and it was not long before we heard the out sentries of the enemy both on the road we were in and the eastern road, and their out guards retreated firing, and our army, then with a quick step pushing on upon both roads, at the same time entered the town. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com /washingtondelaware.htm   (916 words) Washington's crossing of the Delaware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Washington's crossing of the Delaware, occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey in the Battle of Trenton. Washington's troop movements across the Delaware River were of great strategic and historic significance to the United States' national beginning, and the resources associated with Washington's Crossing are eligible for listing as a National Historic Landmark. Washington's retreat allowed and forced the British to fill the void between New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in doing so the British extended their forward lines and placed their outposts at too great a distance to be reinforced from New York . en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Washington's_crossing_of_the_Delaware   (2147 words) George Washington and the Crossing of the Delaware George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River in the dead of the night on Christmas and his subsequent victories in New Jersey energized a tired and sad Colonial Army and gave the American people cause for celebration. Victories had been hard to come by lately, and the victories in New Jersey, emphasizing the daring of George Washington as they did, gave the people new hope that their cause was right and new determination that they could win their independence at last. crossing of the Delaware and the victories at Trenton and Princeton were certainly not the end of the Revolutionary War. www.socialstudiesforkids.com /articles/ushistory/washingtondelaware.htm   (463 words) What's wrong with this painting? The Delaware River was believed to be at flood stage at the time of the crossing. The image on display in the auditorium of Washington Crossing Historic Park in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, is a photomural of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze. From Norman Rockwell to Larry Rivers to Charles Schultz, Leutze's image and the topic of Washington Crossing the Delaware continues to be interpreted in unique ways as each generation assigns its values and agenda to the scene. www.ushistory.org /washingtoncrossing/history/whatswrong.htm   (3194 words)   Battle of Trenton - Crossing   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) The main force led by Washington himself was to cross at McKonkey’s Ferry, nine miles above Trenton, and dash down the opposite shore to smash the Hessian garrison stationed in town. A third body under Colonel John Cadwalader was to cross farther downstream to divert the attention of the Bordentown garrison. Ferrying Washington’s force across the river without the loss of a single man or cannon, the Marbleheaders put the American commander in a position to launch a surprise attack against the Hessians. 1-14th.com /HistTrentonCross.htm   (2261 words) Washington Crossing State Park -- National Register of Historic Places Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor ... On December 25, 1776 , General George Washington and a small army of 2400 men crossed the Delaware River at McConkey's Ferry, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on their way to successfully attack a Hessian garrison of 1500 at Trenton, New Jersey. Washington, in his camp on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, realized that he must strike a military blow to the enemy before his army melted away and he was determined to hit the Hessian garrison at Trenton. On the night of December 25, the American main force was ferried across the Delaware River by Colonel John Glover's Marblehead fishermen and in the bleak early morning hours assembled on the New Jersey shore for the march on Trenton, about 10 miles downstream. www.cr.nps.gov /nr/travel/delaware/was.htm   (443 words) The annual memorial recreation of Washington Crossing the Delaware River is a great event for the entire family. During the crossing, visitors are to remain behind the rope line. Washington Crossing Historic Park administers and organizes the annual Christmas Crossing of the Delaware River. www.ushistory.org /washingtoncrossing/visit/annualcrossing.htm   (831 words)   Washington Crossing Historic Park   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) Washington's campaign in New York had not gone well; the Battle of Long Island ended in a loss when the British troops managed to out-maneuver the Continental Army. Washington was forced to retreat across new Jersey to Pennsylvania on December 7 and 8. Washington Crossing Historic Park was founded in 1917 to perpetuate and preserve the site from which the Continental Army crossed the Delaware. www.bucksnet.com /washxing   (1206 words) On "On Seeing Larry River's Washington Crossing the Delaware..." Rivers denied that his Washington Crossing the Delaware was specifically a parody of Emmanuel Leutze’s painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A good example of this kind of work is 'Washington Crossing the Delaware' (1953), an important 'repainting' of a traditional American icon, Leutze's painting of 'Washington Crossing The Delaware', which undermined the heroism , masculinity and patriotism of the original. Washington becomes only one of many going about their business; he seems isolated and his stance is much less heroic and purposeful than in the original. www.english.uiuc.edu /maps/poets/m_r/ohara/rivers.htm   (2230 words)   Washington Crossing Historic Park   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Bucks County, a five hundred-acre site administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), commemorates this momentous event, opening visitors' eyes to just how extraordinary-and how significant-the American victory was. Virginian George Washington, appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress, had his hands full coping with desertion, disobedience, and the deplorable conditions under which his army existed. Washington, camped at Fort Lee in New Jersey directly across the river, reluctantly allowed Brigadier General Nathanael Greene to try to hold Fort Washington. www.phmc.state.pa.us /ppet/crossing/page1.asp   (466 words) Washington Crossing the Delaware The actual crossing was done in the dead of night, during a driving snowstorm, and was completed by three a. He was quartered in the house where Washington made the decision to cross, and served as a scout and trusted adviser to the General, but there's nothing in the historical records to indicate he crossed in the same boat. Of course, few of the soldiers who crossed the river that horrible night to fight what was to be one of the few battles that can be said to have changed the course of the history of the entire world were as fortunate as Monroe or Madison. www.americanrevolution.org /delxone.html   (627 words)   Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) However, a hail and sleet storm had begun early in the crossing, winds were strong and the river was full of ice flows that had been moving downstream for several days. The painting commemorates Washington's crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776 . As of 2004 , the original Washington Crossing the Delaware painting is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but you can purchase a copy at http://www.Posterlovers.com. articlecrazy.com /Article/Washington-s-Crossing-of-the-Delaware/21314   (657 words) NPR : 'George Washington Crossing the Delaware', Present at the Creation What's more, the boats used by the Continental Army would have been different, the time of day is wrong (it was actually night), and the jagged chunks of ice floating near the boat would have been smoothed over by the flow of the river. At the moment of creation, the German revolution had all but failed, and like the soldiers surrounding Washington in the painting, the idealistic artist must have felt the sting of a losing battle, mixed with a surge of hope that victory might lie just across the river. George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. www.npr.org /programs/morning/features/patc/georgewashington   (710 words) The New Jersey quarter, the third coin in the 50 State Quarters® Program, depicts General George Washington and members of the Colonial Army crossing the Delaware River en route to very important victories during the Revolutionary War. General George Washington calculated the enemy would not be expecting an assault in this kind of weather. With her approval, the Commission chose the "Washington Crossing the Delaware" design, creating the first circulating coin to feature George Washington on both the obverse and reverse sides. www.usmint.gov /mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=nj   (355 words)    Washington Crossing the Delaware General Washington crosses the Delaware with his army before the Battle of Trenton during the American War of Independence (American Revolution). Washington's arm,y had been followed by the British lead by General Lord Cornwallis across new Jersey but when Washington had crossed the Delaware. On the Night of the 25th December Washington lead a force of 2,400 men back across the Delaware which was now covered with broken Ice. www.military-art.com /dhm342.htm   (654 words) The Austin Chronicle News: The Battle of Washington's Bulge George Washington and his ragtag Continental Army may have heroically defeated the mercenary Hessians at Trenton in December 1776 , but the old soldier is now in danger of being permanently unmanned -- by the combined forces of political neo-Victorianism and commercial publishing. The original painting, in the epic proportions of 12 by 21 feet, portrays an idealized Washington fearlessly standing in a rowboat guided eastward by his men through the ice-filled, treacherous waters of the Delaware River, while behind him stand two soldiers holding a furled U.S. flag . That's also where the trouble lies -- just behind Washington's right hand, at the crotch of his pants, a shaft of light falls on the ornamental, reddish fob of his pocket watch (one of the necessary accoutrements of an 18th-century gentleman). www.austinchronicle.com /issues/dispatch/2002-11-22/pols_feature5.html   (947 words) Washington Crossing the Delaware social studies resource paperback. Washington Crossing the Delawareóit's one of the most famous paintings of the Revolutionary War. Understanding the sacrifices made by Revolutionary War soldiers such as those who crossed the Delaware with Washington will make students more appreciative of those in the armed forces today who are keeping America free. www.teachinglearning.com /showanything.php?this_page=TLC10352   (243 words)    "Washington Crossing the Delaware": The Story Behind the Painting Analysis of Leutze's monumental 1851 painting provides the stepping-off point for discussion of the pivotal event that inspired it, when the Continental Army's Commander-in-Chief and his men successfully pulled off his daring military stratagem against Britain's Hessian encampment early in the morning of December 26, 1776 at the Battle of Trenton, NJ. That triumph rallied Washington's men, Congress, and the colonists after a disheartening defeat at the Battle of Long Island and the subsequent evacuation of New York City, and made possible continuation of the war to victory. The work's oft-noted "errors" will be seen as deliberate choices by the artist to create a work of great emotional impact. www.nyhumanities.org /events/event.php?event_id=518   (219 words)    Washington Crossing the Delaware Economy painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware on a wooden plaque (11X14 image, 15X18 finished) with brass nameplate. Luxury Large painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware (17X30 giclee applied image on archival-quality canvas with ultraviolet seals to aid in preservation; 42X29 finished) with brass nameplate. Luxury Small painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware (12X21 giclee applied image on archival-quality canvas with ultraviolet seals to aid in preservation; 33X24 finished) with brass nameplate. www.xmission.com /~nccs/art/washington_crossing_the_delaware.html   (178 words)

Delaware

According to Zuzu Bailey, what happens every time a bell rings?

Washington Crossing the Delaware - Factbites American Revolution - Washington's Crossing, By David Hackett Fischer George Washington lost ninety percent of his army and was driven across the Delaware River. Over the middle of the mantel, engraving -- Washington crossing the Delaware; on the wall by the door, copy of it done in thunder-and-lightning crewel by the young ladies -- work of art which would have made Washington hesitate about crossing, if he could have foreseen what advantage to be taken of it. The small remnant who crossed the Delaware River were near the end of their resources, and they believed that another defeat could destroy the Cause, as they called it. www.americanrevolution.com /WashingtonsCrossingBook.htm   (3327 words) Washington Crosses the Delaware, 1776 The ragtag Continental Army was encamped along the Pennsylvania shore of the Delaware River exhausted, demoralized and uncertain of its future. To compound Washington's problems, the enlistments of the majority of the militias under his command were due to expire at the end of the month and the troops return to their homes. We marched on and it was not long before we heard the out sentries of the enemy both on the road we were in and the eastern road, and their out guards retreated firing, and our army, then with a quick step pushing on upon both roads, at the same time entered the town. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com /washingtondelaware.htm   (916 words) Washington's crossing of the Delaware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Washington's crossing of the Delaware, occurring on December 25, 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, was the first move in a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey in the Battle of Trenton. Washington's troop movements across the Delaware River were of great strategic and historic significance to the United States' national beginning, and the resources associated with Washington's Crossing are eligible for listing as a National Historic Landmark. Washington's retreat allowed and forced the British to fill the void between New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in doing so the British extended their forward lines and placed their outposts at too great a distance to be reinforced from New York . en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Washington's_crossing_of_the_Delaware   (2147 words) George Washington and the Crossing of the Delaware George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River in the dead of the night on Christmas and his subsequent victories in New Jersey energized a tired and sad Colonial Army and gave the American people cause for celebration. Victories had been hard to come by lately, and the victories in New Jersey, emphasizing the daring of George Washington as they did, gave the people new hope that their cause was right and new determination that they could win their independence at last. crossing of the Delaware and the victories at Trenton and Princeton were certainly not the end of the Revolutionary War. www.socialstudiesforkids.com /articles/ushistory/washingtondelaware.htm   (463 words) What's wrong with this painting? The Delaware River was believed to be at flood stage at the time of the crossing. The image on display in the auditorium of Washington Crossing Historic Park in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, is a photomural of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze. From Norman Rockwell to Larry Rivers to Charles Schultz, Leutze's image and the topic of Washington Crossing the Delaware continues to be interpreted in unique ways as each generation assigns its values and agenda to the scene. www.ushistory.org /washingtoncrossing/history/whatswrong.htm   (3194 words)   Battle of Trenton - Crossing   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) The main force led by Washington himself was to cross at McKonkey’s Ferry, nine miles above Trenton, and dash down the opposite shore to smash the Hessian garrison stationed in town. A third body under Colonel John Cadwalader was to cross farther downstream to divert the attention of the Bordentown garrison. Ferrying Washington’s force across the river without the loss of a single man or cannon, the Marbleheaders put the American commander in a position to launch a surprise attack against the Hessians. 1-14th.com /HistTrentonCross.htm   (2261 words) Washington Crossing State Park -- National Register of Historic Places Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor ... On December 25, 1776 , General George Washington and a small army of 2400 men crossed the Delaware River at McConkey's Ferry, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on their way to successfully attack a Hessian garrison of 1500 at Trenton, New Jersey. Washington, in his camp on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, realized that he must strike a military blow to the enemy before his army melted away and he was determined to hit the Hessian garrison at Trenton. On the night of December 25, the American main force was ferried across the Delaware River by Colonel John Glover's Marblehead fishermen and in the bleak early morning hours assembled on the New Jersey shore for the march on Trenton, about 10 miles downstream. www.cr.nps.gov /nr/travel/delaware/was.htm   (443 words) The annual memorial recreation of Washington Crossing the Delaware River is a great event for the entire family. During the crossing, visitors are to remain behind the rope line. Washington Crossing Historic Park administers and organizes the annual Christmas Crossing of the Delaware River. www.ushistory.org /washingtoncrossing/visit/annualcrossing.htm   (831 words)   Washington Crossing Historic Park   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) Washington's campaign in New York had not gone well; the Battle of Long Island ended in a loss when the British troops managed to out-maneuver the Continental Army. Washington was forced to retreat across new Jersey to Pennsylvania on December 7 and 8. Washington Crossing Historic Park was founded in 1917 to perpetuate and preserve the site from which the Continental Army crossed the Delaware. www.bucksnet.com /washxing   (1206 words) On "On Seeing Larry River's Washington Crossing the Delaware..." Rivers denied that his Washington Crossing the Delaware was specifically a parody of Emmanuel Leutze’s painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A good example of this kind of work is 'Washington Crossing the Delaware' (1953), an important 'repainting' of a traditional American icon, Leutze's painting of 'Washington Crossing The Delaware', which undermined the heroism , masculinity and patriotism of the original. Washington becomes only one of many going about their business; he seems isolated and his stance is much less heroic and purposeful than in the original. www.english.uiuc.edu /maps/poets/m_r/ohara/rivers.htm   (2230 words)   Washington Crossing Historic Park   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Bucks County, a five hundred-acre site administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), commemorates this momentous event, opening visitors' eyes to just how extraordinary-and how significant-the American victory was. Virginian George Washington, appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress, had his hands full coping with desertion, disobedience, and the deplorable conditions under which his army existed. Washington, camped at Fort Lee in New Jersey directly across the river, reluctantly allowed Brigadier General Nathanael Greene to try to hold Fort Washington. www.phmc.state.pa.us /ppet/crossing/page1.asp   (466 words) Washington Crossing the Delaware The actual crossing was done in the dead of night, during a driving snowstorm, and was completed by three a. He was quartered in the house where Washington made the decision to cross, and served as a scout and trusted adviser to the General, but there's nothing in the historical records to indicate he crossed in the same boat. Of course, few of the soldiers who crossed the river that horrible night to fight what was to be one of the few battles that can be said to have changed the course of the history of the entire world were as fortunate as Monroe or Madison. www.americanrevolution.org /delxone.html   (627 words)   Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware   (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-10) However, a hail and sleet storm had begun early in the crossing, winds were strong and the river was full of ice flows that had been moving downstream for several days. The painting commemorates Washington's crossing of the Delaware on December 25, 1776 . As of 2004 , the original Washington Crossing the Delaware painting is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but you can purchase a copy at http://www.Posterlovers.com. articlecrazy.com /Article/Washington-s-Crossing-of-the-Delaware/21314   (657 words) NPR : 'George Washington Crossing the Delaware', Present at the Creation What's more, the boats used by the Continental Army would have been different, the time of day is wrong (it was actually night), and the jagged chunks of ice floating near the boat would have been smoothed over by the flow of the river. At the moment of creation, the German revolution had all but failed, and like the soldiers surrounding Washington in the painting, the idealistic artist must have felt the sting of a losing battle, mixed with a surge of hope that victory might lie just across the river. George Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze. www.npr.org /programs/morning/features/patc/georgewashington   (710 words) The New Jersey quarter, the third coin in the 50 State Quarters® Program, depicts General George Washington and members of the Colonial Army crossing the Delaware River en route to very important victories during the Revolutionary War. General George Washington calculated the enemy would not be expecting an assault in this kind of weather. With her approval, the Commission chose the "Washington Crossing the Delaware" design, creating the first circulating coin to feature George Washington on both the obverse and reverse sides. www.usmint.gov /mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=nj   (355 words)    Washington Crossing the Delaware General Washington crosses the Delaware with his army before the Battle of Trenton during the American War of Independence (American Revolution). Washington's arm,y had been followed by the British lead by General Lord Cornwallis across new Jersey but when Washington had crossed the Delaware. On the Night of the 25th December Washington lead a force of 2,400 men back across the Delaware which was now covered with broken Ice. www.military-art.com /dhm342.htm   (654 words) The Austin Chronicle News: The Battle of Washington's Bulge George Washington and his ragtag Continental Army may have heroically defeated the mercenary Hessians at Trenton in December 1776 , but the old soldier is now in danger of being permanently unmanned -- by the combined forces of political neo-Victorianism and commercial publishing. The original painting, in the epic proportions of 12 by 21 feet, portrays an idealized Washington fearlessly standing in a rowboat guided eastward by his men through the ice-filled, treacherous waters of the Delaware River, while behind him stand two soldiers holding a furled U.S. flag . That's also where the trouble lies -- just behind Washington's right hand, at the crotch of his pants, a shaft of light falls on the ornamental, reddish fob of his pocket watch (one of the necessary accoutrements of an 18th-century gentleman). www.austinchronicle.com /issues/dispatch/2002-11-22/pols_feature5.html   (947 words) Washington Crossing the Delaware social studies resource paperback. Washington Crossing the Delawareóit's one of the most famous paintings of the Revolutionary War. Understanding the sacrifices made by Revolutionary War soldiers such as those who crossed the Delaware with Washington will make students more appreciative of those in the armed forces today who are keeping America free. www.teachinglearning.com /showanything.php?this_page=TLC10352   (243 words)    "Washington Crossing the Delaware": The Story Behind the Painting Analysis of Leutze's monumental 1851 painting provides the stepping-off point for discussion of the pivotal event that inspired it, when the Continental Army's Commander-in-Chief and his men successfully pulled off his daring military stratagem against Britain's Hessian encampment early in the morning of December 26, 1776 at the Battle of Trenton, NJ. That triumph rallied Washington's men, Congress, and the colonists after a disheartening defeat at the Battle of Long Island and the subsequent evacuation of New York City, and made possible continuation of the war to victory. The work's oft-noted "errors" will be seen as deliberate choices by the artist to create a work of great emotional impact. www.nyhumanities.org /events/event.php?event_id=518   (219 words)    Washington Crossing the Delaware Economy painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware on a wooden plaque (11X14 image, 15X18 finished) with brass nameplate. Luxury Large painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware (17X30 giclee applied image on archival-quality canvas with ultraviolet seals to aid in preservation; 42X29 finished) with brass nameplate. Luxury Small painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware (12X21 giclee applied image on archival-quality canvas with ultraviolet seals to aid in preservation; 33X24 finished) with brass nameplate. www.xmission.com /~nccs/art/washington_crossing_the_delaware.html   (178 words)

i don't know

What product is advertised with the slogan "When you care enough to send the very best?"

Hallmark Corporate Information | Hallmark Brand Legacy Brand Legacy Quality. Innovation. Caring. Simple but powerful words that come to mind when you mention Hallmark. Creating a brand as powerful as the Hallmark name started with the pursuit of quality more than 100 years ago. Mark of Quality In the early days, our greeting cards carried the company name “Hall Brothers” on the back. But the term “hallmark,” used by goldsmiths in the 14th century, fascinated founder J.C. Hall. As he explained, “It not only said quality in an authoritative way, but it also incorporated our family name.” In 1925, “Hallmark” appeared on products for the first time, and by 1928, it was used on the back of every greeting card. More than a Slogan “When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best” is more than a slogan for Hallmark, it is a business commitment. When C.E. (Ed) Goodman, a Hallmark sales and marketing executive, jotted down these words on a 3x5 card in 1944, he was trying to capture the essence of why Hallmark stood above the rest. Little did he know that his scribblings would become one of the most recognized and trusted slogans in advertising. As J.C. Hall expressed in his autobiography, When You Care Enough: “The slogan constantly put pressure on us to make Hallmark cards ‘the very best.’” The Hallmark Hall of Fame The Hallmark brand rose to an entirely new level when its name became forever connected with the most-honored program in the history of television – Hallmark Hall of Fame . Born more than 60 years ago in an era of fully-sponsored television programming, Hallmark Hall of Fame stands the test of time by continuing to explore positive, life-affirming themes that resonate with viewers. As chairman Donald J. Hall, son of founder J.C. Hall whose vision gave birth to the series, has stated: “The Hallmark Hall of Fame has had an amazing impact on consumers, our employees, retail partners, business leaders, and opinion molders. It continues to work its magic on our image to a degree I cannot fully explain. I am not aware of any such vehicle, in or out of television, available to any other company, with such a positive impact.”  Other Hallmark Sites

Hallmark

The American ad writer Robert L. May introduced what popular Christmas character when he designed a new coloring book for Montgomery Ward in 1939?

Product slogans and branding messages distinct | Bluffton Today Product slogans and branding messages distinct By:      Advertising can be defined as a form of communication which presents information about the virtues and advantages of a particular product in such a way that it encourages people to pay attention and want to purchase the item. Once companies back in the 1920s were able to mass produce and distribute goods, they needed a way to differentiate their products from others in the same specialty category. To strengthen consumer awareness and recognition and to encourage trust in specific companies’ merchandise, brands were promoted by short catchy tunes known as jingles and distinctive phrases known as slogans. Unilever’s Pepsodent brand of toothpaste was easily remembered by the 1949 jingle, “You’ll Wonder Where the Yellow Went When You Brush Your Teeth With Pepsodent” as were General Motors’ Chevy cars after Dinah Shore repeatedly sang the “See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet!” jingle on her 1952 television show. Early slogans like the one for confectionery manufacturer Mars’ M&Ms as “candy that melts in your mouth, not in your hands” tended to be straight-forward and factual but Levy’s Rye Bread brand slyly integrated some humor to widen its appeal with the tagline “You Don’t Have To Be Jewish To Love Levy’s.” Branding strategy is based on the fundamental attributes of products such as their consistent quality or ability to provide an authentic experience so for ads to be successful, images must be so vivid and well nuanced that they become trademarks instantly associated with their product. Among our personal favorites are Tony the Tiger, the animated mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes who’s been growling “They’re Grrrrreat!” since 1951 and Clara Peller, the properly dressed great grandmotherly type who, after she and 2 friends at the “Big Bun” restaurant were served an enormous hamburger bun with only a tiny meat patty, peevishly shouted “Where’s the Beef?” Wendy’s fast food chain introduced that slogan in 1984 and “Where’s the Beef?” became such a national catchphrase that it was 2011 before Wendy’s advertised “Here’s the Beef.” In the 1970s television advertising began using music written and performed by pop singing stars to make good ads great. CocaCola’s group of international children singing “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony” succinctly messaged that its soft drink wanted to be a global brand. Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through the Grapevine” opened Levi Strauss’ ad set in a laundromat to promote its shrink to fit Levi 501 jeans. Barry Manilow created for Johnson & Johnson its “I am stuck on Band-Aid ‘cause Band Aid’s stuck on me.” And probably one of the best visual-aural matches we can remember had to be Heinz’ use of Carly Simon’s song “Anticipation” as two children wait for the thick ketchup to pour out of the Heinz bottle. David Ogilvy, who in the 1960s was known as the “Father of Advertising,” stressed that the function of advertising was to sell and the best way to do that was to tell consumers how the product could benefit them. Among other things memorable ads’ message must be consistent with the brand product, truthful, reasonably simple to remember and pleasant to hear over and over again. If the imagery is achieved by using a graphic logo as well as sensory words it seems more evocative and results in staying power. Think Nike’s, the world’s largest sportswear supplier, with its Swoosh logo and “Just Do It!” slogan. Since advertising is part of our daily lives, here’s some trivia to challenge your ability to identify some products’ slogans. Hint: To help you all narrow down the type of product about which we are referring, we’ve prefaced the ad slogan quote or logo question with some background about the respective companies.   1. What major chicken processing company CEO said :”It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken” (Frank Perdue)   2. What food manufacturer headquartered in Battle Creek MI’s cereal said: “Snap! Crackle! Pop!” (Kellogg’s Rice Krispies)   3. Which Florida theme park developer said: “Vacation Like You Mean it” (Universal Orlando Resorts)   4. Which effervescent antacid manufactured by Bayer said: “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!” (Alka-seltzer)   5. What major telecommunications company said: “Reach out and touch someone” (AT&T)   6. Which company whose name is the phonetic version of pre-1911 Standard Oil said: “Put a tiger in your tank” (Esso)   7. Which feminine personal care product by Proctor and Gamble said: “If I’ve only one life let me live it as a blonde” (Clairol)   8. “We answer to a higher authority” is the slogan of what kosher meat company’s hot dogs? (Hebrew National)   9. What auto and engineering manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Bavaria claims: “The Ultimate Driving Machine” (BMW)   10. Which South Korean based electronic component manufacturer said: “Imagine the possibilities!” (Samsung)   11. What largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the U.S. said: “When you care enough to send the very best” (Hallmark)   12. Victor Kiam purchased from Sperry Corporation a division whose slogan was: “I liked the shaver so much I bought the company” To what company was he referring? (Remington)   13. Del Monte, a processor primarily of canned veggies and fruits, said :”Tastes so good cats ask for it by name” for what product? (Meow Mix)   14. Florists Transworld Delivery, one of the world’s largest floral service organization, has used as its logo since 1914 what? (Hermes, the Greek god messenger charged with delivering with speed and grace)   15. Before the “Atlanta Journal” and the “Atlanta Constitution” daily newspapers merged in 1982, what was the long time slogan of the “Atlanta Journal” ? (“Covers Dixie like the Dew”)   16. Motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson in 2008 launched a new ad campaign with this: (“Screw it. Let’s ride”)   17. In the candy ad jingle which starts “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t..” Name the rest of the lyrics (“Peter Paul’s Almond Joy’s Got Nuts. Mounds don’t”).   18. “Gaming for the masses” is the slogan for which Japanese consumer electronics company which is the largest video game producer by revenue? (Nintendo)   19. Amazon’s tablet alternative to iPad is Kindle Fire. What’s its slogan? (“All the content. Ultra-fast web browsing”)   20. The United States Marine Corps adopted its motto in 1883. What is it? (“Semper Fidelis” or always faithful)   21. Optical and image processing producer Canon introduced its consumer flash memory camcorder VIXIA line with what: (“The only thing that gets blurry is the line between amateur and professional”)   22. “The Friendly Skies” was the slogan for United Airlines. What is Delta’s slogan? (“We love to fly and it shows”)   23. Plain White Ts song “Rhythm of Love” powers what 2012 ad by Estee Lauder, manufacturer of premium skin care products? (Estee Lauder’s Pleasures Eau Fraiche fragrance line)   24. What refreshment beverage marketed by the Dr Pepper/Snapple Group is “the un-Cola’? (7UP)   25. The Mercedes Benz USA Corporate slogan is what? (“The best or nothing”)   26. “Got Milk”? along with celebrities sporting milk mustaches was an ad created 20 years ago for whom? (California Milk Processing Board)   27. For 50 years Avis Rental Car Group’s slogan was “We Try Harder” but in 2012 it was replaced with what new slogan? (“It’s Your Space”)   28. Who wrote the lifestyle slogan: “An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away?” (Ben Franklin)   29. Whose slogan was “Think Outside the Box?” (Apple)   30. What Redmond, WA based software corporation has used these slogans in the past 3 years:” Be What’s Next” and then “Your potential. Our Passion.”? (Microsoft)   31. What brand of high end luxury clothing and accessories whose logo is a polo player astride a horse does not use slogans to advertise? (Ralph Lauren) 32. Specialty fashion retailer Saks Fifth Avenue’s slogan is what? (“Want It!”)   33. As of December 2012 Starbucks Coffee Company did not have a slogan; however, it does have a twin-tailed mermaid logo What is her name? (Siren’s Eye)   34. What is the slogan of the non-profit organization ASPCA? (“We are their voice”)   35. What product’s 1950s slogan was “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” (Timex watches)   36. Cable TV channel TNT stands for Turner Network Television. What’s it’s motto? (“We know drama”)   37. Famous for its green, gold, and platinum charge cards with a Centurion logo, what company’s slogan is “Don’t Leave Home Without It”? (American Express)   38. What premium chocolatier’s slogan is “Moments of Timeless Pleasure”? (Ghiradelli Chocolate Company)   39. Where is “The Happiest Place on Earth”? (Disneyland in Anaheim CA)   40. Our unofficial slogan, “Bluffton is a State of Mind,” is actually a quote taken from what? (Charlotte Inglesby’s 1968 book “A Corner of Carolina”)  

i don't know

In Tchaikovskys ballet The Nutcracker, who is the nutcrackers main enemy?

Peter Tchaikovsky "The Nutcracker" (ballet in two acts) - - Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia Peter Tchaikovsky "The Nutcracker" (ballet in two acts)   Gennadi Rozhdestvensky , Musical Director Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes Libretto by Yuri Grigorovich after the fairy-tale of the same name by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, ideas from the scenario by Marius Petipa used Presented with one interval. Synopsis Act I Guests are gathering for a Christmas party at the Stahlbaum home. Among them are Drosselmeyer, godfather to Marie and Fritz, the Stahlbaums’ children. He has brought them a wonderful present: a funny Nutcracker. The children wait with impatience for when at long last they will be shown the Christmas tree and the presents. The long awaited moment comes: the handsomely adorned Christmas tree is presented to the assembled company. Drosselmeyer suddenly appears disguised as a magician: he is not recognized by the children. Their unknown guest’s ability to make their toys come alive delights the children but, as everything that is clad in mystery, it involuntarily arouses their fear. In order to calm them down, Drosselmeyer takes off his mask and the chil­dren now recognize their beloved godfather. Marie wants to play with the wonderful dolls which have come alive, but they have already been tidied away. To comfort Marie, Drosselmeyer gives her the Nutcracker-Doll. Marie takes a great liking to this awkward, funny creature. Marie’s brother Fritz, who is a great tease and very naughty, acci­dentally breaks the doll. With great tenderness, Marie comforts her injured Nutcracker and rocks it backwards and forwards. Fritz and his friends now put on mouse masks and tease poor Marie. The guests appear from an adjoining room. After the final, ceremonial Grossvater dance, they all leave. At night the room where the Christmas tree stands is bathed in moonlight. It looks mysterious and full of magical secrets. Overcoming her fears, Marie has come to the room to visit her ‘sick’ Nutcracker-Doll. She kisses the doll and rocks it. Drosselmeyer now appears. But instead of her kind godfather, he has turned into a wizard. At a wave of his hand everything around them is transformed: the walls of the room slide back, the Christmas tree starts to grow. And all the toys come alive and grow together with the tree. Suddenly, mice creep out from under the floor­boards, led by the Mouse King. The dolls are panic-stricken and thrown into confusion. The Nutcracker’s quick wits and bravery save the day: lining up the lead soldiers, he boldly leads them out to do battle with the mice forces. However, the forces are unequal, the advantage is on the side of the evil mice. The Nutcracker is left alone to face the Mouse King and his suite. Marie is out of her mind with worry over the danger that threatens her doll. At this very moment, Drosselmeyer hands her a lighted candle and she throws it at the mice who scurry away helter-skelter. The battle field empties. The only person left here is the Nutcracker who lies without moving on the floor. Marie, together with the dolls, hurries to his rescue. And now a miracle occurs…Before Marie stands a handsome youth, the Nutcracker-Prince. He walks forward to meet her. The walls of the house disappear. Marie and her friends are standing under a star-studded sky, by a fairy-tale Christmas tree. Snowflakes go round in a magical dance. Marie and her Nutcracker-Prince, beckon, as if to a beautiful dream, to the twinkling star at the top of the Christmas tree. They climb into a magic boat and set off for the top of the tree. The dolls follow behind them. Act II Marie and Nutcracker-Prince are sailing in their magic boat through the Christmas tree kingdom. There are their friends, the dolls with them. The shining star is getting closer and closer. They are just about to reach the top of the tree when they are suddenly attacked by the mice and the Mouse King who have crept up behind them. Once again, the Nutcracker-Prince goes boldly into battle. Horribly frightened, Marie and the dolls watch the fight. The Nutcracker-Prince vanquishes the enemy. Joyous victory celebrations are underway. The dolls dance, the candles burn even brighter, the Christmas tree comes alive. The evil mice have been defeated. Marie and the Nutcracker-Prince are radiant with happiness - they have reached the kingdom of their dreams! But it appears all this was just a dream. Christmas Eve is over and with it all wonderful reveries. Marie, still in the thrall of the fabulous dream, is sitting at home by the Christmas tree, with the Nutcracker-Doll on her lap. Act I  Guests are gathering for a Christmas party at the Stahlbaum home. Among them are Drosselmeyer, godfather to Marie and Fritz, the Stahlbaums’ children. He has brought them a wonderful present: a funny Nutcracker. The children wait with impatience for when at long last they will be shown the Christmas tree and the presents. The long awaited moment comes: the handsomely adorned Christmas tree is presented to the assembled company. Drosselmeyer suddenly appears disguised as a magician: he is not recognized by the children. Their unknown guest’s ability to make their toys come alive delights the children but, as everything that is clad in mystery, it involuntarily arouses their fear. In order to calm them down, Drosselmeyer takes off his mask and the chil­dren now recognize their beloved godfather. Marie wants to play with the wonderful dolls which have come alive, but they have already been tidied away. To comfort Marie, Drosselmeyer gives her the Nutcracker-Doll. Marie takes a great liking to this awkward, funny creature. Marie’s brother Fritz, who is a great tease and very naughty, acci­dentally breaks the doll. With great tenderness, Marie comforts her injured Nutcracker and rocks it backwards and forwards. Fritz and his friends now put on mouse masks and tease poor Marie. The guests appear from an adjoining room. After the final, ceremonial Grossvater dance, they all leave. At night the room where the Christmas tree stands is bathed in moonlight. It looks mysterious and full of magical secrets. Overcoming her fears, Marie has come to the room to visit her ‘sick’ Nutcracker-Doll. She kisses the doll and rocks it. Drosselmeyer now appears. But instead of her kind godfather, he has turned into a wizard. At a wave of his hand everything around them is transformed: the walls of the room slide back, the Christmas tree starts to grow. And all the toys come alive and grow together with the tree. Suddenly, mice creep out from under the floor­boards, led by the Mouse King. The dolls are panic-stricken and thrown into confusion. The Nutcracker’s quick wits and bravery save the day: lining up the lead soldiers, he boldly leads them out to do battle with the mice forces. However, the forces are unequal, the advantage is on the side of the evil mice. The Nutcracker is left alone to face the Mouse King and his suite. Marie is out of her mind with worry over the danger that threatens her doll. At this very moment, Drosselmeyer hands her a lighted candle and she throws it at the mice who scurry away helter-skelter. The battle field empties. The only person left here is the Nutcracker who lies without moving on the floor. Marie, together with the dolls, hurries to his rescue. And now a miracle occurs…Before Marie stands a handsome youth, the Nutcracker-Prince. He walks forward to meet her.  The walls of the house disappear. Marie and her friends are standing under a star-studded sky, by a fairy-tale Christmas tree. Snowflakes go round in a magical dance. Marie and her Nutcracker-Prince, beckon, as if to a beautiful dream, to the twinkling star at the top of the Christmas tree. They climb into a magic boat and set off for the top of the tree. The dolls follow behind them. Act II Marie and Nutcracker-Prince are sailing in their magic boat through the Christmas tree kingdom. There are their friends, the dolls with them. The shining star is getting closer and closer. They are just about to reach the top of the tree when they are suddenly attacked by the mice and the Mouse King who have crept up behind them. Once again, the Nutcracker-Prince goes boldly into battle. Horribly frightened, Marie and the dolls watch the fight. The Nutcracker-Prince vanquishes the enemy. Joyous victory celebrations are underway. The dolls dance, the candles burn even brighter, the Christmas tree comes alive. The evil mice have been defeated. Marie and the Nutcracker-Prince are radiant with happiness - they have reached the kingdom of their dreams! But it appears all this was just a dream. Christmas Eve is over and with it all wonderful reveries. Marie, still in the thrall of the fabulous dream, is sitting at home by the Christmas tree, with the Nutcracker-Doll on her lap.

The Nutcracker

In the O. Henry story “The Gift of the Magi”, what did Della sell to buy a chain for her husband’s prized pocket watch?

Tchaikovsky, Vedernikov, Bolshoi Orchestra - Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker [Complete Ballet] [Hybrid SACD] - Amazon.com Music By Bruce Zeisel on July 23, 2007 Format: Audio CD The music is widely recognized as something magical, a perennial favorite. What justifys a new recording though? Simply this: The magic of this music is more easily comprehended in live performance than a recording. This is a fine performance, but you when this recording is played on the right equipment ie, a multichannel SACD system, you get MUCH more of the magic you would hear in a live performance - its like you are there in the audience about 10 rows from the stage in a center seat, and folks, that is truly something wonderful. This recording captures all the ambiance of the hall and recreates this from five speakers in your listening room. The reflections from the back of the hall and sides of the hall are reproduced from the rear and front speakers so that reflections correctly appear to come at you from the sides and rear of the hall. No, its not absolutely perfect, but its the closest thing to it I ever heard in reproduced sound! By drdanfee on March 17, 2007 Format: Audio CD In USA we have come to associate the Tchaikovsky ballet, the Nutcracker, with the holiday season in November-December-January. Whether you call this season Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Festival, or something else, if you live in a large USA city with a professional ballet company, chances are very high that they will be giving the Tchaikovsky Nutcracker. Too bad dear old gay Tchaikovsky is not still alive to be an icon of the gay pride parades while he rides in a solid gold pink Cadillac down main streets in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Saint Louis, Miami, Dallas, to show off his royalty monies, maybe. And at first glance, Russian pride of show seems to be the point here. We get a real, working professional Russian opera and ballet orchestra from the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow. Our conductor is the current Bolshoi music director (since 2001), the gifted and brilliant Alexander Vedernikov. And our engineers are the redoubtable multi-channel super audio team from Polyhymnia in the Netherlands who are doing about as much as anybody else ever has to bring us the best Russian orchestras and soloists now playing or singing before the public. The bottom line here is nothing but sheer musical magic. My previous fav sets of the Nutcracker have been the two outings led by Antal Dorati, one with the LSO on old Mercury Living Presence LP's, and the other with the Royal Concertgebouworkest which also came out in the vinyl era, I think. When CD's came along, both of these recordings were quickly transferred to the new format, and now although the CGBO reading lags behind, the LSO reading has also been transferred to super audio. I can listen to quite a range of approaches in this music, since after all, it is a ballet and probably has had its tempos and textures adjusted in live performance, as many different times as different star soloists and ballet companies have danced it. That said, a recording is above all an auditory outing, like hearing the full ballet performed in a concert setting. Marvelously, what the band and conductor give us here is a lovely combination of all the best traditions and approaches. For one thing, since Vedernikov's claim to fame is that he leads real world opera and ballet, all over the world now (including Milan's La Scala), we can hear a reading grounded in the real world in a real music hall. The technical notes are not exact, but it seems as if the venue here is indeed the Bolshoi Theater. Its probable recreation in your own home theater five channel listening room will be subtle, but full, present, vivid, and vital. Bravo, Polyhymnia team. Like the famed Antal Dorati, Vedernikov encompasses this ballet story as one great whole. Not a symphony, but symphonic in sweep, color, scope, and drama nonetheless. No solo passage or set piece is neglected, but each smaller section unfolds inside a coherent larger music view. One comes to the end of each Act, glowing and satisfied to have been hearing all that has just passed. One would guess that Vedernikov has led enough live Bolshoi Nutcracker's to bring all the athletic grace and power of real dance to this reading, too. The tempos are amazingly rock steady, without becoming dogged. Their integration and flow keeps us moving right along as the ballet's story unfolds. Inside his chosen tempos, Vedernikov encourages the band departments to characterize brilliantly, as if the Late Romantic era had indeed invented the palette that later splashed across our High Definition video screens in a zillion digitized colors. Between hearing the two acts, I realized that two other conductors were coming to mind as points of reference for the lovely magic that Vedernikov and his Bolshoi players are capturing. One is the legendary figure of Evgeny Mravinsky. I don't think he ever got to record the Nutcracker commercially, but his Tchaikovsky is deservedly recognized. Mravinsky's recordings of the Tchaikovsky symphonies captured all the Slavic soul and sweetness, carried along on the floating, athletic, balletic grace that Vedernikov and company bring to bear in this set. My other conductor is still living. Anthony Pappano often leads performances which manage to capture his music whole, while not stinting on the many particulars. Pappano is also an experienced opera conductor, and so his readings always sing and breathe. Bravo, Vedernikov, for soul, singing, strength, and athletic grace. None of this inspired leadership would be so lovely if the band were not equal to the challenge. No department of the Bolshoi orchestra fails or lacks. The woodwinds are scintillating. Woody lower reeds to root or medium reeds giving character. Platinum upper lights to give shine or ice. The strings carry the bulk of the musical work, never showing a second of boredom or over-familiarity or deadness of phrasing. We hear nary a hint of any of the old Soviet orchestra shortcomings. No thinness in the strings. No wobbles in the brass, not even the horns. No over-balancing by the woodwinds. One imagines this orchestra has played this ballet music so many times that any member could do it, asleep. But the Bolshoi is certainly not asleep here. Awake, involved, and seeming still to be in deep and fast love with music and with ballet and with Tchaikovsky. To round out the second disc, you get an excerpt from Swan Lake, plus the polonaise from the opera Eugene Onegin. My idea? Get these wonderful performers to do the other two Tchaikovsky ballets as soon as possible. Then add in the complete symphonies, including Manfred. These days we can so little afford to take any incarnation of love for music, for granted. If you already have a Nutcracker you dearly love, this set will keep it very good company. If you do not have a Nutcracker, this set will start you right off, at the top of the super audio recordings heap. Let your listening room be transmuted into the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow. By RichinCA on January 29, 2016 Format: Audio CD|Verified Purchase Since some of my favorite "Nutcracker" segments fall outside the usual concert suite--I'm thinking of the "Guests/Night" scene in Act I and the Forest and Snowflakes waltz later on--I've been looking for an upgrade over my Dorati complete set. This release more than fills the bill: flowing tempos that emphasize the dance, those dark sonorities so typical of Russian ensembles, a sense that conductor and orchestra have full ownership of the score, all recorded in spectacular SACD sound. While PentaTone has made its mark reprocessing quadraphonic Philips and DG recordings from years back for the surround format, this is a new release from 2006, recorded on location in Moscow. As others have mentioned, the SACD sonics place the listener in an orchestra-level perspective with plenty of space for direct and reflected effects; individual instruments and choirs are easily identified over a solid bass foundation and the dynamic range, from pianissimo to fortissimo, is imposing.. Maestro Vedernikov, long associated with the Bolshoi Orchestra, sustains a long line, often starting quietly and building to a stirring conclusion to each dance. The inclusion of excerpts from "Swan Lake" and the "Eugene Onegin" Polonaise adds value to the set. While some may wish for a brighter ensemble sound or more emotion (i.e., conductor intervention or "interpretation") in individual scenes, I think this set wins out on the basis of its authentic and assured performance, all captured in full, rich sound. No need to keep this "Nutcracker" under wraps until the annual Holiday season; enjoy it whenever the time is right for some of those memorable Tchaikovsky melodies.. By Santa Fe Listener HALL OF FAME on December 22, 2007 Format: Audio CD Moscow hasn't had its say on records compared to St. Petersburg, as you'd expect when comparing a political cit with a cultural one. Still, it was intriguing to anticipate what a Bolshoi Nutcracker would be like. The answer is light, accomplished, and proficient. The orchestra, despite thin-sounding strings, plays with precision. If only Vedernikov had something to say. This feels like a good night at the Bolshoi, and all the tempos are lively -- you can see dancers dancing to them. But there's little in the way of real commitment or dramatic purpose. One nicely played number follows another. Penta Tone's hybrid SACD will atract surround-sound enthusiasts, but for those of us stuck in the era of two-channel stereo, impressively clear sound isn't enough to inspire a purchase.

i don't know

The Saint Nicholas who served as the inspiration for Santa Claus, also known as Nicholas of Myra, hailed from what country?

Our Sunday Message In Virtual Church: The Real St. Nicholas Previous Message From Virtual Church The Real St. Nicholas Commentary By The Pastor It has always been a concern of mine that when Christians rant about Santa Claus they act very un-Christlike. As I have collected what I could find about the real St. Nicholas, I have often wondered what he would think about Santa Claus as we adopted him into the secular world. I wonder what the real St. Nicholas would think about giving all those gifts to children on Christmas morning. I wonder what the real St. Nicholas would think about all those people across the United States who, on Christmas, spend most of the day working in soup kitchens and homeless shelters serving a big turkey meal to the less fortunate. I wonder what the real St. Nicholas must think about the monumental sharing of love through gift giving we do as adults. I suspect, as he peers down at us from heaven, St. Nicholas beams with joy. I also wonder if God doesn't send St. Nicholas, in his spirit form, around the world on Christmas eve to make sure as many children as possible receive the joy of Christ. After all, St. Nicholas started something that the secular world can't stop. In addition, in every secular heart on Christmas day, there is that reminder to every secular heart, that this day is not Santa Claus day, it is Christ's birthday. Here is the real story, as best as we can determine, about the real St. Nicholas. Reprinted for educational purposes only. ST. NICHOLAS, THE GIFT GIVER (about AD 280- 349) By Kathie Walters, Good News Ministries (www.goodnews.netministries.org/kathie.htm) Nicholas was born in Patara, Lycia. As a child he loved God and every Weds. and Fri. fasted. He served in the monastery of Holy Sion, near Myra and he eventually was ordained as Abbot. He was considered very pious and charitable, and many great miracles were attributed to him. Nicholas became Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor and was imprisoned for his faith by the Emperor Diocletian during the persecutions. He was present at the famous Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where the Arian doctrine was condemned officially by the church. A rich merchant in Myra went bankrupt during Nicholas' tenure as Bishop. The merchant had three daughters and no dowries for them (a real disgrace). Incredibly, the merchant decided that his daughters might as well become prostitutes, at least they would earn a living. When Nicholas heard of this he devised a way to save the girls. He surreptitiously tossed a bag of gold through the window one night. The next day the father, amazed, used the money as a dowry for the eldest daughter. A second time Nicholas did this, and the second daughter had her dowry. The third time the father caught him and thanked him. Nicholas, because of this and many other "anonymous" acts of charity, became known as "the gift giver." Nicholas was also known for his great charity to the outcasts, and rescue of children, prisoners, and famine victims. He died in Myra in 349 AD and was buried in the church there. The Emperor Justinian built a church in his honor in Constantinople in 430 AD. In 1087 AD, when the Saracens (Muslims) captured Myra, Nicholas bones were stolen by merchants from Bari, Italy, and taken to the west. It was reported that when they opened the casket a wonderful aroma filled the whole area around. Nicholas's bones arrived on May 9. Two Italian cities, Venice and Bari vied for the honor of being selected to be the place where the bones remained. There were many miracles that occurred during the pilgrimages. These are reported about by John, Archdeacon of Bari. The same account is also reported by Nicephonus, also of Bari, and confirmed by an eyewitness who was commissioned by a magistrate of the city. It is quoted in manuscripts by Baroniuis, and published by Falconiuis (see the book, "Acts of St. Nicholas.) Nicholas became a patron saint of children because from a small child he loved and served God with all his heart. He loved to give and so he gave and gave. He could not bear to see people in need. When he did see people in need, he would devise ways to help them. He lived a holy and uncompromisingly righteous life. In England alone there were 400 churches dedicated to him in the middle ages. From Yahoo Britannica Concise: Minor saint associated with Christmas. He was bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. He is reputed to have provided dowries for three poor girls to save them from prostitution and to have restored to life three children who had been chopped up by a butcher. He became the patron saint of Russia and Greece, of charitable fraternities and guilds, and of children, sailors, unmarried girls, merchants, and pawnbrokers. After the Reformation, his cult disappeared in all the Protestant countries of Europe except Holland, where he was known as Sinterklaas. Dutch colonists brought the tradition to New Amsterdam (now New York City), and English-speaking Americans adopted him as Santa Claus, who lives at the North Pole and brings gifts to children at Christmas. Excerpts From http://www. (---snip---) No, Myra wasn't located at the North Pole. It was an important seaport of the early Christian centuries, situated in what is now known as Turkey. Nicholas, a wealthy young man brought up in a godly home, gave away his inheritance to the needy. The young Bishop Nicholas was imprisoned for his faith during the persecutions under the Roman emperor Diocletian, and he was set free when Constantine released the religious prisoners. One of the most famous legends about his life tells of a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters. If he couldn't get them married, he'd have to sell them into prostitution. Hearing of the family's predicament, Nicholas took a bag (or a sock, as some versions have it) of gold, enough for a dowry, and tossed it into the family's house through the window (or down the chimney). He repeated his anonymous gift for each of the daughters, enabling the girls to marry. Another legend says that Saint Nicholas participated in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea. He was so incensed at some remark of the heretic Arius about Christ and the Theotokos that he punched Arius in the nose. That was considered an inappropriate debating technique, even in that distant time when theology was important enough to fight about, and the leaders of the council took away Nicholas' bishopric and put him in prison. Christ and His mother appeared to those leaders, one bearing Nicholas' omophorion (the stole marked with crosses that he and other bishops of that period wear in iconographic depictions), and the other the book of the Gospel. Taking their meaning, Nicholas' fellow bishops set him free and returned him to office. "Saint Nicholas, Hold the Tiller!" There are many early legends about the miraculous interventions of Saint Nicholas in the lives of those in peril. In one, Bishop Nicholas helped three prisoners wrongly condemned to death. Coming to the scene of their execution, he stopped the executioner and berated the governor until he repented of having taken a bribe to have them killed. Three imperial officers passing through the area learned of these events. Later, back in Constantinople, these three officers were themselves imprisoned and sentenced to death because of the intrigues of an official in Constantine's court. Remembering Nicholas' mercy, the officers prayed to God that through the bishop's intercession they might be saved. That night, both the unjust official and Constantine himself received a very early visit from Bishop Nicholas, in a dream. The next morning, Constantine and the official agreed to set the officers free. When sailors in the Christian East bless each other with the words, "May Saint Nicholas hold the tiller!" they are alluding to a story of sailors caught in a terrible storm. Having heard of the holiness and power of the bishop of Myra, these sailors called on his intercession. Nicholas came to them in a vision and took the helm himself and guided the ship into port. When the sailors reached Myra, they went to the Church, where they recognized their mysterious pilot. Another time, a famine hit Lycea, and ships loaded with wheat came into the harbor on the way from Alexandria to Constantinople. Bishop Nicholas asked the crews to leave some of the wheat for his starving people. The sailors refused at first, afraid of arriving at their destination with less than a full load. At Nicholas' promise that there would be no trouble, the sailors relented. And even though they left two years' supply in Myra, the ships were full when they arrived in Constantinople. These and many other acts of virtue have become Saint Nicholas' legacy to the Church. His feast day, December 6, goes far back in Christian history - at least to the ninth century, and very likely further than that. And the Church has celebrated his memory in many ways: in processions, in pageants, with special foods - some of which have become American Christmas customs without our even realizing it. Many of the fun activities that we now associate with the holidays arise from commemorations of Saint Nicholas. Our practice of giving gifts at Christmas time came from the commemoration of the dowries, as well as the gifts of the Magi. The foil-covered chocolate coins that find their way into Christmas stockings are reminiscent of the dowries, as are the stockings themselves. And when we awake to find gifts that arrived anonymously in the night, we can recall the socks full of gold that came through the chimney (or the window) to save the lives of the three young women. Our hooked candy canes are symbols of the bishop's crosier. And, early in their history, gingerbread men wore bishops' robes. The image of Saint Nicholas appeared on Byzantine seals more often than the image of any other person, and stamps are still available to imprint the seal of Saint Nicholas on cookies and other baked goods. The Spirit of Saint Nicholas These Christmas remembrances can save our religious life from a dreary solemnity, but if they're the whole focus, we've missed the point. The more important lesson of Saint Nicholas' miracles is that he sacrificed to help people in need. And if we look carefully at those miracles, we see that people like the ones he helped are still with us today: The young women about to be sold into slavery? Our cities are full of young people enslaved to drugs, prostitution, and violence. The prisoners? Penitentiary inmates and their families have many needs, which translate into opportunities to serve. The drowning sailors? In many parts of the country, nonprofit organizations provide equipment and rescue teams to save drowning boaters, lost hikers, and snowed-in skiers. The famine in Lycea? We can find hungry people from the downtown of our nearest city to the most remote place in the world. The more we understand the spirit of Saint Nicholas - the real man behind the myth - the more we can begin to pattern our lives after his godly example. Why should our children's only glimpse of this saint be that of a phony dime-store Santa with a fake beard, before whom they must wait in line for the opportunity to rehearse their list of Christmas "gimmees"? The real Saint Nicholas has so many wonderful traits around which we all could be patterning our lives.    Bookmark | Share | Email | Print | More...   [CLICK HERE] To Give Us Your Feedback Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. NIV�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright � 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Entire contents copyright � 1999 - 2010 by Rev. Patrick Kelly, All rights reserved. All content is presented on behalf of Shepherd�s Care Ministries. Shepherd's Care Ministries reserves no right or claim upon content. Shepherd's Care Ministries author and webmaster, Rev. Patrick Kelly, is affiliated through ministerial ordination with Church of God Ministries, Anderson IN 46018

Greece

December 20, 1860 saw which state secede from the Union, the first of 11?

Santa Claus   I ntroduction: One beautiful hymn contains the following line �Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;�   Sadly the �earth� is doing anything but.  The meaning of Christmas has been lost in an endless round of festivities... shopping sprees, parties, decorations, trees, food, gifts and merrymaking. The King whose birth we celebrate at Christmas has slowly been ousted from centre stage as He doesn�t fit into today's politically correct views. For example... In 2006 Britain�s Royal Mail unveiled their 40th set of Christmas stamps� with six faith-free designs including snowmen, reindeer and Santa Claus. Christmas has become has become one gigantic commercial venture, with Santa Claus as the god-figure rather than Christ. For the most part, the world will tolerate stars, angels, Christmas trees, or a baby sleeping in a manger. But there�s still "no room at the inn" for the King who invites us to walk His lowly path. Worse.. Jesus� place has been usurped by a pleasant fat fellow� boasting a red hat and team of reindeer. [usurp: to take a position of power or importance illegally or by force.] Sound Ridiculous? It is! In fact it�s worse than ridiculous. Santa Claus has become the most beloved of Christmas symbols and traditions.   So how do we understand the Santa Claus phenomenon? What do we REALLY know about Santa? Is Santa just a harmless, friendly fellow? Or is there something or someone else hiding behind the fa�ade? Is he Satan in disguise, or wholly Christian modeled after a 4th century bishop Sadly there is a lot more to the story than most people are aware of. Santa originated as an amalgam of St. Nicholas and various other pagan beliefs, which is bad enough. But, over the years, he morphed [a little added here and a little changed there] into the modern day, well known and well recognized figure, that bears far too many similarities to the one who appears as an �angel of light�, who once said he would exalt his throne above the stars of God and would be �like the most High�, and who is actively "seeking" those "whom he may devour"... The one the Bible calls �The Great Deceiver�.   [TOP OF PAGE]   The Great Deceiver And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. [Revelation 12:9]. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.[ Isaiah 14:12-14] "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking w hom he may devour: [1 Peter 5:8].  [Also See Evidence For The Devil ]    [TOP OF PAGE] Seeking Whom He May Devour: Children are the most vulnerable members of our society and it is no wonder that The Lord Jesus Christ warned several times against harming the "little ones". At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. [Matthew 18:1-6] And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. [Mark 9:42.] Our Children and Youth are Under Attack From All Sides. �Everyone wants to get a piece of them. For instance, the New-Age Movement has an army just waiting to get hold of our children and youth. The gay-rights movement in this country wants nothing more than to make a generation of children think homosexuality is an acceptable alternative life-style. Advertisers on Saturday-morning cartoons want to influence our kids. Heavy-metal rock bands are trying to influence them. Those in favor of abortion rights want to get our kids thinking from their point-of-view. Drug dealers, beer companies, cigarette manufacturers, pornography publishers � the list goes on and on � they too are battling for the souls of our children and youth. [1] [ Harry Potter and, more recently, The Golden Compass are other direct frontal assault on the children, again with the willing compliance of many church leaders, parents and others that are spiritually blind] Almost everywhere we turn we see modern-day Nebuchadnezzars trying to turn the minds of our children from serving our God. Everywhere and from every direction, our children and youth come under attack, even as Daniel and his friends came under attack�. [1] Dr. Terry Watkins bring up an interesting point in Santa Claus The Great Imposter, regarding a story in Mark... �Many parents have been "lullabied to sleep" with the deception that our children are innocently immune to the attack of Satan. There is a false security that believes our children will naturally "grow out of it" or "they�re just sowing their wild oats" or maybe "they�re just being kids". But the Bible paints a much different picture. In Mark chapter 9, God details a frightening occurrence. A man brings his "spirit possessed" son to the Lord Jesus Christ�. And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.  And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.  And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.  And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.  But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. [Mark 9:17-29] It is interesting the apostles could not cast out this kind (vs 29). Jesus said, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." What kind of possession was it? What was different about this possession? I believe the answer is found in the only question the Lord Jesus asked. Jesus Christ asked the man "How long is it ago since this came unto him?" And the man answered, "Of a child". These hard to cast out kind are those that enter in a child. Is it because the possession reaches so deep and so strong that they�re almost impossible to remove? Dr. Watkins goes on to say.. �In Proverbs 22:6, the Bible explains the lifelong fruits of training a young child in the way he should go. That early training is so strong and so deep � as that child grows and matures � they will not depart from it. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. [Proverbs 22:6] But. . . The flip side is: if that same child is trained by the ways of Satan and the world, chances are that child will not depart from it. [TOP OF PAGE] A Point to Consider � �If you once believed in a man who knew what you were doing, who had amazing abilities, and who gave you nice things, and he turned out to be a fake, why should you believe in another man who knows what you are doing, has amazing abilities, gives you nice things--Jesus Christ? If you get burned once, why get burned the second time? Wouldn�t it be better to be honest with our children right from the start, and teach them the difference between truth and make-believe?� [2] Apart from the fact that it is wrong to systematically lie to one's children, there is a danger that when they discover the truth or simply grow out of what is eventually perceived as a childish belief, they could subconsciously dismiss the true story of Jesus� birth as just another �story�. So what is the truth behind the �story� that millions of children are fed every year at Christmas� A story that they spend many years believing. Is it a harmless myth or has it been carefully orchestrated and manipulated over the years with the ultimate aim of taking center stage at Christmas� and helping ensure that the Christ is once again sidelined. The journey should begin with a look at the fourth century bishop who is often credited as being the ins piration for Santa.  [TOP OF PAGE]   St. Nicholas [Nikolaus] The Fourth Century Bishop Despite his popularity, the original Nicholas is a shadowy figure. Patron saint of sailors, pawnbrokers and many other groups, there is little doubt that a Bishop of that name did exist in Myra (modern-day Antalya province, Turkey) in the 4th century. A church was built for him in the 6th century, which continues to be a tourist attraction in Myra, although the bishops remains were spirited away by 1087 by merchants from Bari in Italy, and are now held in the Basilica di San Nicola of that city... Pope Urban II is said to have been present at the consecration in 1089. While we don't really know whether the original Nikolaus was particularly jolly or not, the enduring legends about his life suggest a great reputation for generosity. Many, many miracles [one more extravagant than the next] and good deeds have been attributed to St. Nick, including saving sailors from storms, restoring life to murdered boys, providing dowries for poor unm arried girls and destroying several pagan temples. [TOP OF PAGE] The Cult of St. Nicholas The cult of St. Nicholas spread far and wide. Holland built no fewer than 23 churches dedicated to him, many of which are still standing. Amsterdam even adopted St. Nicholas as its patron saint as did a few other towns. �Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried stories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas chapels were built in many seaports. As his popularity spread during the Middle Ages, he became the patron saint of Apulia (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine (France), and many cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Following his baptism in Constantinople, Vladimir I of Russia brought St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to St. Nicholas to his homeland where Nicholas became the most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely revered that more than 2,000 churches were named for him, including three hundred in Belgium, thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in the Netherlands and more than four hundred in England�. [3] Emphasis Added He is venerated in the East as a miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons -children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need. [3] Emphasis Added. ". . . the cult of St. Nicholas was, before the Reformation, the most intensive of any nonbiblical saint in Christendom. . . there were 2,137 ecclesiastical dedications [churches] to Nicholas in France, Germany, and the Low Countries alone before the year 1500." [4] "By the height of the Middle Ages, St. Nicholas was probably invoked in prayer more than any other figure except the Virgin Mary and Christ Himself" [5] [TOP OF PAGE]   And his popularity continues even today� For example [from Wikipedia] In Trieste in northeastern Italy St. Nicholas (San Nicol�) is celebrated with gifts given to children on the morning of the 6th of December and with a fair called Fiera di San Nicol� during the first weeks of December. In Germany many children put a boot, called Nikolaus-Stiefel, outside the front door on the night of December 5 to December 6. St. Nicholas fills the boot with gifts, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they were good. If they were not, they will have charcoal in their boots instead. St. Nicholas (San Nicola) is the patron of the city of Bari, where he is buried. Its deeply felt celebration is called the Festa di San Nicola], held on the 7-8-9 of May. In particular on 8 May the relics of the saint are carried on a boat on the sea in front of the city with many boats following (Festa a mare). On December 6 there is a ritual called the Rito delle nubili. Interestingly St. Nicholas is the patron saint of a small town called Beit Jala near Bethlehem, since he is said to have spent four years there during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Every year on the 19th of December according to the Gregorian calendar [the 6th of December according to the Julian calendar] a great mass is held in the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, and is usually followed by parades, exhibitions etc. It is difficult to reconcile the popularity of this man with the almost complete lack of verifiable detail about his life. However he is said to have opposed Arianism at the First Council of Nicaea in 325. [Apparently his name appears on some ancient lists] �the original minutes of this council were destroyed, people have tried to reconstruct the list of bishops who agreed to the orthodox formula to describe the Trinity, a brief text that became famous as the Nicene Creed. This list is known from eleven medieval copies. Only three of them mention Nicholas, but one of these is considered to be among the best copies�. [6]  [TOP OF PAGE]   Physical Appearance: In Catholic iconography [pictured above], Saint Nicholas is depicted as a bishop, wearing the insignia of this profession: a red bishop's cloak, red miter and a bishop's staff. Popularly depicted as a slim ascetic looking man dressed in religious apparel, the Bishop of Myra bears very little physical resemblance to the modern day Santa Claus, who has a long white beard, and is usually short and fat. If Nicholas, the ascetic bishop of fourth-century Asia Manor, could see Santa Claus, he would not know who he was. [7] So the legends of Saint Nicholas afford but a slight clue to the origin of Santa Klaus,�alike, indeed, in name but so unlike in all other respects. [8] [TOP OF PAGE] Date: There is absolutely nothing to connect the original St. Nicholas to the celebration of Christmas on December 25th. On the contrary, the celebration of St. Nicholas is separate from the Christmas holidays. Most Europeans [and some Americans] still celebrate St. Nicholas day on December 6th, the date in AD 343 on which he was believed to have died. Many people in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and St. Louis and other cities in the US with strong Germanic traditions have observed this day for generations. Often St. Nicholas Day, not Christmas, is the main holiday for gift giving, However the gifts he left beside the hearth were usually sma ll: fruit, nuts, candy, small figurines etc. [See Present Day Popularity above]  [TOP OF PAGE] The Gift Giver: �The Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6 has been observed with great enthusiasm throughout Medieval Europe over the centuries. This enthusiasm was due to the many legends that had grown up around Nicholas: that he had distributed gifts to the poor at night through their windows, had fasted while a baby, had helped dowerless maidens, saved a city from famine, had aided a ship in distress, etc. [9]  St. Nicholas traditions vary slightly from country to country. In sixteenth-century Holland, children placed wooden shoes by the hearth the night of St. Nicholas's arrival. The shoes were filled with straw, a meal for the saint's gift-laden donkey. In return, Nicholas would insert a small treat into each clog. [The shoe was replaced with the stocking, hung by the chimney In America. Because of the gift-giving legends associated with Nicholas, it was held (especially in Belgium and Holland) that on the Eve the Feast of Nicholas, the bishop himself would come from heaven and visit children in their homes, giving gifts to those who had been good. Nicholas, decked out in full ecclesiastical garb (bishop's vestments, with miter and crozier), would arrive on a flying gray horse (or white donkey, depending on the custom). In some variations of the legend, he was accompanied by Black Peter, an elf whose job was to punish children who had been bad�. [10] In Belgium On St. Nicholas' Eve, December 5th, or the weekend before, children put their shoes or small baskets at the hearth or beside the door with carrots, turnips, and a sugar lump for the saint's horse and a glass of wine for the saint. There may also be a picture they've drawn (or a list) showing what they would like. They believe St. Nicholas rides on horseback over the rooftops, dropping his gifts down the chimneys. In the morning shoes have been filled with chocolates, spiced cookies shaped like the saint and Piet, oranges, marzipan, and toys. In the spirit of St. Nicholas, treats are meant to be shared, not hoarded. Bad children, of which there are none, would find twigs. �� [11] And in Germany In Roman Catholic areas of southern Germany, such as Bavaria, Sankt Nikolaus still comes as a with flowing beard and a bishop's and staff. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and children clean and polish their shoes or boots in preparation for the visit. On the evening before , children put letters to the good saint along with carrots or other food for his white horse or donkey on a plate or in their shoes. These are left outside, under the bed, beside a radiator, or on a windowsill in hopes of finding goodies from St. Nicholas the next morning. During the night Sankt Nikolaus goes from house to house carrying a book in which all the children's deeds are written. If they have been good, he fills their plate, shoe or boot with delicious fruits, nuts and candies. If not, they may find potatoes, coal, or twigs. [11] While in Bulgaria the feast does not seem to be particularly centered around children and gift giving Bulgarians celebrate St. Nicholas as the protector of sailors and fishermen. Stories are told of St. Nikolay, the commander of the sea, calming wind and storms and saving ships in danger� A fish dish, ribnik, carp wrapped in dough or baked with rice, is served as carp is regarded as Nicholas' servant. Ribnik is baked in the oven along with two special loaves of bread. The food is blessed at church or at home before being served. [12] [TOP OF PAGE]   A Curious Amalgam While undoubtedly Santa Claus was based in part on St Nicholas and the gift giving legends associated with him, the modern day Santa Claus bears remarkable similarities to other sources. In Germany, St. Nicholas is also known as Klaasbuur, Sunnercla, Burklaas, Bullerklaas, and Rauklas, and in eastern Germany, he is also known as Shaggy Goat, Ash Man and Rider and is more reflective of earlier pagan influences (Norse) that were blended in with the figure of St. Nicholas, when Christianity came to Germany. [13] The truth is that St. Nicholas is a blend of many different cultures, customs, legends and mythological creatures. Consider the similarities to these early legends. Thor and Odin 9th Century In 9th century England the Saxons honoured King Winter or King Frost. He would be represented by somebody dressed in a fur hat or crown and would visit their firesides. The Saxons believed that by welcoming Winter as a personage or deity the season would be less harsh to them. 9th & 10th Century With the arrival of the Vikings in England during the 9th and 10th centuries Odin, their chief god, influenced the Winter gift practices. Odin had twelve characters and the one for December was known as Yalka or Jule and his month was called Jultid from which Yuletide derives. The Vikings believed that Odin visited Earth during Jultid on Sleipnir, his eight-legged horse. He would be disguised in a long blue hooded cloak and carrying a staff and a satchel of bread. His companion was either a Raven or Crow. He was said to join groups around their fire and listen to their conversations to see if they were content. He would sometimes leave the bread as a gift at poor homesteads. [14] Most Santa researchers agree that some traits of Santa [including the reindeer?] was borrowed from Norse [Scandinavian] mythology. Prior to the Germanic peoples' Christianization, Germanic folklore contained stories about the god Odin (Wodan), who would each year, at Yule, have a great hunting party accompanied by his fellow gods and the fallen warriors residing in his realm. Children would place their boots, filled with carrots, straw or sugar, near the chimney for Odin's flying horse, Sleipnir, to eat. Odin would then reward those children for their kindness by replacing Sleipnir's food with gifts or candy [Siefker, chap. 9, esp. 171-173]. This practice survived in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands after the adoption of Christianity and became associated with Saint Nicholas. [15] Most of the stories originate with in the European culture, primarily that of the Nordic traditions of Northern Europe. The Norse god Odin rode on a white eight legged horse and delivered either presents or punishments. The eight legged horse may be the origins of the eight reindeer that we know of today along with the naughty or nice list is constantly checked. [16] [Santa Originally had eight reindeer. Rudolph, the ninth reindeer and son of Donner, was the result of a verse written by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward in 1939 and published as a book to be given to children in the store at Christmas.]  ï¿½It is held by some scholars that the legends of Nicholas as gift-giver drew in part from pagan, pre-Christian sources. For example, the Teutonic god of the air, Odin, would ride through the air on a gray horse (named Sleipnir) each Autumn - so did Nicholas; Odin had a long white beard - so did Nicholas; a sheaf of grain was left in the field for Odin's horse - children left a wisp of straw in their shoes for Nicholas. [McKnight, 24-25, 138-139] Others claim that attributes of the Germanic god Thor, the god of thunder, were transferred to Nicholas. Thor was supposedly elderly and heavy with a long white beard; he road through the air in a chariot drawn by two white goats (called Cracker and Gnasher); he dressed in red; his palace was in the "northland;" he was friendly and cheerful; he would come down the chimney into his element, the fire. [17] No definitive correlation has ever been found between the "visit of St. Nicholas" and pagan gods such as Odin and Thor. However the similarity is striking and some relationship seems likely�. [18] Emphasis Added] Encyclopedia Britannica describes the role of Nordic mythology in the life of Santa: Sinterklaas was adopted by the country's English-speaking majority under the name Santa Claus, and his legend of a kindly old man was united with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. [19] Some Santa researchers associate Santa with the Norse "god" of Odin or Woden. Crichton describes Odin as riding through the sky on an eight-legged, white horse name Sleipnir. (Santa originally had eight reindeers, Rudolph was nine). Odin lived in Valhalla (the North) and had a long white beard. Odin would fly through the sky during the winter solstice (December 21-25) rewarding the good children and punishing the naughty. [20] Mythologist Helene Adeline Guerber presents a very convincing case tracing Santa to the Norse god Thor in Myths of Northern Lands: [Thor being a son of Odin with Thursday (Thor�s Day) being named after him. [21]. Thor was the god of the peasants and the common people. He was represented as an elderly man, jovial and friendly, of heavy build, with a long white beard. His element was the fire, his color red. The rumble and roar of thunder were said to be caused by the rolling of his chariot, for he alone among the gods never rode on horseback but drove in a chariot drawn by two white goats (called Cracker and Gnasher). He was fighting the giants of ice and snow, and thus became the Yule-god. He was said to live in the "Northland" where he had his palace among icebergs. By our pagan forefathers he was considered as the cheerful and friendly god, never harming the humans but rather helping and protecting them. The fireplace in every home was especially sacred to him, and he was said to come down through the chimney into his element, the fire. [22] In the Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs, author Francis Weiser traces the origin of Santa to Thor: "Behind the name Santa Claus actually stands the figure of the pagan Germanic god Thor." [23] After listing some the common attributes of Thor and Santa, Weiser concludes: Here, [Thor] then, is the true origin of our "Santa Claus." . . . With the Christian saint whose name he still bears, however, this Santa Claus has really nothing to do. [24] In the words of Dr. Terry Watkins in Santa Claus The Great Imposter � �The unusual and common characteristics of Santa and Thor are too close to ignore. An elderly man, jovial and friendly and of heavy build. With a long white beard. His element was the fire and his color red. Drove a chariot drawn by two white goats, named called Cracker and Gnasher. He was the Yule-god. (Yule is Christmas time). He lived in the Northland (North Pole). He was considered the cheerful and friendly god. He was benevolent to humans. The fireplace was especially sacred to him. H e came down through the chimney into his element, the fire�. [TOP OF PAGE]   The Tomte/Nisse The tomte/nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore originating from Norse paganism and in ancient times was believed to be the "soul" of the first inhabitor of the farm. The tomte/nisse was usually described as a short man (under four feet tall) wearing a red cap with a tassel. Nisse were believed to take care of a farmer�s home and children and protect them from misfortune, in particular at night, when the house folk were asleep. Despite his smallness, the tomte/nisse possessed an immense strength. Even though he was protective and caring he was easy to offend, and his retributions ranged from a stout box on the ears to the killing of livestock or ruining of the farm�s fortune. A particular gift was a bowl of porridge on Christmas night. If he wasn�t given his payment, he would leave the farm or house, or engage in mischief such as tying the cows� tails together in the barn, turning objects upside-down, and breaking things. The tomte was not always a popular figure: Like most creatures of folklore he would be seen as heathen and become connected to the Devil and having a tomte on the farm meant you put the fate of your soul at risk. In the English editions of the fairy tales of H. C. Andersen the word nisse has been inaccurately translated as "goblin". A more accurate translation is "brownie"... the Scottish counterpart of the Scandinavian tomte. Since there is a Tomtar & Troll shop in Stockholm Sweden, I assume Tomtar is closely related to a Troll. In the 1840s the farm's "nisse" became the bearer of Christmas presents in Denmark, and was then called "julenisse". In 1881, the Swedish magazine Ny Illustrerad Tidning published Viktor Rydberg's poem Tomten, where the tomte is alone awake in the cold Christmas night, pondering the mysteries of life and death. This poem featured the first painting by Jenny Nystr�m of this traditional Swedish mythical character which she turned into the white-bearded, red-capped friendly figure associated with Christmas ever since. Shortly afterwards, and obviously influenced by the emerging Father Christmas traditions as well as the new Danish tradition, a variant of the tomte/nisse, called the "jultomte" in Sweden and "julenisse" in Norway, started bringing the Christmas presents in Sweden and Norway, instead of the traditional julbock Yule Goat. [25] Jenny Nystr�m  is mainly known as the person who created the Swedes� image of the �jultomte� on numerous Christmas cards and magazine covers [illustration on the right], thus linking the Swedish version of Santa Claus to the gnomes of Scandinavian folklore. [26] The Jultomten brings gifts in a sleigh driven by the goats of Thor.. Swedish children wait eagerly for Jultomten, a gnome whose sleigh is drawn by the Julbocker, the goats of the thunder god Thor. With his red suit and cap, and a bulging sack on his back, he looks much like the American Santa Claus. [27] In some areas of Sweden, Jultmoten the Gift-Bringer is a gnome whose sleigh is drawn by the Julbocker, goats which are the property of Thor, God of Thunder. Julmoten dresses in red and carries a b ulging sack upon his back. [28] Emphasis Added]. [TOP OF PAGE] The Long Leap It has been oft claimed that Santa Claus was introduced to America by the Dutch, who settled in what was known as New Amsterdam.. now New York. Apparently this story is without much, if any merit. The St, Nicholas center tells us that�.[All Emphasis Added] Although it is nearly universally reported that the Dutch did bring St. Nicholas to New Amsterdam [Now New York], scholars find limited evidence of such traditions in Dutch New Netherland. Colonial Germans in Pennsylvania held the feast of St. Nicholas, and several accounts do have St. Nicholas visiting New York Dutch on New Years' Eve. [29] This was not a saintly bishop, rather an elfin Dutch burgher with a clay pipe. These delightful flights of imagination are the origin of the New Amsterdam St. Nicholas legends: that the first Dutch emigrant ship had a figurehead of St. Nicholas; that St. Nicholas Day was observed in the colony; that the first church was dedicated to him; and that St. Nicholas comes down chimneys to bring gifts. Irving's work was regarded as the "first notable work of imagination in the New World." [29] Other Sources [All Emphasis Added ] The claim that Dutch settlers, in 1626 introduced Sinter Claes to New Amsterdam (to be New York) is an invention of Washington Irving (History of New York, started in 1809). Charles W. Jones states (1954, Knickerbocker Santa Claus, New York Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 357-383, see pp. 367-71) that no documentary evidence has ever been found of a Dutch Santa Claus cult in New Amsterdam or in the [pre-1773, BKS, see below] British colonial period in New York. The settlers of New Amsterdam were Protestants, not Catholics, with little St. Nicholas tradition. [30] Nearly everyone repeats this story [the Dutch-Santa]. . . But when we look at the evidence�that is, the newspapers, magazines, diaries, books, broadsides, music, sculpture, and merchandise of past times, the picture is not substantiated. [31] There is no evidence that it [Santa Claus] existed in New Amsterdam, or for a century after occupation. . . ([31] I have not found evidence of St. Nicholas in any form�in juveniles or periodicals or diaries�in the period of Dutch rule, or straight through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the year 1773. [31] Years of research confirmed that initial doubt: Santa Claus is an Americanization, all right, but not of a Catholic Saint. . . Despite a century of repetition, this story is simply untrue. . . [32] The dilemma was solved by transferring the visit of the mysterious man whom the Dutch called Santa Claus from December 5 to Christmas, and by introducing a radical change in the figure itself. It was not merely a "disguise," but the ancient saint was completely replaced by an entirely different character. . .With the Christian saint whose name he still bears, however this Santa Claus has really nothing to do. [33] The truth is that the modern day Santa Claus bears little resemblance to the Catholic Saint and has almost enti rely replaced him. [TOP OF PAGE]   The Development of Santa Claus in America The following is a short summation of the development of Santa Claus in America.. In 1804, the New York Historical Society was founded with Nicholas as its patron saint, its members reviving the Dutch tradition of St. Nicholas as a gift-bringer. In 1809, Washington Irving published his satirical A History of New York, by one "Diedrich Knickerbocker," a work that poked fun at New York's Dutch past (St. Nicholas included). When Irving became a member of the Society the following year, the annual St. Nicholas Day dinner festivities included a woodcut of the traditional Nicholas figure (tall, with long robes) accompanied by a Dutch rhyme about "Sancte Claus" (in Dutch, "Sinterklaas"). Irving revised his History of New York in 1812, adding details about Nicholas' "riding over the tops of the trees, in that selfsame waggon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children." [14] Two quotes from Washington Irving�s A History of New York And the sage Oloffe dreamed a dream,�and lo, the good St. Nicholas came riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to the children. . . And when St. Nicholas had smoked his pipe, he twisted it in his hatband, and laying his finger beside his nose, gave the astonished Van Kortlandt a very significant look; then, mounting his wagon, he returned over the treetops and disappeared. [34] At this early period was instituted that pious ceremony, still religiously observed in all our ancient families of the right breed, of hanging up a stocking in the chimney on St. Nicholas Eve; which stocking is always found in the morning miraculously filled; for the good St. Nicholas has ever been a great giver of gifts, particularly to children. [35]  ï¿½In 1821, a New York printer named William Gilley issued a poem about a "Santeclaus" who dressed all in fur and drove a sleigh pulled by one reindeer. Gilley's "Sante," however, was very short. On Christmas Eve of 1822, another New Yorker, Clement Clarke Moore, wrote down and read to his children a series of verses; his poem was published a year later as "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" (more commonly known today by its opening line, "'Twas the night before Christmas . . ."). Moore gave St. Nick eight reindeer (and named them all), and he devised the now-familiar entrance by chimney. Moore's Nicholas was still a small figure, however -- the poem describes a "miniature sleigh" with a "little old driver." In 1863, a caricaturist for Harper's Weekly named Thomas Nast began developing his own image of Santa. Nast gave his figure a "flowing set of whiskers" and dressed him "all in fur, from his head to his foot." Nast's 1866 montage entitled "Santa Claus and His Works" established Santa as a maker of toys; an 1869 book of the same name collected new Nast drawings with a poem by George P. Webster that identified the North Pole as Santa's home. Although Nast never settled on one size for his Santa figures (they ranged from elf-like to man-sized), his 1881 "Merry Old Santa Claus" drawing is quite close to the modern-day image�. � [14] Harper�s Weekly online provides a little more insight. While setting the national standard, Nast�s own depiction of Santa Claus changed over the years.  He began his almost-annual contribution of Christmas illustrations when he joined the staff of Harper�s Weekly in 1862 during the Civil War. [Nast contributed 33 Christmas drawings to Harper�s Weekly from 1863 through 1886, and Santa is seen or referenced in all but one. His first Santa (in the postdated January 3, 1863 issue) is a small elf distributing Christmas presents to Union soldiers in camp. [36] From 1866-1871, Nast continued to elaborate upon the image of Santa Claus portrayed in �Santa and His Works.�  As in the featured cartoon, he also emphasized during this period Santa�s disciplinary role in judging whether the behavior of children during the past year warranted Christmas rewards or punishment. In an 1870 cartoon, Santa surprises two naughty children by jumping out as a jack-in-the-box clutching a switch for spanking. In 1871, Santa sits at his desk reading letter from parents chronicling their children�s good and bad acts, with the �letters from naughty children�s parents� far outnumbering the �letters from good children�s parents.� [36]. [TOP OF PAGE]   Incidentally the tradition of decorating a Christmas Tree originated in Germany, and arrived on American shores in the �40�s. Time Magazine reported.. �even before the arrival of Christianity, Germans decorated evergreen trees to brighten the dark, gloomy days of the winter solstice. The first "Christmas trees" appeared in Strasbourg in the 17th century and spread to Pennsylvania in the 1820s with the arrival of German immigrants. When Queen Victoria married Germany's Prince Albert in 1840, he brought the tradition to England. Eight years later, the first American newspaper ran a picture of the royal Christmas tree and Americans outside of Pennsylvania quickly followed.� [36b] [TOP OF PAGE] Santa�s Companion This section is almost entirely excerpted from Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins.) There is a little-known piece in the life of Santa that time and tradition has silently erased. Few people are aware that for most of his life, St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas, Christkind, et. al.) had an unusual helper or companion. This mysterious sidekick had many names or aliases. He was known as Knecht Rupprecht; Pelznickle; Ru-Klas; Swarthy; Dark One; Dark Helper; Black Peter; Hans Trapp; Krampus; Grampus; Zwarte Piets; Furry Nicholas; Rough Nicholas; Schimmelreiter; Klapperbock; Julebuk; et. al. Though his name changed, he was always there. Some other well known titles given to St. Nick�s bizarre companion is a demon, evil one, the devil and Satan. One of his dark duties was to punish children and "gleefully drag them to hell." The following references are provided to demonstrate the "devil" who accompanies St. Nicholas is a well documented fact. In every forerunner of Santa this dark and diabolic character appears. It is the Christkind who brings the presents, accompanied by one of its many devilish companions, Knecht Ruprecht, Pelznickle, Ru-Klas. . . [37] In many areas of Germany, Hans Trapp is the demon who accompanies Christkind on its gift-giving round. . . [38] Another Christmas demon from lower Austria, Krampus or Grampus, accompanies St. Nicholas on December 6. [39] Like Santa, Sinterklaas and the Dark Helper were also supposed to have the peculiar habit of entering homes through the chimney. . . [40] In Sarajevo in Bosnia, Saint Nickolas appears with gifts for the children in spite of the war and shelling. He is assisted by a small black devil who scares the children. [41] Ruprecht here plays the part of bogeyman, a black, hairy, horned, cannibalistic, stick-carrying nightmare. His role and character are of unmitigated evil, the ultimate horror that could befall children who had been remiss in learning their prayers and doing their lessons. He was hell on earth. [42] In Holland, Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) wore a red robe while riding a white horse and carried a bag of gifts to fill the children's stockings. A sinister assistant called Black Pete proceeded Sinterklaas in the Holland tradition to seek out the naughty boys and girls who would not receive gifts. [43] The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures such as the Roman Befana and the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht. . . He was depicted wearing a bishop's robes and was said to be accompanied at times by Black Peter, an elf whose job was to whip the naughty children. [44] Christmas historian Miles Clement relates that no "satisfactory account has yet been given" to the origins of these demons and devils that appear with St. Nicholas. It can hardly be said that any satisfactory account has yet been given of the origins of this personage, or of his relation to St. Nicholas, Pelzmarte, and monstrous creatures like the Klapperbock. [45] Maybe a satisfactory account has been given. Let us keep reading. Previously, we established the peculiar fact that today�s Santa Claus and St. Nicholas are not the same. They never have been. Santa Claus is dressed in a long shaggy beard, furs, short, burly and obese. The legends of St. Nicholas portrayed a thin, tall, neatly dressed man in religious apparel. You could not possibly find two different characters. If Nicholas, the ascetic bishop of fourth-century Asia Manor, could see Santa Claus, he would not know who he was. [46] So the legends of Saint Nicholas afford but a slight clue to the origin of Santa Klaus,�alike, indeed, in name but so unlike in all other respects. [47] [TOP OF PAGE] The Model For Nast�s Santa.. The startling fact is, Santa Claus is not the Bishop St. Nicholas � but his Dark Helper! In certain German children�s games, the Saint Nicholas figure itself is the Dark Helper, a devil who wants to punish children, but is stopped from doing so by Christ. [48] Black Pete, the �grandfather� of our modern Santa Claus. Known in Holland as Zwarte Piet, this eighteenth-century German version, is�like his ancient shamanic ancestor�still horned, fur-clad, scary, and less than kind to children. Although portrayed as the slave helper of Saint Nicholas, the two are, in many villages, blended into one character. This figure often has the name Nikolass or Klaus, but has the swarthy appearance of the Dark Helper. [49] Artist Thomas Nast is rightfully credited for conceiving the image of our modern day Santa, but Nast�s model for Santa was not the Bishop St. Nicholas but his dark companion, the evil Pelznickle. [IPS Note: Nast was an immigrant from Bavaria and was familiar with Pelznickle] The Christmas demon Knecht Rupprecht first appeared in a play in 1668 and was condemned by the Roman Catholic as being a devil in 1680. . . To the Pennsylvania Dutch, he is known as Belsnickel. Other names for the same character are Pelznickle, "Furry Nicholas," and Ru-Klas, "Rough Nicholas." From these names, it is easy to see that he is looked upon as not merely a companion to St. Nicholas, but almost another version of him. [50] In Thomas Nast: His Period and His Pictures, biographer Albert Bigelow Paine, documents that Nast�s Santa was Pelznickle. But on Christmas Eve, to Protestant and Catholic alike, came the German Santa Claus, Pelze-Nicol, leading a child dressed as the Christkind, and distributing toys and cakes, or switches, according as the parents made report. It was this Pelze-Nicol � a fat, fur-clad, bearded old fellow, at whose hands he doubtless received many benefits � that the boy in later years was to present to us as his conception of the true Santa Claus � a pictorial type which shall lone endure. [51] Santa historian and author, Tony van Renterghem also documents Nast�s Santa Claus was not Saint Nicholas, but the evil Black Pete�the devil. Thomas Nast was assigned to draw this Santa Claus, but having no idea what he looked like, drew him as the fur-clad, small, troll-like figure he had known in Bavaria when he was a child. This figure was quite unlike the tall Dutch Sinterklaas, who was traditionally depicted as a Catholic bishop. Who he drew was Saint Nicholas� dark helper, Swarthy, or Black Pete (a slang name for the devil in medieval Dutch). . . [52] Santa researcher, Phyllis Siefker, echoes Renterghem�s conclusion: It seems obvious, therefore, that Santa Claus can be neither the alter ego of Saint Nicholas nor the brainchild of Washington Irving. . . If we peek behind the imposing Saint Nicholas, we see, glowering in the shadows, the saint�s reprobate companion, Black Pete. He, like Santa, has a coat of hair, a disheveled beard, a bag, and ashes on his face. . . In fact, it is this creature, rather than Irving�s creation or an Asian saint, who fathered Santa Claus. [53] By the way, St. Nicholas did not come down the chimney. It was his fur-clad, dark companion that came down the chimney. One of the reasons his sidekick was called the "Dark One" or "Black Peter" was because he was normally covered in soot and ashes from his chimney travels. The "dark companion" also carried the bag, distributed the goodies and punished the bad boys and girls. Children [in Holland] are told that Black Peter enters the house through the chimney, which also explained his black face and hands, and would leave a bundle of sticks or a small bag with salt in the shoe instead of candy when the child had been bad. [54] It is significant that Black Peter, Pelze-Nicol, Knecht Rupprecht and all of St. Nicholas companions are openly identified as the devil. To the medieval Dutch, Black Peter was another name for the devil. Somewhere along the way, he was subdued by St. Nicholas and forced to be his servant. [55] In Denmark, Sweden, and Norway creatures resembling both the Schimmelreiter and the Klapperbock are or were to be met with at Christmas. . . People seem to have had a bad conscience about these things, for there are stories connecting them with the Devil. A girl, for instance, who danced at midnight with a straw Julebuk, found that her partner was no puppet but the Evil One himself. 56] Thus, in parts of Europe, the Church turned Herne into Saint Nicholas� captive, chained Dark Helper, none other than Satan, the Dark One, symbolic of all evil. [57] One of the bizarre jobs of St. Nick�s devilish helper was to "gleefully drag sinners" to hell! On the eve of December 6, the myth told that this bearded, white-haired old �saint,� clad in a wide mantel, rode through the skies on a white horse, together with his slave, the swarthy Dark Helper. This reluctant helper had to disperse gifts to good people, but much preferred to threaten them with his broom-like scourge, and, at a sign of his master, would gleefully drag sinners away to a place of eternal suffering. [58] The shocking truth is Santa Claus originated from a character identified as the devil or Satan. [TOP OF PAGE]   The Miracle Plays This section is almost entirely excerpted from Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins.) Something else that fashioned our modern day Santa was the popular medieval Christmas plays of the tenth through the sixteenth century. These miracle, moral, mystery and passion dramas acted out scenes from the scriptures and the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. Combining humor and religion, they flourished during the fifteenth century. It is significant that St. Nicholas was a dominant theme among these plays. Much of the myth and outlandish miracles of St. Nicholas originated from these dramas. And much of the bizarre characteristics of Santa were planted in these Christmas plays. In the classic, Teutonic Mythology, author Jacob Grimm provides us with some revealing detail into St. Nicholas� transformation into Santa. Notice in the following excerpt from Teutonic Mythology where Nicholas converts himself into the Knecht Ruprecht [the devil], a "man of Clobes" or a "man of Claus." Grimm states, the characters of Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht "get mixed, and Clobes [Claus] himself is the "man." The Christmas plays sometimes present the Saviour with His usual attendant Peter or else with Niclas [St. Nicholas]. At other times however Mary with Gabriel, or with her aged Joseph, who, disguised as a peasant, acts the part of Knecht Ruprecht. Nicholas again has converted himself into a "man Clobes" or Rupert; as a rule there is still a Niclas, a saintly bishop and benevolent being distinct from the "man" who scares children; the characters get mixed, and Clobes himself acts the "man." [59] From Grimm�s account, in the early 1100�s, the transformation of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus from the de vil Knecht Ruprecht was in full throttle.  [TOP OF PAGE]   Ho! Ho! Ho! There is not enough space in this book to adequately document the influence and inspiration of the medieval plays into the making of Santa, but let us examine Santa�s trademark "Ho! Ho! Ho!". Most people have no idea where this came from, and more importantly whom it came from. In The Drama Before Shakespeare - A Sketch, author Frank Ireson, describes the popular Miracle Play. Notice the description of the devil as "shaggy, hairy," etc. (as Santa), and notice the devil�s trademark "exclamation on entering was ho, ho, ho!": Besides allegorical personages, there were two standing characters very prominent in Moral Plays�the Devil and Vice. The Devil was, no doubt, introduced from the Miracle Plays, where he had figured so amusingly; he was made as hideous as possible by his mask and dress, the latter being generally of a shaggy and hairy character, and he was duly provided with a tail: his ordinary exclamation on entering was, "Ho, ho, ho! what a felowe [sic] am I." [60] Siefker also collaborates the devil�s trademark "ho, ho, ho." In these plays, the devil�s common entry line, known as the "devil�s bluster," was "Ho! Ho! Hoh!"  [61] The devil�s trademark "ho, ho, ho" was carried over from the early medieval Miracle Plays to the popular old English play "Bomelio," as the following lines from the play verify: What, and a' come? I conjure thee, foul spirit, down to hell! Ho, ho, ho! the devil, the devil! A-comes, a-comes, a-comes upon me,. . . [62]   [IPS Note: In the above instance it is probable that the  Ho, ho, ho is being used much as it is in the Bible in Zechariah 2:6,7. The Hebrew word translated Ho is [hôy ] and means  oh! ah, alas, O, woe. IN other words the person is saying �Alas! The devil comes]. Author Tony Renterghem, concludes his extensive research into the origin of Santa with the following statement: [Emphasis Added] I can only conclude that the original ancestor of our modern Santa Claus is none other than the mythological Dark Helper-a faint memory of Herne/Pan, the ancient shamanic nature spirit of the Olde Religion. [63] Note: Herne or Pan is the horned god. It is common knowledge that Pan and Herne are popular names for Satan. The Satanic Bible lists Pan as one of the Infernal Names of Satan. [64] After researching scores of books and material on the origin of Santa Claus, by far, the best book on this subject is Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, authored by the late University of Kansas associate, Phyllis Siefker. This is no child�s book, but a scholarly exploration into the origin of Santa Claus. It is published by the prestigious McFarland Publishers, a leading publisher of reference and academic books. This book carries no Christian bias, but is simply a secular, non Christian scholastic study. With that in mind, the following analysis by Siefkler is even more alarming [Emphasis Added] The fact is that Santa and Satan are alter egos, brothers; they have the same origin. . . On the surface, the two figures are polar opposites, but underneath they share the same parent, and both retain many of the old symbols associated with their "father" . . . From these two paths, he arrived at both the warmth of our fireplace and in the flames of hell. [65] [TOP OF PAGE] Santa.. The Name An Anagram? Much has been said about �Santa� being an anagram for �Satan�. While I am not sure how much importance to attach to this, the fact that Sanat Kumara is obviously an anagram for Satan gives me pause for thought. According to some of the teachings derived from modern Theosophy, i.e. the teachings of Alice A. Bailey, C. W. Leadbeater, Guy Ballard, Elizabeth Clare Prophet and Geraldine Innocente, Sanat Kumara is the Lord or Regent of Earth and of humanity. It is believed by some that he is the founder of the Great White Brotherhood, and that he lives in a city on the etheric plane called Shamballa located above the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. [Also  Shamballa ] Jolly Old St. Nick Nick or Old Nick is a well-known appellation of the Devil. The name appears to have been derived from the Dutch Nikken, the devil, which again comes from the Anglo-Saxon nac-an, to slay--for as Wachter says the devil was "a murderer from the beginning." Old Nick: A well-known British name of the Devil. It seems probable that this name is derived from the Dutch Nikken, the devil... [66] Nick, the devil. [67] Devil: Besides the name Satan, he is also called Beelzebub, Lucifer . . . and in popular or rustic speech by many familiar terms as Old Nick . . . [68] Kriss Kringle? One of the most perturbing aspects of this whole story is the seemingly innocent, friendly, jingle-jangle name of Kriss Kringle which is German for "little Christ Child". Kriss Kringle A US name for Santa Claus derived from the German Christkindl (little Christ child). [69] Whatever the truth behind the legend, it is one further step in the whole sorry saga of �Santa�. According to legend, Martin Luther was distressed over the growing popularity of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas (who is the patron saint of sailors, children and unmarried maidens) has long been associated with giving gifts at Christmas time to children and is still popular in many parts of Europe, especially The Netherlands. However, Martin Luther thought the belief in Saint Nicholas took away from the true meaning of Christmas, which was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Therefore, he is credited with introducing the Christkindl to Germany and parts of Switzerland. The Christkindl, usually portrayed by a young girl with a golden crown and wings, is the main attraction at Christmas parties, as she passes out presents to the other children. During the 18th Century, German and Swiss immigrants, settling in Pennsylvania, brought the tradition of the Christkindl with them. Over time, as English settlers began to populate the area, the word Christkindl was simplified to Kriss Kringle, and became another name for Santa Clause. [70]  [TOP OF PAGE] Santa�s Little Helpers? Santa has some �cute� little helpers called elves, however Webster�s Dictionary has an interesting definition for the friendly elf: ELF 1. A wandering spirit; a fairy; a hobgoblin; an imaginary being which our rude ancestors supposed to inhabit unfrequented places, and in various ways to affect mankind. . . 2. An evil spirit; a devil. (Webster's Dictionary �elf�) The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft is a 417 page paperback by Rosemary Ellen Guiley who is known as a thorough researcher. The following descriptions of elves are as quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. A host of supernatural beings and spirits who exist between earth and heaven. . . Fairies [Elves] are fallen angels. When God cast Lucifer from heaven, the angels who were loyal to Lucifer plunged down toward hell with him. [71] Some fairies [elves] were said to suck human blood like vampires. [72] elves, "love to visit new born babies of mortals. . ." [72] "Many contemporary Witches believe in fairies [elves] and some see them clairvoyantly." [73] [TOP OF PAGE]   Part II. Santa Vs. The Bible I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. [Isaiah 14:14] A Beard As White As Snow The Bible: And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs [BEARD] were white like wool, as white as snow;. . . Revelation 1:13-15. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: . . . Daniel 7:9. Santa Claus:   The poem The Night Before Christmas describes Old St. Nick as: "He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes � how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, An d the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;" [TOP OF PAGE] A Suit of Red The Bible: Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? Isaiah 63:1-2 Santa Claus: A House In The North The Bible: How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations And thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.  [Isaiah 14:12-14. Emphasis Added] Santa Claus: Santa lives in the North Pole. The origin of Santa�s home at the North Pole is uncertain, but in �Santa and His Works� Nast may have been the first illustrator to so identify the locale.  (An 1857 illustration in Harper�s Weekly shows Santa preparing to leave a snowy but unnamed homeland.) [74] Interestingly Since Thor�s element was fire, he was made into the god for the Yule tide.  Thor was a friendly god and during the Yule tide season, he delivered presents through the chimney because the hearth, being used for fire, was especially sacred to him.  In a chariot driven by two goats, Cracker and Gnasher, Thor roared across the heavens causing thunder. Thor was described as heavy built, with a long white beard and was dressed in red in keeping with his association with fire.  In a place called �Northland�, Thor lived in a palace surrounded by icebergs.  Thus Thor was a winter god who gave people encouragement during the bleak winter months. [75] Emphasis Added Santa not only lives in the North Pole,  he gives people encouragement during the winter months. The Challenge of Thor [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow] I AM the God Thor, I am the War God, I am the Thunderer! R ule I the nations; �   [TOP OF PAGE]   A Holly Wreath From The ancient Chinese to the Druids [who thought holly berries were thought to represent the sacred blood of their Goddess] and Romans, holly has been the subject of myths, legends, and traditional observances for centuries. Many today believe that the actual "crown of thorns" worn by the Lord Jesus Christ, was the familiar "holly" wreath. In fact, in Germany, the Hawthorn is still known as Christdorn or "Christ's crown of thorns." Ancient history says that the Druids used holly in their religious rites long before the custom came to the European continent. The Druids of ancient Britain and Gaul held the English holly tree sacred. The "holy" connotation continued in later days in Europe, where the plant was widely believed to repel evil spirits. People planted trees and used their branches as protection against witchcraft, mad dogs, and other evils. Sometime in the past, the pagans of Europe took sprays of holly into their homes so that the tiny, imaginary peoples of the woodland would be safe from the cold of winter in the evergreen boughs. Later, holly was used as holiday decor that gave the good fairies and elves a place to hide as they did their good deeds. [Holly In Holiday Tradition. With the coming of Christianity, the use of holly was condemned as a pagan ritual and forbidden by the Christian council. But Christian Romans continued to decorate with holly during festive seasons. European Christian symbolism included the belief that the spiny leaves and red berries were a reminder of the crown of thorns and the blood of Christ. The Pennsylvania Dutch held that the plant's white flowers represented Jesus' purity. The Germans called this plant Christdorn, Christ's crown of thorns. They thought holly had white berries until they were stained by Christ's blood. [76] Santa Claus: Santa Wears a Wreath of Holly. Originating in England, Father Christmas was depicted as a friendly fellow wearing a crown of holly and a scarlet or green fur-lined robe. To many, this wreath of holly represented the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when He was crucified and the red berries are symbolic of the blood He shed." [77] [TOP OF PAGE] A White Horse! The Bible: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [Revelation 19:11] Santa Claus:   Most people are not aware that until the nineteenth century, Santa flew through the sky, visiting housetop to housetop, not in a sled drawn by reindeers � but on a white horse. It wasn�t until the poem, The Children�s Friend, was published in 1821 that the magical white horse was transformed into reindeer. On the eve of December 6, the myth told that this bearded, white-haired old �saint,� clad in a wide mantel, rode through the skies on a white horse. [78] In Revelation 6, the Antichrist also appears on a white horse. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow ; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. [Revelation 6:2]. [TOP OF PAGE] Ho, ho, ho The Bible: Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, saith Jehovah; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, saith Jehovah. Ho Zion, escape, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. (Zechariah 2:6,7) The Hebrew word translated Ho is [hôy ] and means  oh! ah, alas, O, woe. Santa Claus: Santa famous trademark is Ho! Ho! Ho! Remember the Miracle plays. In these [Miracle] plays, the devil's common entry line, known as the "devil's bluster," was "Ho! Ho! Hoh!"  [79] [TOP OF PAGE] Santa And His Sleigh The Bible: There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his Excellency on the sky. Deuteronomy 33:26. Santa Claus: As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too It�s also interesting in Ephesians 2:2, Satan, following the I will be like the most high script and mimicking the Lord, is depicted as "the prince of the power of the air. . ." Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Ephesians 2:2. [TOP OF PAGE]   Santa is Virtually Omniscient (All-knowing). The Bible: The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9. "The LORD is a God of knowledge..." (1Samuel.2:3) Will not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart. [Psalm 44:21] Santa Claus: Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest Choose for me, dear Santa Claus; you will know the best. "Jolly Old St. Nick" Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. [Matthew 6:8. Emphasis Addded]. [TOP OF PAGE] Be sides which� Santa Rewards According to Works. The Bible: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12 Santa Claus: Santa Can Give You Anything. . Just Ask. The Bible: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. . .[Matthew 7:7-8] And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. [Matthew 21:22] Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. [Psalm 37:4] 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? [Matthew 7:11] Santa Claus: Each Christmas the U.S. Postal Service receives millions of letters addressed to "Santa Claus" In the weeks before Christmas millions of children around the globe with either/or write to Santa or visit him �in person� with a list of their dearest desires. They will climb in to his lap and whisper and disclose the yearnings of their hearts. And come Christmas morning they will jump out of bed with gleeful anticipation to see what Santa has brought them. Lean your ear this way! Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say; Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now, you dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to me; Tell me if you can. "Jolly Old St. Nick" Santa is the great Giver of Gifts.. All you need to do is believe. Do You Believe in Santa?? [On the other hand A child may receive little or nothing from Santa because his/her parents are poor. Unfortunately, the child has probably already learned that bad children get nothing from Santa, and co me to the conclusion that he/she is �bad�]. [TOP OF PAGE] The Fear of �Santa? The Bible: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:. . . Psalms 111:10 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11. Santa Claus: But Children the world over are taught to fear Santa. "You�d better behave. Santa is watching and writing it all down. You might not get anything for Christmas." You better watch out, Bring The Little Children Unto Me The Bible: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:13-14. We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Santa Claus: Oh, how he loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in his site. Santa lo ves the little children of the world.  [TOP OF PAGE]   Santa�s �Throne� The Bible: The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. [Psalm 11:4] And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. [1 Kings 22:19] 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:11-12 Santa Claus: Almost every local mall in the US has a Santa sitting on his �throne� with the children lined up to sit on his lap and be asked the question  "Have you been a good little boy [or girl]?" There are other thrones in Scripture. For thou [Lucifer] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [Isaiah 14:13]. [TOP OF PAGE] Satan�s Ultimate Goal is Worship. The Bible: All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. [Luke 4:6,7] Santa Claus:   Millions of children love Santa with all their little hearts and quite literally worship him. Santa has replaced God at Christmas � aided and abetted by their parents. They stand in line to sit in his lap. They delight in having their picture taken with Santa. They love whispering in Santa�s ear. �The distinguished anthropologist Claude L�vi-Strauss has provided a wonderful pen portrait of this Christmas icon: "Father Christmas is dressed in scarlet: he is a king. His white beard, his furs and his boots, the sleigh in which he travels evoke winter. He is called 'Father' and he is an old man, thus he incarnates the benevolent form of the authority of the ancients." Importantly, says L�vi-Strauss, children believe in him, paying homage to him with letters and prayers, while adults do not:�   [80] But the Bible tells us And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only s halt thou serve. [Luke 4:8]  [TOP OF PAGE]   Believe In Santa The Bible: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31 The heart of the Christian faith is "believing" in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is believing In Jesus Christ. Santa Claus: Yet, Many many more children will be asked at Christmas whether they believe in Santa than will be asked if they believe in Jesus. Santa will be preached hundreds of times more than Jesus� with parents as the chief evangelicals. "Little Boy, Little Girl, DO You Believe In Santa?" If the Christian world had, even a small drop of the faith the average child has in Santa � we�d have revival overnight! A Point to consider � �If you once believed in a man who knew what you were doing, who had amazing abilities, and who gave you nice things, and he turned out to be a fake, why should you believe in another man who knows what you are doing, has amazing abilities, gives you nice things--Jesus Christ? If you get burned once, why get burned the second time? Wouldn�t it be better to be honest with our children right from the start, and teach them the difference between truth and make-believe?� [81].   [TOP OF PAGE] Ho! Ho! Ho! I Am God. . . In 1994, the satire magazine The Onion carried a parody of Santa Claus titled "Ho! Ho! Ho! I Am God". Even though, it was written as a blasphemous parody much truth rings from the article. The article says: "I love visiting each and every one of your homes, stuffing your stockings with toys, and enjoying the milk and cookies you leave for me. But mostly I love Christmas because it's the celebration of the birth of my son, Jesus the Christ. You see, I'm God. . . Don't I look familiar? I'm old, I have a white beard, I love everyone. I'm the same God as the one you and your mommy and daddy worship on Sundays. . . Okay, I admit it. I'm not God. But I'm better than God. I'm jollier, and I give you real toys, not boring old psalms and empty promises you can only collect on when you die. Worship me, not Him! Worship Santa! I am God!" [82] So he disguises the lie in a nice little package of make-believe and fantasy. He creates a harmless ol' jolly fellow that just loves little children. And most parents think, "Now what could be wrong with that?" This Christmas Eve millions and millions of little children will climb into their beds "looking for their blessed hope and the glorious appearing" of Santa Claus. There is not a Christian on the face of this earth looking for and longing for the Lord Jesus Christ as much as the average child is longing for their god Santa! A child's stolen faith in the coming of Santa puts the Christian's faith to shame. The y get so excited. . . Santa is coming! Satan is coming!  [TOP OF PAGE] Conclusion But It Is Just Fantasy. . . �How long will people dodge the issue by saying this legend is a harmless tradition? Who is this person whose jovial face greets us everywhere in our Christmas festivities, stores, schools, and cards? This is Santa, the god of Christmas, the children's friend, who is so imbedded in the hearts that we thrill to: "T'was the night before Christmas..." A charming legend, an innocent fantasy? But whose place has he taken in the hearts of children? If we strip him of his disguise, we find a masterpiece of SATAN's subtlety, for the harmless, fun-provoking Santa has usurped the throne of childhood's heart and the charming legend has replaced "the sweetest story ever told." This is the legend in brief that we recite and sing and picture to our children: Away up in the ice and snow lives Santa Claus in a great house of many rooms filled with every delightful thing that children love. Santa Claus is all-seeing and all-knowing. He sees what the children do. He hears all they say. He keeps a "Book of Remembrance" in which he records their words and their actions. Santa Claus comes down from the sky in a sleigh drawn by swift reindeer that "fly upon the wings of the wind and ride upon the clouds." It is filled with wonderful gifts. His coming is secret. When he comes he brings rewards to all good children and the gifts they have asked for. What is the children's reaction to such a legend? "Santa Claus is our friend: he has all the good things we want, and he will give them to us if we are good." is it any wonder they open their hearts to Santa Claus, strive to please him, talk and dream about him and wait and watch eagerly for him? What about Jesus? He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me," but we have put before our children that awful thing against which Sinai thundered; we have put another god before Him! We have opened our homes to a thief, and have stood by and offered no resistance while he stole the heart of childhood. We have raised no voice in protest as he corrupted the minds and hearts of our children with a false image and a living imagination. Why have we not lifted the standard of Jesus, the true God and tender Friend of children, who is not willing that "one of these little ones should perish." Why have we not feared lest we should "offend one of these little ones which believe" on Him? The True Story Christian mother, what has happened? You substitute the pagan legend of Santa Claus for the true story of God's love! How can you let Santa Claus take the place of Jesus in your child's heart? How can you encourage him to look to another for his joys rather than to Jesus, "the giver of every good and perfect gift?" The clouds of judgment hang heavy. Terrible things are happening. Let us hasten to enthrone Jesus in our homes and tell the matchless story of God's "Unspeakable gift" to the world. Instead of the vulgar Santa Claus, with his "nose like a cherry, and his little round belly that shakes...like a bowl full of jelly," let us captivate our children's imagination with the altogether lovely One, the "dear little Stranger, born in a manger." Let us delight their fancy with the story of the guiding star, with the Magi and their gifts for the new-born King. Let us inspire our children to give gifts to Him and in His name. Let us make Christmas "holy ground" in our homes this year�. [83] [TOP OF PAGE] Having eyes, see ye not" Mark 8:18   [1] Rev. Adrian Dieleman. Sermon on Daniel 1:1-7. November 20, 2005 [2] Who is Santa Claus?. http://rumela.com/events/christmas_santa.htm [3] http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38 [4] Jones, Charles. W. "Knickerbocker Santa Claus." The New-York Historical Society Quarterly, October 1954, Volume XXXVIII Number Four, p.357. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [5] Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, p. 131. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins [6] Articles on Ancient History. Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Santa Claus. http://www.livius.org/ne-nn/nicholas/nicholas_of_myra1.html [7] Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, pp. 138,141, As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [8] Walsh, William S. The Story of Santa Klaus. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1970, p. 54, As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins [9] George H. McKnight, St. Nicholas: His Legend and His Role in the Christmas Celebration and Other Popular Customs (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1917), McKnight has a collection of these legends in St. Nicholas, 37-88 [10] Dr. Richard P. Bucher. The Origin of Santa Claus and the Christian Response to Him [11] St. Nicholas Center. Around The World. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=76 [12] St. Nicholas Center. Bulgaria. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=82 [13] Anise Hollingshead. St. Nicholas: The Story of Santa Clause. http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/traditions/st-nicholas/xmas-around-stnicholas.html [15] http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Santa-Claus [16] [16] Diana Tierney. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas The evolution of an Icon http://folktalesmyths.suite101.com/article.cfm/jolly_old_saint_nicholas [17] Francis X. Weiser, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1958, 113-114 [18] Dr. Richard P. Bucher. The Origin of Santa Claus and the Christian Response to Him. [19] "Santa Claus" Encyclopaedia Britannica 99. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [20] Crichton, Robin. Who is Santa Claus? The Truth Behind a Living Legend. Bath: The Bath Press, 1987, pp. 55-56. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [21] As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins [22] Guerber, H.A. Myths of Northern Lands. New York: American Book Company, 1895, p. 61 [23] Weiser, Francis X. Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1952, p. 113 [24] Ibid. p. 114 [25] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomte [26] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Nystr%C3%B6m [27] Barth, Edna. Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights, The Story of the Christmas Symbols. New York: Clarion Books, 1971, p. 49. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [28] http://www.novareinna.com/festive/gift.html [29] St. Nicholas Center. Saint Nicholas and the Origin of Santa Claus. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35 [30] B. K. Swartz, Jr. The Origin Of American Christmas Myth And Customs.  http://www.bsu.edu/web/01bkswartz/xmaspub.html [31] Jones, Charles. W. "Knickerbocker Santa Claus." The New-York Historical Society Quarterly, October 1954, Volume XXXVIII Number Four, p. 362. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [32] Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, pp. 5,7. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [33] Weiser, Francis X. Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1952, p. 114. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins. [34] Irving, Washington. A History Of New York From The Beginning Of The World To The End Of The Dutch Dynasty: Paperback edition (2004) from Kessinger Publishing. p. 88-89 [35] Ibid. p. 98 [36] Robert C. Kennedy. Santa Claus and His Works. http://www.harpweek.com/09Cartoon/BrowseByDateCartoon.asp?Month=December&Date=25 [36b] http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1868506_1868508_1868530,00.html [37] Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, p. 70 [38]Ibid p. 75 [39] Ibid p. 94 [40] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 102 [41] Ibid Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 102 [42] Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 155 [43] "History of Santa Claus," www.christmas-decorations-gifts-store.com/history_of_santa.htm? [44] "Santa Claus" Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99) [45] Miles, Clement A. Christmas in Ritual and Tradition Christian and Pagan. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912, p. 232 [46] Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, pp. 138,141 [47] Walsh, William S. The Story of Santa Klaus. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1970, p. 54 [48] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 105 [49] Ibid p. 98 [50] Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, pp. 93,94 [51] Paine, Albert Bigelow. Thomas Nast: His Period and His Pictures. New York: Chelsea House, 1980, p. 6 [52] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, pp. 95-96 [53] Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 15 [54] "Saint Nicholas," Wikipedia Encyclopedia. <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas> [55] Del Re, Gerard and Patricia. The Christmas Almanack. New York: Random House, 2004, p. 44 [56] Miles, Clement A. Christmas in Ritual and Tradition Christian and Pagan. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912, p. 202 [57] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 97 [58] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 111 [59] qtd. in Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 69 [60] Ireson, Frank. "The Drama Before Shakespeare - A Sketch." 1920. Also http://www.oldandsold.com/articles11/culture-44.shtml [61] Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 69 [62] Dodsley, Robert. A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. VI. The Project Gutenberg Ebook. www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/7oep610.txt>) [Also http://www.fullbooks.com/A-Select-Collection-of-Old-English-Plays-Volx54484.html [63] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1995, p. 93) [64] LaVey, Anton Szandor. The Satanic Bible. New York: Avon Books, Inc., 1969 p. 144 [65] Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 6 [66] Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, p.650. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins [67] Walter W. Sleay, Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, p. 304. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins [68] Oxford English Dictionary Vol III D-E. As Quoted in Santa Claus The Great Imposter by Dr. Terry Watkins [69] Brewer's Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Phrase and Fable, p. 334 [70] Lori Mealey. Martin Luther and Christmas.   http://german-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/martin_luther_and_christmas [71] Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 115 [72] Ibid p. 116 [74] Robert C. Kennedy. Santa Claus and His Works. http://www.harpweek.com/09Cartoon/BrowseByDateCartoon.asp?Month=December&Date=25 [76] Holly In Holiday Tradition. , Virginia Klara Nathan. Virginia Cooperative Extension. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets2/landsnurs/dec93pr1.html [77] "Santalady's Favorite Antique Post Cards and Related Traditions Picture," www.santalady.com/cards.html [78] Renterghem, Tony van. When Santa Was a Shaman. St. Paul: Llewellyn Pub., 1995, p. 111 [79] Siefker, Phyllis. Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1997, p. 69 [80] Roger Highfield.. science editor of The Daily Telegraph in London. Modern Santa and Meaning The Physics of Christmas. http://www.enotalone.com/article/4019.html [81] http://rumela.com/events/christmas_santa.htm [82] Santa Claus, "Ho! Ho! Ho! I Am God!" The Onion, 29 Nov. - 5 Dec., 1994, p. 7 [83] Santa, The Imposter. http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0282.html Index To Articles on Christmas

i don't know

What cocktail consists of 1.5 oz Gin, .5oz Applejack, 4 dashes Grenadine, the juice of 1/2 Lemon, and 1 egg white?

Meer dan 1000 afbeeldingen over Cocktail Bar Ideas & Signature Drinks op Pinterest - Grauwe gans, Grapefruitsap en Wodka Meer informatie op magicskillet.com Pink Lady Cocktail Pink Lady Cocktail Recipe: 1 1/2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. applejack, 1/4 oz. lemon juice, 1-2 dashes grenadine, 1 egg white, Maraschino cherry for garnish. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the cherry. pin

Pink Lady

In the classic 1990 movie Home Alone, where is the McCallister family headed on vacation when 8 year old Kevin is mistakenly left behind?

What are the best, yet little known cocktails? - Quora Quora 0.5oz fresh lemon juice shake it all up with ice and strain into cocktail glass. This drink is very well balanced and you can make it a little more floral by adding lavender bitters, but don't go overboard with the bitters or the creme de violette because then some people will be reminded of the soap on their grandma's bathroom sink.   Juice from 1/2 a lemon 1 egg white Couple dashes of grenadine (try to get the real one actually made from pomegranate) Shake it vigorously with ice to make sure the egg white froths up (it's for texture, not really for flavor) and then strain into cocktail glass. Once I asked for a "smoky pink lady" and it was the same plus a dash of laphroaig scotch, and it was really good (a friend of mine suggested that the cocktail modification should be called "Amy Winehouse").   I feel like Matrtinez has not gotten enough publicity. Here it is: 2 oz Old Tom aged gin (Ransom goes great) 1 oz sweet vermouth 1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur 3 dashes Angostura bitters Stir with ice for 30-45 seconds. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Peel a strip of lemon zest over the glass. Position the lemon strip horizontally, pith side up, light a match underneath and squeeze the lemon strip. After a brief burst of flame engulfs the lemon zest, drop it into the cocktail. Et voilà! Written Nov 10, 2012 Any cocktail no one has heard of, but bartenders and historians argue the origins of nearly to the point of physical violence must be worth some attention. Quora, I give you the Ramos Gin Fizz: For those truly interested, I give you another video, higher production value, slightly different recipe and techniques... but perhaps you'll appreciate the first bartender and resulting beverage more by the end: Anyway, what's not to love? You have booze, milk, egg, and citrus coming together in one drink. A cocktail that makes the bartender earn their tips, surely, but it is a complete entertainment, from the construction, the appreciation, to the consumption itself. That's what a real cocktail should be about - the full experience, not some gimmicky ingredient, or a desire to paint the walls with projectile vomit.

i don't know

Whose ghost was the first to appear to Ebenezer Scrooge?

Life Story of Ebenezer Scrooge           Being Single Diversity in Retirement website Ebenezer Scrooge was a financier whose story begins in London, England, in the 1800's. He achieved success through hard work and keeping a determined focus, until eventually, reaching a time in his life when the significance of his presence here on earth became a question to ponder, his life took a turn – not so much in a different direction as into a different frame of mind.   Not until Charles Dickens created this character from his 31-year-old imagination, in 1843, did London society become aware of Ebenezer Scrooge.  The character did arrive with a past, however, and not simply as a fully developed man out of nowhere with the story progressing from there.  How he evolved into a successful, though apparently miserly, financier, was an essential part of Dickens’s story, told through the visits of ghosts. Writing in the Victorian era, Dickens’s emphasis in A Christmas Carol (1843) was on family values and the spirit of Christmas. A major theme in his book was the problem of children growing up in poverty in industrialised Britain. As we discover during the telling of A Christmas Carol—by its narrator, Dickens, through the visit of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Ebenezer had a difficult time as a child, abandoned by his father to the boarding school he attended, where his friends were the literary characters of classic works, until eventually, one Christmas, his sister arrived to take him home.  As a young man, Ebenezer had been apprenticed to the merchant, Fezziwig, a jolly, generous, happily married man, who he described later to the Ghost of Christmas Past as someone who had “the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil” (Dickens, 1843: Stave 2).  But as time went on, Ebenezer’s life had taken a different path from that of Fezziwig’s. Gradually he withdrew from the woman he had promised to marry when both of them were young and poor, until finally she confronted him with the changes she had seen in him and walked away from their relationship. Committed to the accumulation of wealth, he chose career over love and marriage, telling her, “This is the even-handed dealing of the world. There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!” (Ibid.) Siding with Ebenezer, Philosophy professor Michael Levin has defended his chosen career and business practices, though questioning the inevitability and fairness of the fate that lay before him, saying: There can be no arguing with Dickens’s wish to show the spiritual advantages of love. But there was no need to make the object of his lesson an entrepreneur whose ideas and practices benefit his employees, society at large, and himself. Must such a man expect no fairer a fate than to die scorned and alone? (Levin, 2000) While the idea of compassionate love towards one’s fellow human beings was the main idea that Dickens was attempting to get across, and Levin has counteracted Dickens’s character construction with glowing endorsement of Ebenezer’s business sense, there are other themes in A Christmas Carol that also deserve attention. Dickens lived in a period of history when the ideal of marriage and the family was considered vital for the fulfilled life, if not morally necessary.  Furthermore, it is Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Phillip Allingham has explained, that has preserved the Christmas customs of olde England and fixed our image of the holiday season as one of wind, ice, and snow without, and smoking bishop, piping hot turkey, and family cheer within. Coming from a family large but not-too- well-off, Charles Dickens presents again and again his idealised memory of a Christmas associated with the gathering of the family which “bound together all our home enjoyments, affections and hopes” in games such as Snap Dragon and Blind Man’s Buff, both of which his model lower-middle-class father, Bob Cratchit, runs home to play on Christmas Eve (Allingham, 2000). Having rejected love and marriage, Ebenezer chose instead to focus on developing his career and acquiring wealth.  Acting on fears held onto since childhood, Ebenezer had decided that the guarantee of a stable future was of utmost importance, not exactly taking priority over personal happiness but seemingly becoming its essential ingredient. But where the point of difference is, in terms of career – between necessity and desire, and in terms of accumulation of wealth—between necessity and greed—is not a matter to be dwelt upon here. Ebenezer never married, as far as we know, though we wouldn’t have heard how his life turned out. When we first encountered him, he was quite likely close to middle age or even older – at that time in life when thoughts of growing older and dying, and of the significance of life, often come upon people.  But he was a self-made businessman, along with partner Jacob Marley, until Marley’s death seven years prior to the beginning of A Christmas Carol, when the story of Ebenezer’s transformation begins. At the start of Dickens’s story, it is established that Marley is dead, and has been for seven years. Ebenezer spends the day at work in his counting-house, while his clerk, Bob Cratchit, works in the outer cell. As usual, he treats Bob with disdain. Now, Ebenezer is being haunted by reminders of Marley, and by spirits in the night. That evening, after returning to his home, he is visited by Marley's ghost, and by the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. The ghost of Jacob Marley comes to him first, to warn him to change his ways, followed by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who shows Ebenezer scenes from his past – of his childhood and apprenticeship, and of the ending of his relationship, causing Ebenezer to weep. The Ghost of Christmas Present appeared next, taking Ebenezer to visit Bob and Mrs. Cratchit and the little ones, and to nephew Fred and his family, and to many others—to where the miners lived, the hospitals, the poor houses and the prisons—to witness their Christmas celebrations, or their day of renewal of hope.   All the while, Ebenezer had noticed that the Ghost was visibly growing older, leading to the following exchange: ‘Are spirits’ lives so short?’ asked Scrooge. ‘My life upon this globe, is very brief,’ replied the Ghost. ‘It ends to-night.’ ‘To-night!’ cried Scrooge  (Ibid., Stave 3). The Ghost’s response caught Ebenezer off-guard. He had probably not given much thought before to his own mortality. Even his partner’s demise seven years earlier had not affected him. That same night, during his travels with the Ghost of Christmas Future on the streets of London, Ebenezer looks for himself, but he is nowhere to be seen.  The Ghost takes Ebenezer to his home—to his own bedroom—where “unwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man” (Ibid., Stave 4).  They headed then towards his grave, which would be untended, so that he could see what the future held. But first, there was something else he had to see: Scrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. It was an office still, but not his. The furniture was not the same, and the figure in the chair was not himself (Ibid.). No small matter for a man to see for himself such a bleak future ahead of him, and on top of that, this forewarning of the fate of his business. One might wonder what was going through Ebenezer’s mind. His emphasis on economic security may have been the way things were, but it is not an old-fashioned concept, nor an out-of-date concern.  His apprehension about the future would be shared by many people, then and now.  But he was self-employed, and not a family man. As a bachelor, growing older, this would have been the time to reflect upon his future, and the fate of his business.   Being self-employed brought its own problems, in terms of retirement and the future of all that he had worked for.  Having no family, and living a bachelor’s life, added a further burden to the challenges that lay before him. There was no safety net—no employer from his place of work nor wife at home—for Ebenezer. In Dickens’s tale of the ideals of family togetherness and compassionate love towards one’s fellow human beings, and of capitalism and entrepre-neurship, there has been an underlying thread Scrooge & Bob Cratchit . Illus. by John Leech By permission of Oxford University Press. emphasising the significance of work in a man’s life. However, for some, work takes place, not only within the life cycle of the individual but as part of the continuing intergenerational cycle of life and death. For Ebenezer, living a life that, to some extent, fell outside traditional norms, due to his choice to remain single and live alone, life would not have been easy, particularly as he was no longer a young man.  Prioritising his work and choosing to remain single, as he grew older, Ebenezer would have had to find solutions to suit his circumstances. True to the nature of fiction, and managing to condense a lengthy process into an overnight miracle, Ebenezer awakens the next morning a changed man, ready to celebrate Christmas with his nephew and extended family, do good deeds in his community, and meet with his clerk, Bob Cratchit, over a bowl of smoking bishop, to discuss Bob’s life and presumably, to start making changes to his own work-life.  References Allingham, Phillip V. (2000). Dickens “the man who invented Christmas.”  http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens / On website The Victorian Web. (George P. Landow, Ed., Phillip V. Allingham, Contributing Ed.) 1993-2005. (accessed 15/03/2010) Dickens, Charles (1843). A Christmas Carol. Stormfax, Inc. 1996-2005. Text, spelling, and punctuation as published by Elliot Stock: London, 1890, from first edition. http://www.stormfax.com/dickens.htm (accessed 13/04/2005).  Levin, Michael (2000). In Defense of Scrooge. Mises Daily Articles. Ludwig von Mises Institute, Alabama. October 18. New link  http://mises.org/daily/573/In-Defense-of-Scrooge .  (accessed Nov 24/2011). Scrooge and Bob Cratchit (1843). Illustration (p. 96) by John Leech in chapter entitled The End of It: A Christmas Carol from The Works of Charles Dickens Complete Editions in Twenty Volumes: Christmas Books. By Dickens, Charles (1920). London and New York: Humphrey Milford: Oxford University Press. (OUP website: http://www.oup.com/ ) (accessed 31/05/2005).                   This page is part of the Diversity in Retirement website:                       http://www.DiversityinRetirement.net    (since 2004) This site is for non-commercial purposes. The life stories on the pages of this web site may be used for personal research. Credit this web site as the source, and give the names of the participants in the project when appropriate. Photos may not be copied without authorized permission. Please address queries to Sue McPherson. Email: s.a.mcpherson @ sympatico.ca                    S A McPherson website: This page was created on 13 August 2005, last updated 24 Nov 2011

Jacob Marley

What was the name of Scrooge's long suffering clerk in a Christmas Carol?

Scrooge (1970) - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 4:34 PM, UTC NEWS There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error A musical retelling of Charles Dickens ' classic novel about an old bitter miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions. Director: Charles Dickens (based on "A Christmas Carol" by), Leslie Bricusse (screenplay) Stars: a list of 39 titles created 22 Dec 2011 a list of 32 titles created 22 Dec 2011 a list of 26 titles created 29 Jul 2012 a list of 35 titles created 11 months ago a list of 40 titles created 4 months ago Search for " Scrooge " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 1 win & 6 nominations. See more awards  » Photos Edit Storyline In 1860, cranky old miser Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas; loathes people and defends the decrease of the surplus of poor population; runs his bank exploiting his employee Bob Cratchit and clients, giving a bitter treatment to his own nephew and acquaintances. However, on Christmas Eve, he is visited by the doomed ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley that tells him that three spirits would visit him that night. The first one, the spirit of Christmas Past, recalls his miserable youth when he lost his only love due to his greed; the spirit of Christmas Present shows him the poor situation of Bob's family and how joyful life may be; and the spirit of Christmas Future shows his fate. Scrooge finds that life is good and time is too short and suddenly you are not there anymore, changing his behavior toward Christmas, Bob, his nephew and people in general. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil What the DICKENS have they done to Scrooge? See more  » Genres: 19 December 1970 (Japan) See more  » Also Known As: 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)| Mono (35 mm prints) Color: Did You Know? Trivia Scrooge tells the Ghost of Christmas Past that it is 1860, but the book that the movie is based on was actually set in the year 1843. See more » Goofs While with the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge peeks into a home, wiping the frost and condensation off the window. Setting aside the question of whether an incorporeal spirit could do this, frost and condensation collect on the warm side of a window, not on the cold side, where Scrooge is. See more » Quotes Ghost of Christmas Present : How many of my brothers have you rejected in your miserable lifetime! Ebenezer Scrooge : I have never met any of your brothers, sir! The phrase "Merry Christmas" appears at the end of the movie. See more » Connections Delightful Version Of A Familiar Tale 16 December 2000 | by jhclues (Salem, Oregon) – See all my reviews In this delightful musical adaptation of The Charles Dickens' classic, Albert Finney is cast as Ebenezer in `Scrooge,' directed by Ronald Neame, who successfully manages to put a fresh face on the familiar tale. Original music and songs (by Leslie Bricusse), from the jaunty to the poignant, add to this uplifting and appealing version, skillfully crafted and delivered by Neame, and beautifully acted by one and all. At 7:00 on Christmas Eve, Scrooge finally tears himself away from his counting house and makes his way home, commenting along the way (in song) that `I Hate People,' only to be greeted at his front door by the apparition of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness). And of course for Scrooge, it's only the beginning of a night that will change his life forever. First, the visit from Marley's ghost, followed, in succession, by the spirits of Christmas Past (Edith Evans), Christmas Present (Kenneth Moore) and Christmas Yet To Come (Paddy Stone). Though not, perhaps, the definitive portrayal of Scrooge, Finney is outstanding and does lend some distinction to the character of the curmudgeonly miser, from the stoop-shouldered walk he affects to his twisted mouth. But, more importantly, he gets beyond the mere physical aspects to capture the personality and singular perspectives of the man as well, and in doing so makes his Scrooge unique; no small accomplishment considering how many times on stage and screen this character has been done, and by how many different actors. Also turning in notable performances are Edith Evans, who makes her spirit of the past warm and accessibly intimate, and Kenneth Moore, whose spirit of the present is as big and engaging as the life he represents. But the real highlight of the film is the portrayal of Marley's ghost by Alec Guinness. What a magnificent actor, and what a magnificent performance! When Marley first enters Scrooge's room he fairly glides, disjointedly across the room, encumbered by the chains he forged in life and which he now must carry around for eternity. There is a fluid rhythm to his every movement, to every step he takes, that lends a sense of the ethereal to him, without-- it must be noted-- the help of any special effects whatsoever. With nuance and precision, with care given to every minute detail, Guinness truly makes him an otherworldly presence. There has never before been, nor will there ever be in the future, an interpretation of Marley any better than this. It IS the definitive portrayal, and a tribute to talents and abilities of one of the great actors of all time. In addition to the music and songs, there are a couple of scenes that consign this presentation of `A Christmas Carol' the stamp of uniqueness. The first involves the visit from Marley's ghost, wherein Scrooge is taken in flight by Marley, and once aloft they encounter lost souls and phantoms, doomed to wander aimlessly for all eternity. The second is courtesy of the Ghost of the Future, who gives Scrooge a glimpse of the nether world, where he is greeted by Marley, who shows him to the `office' he will occupy for eternity, as well as the massive chain Scrooge has forged for himself during his lifetime. The supporting cast includes Anton Rodgers (Tom Jenkins), who delivers one of the most memorable songs, `Thank you very much;' Mary Peach (Fred's wife), Kay Walsh (Mrs. Fezziwig), Laurence Naismith (Mr. Fezziwig), David Collings (Bob Cratchit), Frances Cuka (Mrs. Cratchit), Richard Beaumont (Tiny Tim) and Suzanne Neve (Isabel). Heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining, `Scrooge' is a welcome addition to the annual holiday festivities. It's always fun to see a new spin on a familiar story, especially when it's as well crafted as this; moreover, this one will leave you whistling a tune and humming for the rest of the day, maybe even for the rest of the year. And that's a deal that's just too hard to pass up. I rate this one 9/10. 35 of 41 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? Yes

i don't know

What holiday, created by a future Cal State Long Beach professor in 1966, is celebrated the day after Christmas for 7 days?

Started By CSULB Professor, Kwanzaa Celebrates The Importance Of African Culture Started By CSULB Professor, Kwanzaa Celebrates The Importance Of African Culture Details  Comment  [Eds. note: I originally wrote about Kwanzaa when I was the Managing Editor of City Beat Long Beach and a version of this piece originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of that magazine. Since City Beat is no more and their website has been taken down as well (and Dr. Karenga has yet to return our calls), I received permission to re-run this relevant piece on this important holiday that has some epic roots in our own backyard.] Though its history is much younger than the other holidays celebrated during this time of year, Kwanzaa is by no means less significant. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way for African-Americans to honor their shared heritage and culture, the seven-day celebration—which begins today, December 26, and goes until January 1—has become an important holiday for those with black heritage worldwide. Starting today with a parade down Crenshaw Blvd., the 36th annual Kwanzaa Gwaride Parade and Festival will be the largest Kwanzaa kickoff celebration in Southern California. With this year's festival theme being "Freedom from Obesity,'' the parade's Iyaba (queen) and Oba (king) are both medical practitioners. The Kwanzaa Heritage Festival will also be held in Leimert Park on December 29 and will include live music, traditional dancing, a drum circle and international marketplace.  In his 2012 founders statement , Dr. Karenga Kwanzaa discusses his theme for this year's Kwanzaa, "Us and the Well-being of the World: A Courageous Questioning." "At the center of this concern and care must be a constant and courageous questioning first about how we understand and assert ourselves in the world and what this means," Dr. Karenga wrote. "Thus, the Day of Meditation during Kwanzaa which is the culminating point and place of our remembrance, reflection and recommitment calls on us to sit down, think deeply about ourselves in the world, and measure ourselves in the mirror of the best of our culture to determine where we stand." The word Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza which translates roughly to “first fruit”), and the holiday’s template is loosely based on traditional pan-African harvest festivals. But that is where any precedent stops. As an internationally celebrated, non-religious, non-heroic, non-political African-American holiday, Kwanzaa is a unique experience that encourages unity among those of African descent and attempts to preserve common African culture. Dr. Karenga—a leading theorist during the ’60s Black Power Movement who is now the chair of Cal State Long Beach's Department of Africana Studies—organized Kwanzaa around a set of communitarian African values, called the Nguzo Saba. These seven principles include Umoja (unity), Kujicahgulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujama (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of these driving principles and is expressed through the lighting of colored candles, dancing, reciting poetry and the giving of appropriate gifts. In addition to the daily celebrations, Kwanzaa calls for a central place in the home to be dedicated to the construction of a Kwanzaa Set—a display of the holiday’s symbolic objects. Central to this is the kinara, a candleholder that carries the seven candles—three red, three green and one black—as well as a Unity Cup, the filling and sharing of which is a central Kwanzaa ritual. Ears of corn are placed on the Kwanzaa Set's staw mat, each representing a child in the family. African foods such as millet, spiced pepper balls and rice are often served, though some people fast during the holiday and a feast is often held on its final night. While Kwanzaa was originally directed at a small group of activists, it gained popularity as interest in multiculturalism expanded in the late 1980s and has since coexisted alongside Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations for both black and white families nationwide. Though estimates of the number of people who celebrate the holiday worldwide vary—from 250,000 to 40 million—Los Angeles is seen as the cultural epicenter and birthplace of the holiday and has multiple Kwanzaa celebrations, several of which have in the past taken place in Long Beach including one at the Long Beach Senior Center and another annually organized by Village Treasures , an African art store in the historic Lafayette building.

Kwanzaa

Olive the Other what is a Christmas book by Vivian Walsh and J Otto Seibold?

Books help young African-Americans learn their heritage, celebrate Kwanzaa - tribunedigital-baltimoresun Books help young African-Americans learn their heritage, celebrate Kwanzaa BOOKS FOR KIDS December 23, 1994|By Molly Dunham Glassman | Molly Dunham Glassman,Sun Staff Writer The African-American holiday of Kwanzaa, which begins Monday and lasts for seven days, provides an antidote to the commercialization and consumer excesses of Christmas. Lavish gifts aren't the focus of Kwanzaa. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at Cal State-Long Beach, Kwanzaa is based upon different African customs. It celebrates the Nguzo Saba, which is Swahili for seven principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). In keeping with the spirit of Kuumba, children often create zawadi (handmade) gifts for friends and relatives. And if gifts are bought, they are usually books about African-American culture or history. Here are a few suggestions: * An excellent primer for families unfamiliar with Kwanzaa is "The Seven Days of Kwanzaa: How To Celebrate Them," by Angela Shelf Medearis (Scholastic, $2.95, 112 pages, all ages). Ms. Medearis provides plenty of information about the origin of the holiday. She gives a suggested menu for a karamu feast -- a dinner with family and friends held on Dec. 31 -- and includes easy-to-follow recipes for all the courses: North African orange salad, Ashanti peanut soup, Gambian fish caldou, okra with corn, Ugandan spinach and sesame seeds, black-eyed peas and rice (Hoppin' John), basked sweet potatoes with spiced butter, Liberian rice bread, Caribbean fruit punch and Sengalese cookies. The author also spells out directions for seven gifts to make. And Ms. Medearis closes with seven biographies families can read aloud, one for each night of Kwanzaa. First is the story of Sheyann Webb, who was 8 when she took part in the first Selma-to-Montgomery march with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. The other brief profiles are of Wilma Rudolph, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, Marcus Garvey, James Van DerZee and Fannie Lou Hamer. This book is a worthwhile resource. * "Crafts for Kwanzaa" by Kathy Ross, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm (Millbrook Press, $6.95, 48 pages, all ages), gives directions for 20 projects that kids can make. They include a simple mkeka mat woven with black, red and green construction paper; party favors that look like Kwanzaa candles (they're made from toilet-paper rolls and tissue paper); a trivet shaped like a pumpkin; and beads made from a dough of sand and white glue. The directions and illustrations are so clear, even a klutz can use this book to get creative. * "Families: Poems Celebrating the African American Experience," selected by Dorothy S. Strickland and Michael R. Strickland, illustrations by John Ward (Wordsong, Boyds Mills Press, $14.95, 32 pages, all ages), is a collection guaranteed to warm the coldest December day. Among the poets included in the anthology are Langston Hughes, Eloise Greenfield, Arnold Adoff, Lucille Clifton, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lindamichellebaron and Nikki Giovanni, who has three contributions, including "The Drum": daddy says the world is a drum tight and hard and i told him i'm gonna beat out my own rhythm * Floyd Cooper is one of today's most talented children's book illustrators. His twilight colors and earth tones illuminate "Grandpa's Face," "Chita's Christmas Tree," "From Miss Ida's Porch," "The Girl Who Loved Caterpillars" and "Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea." Now comes the first book he has written and illustrated, "Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes" (Philomel, $15.95, 32 pages, ages 4-10). TC It is an inspirational story, capturing the loneliness of Mr. Hughes' childhood. His parents left him to live alone with his grandmother on a farm in Lawrence, Kan. Before she grew too old to speak, his grandma told him stories of her work on the Underground Railroad, of his two uncles who were Buffalo soldiers and of another uncle, John Mercer Langston, an Oklahoma congressman who was the first black American to hold public office. Langston Hughes the dreamer was shaped by those tales, and he wrote poems and stories to share his dreams with others. "Coming Home" was clearly a labor of love for Mr. Cooper, and we're fortunate that he decided to share it. * Another poet with an inspiring life story is Maya Angelou. Children too young for her autobiographical series, which begins with "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," can learn about her in "Meet Maya Angelou," by Valerie Spain (A Bullseye Biography, Random House, $3.50, 94 pages, ages 7-12). Ms. Spain recounts Ms. Angelou's often harsh childhood. When she was 7, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend. Ms. Spain writes about it in veiled terms, never using the word rape and leaving readers confused. For the most part, though, the profile is well-written and thoughtful. It's too bad there's no bibliography, and it's also a shame that the editors, lacking photos from Ms. Angelou's childhood, decided to use stills from the TV movie "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." MORE:

i don't know

Named for the day of its discovery by Captain William Mynors, Christmas Island, a land mass in the Indian Ocean, is a territory of what nation?

Christmas Island environment and heritage Home > Territories of Australia > Christmas Island > Christmas Island environment and heritage Christmas Island environment and heritage Heritage Geography and climate The Island is the summit of a submarine mountain. It rises steeply to a central plateau dominated by rainforest. The plateau reaches heights of up to 360 metres and consists mainly of limestone with layers of volcanic rock. The Island's 80 kilometre coastline is an almost continuous sea cliff reaching heights of up to 20 metres. There are thirteen places where breaks in the cliff give way to shallow bays and small sand and coral beaches. The largest of these bays forms the Island's port at Flying Fish Cove. The Island is surrounded by a coral reef. There is virtually no coastal shelf and the sea plummets to a depth of about 5000 metres within 200 metres of the shore. The climate is tropical and temperatures range from 21 °C to 32 °C. Humidity is around 80–90 per cent and south-east trade winds provide pleasant weather for most of the year. However, during the wet season between November and April, it is common for some storm activity to occur producing a swell in seas around the Island. The average rainfall is approximately 2000 mm per annum. Population Christmas Island has a resident population of approximately 2072 with an ethnic composition of approximately 60 per cent Chinese, 25 per cent Malay and 15 per cent European. History Christmas Island was named on Christmas Day 1643 by Captain William Mynors, the Master of a passing ship. The first landing was recorded by William Dampier in 1688. For the next two centuries little interest was shown in the Island due to its rugged coastline. Following the discovery of phosphate deposits the Island was annexed by Britain in 1888. The Island was occupied by Japanese forces from March 1942 until the end of the Second World War and in 1946 became a dependency of Singapore. By agreement with the United Kingdom sovereignty was transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 October 1958 under the Christmas Island Act 1958 . This day is still celebrated as Territory Day. Flora and fauna To see photos from Christmas Island please see the Christmas Island Photo Gallery page, which includes photos of flora and fauna. The Island's close proximity to South-East Asia and the equator has resulted in a diverse range of flora and fauna. There are 411 recorded plant species on Christmas Island and approximately 18 of these are native. The distribution of plants on the island is related to soil depth moisture retention as well as exposure to and distance from the sea. A dense rainforest has evolved in the deep soils of the plateau and on some terraces. The forests are dominated by several tree species. Ferns, orchids and vines flourish on the branches in the humid atmosphere beneath the canopy. The land crabs and sea birds are the most noticeable animals on the island. To date, 20 terrestrial and intertidal crabs have been described. The diversity and abundance of land crabs is not matched by any other island. Huge robber crabs, known elsewhere as coconut crabs, are also found on Christmas Island and are capable of opening and devouring coconuts with their strong claws. Red crabs are dotted around the forest floor all over Christmas Island. The annual red crab mass migration to the sea to spawn has been described by ecologists as one of the wonders of the natural world. This migration takes place each year after the start of the wet season synchronised with the cycle of the moon. The Island is also a focal point for sea birds of various species. Eight species or subspecies of sea birds nest on the Island. The most numerous is the Red-footed Booby, which nests in colonies in trees on many parts of the shore terrace. The widespread Brown Booby nests on the ground near the edge of the sea cliff and inland cliffs. Abbott's Booby (listed as endangered) nests on tall emergent trees of the western, northern and southern plateau rainforest. The Christmas Island forest is the only known nesting habitat of the Abbott's Booby left in the world. The endemic Christmas Island Frigatebird (listed as endangered) has three well-defined nesting areas. Greater Frigatebirds nest in semi-deciduous trees on the shore terrace with the greater concentrations being in the North, West and South Point areas. The Common Noddy and two species of bosuns or tropic birds with their distinctive streamer tail feathers also nest on the Island. Of the ten native land birds and shorebirds seven are endemic species or subspecies. Some 76 vagrant or migrant bird species have been recorded on the Island from time to time. Heritage In 1989 the Australian Government documented Christmas Island's heritage and a number of Commonwealth owned commercial and residential properties have been listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List .

Australia

Since a misprinted telephone number in 1958, NORAD, the joint US/Canadian organization that provides aerospace intrusion warning, among other actions, has spent no public money tracking what?

International Information C International Information C International Information - C CAMBODIA Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia. It is sometimes called Kampuchea. Most Cambodians live on the fertile plains created by the floodwaters of the Mekong River, or near the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) and Tonle Sap River northwest of Phnom Penh. Cambodia is chiefly a farming nation. Its relatively flat land, plentiful water, and tropical climate are ideal for growing rice. By Western standards, its farms are small, and the farmers have few modern tools. Like other Southeast Asian countries, it has few factories and imports most of the manufactured goods it needs. About a thousand years ago, Cambodia was the centre of a great empire of the Khmer people, who controlled much of the Southeast Asian mainland. Angkor, a huge ruined city that was the capital of the Khmer empire, has magnificent sculpture and architecture. Capital 69,898 sq. mi. (181,035 sq. km). Greatest distances east-west, 350 mi. (563 km); north-south, 280 mi. (451 km). Coastline - 220 mi. (354 km). Population Estimated 1996 population - 9,661,000; density, 138 persons per sq. mi. (53 per sq. km), distribution, 87 percent rural, 13 percent urban. 1962 census - 5,728,771. Estimated 2001 population - 10,799,000. Chief Products Manufacturing and processing - cement, paper, plywood, processed rice and fish, textiles. Money Horizontal stripes of blue, red, and blue. A white temple appears on the red stripe. National Anthem "Royal Kingdom". CAMEROON Cameroon is a country on the west coast of Africa. It has a varied landscape, including mountains in the west, grasslands in the north, and tropical lowlands in the south. The people of Cameroon belong to about 200 ethnic groups. Douala is its largest city. Capital Republique du Cameroun (Republic of Cameroon). Area 183,569 sq. mi. (475,442 sq. km). Greatest distances north-south, 770 mi. (1,239 km); east-west, 450 mi. (724 km). Coastline 250 mi. (400 km). Elevation Highest - Mount Cameroon, 13,353 ft. (4,070 m) above sea level. Lowest - sea level, along the coast. Population Estimated 2009 population - 18,651,000; density, 102 persons per sq. mi. (40 per sq. km); distribution, 55 percent rural, 45 percent urban. 2003 census - 15,746,179. Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF) Chief products Agriculture and forestry - bananas, cacao beans, coffee, cotton, palm oil, root crops, rubber, timber. Manufacturing - aluminium, beer, cocoa, petroleum products, shoes, soap. Mining - petroleum. "O Cameroon, Thou Cradle of Our Fathers." ("National Anthem") . Flag The flag has green, red, and yellow vertical stripes, with a yellow star in the centre of the red stripe. CANADA Canada is the second largest country in the world. Only Russia has a greater land area. Canada extends across the continent of North America, from Newfoundland on the Atlantic coast to British Columbia on the Pacific coast. Canada is slightly larger than the United States, its southern neighbour, but has only about a tenth as many people. More than 28 million people live in Canada. About 75 percent live within 100 miles (150 kilometres) of the southern border. Much of the rest of Canada is uninhabited or thinly populated because the country has rugged terrain and a severe climate. Canada is a land of great variety. Towering mountains, clear lakes, and lush forests make the far west a region of great natural beauty. Farther inland, fields of wheat and other grains cover vast prairies. These fertile farmlands contrast vividly with the Arctic wastelands to the north. Most of the nation's largest population and industrial centres are located near the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in central Canada. In the east, fishing villages and sandy beaches dot the country's Atlantic coast. Like the country's landscape, Canada's people are also varied. About 45 percent of all Canadians have some English ancestry. About 31 percent have some French ancestry. A small percentage of people in these groups have both English and French ancestry. The Canadian government recognises both English and French as official languages. French Canadians, most of whom live in the province of Quebec, have kept the language and many customs of their ancestors. Other large ethnic groups in Canada include German, Irish, and Scottish people. Western Canada and Ontario have large numbers of Asians. Native peoples - American Indians and Inuit (formerly called Eskimos) - make up about 3 percent of the nation's population. More than three-fourths of Canada's people live in cities or towns. Toronto, Ont., and Montreal, Que., are the two largest urban areas in Canada. The Toronto area has about 3 3/4 million people, and the Montreal area has about 3 1/4 million people. A wealth of natural resources is Canada's greatest possession. European settlers first came to Canada to fish in its coastal waters and to trap the fur-bearing animals in its forests. Later, the forests became sources of timber for shipbuilding and other construction. Today, pulpwood from these forests enables Canada to lead the world in the production of newsprint (paper for newspapers). Fertile soil helps Canada rank among the world's leading wheat producers. Thanks to power plants on its mighty rivers, Canada ranks with the United States as a leader in the generation of hydroelectric power. Plentiful resources of petroleum, iron ore, and other minerals provide raw materials that help make Canada a top manufacturing nation. Canada is a federation (union) of 10 provinces and 2 territories. The nation's name probably comes from kanata-kon, an Iroquois Indian word that means to the village or to the small houses. Today, maintaining a sense of community is one of Canada's major problems because of differences among the provinces and territories. Many Canadians in eastern and western areas feel that the federal government does not pay enough attention to their particular problems and interests. French Canadians make up about 80 percent of the population of Quebec. Many of these people believe their province should receive special recognition in the Canadian constitution. The province has passed legislation aimed at protecting the French language and culture. Canada is an independent, self-governing nation. But the Constitution Act of 1982 recognises the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, as queen of Canada. This position symbolises the country's strong ties to Britain. Britain ruled Canada completely until 1867, when Canada gained control of its domestic affairs. Britain continued to govern Canada's foreign affairs until 1931, when Canada gained full independence. Canada and the United States have had a relationship of cooperation and friendship since the 1800's. But the United States - because of its larger population and greater economic power - has tended to dominate Canada both culturally and economically. The people of Canada today are striving to maintain control of their economy and to safeguard their Canadian identity. Area "O Canada". National flag 3 vertical bands of red, white and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band CAPE VERDE Cape Verde is an African country that consists of 10 main islands and 5 tiny islands. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles (640 kilometres) west of Dakar, Senegal, on the African mainland. Cape Verde has a total land area of 1,557 square miles (4,033 square kilometres). Sao Tiago, the largest island, covers 383 square miles (991 square kilometres). Santo Antao is the second largest island, followed by Boa Vista, Fogo, Sao Nicolau, Maio, Sao Vicente, Sal, Brava, and Santa Luzia. Santa Luzia and the five islets are uninhabited. Praia, the capital and largest city, is on Sao Tiago. It has a population of about 62,000 and is a major seaport and trading center. Portugal ruled the islands from the 1460's until they gained independence in 1975. Coastline Bananas, salt, sugar cane. Flag The flag has five horizontal stripes of blue, white, red, white, and blue. A ring of 10 yellow, five-pointed stars overlaps all five stripes. It is set toward the lower left part of the flag. CAYMAN ISLANDS Cayman Islands, a British dependency, lies about 200 miles (320 kilometres) northwest of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea. The three islands that form the group - Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac - cover about 100 square miles (259 square kilometres), and have about 30,000 people. The capital and largest city, Georgetown, lies on Grand Cayman, the largest island. Taxes are extremely low in the Cayman Islands. As a result, many companies from other lands conduct business there. These businesses and tourism contribute greatly to the economy. Agricultural production is low in the Caymans, and most food must be imported. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Central African Republic is a thinly populated country in the centre of Africa. Most of the Central African Republic is a vast, rolling plateau broken by deep river valleys. Grass and scattered trees cover most of the country. Rain forests grow in the southwest, and the extreme northeast section is arid. Antelope, buffaloes, elephants, gorillas, lions, rhinoceroses, and other animals live in the Central African Republic. The Central African Republic is one of the least developed countries in Africa. Most of the people are farmers, and the country has little manufacturing. The country was formerly a territory in French Equatorial Africa called Ubangi-Shari. It became independent in 1960. Bangui, a river port, is the largest city of the Central African Republic. Capital Basic unit - franc. Flag Horizontal blue, white, green, and yellow stripes are divided at the centre by a red vertical stripe. A yellow star represents the guiding light of the future. Red, white, and blue recall the French flag. Green, yellow, and red are for the people and their unity. CHAD Chad is a large, thinly populated country in north-central Africa. Chad is landlocked - that is, it has no borders on the sea. Most of its people live in the fertile southern part of the country. The northern part is mostly desert. N'Djamena is the largest city. Chad became an independent nation in 1960. It had been ruled by France since 1920. Political, social, and religious differences between the Muslim peoples of the north and the peoples of the south - most of whom follow traditional African religions or Christianity - have kept Chad in a nearly constant state of civil war since the mid-1960's. Because of the war and because Chad lacks many economic resources, it is one of the world's least developed nations. Capital Basic unit--franc. Flag The flag has vertical blue, yellow, and red stripes. Blue symbolises the sky and hope. Yellow stands for the sun. Red represents fire and unity. CHILE Chile is a long, narrow country on the west coast of South America. It is over 10 times as long as it is wide and stretches about 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometres) from Peru in the north to the southern tip of the continent. Chile's name probably comes from chilli, an Indian word meaning where the land ends. Chile is a land of great variety. The Atacama Desert in the north is one of the driest places on the earth, while parts of the south are among the rainiest. The towering Andes Mountains form Chile's eastern boundary, and low mountains rise along the country's Pacific coast. A series of fertile river basins called the Central Valley lies between the mountain ranges in central Chile. The landscape of southern Chile is breathtaking. There are snow-capped volcanoes, thick forests, and huge glaciers. Many rocky, windswept islands dot the rugged shore. Most Chileans are of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. Many others are of unmixed European descent. Indians - Chile's original inhabitants - form a tiny minority. Nearly all Chileans speak Spanish, the nation's official language, and most are Roman Catholics. The great majority of Chile's people live in the Central Valley, which has the country's largest cities, major factories, and best farmland. More than four-fifths of all Chileans live in urban areas. Santiago has about a third of Chile's total population. Since the mid-1900's, poor rural Chileans have poured into the cities in search of a better life. But there are not enough jobs in the cities. In addition, most rural Chileans lack the skills needed for available city jobs. As a result, Chile's large urban areas have such problems as poverty, unemployment, and overcrowded slum housing. Chile is the world's leading copper-producing nation. Its economy depends on copper exports. Farms in the Central Valley produce plentiful crops, but most fruit grown there is exported. Chile imports much of its food, manufactured goods, and petroleum. In most years, the cost of Chile's imports far exceeds the value of the nation's exports. For nearly 300 years, Chile was a Spanish colony. After gaining independence in 1818, it was ruled for a long period by democratic governments. This long tradition of democracy ended temporarily in 1973, when military leaders overthrew the civilian government and set up a dictatorship. The country returned to democratic civilian rule in 1989. Official Name Telephone (00 86) (10) 6532 1962 Opening hours 0830 to 1200/1330 to 1700 (local time) email info@britishembassy.org.cn National flag Red with a big 5-pointed yellow star and four small yellow 5-pointed stars in the upper hoist-side corner China's flag was adopted in 1949. The large star represents the leadership of the Communist Party. The four small stars stand for groups of workers. The state emblem shows the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing framed by grains of rice and wheat that stand for agriculture and a cogwheel that represents industry. CHRISTMAS ISLAND Christmas Island is an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean about 1,553 miles (2,500 kilometres) northwest of Perth. The island is about 12 miles (20 kilometres) long and 9 miles (15 kilometers) wide. Its main industry is phosphate mining. Most of its people are Chinese or Malays. Captain William Mynors, a British merchant, sighted and named the island on Christmas Day of 1643. The British took control of the island in 1888. Phosphate mining began in 1897. The island became an Australian territory in 1958. COCOS ISLANDS Cocos Islands are in the Indian Ocean, 1,720 miles (2,768 kilometres) northwest of Perth, Australia. The islands are an overseas territory of Australia. There are 27 coral islands in the whole group, with a total land area of about 9 square miles (24 square kilometres). None of the islands rises more than 20 feet (6 metres) above sea level. The main islands are West Island, Home Island, South Island, Direction Island, and Horsburgh Island. North Keeling Island is 15 miles (24 kilometres) to the north of the main group. Most of the islands are densely covered with coconut palms. Only Home Island and West Island are inhabited. Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. A Cocos postal service, including a bureau for the collection and study of stamps and other postal materials, has operated since 1979. Revenue from the islands' postal service is used for the benefit of the community. Captain William Keeling, of the East India Company, sighted the Cocos Islands in 1609. Alexander Hare, an Englishman, and Captain John Clunies-Ross, a Scottish seaman, established settlements in 1826 and 1827. COLOMBIA Colombia is a country in northwestern South America. It is the only country on the continent with a coast along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Colombia ranks second in population and fourth in area among the countries of South America. Only Brazil has more people, and only Brazil, Argentina, and Peru cover a larger area. Colombia's landscape and climate offer striking contrasts, ranging from the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains to hot lowland plains. The equator crosses southern Colombia. Yet parts of the country have a chilly climate because of their high elevation. The population of Colombia is distributed extremely unevenly. Most of the people live in valleys and basins of the Andes Mountains. Bogota, Colombia's largest city, lies in a basin of the Andes. The differences in climate throughout Colombia enable farmers to grow many kinds of crops, including coffee, rice, bananas, and potatoes. Colombia produces more coffee than any other country except Brazil. Colombia's economy depends heavily on agriculture, though manufacturing is growing in importance. Colombia has huge supplies of many raw materials used in industry and enormous sources of energy. However, the country has not fully developed its vast resources. During the early 1500's, Colombia's natural wealth, especially its gold, attracted Spanish explorers. The Spaniards conquered most of the Indians, the region's original inhabitants. Colombia remained a Spanish colony for nearly 300 years. After gaining independence in 1819, it suffered long periods of violence and civil war. But unlike some other Latin American countries, Colombia has a tradition of democratic government. Colombia was named after Christopher Columbus. The nation's official name is Republica de Colombia (Republic of Colombia). Area 3 horizontal bands of yellow, blue, and red COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES The Commonwealth of Independent States is a loose association of nations that were formerly republics of the Soviet Union. The members are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The headquarters are in Minsk, Belarus. The Soviet Union consisted of 15 republics. In 1990, several republics declared independence. In August 1991, the Soviet Union began to break apart after an attempted coup. All the other republics except Russia declared independence during the coup or soon after. Russia proclaimed itself the Soviet Union's successor. On Dec. 8, 1991, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine announced the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.) and declared that the Soviet Union had ceased to exist. Eleven republics formally constituted themselves as the C.I.S. on December 21. The Soviet Union was formally dissolved December 25. Georgia joined the C.I.S. in 1993. Former republics Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania did not join. The C.I.S. was created for several reasons. The economies of the former republics were closely linked, and most members wanted to keep some of those economic ties. Each member also wanted to guarantee its own territory and sovereignty. The members also sought to reassure the rest of the world that the nuclear weapons of the former Soviet Union were under reliable control. Basically, the C.I.S. was intended to help the new countries continue to work together and thus make the breakup of the Soviet Union as peaceful as possible. However, C.I.S. members disputed various matters. The C.I.S. originally aimed to have a single military for all its members but later abandoned that plan. Each member created its own armed forces. Russia and Ukraine disputed the ownership of the Black Sea fleet. They resolved the dispute in 1997. Many members rejected the idea of continuing to use the ruble - the former Soviet monetary unit - as their own official currency. Each C.I.S. country created its own currency. Experts believe many of the commonwealth's problems result from a lack of clear purpose or structure. Russia, for example, seemed to see the C.I.S. as permanent. Other members expressed fears that Russia might dominate the C.I.S. and use it as a means to gain control over the former republics. Some members, such as Ukraine, viewed the C.I.S. as a temporary association to help the former republics become truly independent. The C.I.S. does not have a charter that sets forth its duties and powers. It also lacks a governing body to enforce decisions or settle conflicts. COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent countries and other political units that have lived under British law and government. It includes the United Kingdom, about 50 independent nations that were once British colonies, and about 25 other political units, such as territories and dependencies. Britain is involved in some way in the government of most of the units in the Commonwealth. In the rest, Australia or New Zealand has some involvement in the government. Members cover about a fourth of the earth's land surface and have about a fourth of the world's population. The Commonwealth countries have a tradition of mutual cooperation that stems from their common history. The Commonwealth heads of government assemble from time to time to exchange views on important international issues. At these meetings, the leaders seek to identify common goals in economic and foreign affairs. They work to coordinate their national policies to pursue these goals. But the nations are not required to obey conclusions reached at the conferences. The Commonwealth of Nations conducts various programs through Commonwealth agencies. For example, several jointly financed programs provide economic aid and technical assistance to developing nations in the group. The Commonwealth also supports agencies that promote cooperation in such activities as broadcasting, cable and satellite communication, education, health care, and scientific research. The Commonwealth Secretariat leads and coordinates Commonwealth activities. The secretariat has its headquarters in London. Independent members of the Commonwealth of Nations consist of former British colonial areas, dependencies, or dominions that have become self-governing but have retained their Commonwealth ties. Despite the Commonwealth's tradition of cooperation, each nation maintains its own foreign policy, which reflects its own interests. All of the independent members recognise the British monarch as head of the Commonwealth. But the monarch is mainly a symbol and has no real power to govern. Britain and about 15 other Commonwealth nations are monarchies that regard the British ruler as head of state. A few others have their own monarchs. Over half the Commonwealth nations are republics. Dependencies are Commonwealth areas that do not have complete self-government. They are administered by independent Commonwealth members. Most dependencies are developing toward self-government. A majority of the dependencies are areas that have been annexed to the British Crown. This means that persons living in them are British citizens. These dependencies were formerly called colonies or crown colonies. A governor appointed by the British government is the highest official in each such dependency. The governor holds all political power in some dependencies. Others have elected assemblies, and in them the governor's power is limited. Some of the dependencies have become practically self-governing. Most of these areas are ruled as though they were parts of Britain. The term dependency may also be used to refer to other kinds of political units. These units include crown dependencies, joint administrations, self-governing areas, and territories. Crown dependencies are self-governing territories annexed by the British Crown. They are not bound by acts of the British Parliament unless the crown dependencies are named. Joint administrations are controlled by two nations that have interests there. Each of the nations is responsible for its own property and personnel in the area. Self-governing areas control their own internal affairs. They have agreed to let a Commonwealth nation handle their defence and foreign relations. But these areas can declare full independence at any time. Territories are dependencies of Australia or New Zealand. Each territory has an administrator chosen by the government of Australia or New Zealand. In some territories, this official holds all political power. In other territories, the administrator shares power with an elected assembly. Some territories have become nearly self-governing. Australia and New Zealand control defense and foreign policy for their territories. The Commonwealth of Nations began to take form in the early 1900's. At that time, representatives of certain British colonies met with British representatives at Imperial Conferences. All these colonies had self-government in domestic affairs. But Britain managed their foreign policy and defense. During the 1910's and 1920's, the self-governing colonies moved toward independence in foreign affairs. Representatives at a 1926 Imperial Conference declared all participating countries to be completely self-governing nations. They described these nations as equal in rank, "united by a common allegiance to the Crown and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations." The Statute of Westminster, a British law of 1931, legalized the 1926 declaration. The original members were Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and South Africa. In 1932, the Commonwealth nations established a system of trade called Commonwealth Preference. Under this system, Britain imported goods from other Commonwealth countries without imposing the usual tariffs. Other Commonwealth nations negotiated favourable trade agreements with each other. Between 1947 and 1980, about 40 more British colonies became independent nations. Nearly all joined the Commonwealth. During this time, Newfoundland became a province of Canada, and Ireland and South Africa gave up Commonwealth membership because of disagreements with other members. By the mid-1960's, nearly half the members were African nations. South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994. In 1977, Britain completed a plan to discontinue its special trade agreements with Commonwealth nations. It began this plan in 1973, when it joined the European Community (EC), an economic association of European nations. In 1993, the EC members formed the European Union (EU) to increase economic and political cooperation among themselves, and the EC was incorporated into the EU. Individual Commonwealth members participate in the European Union and its trade agreements. Independent Members Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom (Britain), Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Dependencies of United Kingdom Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Is., Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Island Group, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, St. Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands. Territories of Australia Antarctica (Aust.), Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Is., Coral Sea Islands, Heard and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island. Areas Associated With New Zealand Cook Island, Niue Island, Ross Dependency, Tokelau. COMOROS Comoros is an archipelago (group of islands) in the Indian Ocean between the mainland of Africa and the island country of Madagascar. Comoros consists of four main islands - Anjouan, Grande Comore, Mayotte, and Moheli - and several smaller ones. All the islands belonged to France until 1975. Three of the four largest islands declared their independence that year, but Mayotte chose to remain a French possession. The Comoran government considers Mayotte part of the country, but the people of Mayotte have voted to stay under French rule. The country's official name is the Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros. The islands, including Mayotte, have an area of 863 square miles (2,235 square kilometres). Mayotte has an area of 144 square miles (373 square kilometres). Moroni, on Grande Comore, is the largest city. Capital 863 square miles (2,235 sq. km). Coastline - 243 mi. (391 km). Area figures include Mayotte. Highest - Mont Kartala, 7,746 ft. (2,361 m). Lowest - sea level. Population Estimated 1996 population - 676,000; density, 783 persons per sq. mi. (302 per sq. km), distribution, 69 percent rural, 31 percent urban. 1991 census - 446,817. Estimated 2001 population - 804,000. Population figures include Mayotte. bananas, cassava, cloves, coconuts, corn, perfume oil, rice, sweet potatoes, vanilla. Money: Basic unit - franc. Flag: A green field covers the flag. A crescent moon and four five-pointed stars are located in the centre. The green colour and the crescent symbolise Islam. The four stars on the flag represent the four islands of the country. CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE) Congo (Brazzaville) is a hot, humid country in west-central Africa. The equator runs through the country. Thick forests of trees and tangled bushes and vines cover the northern half of Congo. Much of this part of the country is inhabited chiefly by wild animals. The few people who live there travel by dugout canoe. Congo was once a territory in French Equatorial Africa. It became independent in 1960. Its name in French is Republique du Congo (Republic of the Congo). It is called Congo (Brazzaville) to distinguish it from its neighbour, Congo (Kinshasa). Brazzaville is the largest city. Most of Congo's soil is poor, but the country has several mineral resources. Congo is a transportation centre. Pointe-Noire, on the Atlantic coast, is an important port. Capital 132,047 sq. mi. (342,000 sq. km). Greatest distances north-south, 590 mi. (950 km); east-west, 515 mi. (829 km). Coastline - 100 mi. (160 km). Population Estimated 1996 population - 2,662,000; density, 20 persons per sq. mi. (8 persons per sq. km); distribution, 57 percent rural, 43 percent urban. 1984 census - 1,843,421. Estimated 2001 population - 3,055,000. Chief Products Agriculture - bananas, cassava, coffee, palm kernels and oil, peanuts, plantains, rice, rubber, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, yams. Forestry - limba, mahogany, okoume. Mining - lead, natural gas, petroleum, potash, zinc. Money Basic unit - franc. Flag A large green triangle is in the upper left corner, and a large red triangle is in the lower right corner. The triangles are separated by a yellow diagonal stripe. Adopted 1991. COOK ISLANDS Cook Islands lie in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometres) northeast of New Zealand. The 15 islands of the Cook group are spread out over 850,000 square miles (2.2 million square kilometres) of ocean. They have a total land area of 91 square miles (236 square kilometres) and a total coastline of 90 miles (145 kilometres). The main islands include Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Mauke. The capital, Avarua, is on the northern shore of Rarotonga. The southern islands have fertile soil and a mild climate, Their chief exports include copra, fruits, and tomatoes. Most of the 18,000 people are Polynesians. In 1773, Captain James Cook became the first known European to reach the islands. Britain took control of the islands in 1888, and gave administrative control to New Zealand in 1891. A new constitution gave the islanders control of their internal affairs in 1965. Today, the islands have an arrangement with New Zealand called free association. Under free association, the islands are self-governing, the people are citizens of New Zealand, and New Zealand offers the islands military support for defence. COSTA RICA Costa Rica is a small, mountainous country in Central America. It is bordered by Nicaragua on the north, the Caribbean Sea and Panama on the east, and the Pacific Ocean on the south and west. A chain of rugged mountains stretches across central Costa Rica from northwest to southeast. A few of the highest peaks in this chain are active volcanoes. Tropical forests grow on the country's coastal lowlands. Spanish explorers arrived in what is now Costa Rica in the early 1500's. The Indians who lived there told them stories about deposits of gold and other precious metals supposedly mined in the region. The Spaniards named the land Costa Rica, which means rich coast. But the explorers found that the area has little mineral wealth. Today, about three-fourths of Costa Rica's people people live on a fertile plateau in the mountains of central Costa Rica. San Jose, the largest city, lies in this region. Hillsides covered with coffee trees surround San Jose. Coffee ranks as the country's chief export. Bananas, another major export, grow on large plantations near the coasts. Capital Republica de Costa Rica (Republic of Costa Rica). Area 19,730 sq. mi. (51,100 sq. km). Greatest distances north-south, 220 mi. (354 km); east-west, 237 mi. (381 km). Coastline - 380 mi. (612 km) on the Pacific; 133 mi. (214 km) on the Caribbean. Elevation Highest - Chirripo Grande, 12,530 ft. (3,819 m) above sea level. Lowest - sea level along the coasts. Population Estimated 1996 population - 3,495,000; density, 177 persons per sq. mi. (68 per sq. km); distribution, 50 percent rural, 50 percent urban. 1984 census - 2,416,809. Estimated 2001 population - 3,868,000. Chief Products Agriculture - bananas, beef cattle, cacao, coffee, corn, rice, sugar cane. Manufacturing - cement, clothing, furniture, machinery, processed foods, textiles. Money Costa Rica National Anthem. COTE D'IVOIRE Cote d'Ivoire is a country that lies along the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa. Nearly all of Cote d'Ivoire's people are Africans. Most work in agriculture, the nation's leading source of income. Coffee and cacao seeds (seeds used to make chocolate and cocoa) are the main commercial crops and chief exports. Cote d'Ivoire received its name in the late 1400's, when French sailors began to trade for ivory there. It became a French colony in 1893. Cote d'Ivoire became independent in 1960. Its official name is Republique de Cote d'Ivoire, which is French for Republic of the Ivory Coast. Capital Vertical stripes of orange, white, and green. CROATIA Croatia is a country in southeastern Europe that declared its independence in June 1991. In 1918, Croatia had become part of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later renamed Yugoslavia. In 1946, Yugoslavia became a federal state consisting of six republics, one of which was Croatia. Most of the people of Croatia are Croats. In addition, a number of Serbs live in the country. Croatia borders on Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Serbia to the east, Bosnia-Herzegovina to the south, and the Adriatic Sea to the west. Zagreb, Croatia's capital and largest city, is the centre of cultural and political life in the country. Other important towns include Dubrovnik, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split. From 1945 to 1990, Communists held a monopoly on power in Croatia, as in all of what was then Yugoslavia. In 1990, non-Communists won a majority of seats in Croatia's first multiparty elections. In 1991, war broke out in Croatia between Croats and Serbs. A cease-fire in early 1992 ended most of the fighting. However, some fighting continued. In late 1995, the government of Croatia and the leaders of the Croatian Serbs made an agreement to end the war. Official name 3 horizontal bands of red, white and blue with the Croatian coat of arms CUBA Cuba is an island nation that is the only Communist state in the Americas. It lies about 90 miles (145 kilometres) south of Key West, Florida. Havana is Cuba's capital and largest city. Cuba is the largest island and one of the most beautiful islands in the West Indies. Towering mountains and rolling hills cover about a third of the island. The rest of Cuba consists mainly of gentle slopes and broad grasslands. Cuba has a magnificent coastline marked with deep bays, sandy beaches, and colourful coral reefs. Cuba's geographic location has greatly influenced its history. The island lies at the intersection of major sea routes between the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The famous explorer Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba in 1492, and the island later became an important strategic outpost of Spain's empire in the New World. During the late 1700's and early 1800's, sugar cane became Cuba's single most important crop. Sugar cane was grown on large plantations that depended heavily on human labour. The desire for cheap labour for the plantations led to the importation of thousands of African slaves to Cuba. During the 1800's, many Cubans began to call for independence from Spain. In 1898, the United States helped defeat Spain, which then gave up all claims to Cuba. A U.S. military government ruled Cuba from 1899 until 1902, when the island became a republic. But the United States maintained close ties with Cuba and often intervened in the island's internal affairs. During most of the period from the 1930's to the 1950's, Cuba was controlled by a dictator, Fulgencio Batista y Zaldivar. In 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution that overthrew Batista. The rebels later set up a Communist government, with Castro as its head. Relations between Cuba and the United States became tense soon after the revolution. The Castro government developed close ties with the Soviet Union, then the main rival of the United States in a struggle for international power. In 1961, the United States ended diplomatic relations with Cuba. Today, the government of Cuba is highly centralised, and Castro has strong control. The government provides many benefits for the people, including free medical care and free education. But political and economic freedom is severely limited. Capital July 26, the anniversary of Fidel Castro's attack on the Moncada Army Barracks. Money Basic unit - peso. CYPRUS Cyprus is an island country in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 40 miles (64 kilometres) south of Turkey and 60 miles (97 kilometres) west of Syria. Geographically, Cyprus is part of Asia. But its people live much like southern Europeans and have a relatively high standard of living. Cyprus is a scenic country noted for its hilltop castles, old churches, beaches, and rugged mountains. About four-fifths of the people in Cyprus are of Greek origin, and most of the rest are of Turkish origin. Nearly all of the people regard themselves as Greeks or Turks rather than as Cypriot nationals. Conflicts between the two groups have caused problems. Problems have also been caused by the interference of other countries in Cyprus's affairs. In 1974, Turkish troops invaded the island. The Turkish government claimed the troops were sent to support the Turkish Cypriots. The Turks captured a large part of northeastern Cyprus, and thousands of Greek Cypriots fled to the southwestern part of the country. Today, most of the Greeks live in southwest Cyprus, and most of the Turks live in northeast Cyprus. Cyprus became independent in 1960, after being ruled by Britain since 1878. Its official name is Kypriaki Dimokratia in Greek and Kibris Cumhuriyeti in Turkish. Both mean Republic of Cyprus. Nicosia is the largest city. Most of Nicosia lies in the Greek area, but part is in the Turkish area. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004. Area

i don't know

According to the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the seventh day and what are they doing?

The Twelve Days of Christmas The Twelve Days of Christmas Dennis Bratcher The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany   (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6. The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas ).  In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came.  In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag).  Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th. By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with (sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year. The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day.  Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. Many European  celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).  In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany . The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children with secular origins. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Christian Faith.  They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn. However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas.  While some have tried to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy (see Snopes on The 12 Days of Christmas ).  There is little "hard" evidence available either way.  Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies. The reality is that the "evidence" for both perspectives is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities.  Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide negative evidence.  On the other hand, logical deduction and probability do not provide proof either. One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that, "there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything but a fanciful modern day speculation. . .."  Yet, there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either. The view of the song as a secret catechism is most likely legendary or anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive evidence," we probably should not take overly rigid positions from either perspective. It is all too easy to turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth.  So, for the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge the likelihood that the song had secular origins. However, on another level, this should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation. Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy, as important as that might be on one level, is not really the point.  Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue during the Advent and Christmas seasons.  Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song,"  they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world.  After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway? (Click on a picture below to go to a devotional for that day) On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me... A Partridge in a Pear Tree The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34) On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Two Turtle Doves The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world. On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Three French Hens The Three Theological Virtues:  1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13) On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Four Calling Birds The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ. [* This is the 1909 American version.  Earlier English versions have "colley birds" or blackbirds.  There are other versions as well.] On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Five Gold Rings The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world. On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Six Geese A-laying The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1). On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Seven Swans A-swimming The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11) On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eight Maids A-milking The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10) On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Nine Ladies Dancing The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22) On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Ten Lords A-leaping The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17) On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Eleven Pipers Piping The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans. On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me... Twelve Drummers Drumming The Twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed : 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting. Epiphany, January 6 Thanks to Yvonne Edwards for suggesting this page and finding the graphics. -Dennis Bratcher, Copyright © 2015, Dennis Bratcher, All Rights Reserved

seven swans swimming

March 9, 1959 saw the introduction of what Mattel favorite, an 11.5 inch tall fashion doll which saw controversy when a later talking model exclaimed such phrases as Will we ever have enough clothes?, and Math class is tough!?

Twelve Days of Christmas - Notes on the Festival and the Carol Twelve Days of Christmas Notes on  the Festival and the Carol Origins The twelve days of Christmas, 1 as a festival, have a long history. Being the days between Christmas Day and the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, according to one source, it was first mentioned as a festal tide by the eastern Father, Ephraem Syrus, at the end of the fourth century, and was declared to be such by the western Council of Tours in 567 A.D. The laws of Ethelred (991-1016) ordained it to be a time of peace and concord among Christian men, when all strife must cease � perhaps the beginning of the traditional Christmas truces observed up through World War I. J. Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe observed that "The twelve days, extending from Christmas Day to Epiphany, where usually amongst our ancestors 'the' days of the whole year wherein to make merry and fraternize in mirth and good fellowship." And concerning this song, they wrote: The is one of the quaintest of Christmas carols now relegated to the nursery as a forfeit game, where each child in succession has to repeat the gifts of the day, and incurs a forfeit for every error. The accumulative process has always been a favourite game with children, and in early writers from Homer downwards this repetition is often employed. ...  [T]he total number of gifts amount to three hundred and sixty-five � one for each day of the year; the twelve pear trees being in commemoration of the twelve days of Christmas. Source: J. Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe, A Collection of the Ballads, Melodies, and Small-pipe Tunes of Northumbria. (Commonly known as Northumbrian Minstrelsy) (Published by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-Upon_Tyne, 1882), "The Twelve Days of Christmas," pp. 129-131. In time, the game would become a song, popular in Great Britain, Canada, the US, and elsewhere in the world. In the earliest known book printing of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," Mirth Without Mischief (ca. 1780), we have these lyrics: On the twelfth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Twelve lords a leaping, Eleven ladies spinning, Twelve bells ringing, In the Second Edition (1843), "The First Day of Christmas" was rhyme # CCLXXII, and occurred on pp. 155-156. In the Fifth Edition (1886), it was rhyme # CCCXLVI, occurring on pages 184-188. As a song, Elizabeth Poston reports that an early version dates back to a thirteenth-century manuscript in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge (B. 14. 39) entitled 'Twelfth Day'. According to Husk, more modern versions were frequently found in the broadsides printed at Newcastle at various periods during the last hundred and fifty years. On one such broadside, it was described as "An Old English Carol," but properly speaking, it is not a carol but a Christmas song. An example of such a Broadside, from the Harding Collection, was retrieved from The Bodleian's Broadside Ballads Online (Harding B25(378) . The Newcastle printer was "Angus" and the date was between 1774 and 1825. The last verse, slightly different than the early Halliwell version given above, was: The twelfth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Twelve lords a leaping, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. Several sources report that the first book publication was in Mirth without Mischief, a children's book published in London about 1780, and is said to have been first published in a Christmas song book by Husk in 1868. [See: The Twelve Days of Christmas - Version 1 ] It's origin, however, was probably not England, but, rather, France as a forfeits game and song, celebrated on Twelfth Night (Epiphany, January 6th). One source states that at least three French versions are known (but that source did not give any examples). Douglas Brice notes that it has always been such a favourite with the French, and thinks that it may be among the songs of the troubadours of Languedoc which had had such a great influence on European music over the centuries. "In fact," he writes, "it remind us of a "chanson de geste" that has run to seed. The snatch of melody that accompanies the enumeration of the gifts, ending as it does with the Imperfect Cadence (IV-V) is almost identical with that used by the French minstrels of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries." Over time, the song became a favorite, not just on Twelfth Night, but throughout the Christmas season, and for adults as well as children. In modern times, the song is usually sung as twelve consecutive verses, beginning with the first verse. But, over the years, how it was played or performed also evolved.   Sung and Played Sabin Baring-Gould writes that the song was "a favourite among children in Devon where it is called the Nawden Song. The giving of forfeits was customary by those who could not remember the list of gifts."  Halliwell observed (in the Second Edition of 1843): Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and forfeits for each mistake. This accumulative process is a favourite with children ; in early writers, such as Homer, the repetition of messages, &c. pleases on the same principle. Husk describes how it was practiced in 1860's London: The practice was for one person in the company to recite the first three lines; a second, the four following; and so on; the person who failed in repeating her portion correctly being subject to some trifling forfeit. The lady who was the favoured recipient of the gifts enumerated must have required no small extent of shelf or table room for their accommodation, as at the end of the Christmas festivities she must have found herself in possession of twelve partridges in pear trees, twenty-two turtle-doves, thirty French hen, thirty-six colley (i.e., black) birds, forty gold rings, forty-two laying geese, forty-two swimming swans, forty milk-maids, thirty-six drummers, thirty pipers, twenty-two dancing ladies, and twelve leaping lords; in all three hundred and sixty-four articles, one for each day of the year save one. Brice wrote that in London 12 players were played the game, and each player, having contributed his gift was required to recite all the gifts previously enumerated bringing the list to an end with the words "And a partridge in a pear tree," in which the entire group joined as a chorus. If a player failed to repeat the gifts in the correct order, a forfeit was demanded of him. Brice also notes that Lucy Broadwood found that the more usual method of performing this carol was "to begin with the 'twelfth day', and in subsequent verses to omit one day at a time in reversed numerical order until the second day is reached; then the process is reverses, the days added one by one till the singer reaches the verse he began with." In some rural areas, the song was sung in 23 verses!  Similar to the practice described by Broadwood, the practice was to start with the 12th verse, and moving backwards to the 1st verse, and then back consecutively to the 12th.  In other areas, they sang the 23 verses starting with the 1st verse, progressing to the 12th verse, and returning. Cecil Sharp gave this slightly different description: The second verse begins: One goldie ring, And the part of a June apple-tree. In this way the twenty-third verse is triumphantly reached, and that, except for the last line, is the same is the first verse. Sharp noted that these words are also used as a Children's Game. One of Halliwell's versions (p. 63) was still used by children in Somerset (at that time), and Lady Gomme gives a London variant (Dictionary of British Folk-Lore, volume i, p. 315), besides reprinting three other forms. See: Gomme � Twelve Days of Christmas . Sharp also noted "Country singers are very fond of accumulative songs of this type, regarding them as tests of endurance and memory, and sometimes of sobriety!" Neil Lomax gives this description: The players sat in a row, the first one singing the first round of the tune, the second the second, the third the third, and so on, until one made a mistake or name the gift wrongly. This player paid a forfeit. The song went on and on and the game continued until a number of forfeits had been accumulated. The forfeits were then counted and each owner had to redeem his fault by performing some task. Lomax also wrote that several versions of this game have also been noted in the mountains of East Tennessee, but it normally occurs as a counting song (citing Children Go Where I Send Thee ).   Different Places, Different Lyrics In the same way that many ways of performing this song and game evolved, so there were many changes to the words.  This "traditional" version, given by Husk in 1868 gives the following: A partridge in a pear tree. Two turtle-doves, Eleven ladies dancing, Twelve lords a-leaping. This was also the version reproduced on the Broadside Harding B25(378) printed by Angus in Newcastle between 1774 and 1825 (above). Likewise this same listing � although our partridge is now "upon" a pear tree � was posted to Notes and Queries by Robert S. Salmon of Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1855. He noted: The following lines form, as I am inclined to think, one of the productions "so puerile and simple" alluded to by Brand in his Popular Antiquities. See Bohn's edition, 1849, vol. i. p. 490. Rude, however, and monotonous as these lines are, they occupy a prominent place in the recollections of most of the present generation who are � ". . . . native here. And to the manner born " � it having been, up to within twenty years (ca. 1835), extremely popular as a schoolboy's Christmas chant.... Source: Robert S. Salmon, "Christmas Jingle" (The Twelve Days of Christmas), Notes and Queries, Series 1, Vol. 12 (December 29, 1855), pp. 506-507. There was a footnote to the article asking  "What is the meaning of 'collie birds'?" In square brackets, it was noted: "A blackbird is called by this name in Somersetshire." This same listing � except that the partridge is on, not in, a pear tree �  is found in Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882), where it is observed: The is one of the quaintest of Christmas carols now relegated to the nursery as a forfeit game, where each child in succession has to repeat the gifts of the day, and incurs a forfeit for every error. The accumulative process has always been a favourite game with children, and in early writers from Homer downwards this repetition is often employed. The twelve days, extending from Christmas Day to Epiphany, where usually amongst our ancestors the days of the whole year wherein to make merry and fraternize in mirth and good fellowship. The music of the first and last verses only are here given, as each verse not only commemorates the gifts of a day, but also re-enumerates those of the preceding days, requiring no slight effort of memory on the part of those who try it. The melody for each gift is the same in all the repetitions, so that the 1st verse contains the whole of the tune, and the total number of gifts amount to three hundred and sixty-five � one for each day of the year; the twelve pear trees being in commemoration of the twelve days of Christmas. Source: J. Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," in Northumbrian Minstrelsy: A Collection of the Ballads, Melodies, and Small-pipe Tunes of Northumbria. (Published by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, 1882), pp. 129-131. And see John Stokoe, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" in the continuing series of articles titled "The North=Country Garland of Song," appearing in The Monthly Chronicle of North-Country Lore and Legend, Vol. II, No. 11 (Printed and Published for Proprietors of the "Newcastle Weekly Chronicle" by Walter Scott, Newcastle-On-Tyne, January, 1888), pp. 41-42. In that article, he also noted: This old carol was early in the century a favourite New Year's pastime in the North of England, but has almost died out of memory. Our copy of the music was originally collected by the late Mr. John Bell, of Gates head, about eighty years ago [circa 1808]. These lyrics are also quoted, with attribution to John Stokoe, by M. C. (Marie Clothilde) Balfour, County Folk-Lore, Vol. IV. Examples of Printed Folk-Lore Concerning Northumberland (Published for the Folk-Lore Society by David Nutt, London, 1904), pp. 138-139. The same lyrics are found in W. G. Whittaker, ed., North Countrie Ballads, Songs and Pipe-Tunes. Part I. (London: J. Curwen & Sons, Ltd., 1921), pp. 120-123. And this is the same listing as given by Halliwell, Nursery Rhymes of England (Fifth Edition of 1886, pp. 184-188) who adds the note that "Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and forfeits for each mistake." It should be observed that this version differs from the versions given by Halliwell in the First through Fourth editions of his Nursery Rhymes (1841-1846) (above). Halliwell's editions of 1843 and 1886 are available at the Internet Archive ; the editions of 1846, 1858 and 1886 are available at Google Books . Writing in circa 1875, Georgiana C. Clark, reproduced this version of a Christmas Day Game of Forfeits, starting with the first verse, and concluding with the twelfth verse: The first day of Christmas My true love sent to me A partridge in a pear-tree. The twelfth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Twelve lords leaping Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. Source: Georgiana C. Clark, Jolly Games for Happy Homes. (London: Dean & Son, ca. 1875?), pp. 238�242. Sabin Baring Gould, writing in 1886, gives this enumeration, with some other renderings. 1. Partridge, in common with many other speckled birds, was an emblem of the evil one. Pear tree has some magical properties associated with Christmas eve, although pear tree � perdrix (pertriz) in the French version � carried into the English language may have sounded like pear tree, �joli perdrix� is� a �pretty juniper� or �part of a juniper tree�. [See Below] 2. Two turtle doves obviously has some reference to the �true loves�. Having started with birds, thereafter birds were variously listed. 3. French Hens may simply mean rare (or foreign) fowl. [Or: "Five Britten Chains" or "Five Britten Hens," according to Sharp] 4. Colley-birds are blackbirds. 5. Gold rings�it seems likely that as this comes among the list of birds it may mean �goldspinks' which are goldfinches. [See below] 6. Geese a-laying �common to all versions. 7. Swans a-swimming (steers a-running). 8. Hares a-running (swans a-swimming; deers a-running), etc. 9. Ladies dancing (drummers drumming; lords a-leaping). 10. Lords a-playing (pipers piping; ladies dancing; bells a-ringing). 11. Bears a-baiting (ladies dancing; bulls a-bleating). 12. Bulls a-roaring (lords� a-leaping; cocks a-crowing, bells a-ringing; ships a-sailing). Brice noted that Cecil Sharp collected the following options to "a partridge in a pear tree":  "part of a Juniper Tree", "part of a June-Apple Tree," and "pass through a Juniper Tree." Sharp added that 'June Apple-Tree' may or may not be a corruption of "Juniper-Tree," but the singer explained it by saying that it meant a tree whose fruit kept sound and good till the following June. Keyte and Parrott also noted that the origin of the pear tree may be perdix (or perdrix?), French for 'partridge." They go on to state that ... the partridge and the pear tree have been the subject of arcane speculation: the partridge as a symbol of the devil, who reveals to Herod that the Virgin Mary is hiding behind a sheaf of corn; the folk belief that a girl who walks backwards towards a pear tree on Christmas Eve and walks round it thrice will see the image of her future husband; etc. In a similar vein, Brice notes that "in folk-lore the pear is an emblem of fertility and the partridge an emblem of the Evil One". He also notes that the pipe and drum have always been regarded as symbolizing the harmonious relationship between the good Christian and his Creator. He concludes that "The presence of the Evil one in the genealogical tree would appear to be a reference to Man in his fallen state awaiting Redemption through the Passion of Christ." It has been suggested that the French phrase for "A partridge in a pear tree" could be a French play on words. It's been written that the French for partridge is "perdix," and the French for pear tree is "perdrix." The French phrase, then, would contain some form of "perdix, perdrix." Is there any traction to this explanation? Your guess is as good as mine, and I don't have a clue (but it is an intriguing option). Another suggestion is that in earlier times, a common decoration was a bird cage, called a "pear tree," into which a mechanical bird was housed � hence, a partridge in a pear tree. Again, any traction to this explanation? And again, your guess is as good as mine. Note: Both of these two suggestions come from an interesting line of comments in the "Why 'in a pear-tree?'" thread at the Mudcat Cafe . Concerning the "five gold rings, several authorities note that the gold rings are possibly a corruption of �goldspinks� (Scottish dialect for goldfinches) or �gulder� (a gulder-cock is a turkey � frequently appearing in the original French).  Many sources write that the rings refer to the gold rings around the neck of a pheasant. Routley in The University Carol Book (Carol 204n) and the editors of The New Oxford Book of Carols (Carol 133n) note that the melody for the "five gold rings" was added by Frederic Austin (1872-1952) in an arrangement published by Novello, 1909. This arrangement is said by the editor of the excellent Wikipedia article on The Twelve Days of Christmas to be the standard form of the melody heard since then. There was this review of the Austin arrangement in The Musical Times, Nov. 1, 1909, p. 722: 'The twelve days of Christmas' is a clever arrangement of a traditional song of the cumulative or ' The House That Jack Built ' type. 'What my love sent to me' on the first, second, third day of Christmas, and so on down to the twelfth, reveals a constantly increasing store of affection and generosity. The first day's gift is 'a partridge in a pear-tree'; that of the twelfth comprises 'Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers playing, ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, five gold rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle-doves and a partridge in a pear-tree.' No explanation is given of any subtle significance that may underlie the lover's wayward choice of tokens of his regard. To the captivating, if elusive, tune of this song Mr. Austin has added an accompaniment that is always ingenious, especially where it suggests the air that is being played by the eleven pipers, always varied and interesting, and never out of place. The song is suitable for a medium voice. On Dec. 1, 1916, The Musical Times (p. 533) ran an advertisement for Austin's arrangement for Two Shillings. There was also an advertisement by Novello for the Seymour Dicker arrangement of �The Twelve Days of Christmas, Traditional Cumulative Folk-Song. Arranged for Twelve Voices or Twelve Groups of Voices.� The price set by Novello was two pence. It was advertised to be �A Sure Success for School Christmas Concerts.� In 1892, W. Minto gave us this version, possibly from Newcastle: On the twelfth, twelfth day of Christmas my true love brought to me Twelve ladies dancing, And the part of a mistletoe bough. The twelfth verse provides: On the first day of Christmas my true Love sent to me, One goldie ring, And the part of a June apple tree. The next example is an excerpt from William Henderson, Notes on the Folk-lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders (Folk-lore Society, 1879), p. 71. "From Mr. Joseph Crawhall, of Newcastle, I have received the following song. It was given to him by a friend who called it a carol, and said that in his early days he used to sing it every Christmas with his sisters: "The first day of Christmas my true love sent to me A partridge upon a pear tree. The second day of Christmas my true love sent to me Two turtle doves and a partridge upon a pear tree. The third day of Christmas my true love sent to me Three French hens, two turtle doves, &c. &c. The fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Four curley birds, three French hens, &c. &c. The fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to mc Five gold rings, four curley birds, &c. &c. The sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to mc Six geese laying, five golden rings, &c. &c. The seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me Seven swans swimming, six geese laying, &c. &c. The eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Eight maids, milking, seven swans swimming, &e. &c. The ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to mc Nine drummers drumming, eight maids milking, &c. &c. The tenth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Ten pipers piping, nine drummers drumming, eight maids milking, seven swans swimming, six geese laying, five gold rings, four curley birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge upon a pear tree." This example is from The Merrie Heart, A Collection of Favourite Nursery Rhymes, by M.E.G. (London: Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, 18??), pp. 140-143. The full song is given, but since we all know that part by now, we'll skip to the very last: The twelfth day of Christmas My mother sent to me Twelve bells a-ringing, two turtle-doves, and a partridge in a pear-tree. The same song is also found in Cock Robin, And Other Nursery Rhymes and Jingles (London, Paris & New York: Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co., 1883), pp. 63-66. The following is from The Cliftonian: A Magazine Edited by Members of Clifton, Volume 1, Issue 1 (Bristol, England: Clifton College, March, 1869), pp. 145-6. CHRISTMAS CAROLS. Having spent some part of my Christmas holidays in a retired little town in Gloucestershire, where many old customs and superstitions still linger, I of course came in for a good share of carol-singing. These, however, differed very much from the irreverent and discordant caterwauling (I cannot call it anything else) which greet our ears evening after evening in' our suburban streets. For irreverent they could not well be, since sacred words were not attempted, and discordant they certainly were not, seeing that the singers were composed chiefly of the members of the choir. The favourite carol in particular attracted my attention, from its peculiarity and the utter absurdity of the words; they ran as follows:� "The first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear-tree. "The second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle-doves, and a partridge in a pear-tree." And proceeds in this ascending manner until on the twelfth day of Christmas the young lady receives the following astounding tribute of true love :� "The twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve bells a-ringing, Two turtle-doves, And a partridge in a pear-tree." As it stands this sounds perfectly absurd; and so I always esteemed it, until in a book I was reading the other day, I came across its exact fac-simile in French; and it was stated that this was one of the songs sung by the Canadian "voyageurs" or lake traders. What the connection between the Canadian settlers and the little town in Gloucestershire can possibly be it is hard to imagine. It is certain that the Lord of the Manor of that part of Gloucestershire came over from Normandy with our William I, and the names of some of the gentry about there give clear proofs of Norman origin. "Why then may we not suppose that some rovers from the same part of Normandy may have migrated to Lower Canada, carrying with them their national songs? This connection too would seem to afford a little clue to the absurdity of the words: for, keeping in mind their probably French origin, what is more natural to suppose than that "pear-tree" is a corruption of perdrix, so that "a partridge in a pear-tree" is really only a repetition of the same word? and instead of taxing our knowledge of ornithology to find a parallel to a "colley-bird," why not suppose that "colley" is a corruption of collet, hence we at once have a bird with a ruff, i. e., the ruff-pigeon. If too the words be really of such ancient origin as this supposition would infer, it is curious to mark the peculiar delicacy of expression. For instance, there is no difficulty in seeing the meaning of such expressions as "bells-a-ringing," "lords-a-leaping," "ladies dancing," and above all the "gold ring," but still they are put with such a quaint and simple sense of propriety, which cannot but excite our wonder at that early period. All this, however, is pure supposition, and if any of the readers of "The Cliftonian" can afford me any certain information on the subject, they will much oblige. AN ANTIQUARIAN. Editor's Note: I find it odd that the "Antiquarian" found it 'hard to imagine' the connection between Canadian settlers and the town of Gloucestershire. I would suspect emigration from England to Canada is the connection, as is the case with American versions. Robert Chambers reproduced an interesting version of this song titled "The Yule Days" in his Popular Rhymes of Scotland (1870) which begins: The king sent his lady on the first Yule day, A papingo-aye; What learns my carol and carries it away. He notes that the papingo-aye is a peacock. This rhyme concludes: The king sent his lady on the thirteenth Yule day, Three stalks o' merry corn, three maids a-merry dancing, Three hinds a-merry hunting, an Arabian baboon, Three swans a-merry swimming, Three ducks a-merry laying, a bull that was brown, Three goldspinks, three starlings, a Goose that was gray, Three plovers, three partridges, a papingo-aye; Wha learns my carol and carries it away.   Crossing the Atlantic to Canada and the US The song has been very popular in both Canada and the United States since at least the late 1700s and early 1800s. In a note published by John Rodemeyer, Jr., in 1902, he wrote: The New England custom during those early years of the present century was to observe Christmas from December 25 to January 5, the twelve days being generally given up to receiving and returning family visits. Contemporary with this custom was the belief, inculcated in the minds of the children, that if they would visit the cow stables at midnight of Christmas Eve, they would see the cattle kneel before the mangers. A poem of the twelve days shows the gift for the first day of Christmas to be a parrot on a juniper tree instead of a "partridge on a pear tree." The verse for the twelfth day, which embodied the entire list of days and "gifts" was as follows: The twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve guns shooting, Two Turtle-doves, and A partridge upon a pear tree. A scrap near the top of the article seems to indicate that it was very popular in New England, but it's hard to say due to damage to the page that was scanned. Source: Pamela McArthur Cole, "Notes and Queries," in The Journal of American Folk-Lore, Vol. XIII, the issue of July-September 1900. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1900), pp. 229�230. In 1917, there was an interesting article in The Journal of American Folk-Lore concerning The Twelve Days of Christmas, commencing with the version copied down by G. L. Kittredge, Dec. 30, 1877, from the singing of Mrs. Sarah G. Lewis of Barnstable, Mass. (who learned this version from her grandmother). The first verse begins: The first day of Christmas my true love sent to me Some part of a juniper tree, And some part of a juniper tree. Thereafter the song generally follows the usual enumeration of French hens, colly birds, five gold rings, etc., except for �two turkle doves,� a most unusual spelling. The article also discusses other variants, and cites numerous references, including Halliwell, Chambers, etc. See The Twelve Days of Christmas-G.L. Kittredge [this link opens in a new page at this web site]. This article is an excerpt from G. L. Kittredge, " Ballads and Songs ," in The Journal of American Folk-Lore, Vol. XXX (Lancaster, PA: American Folk-Lore Society, 1917), pp. 365-367. Another very interesting article appeared in The Journal of American Folk-lore by Philip Barry, The Twelve Days of Christmas (1905) , who gives two versions of the song plus sheet music from 1790 and 1899.  Philip Barry, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," from "Some Traditional Songs" in The Journal of American Folk-Lore, Vol. XVIII, No. LXVIII. (American Folklore Society; Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Company, January-March 1905), pp. 56�59. In her 1888 book What Happened On Christmas Eve, Emily Huntington Miller gave us just a brief excerpt from another version: �Fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me Four flaring flambeaux, a partridge and a pear-tree.� Sadly, the complete song is not reproduced, and a couple of searches for a text were unsuccessful at this time. Another unusual excerpt has the following: The fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me five hares running, four ducks quacking, three fat hens, two turtledoves, a partridge, and a pear-tree." Again, we lack the balance of this song; this portion came from a frequently reprinted short story by Thomas Hughes titled "The Ashen Faggot: A Tale for Christmas" by Thomas Hughes (beginning on p. 243). One of the first appearances was in 1862 in "Macmillan's Magazine." In 1953, Ruth Crawford Seeger, in her American Folk Songs for Christmas, gave this version: The twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Twelve bulls a-roaring, Two turtle doves, A partridge on a pear tree. Source: Ruth Crawford Seeger, American Folk Songs for Christmas (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co., 1953), pp. 72-73. Seeger's source was the Archive of American Folk Song (AAFS 989 A1), Forklore Section, Library of Congress (LOC), Washington, D.C. See also Folksongs of Florida, by Alton C. Morris, University of Florida Press, Gainesville, p. 416. For game directions see Folk Songs of Old New England, p. 52. Note: The American Folklife Center's Archive was originally founded as the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library in 1928. In 1978 it became part of the American Folklife Center and was subsequently renamed the Archive of Folk Culture. Today the Archive includes over three million photographs, manuscripts, audio recordings, and moving images. It consists of documentation of traditional culture from all around the world including the earliest field recordings made in the 1890s on wax cylinder through recordings made using digital technology. It is America's first national archive of traditional life, and one of the oldest and largest of such repositories in the world. Source: The American Folklife Center , Library of Congress. Sheet music to "The Twelve Days of Christmas" does not appear to be online at this time. Searches of three sheet music databases at the LOC all returned the result: "We were unable to find any matches for your search." Rev. Ray Broadus Browne, in Alabama Folk Lyric: A Study in Origins and Media of Dissimination (Popular Press, 1979; pp. 110-111), also gives a variation on The Twelve Days of Christmas whose first verse was: On the first day of Christmas my truest love said to me: Partridge on pear tree. This version ran to ten verses (the third of which was forgotten by the original singer), concluding with "ten mules braying." The full enumeration includes: Partridge on a pear tree Two turtle doves�   As A Catechism There is the widely circulated story that this song was written in England as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith during a long period of religious repression. This originated with information published by Fr. Hal Stockert in 1982, and later published on the World Wide Web as Origin of the "Twelve Days of Christmas": An Underground Catechism" (1995). Fr. Stockert wrote that I found this information while I was researching for an entirely unrelated project which required me to go to the Latin texts of the sources pertinent to my research.  Among those primary documents there were letters from Irish priests, mostly Jesuits, writing back to the motherhouse at Douai-Rheims, in France, mentioning this purely as an aside, and not at all as part of the main content of the letters. He has also noted that the original research was lost in a flood. See: Catholic Culture, Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas for additional details and comments by Fr. Hal; see also Ace Collins, Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001). Usually, the explanation runs as follows: The "True Love" that gives the gifts refers to God the Father. The "Me" who gets the gifts represents the baptized Christian. The Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Like the mother partridge, Christ will feign death or succumb to the predator to save His young. 2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments (or the sacrifice offered in the temple by Joseph and Mary at the presentation of Christ in the Temple) 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues (see: I Corinthians 13) (or the gifts of the Magi) 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes (see: Matthew 5: 3-11) 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (see: Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) (or the nine choirs of angels) 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles/disciples 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed Most commentators discount this version concerning the origin of the song for the fundamental reason that the most of the elements were common to both the Church of Rome and the Church of England, and because the song probably originated in France well before this time in England's history. However, it is certainly possible that the original song was adapted as a catechism song for use by persecuted English Catholics. Considering the large number of variants and variations that have occurred over the years, this is not an unreasonable possibility. It should be emphasized that Fr. Stockert's intent was to publish this information "simply as some delicious tidbit I thought the world would be delighted to share over a holiday season."  Since then, he has been the target of some unfair and occasionally vitriolic criticism.  In short, whether or not it originated as a catechism song, it certainly can be used as one if you find this helpful in your devotions or faith. There are a number of songs that have been used as catechisms. For an overview, see Eckenstein - Chants of the Creed ; Lina Eckenstein, Comparative Studies in Nursery Rhymes (London: Duckworth & Co., 1906), pp. 143-151. On this website, there are several excellent candidates: On 'YouTube' As might be expected, there is a plethora of versions of this carol at YouTube. "Straight No Chaser," a 10-man a capella singing group, performed their very interesting version of " 12 Days of Christmas " for the first time, December 7th, 1998, at Indiana University. (Thanks to my dear cousin Kate for that URL!) They also perform a number of other carols, including some very nice versions of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night." Note: 1. In England, the 12 days of Christmas are usually reckoned to be December 26 through January 6, inclusively. There is, however, an older belief that a day begins at nightfall, not midnight or daybreak. According to Clement A. Miles: Sometimes Christmas is reckoned as one of the Twelve Days, sometimes not. In the former case, of course, the Epiphany is the thirteenth day. In England we call the Epiphany Twelfth Day, in Germany it is generally called Thirteenth; in Belgium and Holland it is Thirteenth; in Sweden it varies, but is usually Thirteenth. Sometimes then the Twelve Days are spoken of, sometimes the Thirteen. 'The Twelve Nights;' in accordance with the old Teutonic mode of reckoning by nights, is a natural and correct term." See: Clement A. Miles, Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan (T. Fisher Unwin, 1912; reprinted by Dover Publications, New York, 1976 under the title Christmas Customs and Traditions: Their History and Significance). Return   Eckenstein - Chants of Numbers (1906); Lina Eckenstein, Comparative Studies in Nursery Rhymes (London: Duckworth & Co., 1906), pp. 134-142, and Eckenstein - Chants of the Creed , pp. 143-151. Philip Barry, The Twelve Days of Christmas (1905) ; two versions of the song plus sheet music from 1790 and 1899 from Philip Barry, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," from "Some Traditional Songs" in The Journal of American Folk-Lore, Vol. XVIII, No. LXVIII. (American Folklore Society ; Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Company, January-March 1905), pp. 56�59. The Twelve Days of Christmas - JFSS 5 (1916); Five versions of the carol, including sheet music, plus a discussion about the carol, from Cecil J. Sharp, A. G. Gilchrist and Lucy E. Broadwood, �Forfeit Songs; Cumulative Songs; Songs of Marvels and of Magical Animals,� Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Vol. 5, No. 20 (English Folk Dance + Song Society, Nov., 1916), pp. 277-296. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4434032 . The Twelve Days of Christmas-G.L. Kittredge (1917); an interesting article in The Journal of American Folk-Lore concerning The Twelve Days of Christmas, an excerpt from G. L. Kittredge, " Ballads and Songs ," in The Journal of American Folk-Lore, Vol. XXX (Lancaster, PA: American Folk-Lore Society, 1917), pp. 365-367. Several of the sources mentioned below give additional sources, which include: "The Jolly Gosshawk" (or Gross-hawk or Groshawk), a variant of "The Twelve Days," a tune and notes by Cecil Sharp on pp. 282-283 of Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Vol. 5, No. 20 (Nov., 1916). Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4434032 . This discussion is part of an article about "Forfeit Songs" (see above). Mr. Baring-Gould's note to " The Jolly Goss-Hawk " (Songs of the West, No. 71, 1892, 1905, 1913). The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, 1951, p. 122.  

i don't know

On January 16, 2001, President Bill Clinton awarded what former president a posthumous Medal of Honor, the only president to have received one?

President Theodore Roosevelt - Medal of Honor  ROOSEVELT, THEODORE   The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to   UNITED STATES ARMY   for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:   Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt distinguished himself by acts of bravery on 1 July, 1898, near Santiago de Cuba, Republic of Cuba, while leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, in total disregard for his personal safety, and accompanied by only four or five men, led a desperate and gallant charge up San Juan Hill, encouraging his troops to continue the assault through withering enemy fire over open countryside. Facing the enemy's heavy fire, he displayed extraordinary bravery throughout the charge, and was the first to reach the enemy trenches, where he quickly killed one of the enemy with his pistol, allowing his men to continue the assault. His leadership and valor turned the tide in the Battle for San Juan Hill. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.   "I Am Entitled to the Medal of Honor and I Want It" Theodore Roosevelt and His Quest for Glory   By Mitchell Yockelson Among Theodore Roosevelt's many accomplishments were two terms as President of the United States, the publishing of more than forty works of nonfiction, the exploration of the South American wilderness, and having his likeness sculpted on Mount Rushmore. However, even with all of these and many other achievements, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt often stated that participating in the Battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War was one of his proudest moments. Roosevelt's service with the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, also known as the "Rough Riders," lasted only four months, but he proclaimed "there are no four months of my life to which I look back with more pride and satisfaction."(1) To most people, the charge up San Juan Hill is one of the two most memorable events connected with the "Splendid Little War."(2) The other is the sinking of the USS Maine, which helped set the stage for war. The American victory over Spain placed the nation among the world's great powers. For Roosevelt, the Spanish-American War fulfilled a lifelong dream. While friends in the newspaper business ensured that his exploits in Cuba were not overlooked by the public, the future President yearned for even greater acclaim. He coveted the country's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. Despite an intense lobbying effort by some of his superior officers and a close friend, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Roosevelt's request for the medal was denied by the War Department. Questions remain as to whether Roosevelt was refused the Medal of Honor because he was undeserving or if friction between himself and the War Department was the actual reason for denial.  Although countless pages have documented the Rough Riders in Cuba, the Medal of Honor issue has been largely ignored in print. Even two of Roosevelt's own publications, The Rough Riders and An Autobiography, fail to mention in the narrative his desire for the award.(3) A multitude of War Department documents and Roosevelt's own published letters clearly state his argument that "I am entitled to the Medal of Honor and I want it."(4) With the centennial of the Spanish-American War approaching, perhaps this is an appropriate time to reevaluate Roosevelt's role in the conflict and determine if his contribution was as worthy as he claimed.  After the Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on February 15, 1898, popular opinion in the United States cried for retaliation against Spain. The fever was fueled by yellow journalists such as Joseph Pulitzer of the New York World and William Randolph Hearst of the New York Journal. One of the most anxious Americans was Theodore Roosevelt. When he had taken office as assistant secretary of the navy in April 1897, he used his position to expound upon America's future role as a world power. He felt this goal could not be achieved without war. During a June 2, 1897, speech at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, the assistant secretary noted that "diplomacy is utterly useless where there is no force behind it; the diplomat is the servant, no the master, of the soldier. . . . No triumph of peace is quite so great as the supreme triumphs of war."(5) With war declared on April 21, 1898, the self-proclaimed jingo saw his wishes come true and was anxious to take part in the upcoming fray. Several years after the war, he boasted that "I had always felt that if there were a serious war I wished to be in a position to explain to my children why I did take part in it, and not why I did not take part in it."(6) The latter portion of this statement was probably a reference to his father's decision not to serve in the military during the Civil War, which haunted Roosevelt throughout his life. According to one of his biographers, "family, friends, and superiors all implored Roosevelt to remain in the post in which he had done so much to prepare the navy for war."(7) Roosevelt ignored these pleas and instead lobbied Secretary of War Russell A. Alger for an army commission. Opportunity came for Roosevelt when the War Department mobilized the army for war.  A severe shortage of men prevented the army from immediately setting forth on an expedition to Cuba. To remedy the situation, President William McKinley proposed to Congress a first call for 125,000 state volunteers. The proposal became law on April 22. Four days later, additional legislation was passed to increase the regular army to more than twice its strength. On May 25, McKinley issued a second call for 75,000 volunteers to bring the army up to adequate strength for whatever expeditions might be required.  Most of the volunteers under the first call came from existing state militia or national guard outfits since they numbered about 125,000 men. The order for troops also permitted the federal government to raise three volunteer cavalry regiments to serve independently from the state units.(8) Secretary of War Alger knew the perfect candidate to command the first regiment: Theodore Roosevelt. Upon learning from Alger that the First United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment was his to command, Roosevelt was ecstatic. He declined the offer, however, since his only military service had been three years in the New York National Guard, and he felt this was not enough experience to lead an entire regiment during wartime. As a compromise, Roosevelt suggested that he serve as lieutenant colonel if his good friend Leonard Wood was named as the commander. Alger agreed, and the Rough Riders were born.(9)  Wood was an ideal choice to command the newly formed regiment. He had many of the same political connections as Roosevelt, whom he had met in mid-1897 while serving as the White House physician, and they developed a deep friendship. Besides a career as a medical officer, Wood had served as both an army assistant surgeon and line officer during the expedition against Geronimo in 1886. He distinguished himself in the campaign and received the Medal of Honor in March 1898 for his role in Geronimo's surrender. Wood was the only officer serving in the long campaign to receive the award, and rumors circulated that his political ties were the reason he had been singled out.(10)  Secretary of War Alger authorized Wood to raise and organize "a regiment of Volunteers possessing special qualifications as horsemen and marksmen." Furthermore, War Department Special Order #98, April 27, 1898, directed Wood to report to Muskogee, Indian Territory; Guthrie, Oklahoma; Sante Fe, New Mexico; Prescott, Arizona Territory; Carson City, Nevada; and Salt Lake City, Utah for recruiting.(11) But once the word spread that the Rough Riders were recruiting men, applications came from all over the country. Originally the regiment was allotted 780 men by the War Department, but popular interest in becoming a Rough Rider quickly enlarged the number to 1,000. By July 7, 1898, the regiment exceeded the legal limit of men, with more than 1,100 names on the muster rolls.(12)  The origin of the name "Rough Riders," according to Roosevelt, was created "both by the public and by the rest of the army . . . doubtless because the bulk of the men were from the Southwestern ranch country and were skilled in the wild horsemanship of the great plains."(13) Publicly, Roosevelt invoked an image as a cowboy because of the several years he spent ranching in the Dakota Territory and the publication of his multivolume work The Winning of the West. In addition to the majority of cowboys and ranchers, recruits came from Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Roosevelt also recruited at the various social clubs of Boston and New York with which he was well acquainted. From this contingent Roosevelt especially sought athletes such as cross-country riders and polo players. Notable among the blue-blood eastern families recruited for the Rough Riders was Hamilton Fish, the nephew of former Secretary of State Fish. Most noteworthy of the western recruits was William "Bucky" O'Neil, who was the mayor of Prescott, Arizona, and a famous sheriff. A number of Native Americans representing tribes such as the Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks rounded out the regiment.(14)  The Rough Riders trained in San Antonio, Texas, for about four weeks, then joined the other outfits congregating in Tampa, Florida, for transport to Cuba.(15) The expedition was organized as the U.S. Army's Fifth Corps. They were led by the rotund Maj. Gen. William R. Shafter, a Medal of Honor winner during the Civil War and veteran of the Indian wars. The Rough Riders had the distinction of being one of only three volunteer regiments that initially went to Cuba.(16)     Officers at camp in Tampa, Florida: Maj. George Dunn, Major Brodie, former Confederate Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Chaplain Brown of the Rough Riders, Col. Leonard Wood, and Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt.   Leaving Tampa on June 6, the Fifth Corps anchored a week later off the coast of Santiago de Cuba and remained there until an advance force of the U.S. Army landed at the small port of Daiquiri, seventeen miles from Santiago. With the help of naval gunfire and a small force of Cuban revolutionaries under the command of Gen. Calixto Garcia, the three hundred Spanish troops in the area of Daiquiri were forced to withdraw on June 22. Because of heavy surf conditions, Shafter selected a landing point eight miles closer to Santiago at the port of Siboney. By June 26, most of the expedition was on shore, but not without casualties. Two men and a number of artillery horses and pack mules drowned in the rough sea. Roosevelt remembered that "we did the landing as we had everything else--that is, in a scramble."(17)   Landing at Daiquiri.   Upon landing in Cuba, the mission of the Fifth Corps was unclear. The War Department gave Shafter instructions to destroy the Spanish forces at Santiago, and how to go about this was left up to him. As soon as a sufficient force landed on shore at Siboney, Shafter ordered the march toward Santiago. Although the Spaniards put up no resistance to the American landings, Cubans in the area reported that a force of two thousand Spaniards were about four miles from Siboney in the village of Las Guasimas. Former Confederate officer Maj. Gen. "Fighting" Joe Wheeler, who commanded the Fifth Corps cavalry division as a volunteer, sent Brig. Gen. Samuel B.M. Young on a reconnaissance toward the village with his brigade, which included the Rough Riders and the African American Tenth U.S. Cavalry. After a two-hour fight, Young's brigade had the enemy fleeing toward Santiago.(18) Sixteen Americans and ten Spaniards were killed in the fight. Figuring prominently in the skirmish were the Rough Riders, who suffered eight casualties. Newspapers across the United States proclaimed it a Rough Riders victory. Most responsible for the accolades was correspondent Richard Harding Davis, who tagged along with the Rough Riders and acted as Roosevelt's own press secretary. In reality, Wheeler had advanced the cavalry prematurely, and they had been ambushed. Two of the Rough Riders killed were among the regiment's more promising troopers, Capt. Allyn K. Capron and Sgt. Hamilton Fish. The most positive aspect of the skirmish was that it boosted morale among the soldiers and gave them confidence for the big fight that lay ahead.(19) After the unexpected Las Guasimas fight, Shafter decided against any further advances until he could build up substantial supplies at Siboney and Daiquiri. On June 28 Shafter learned that a Spanish relief force was heading to reinforce troops entrenched among the heights surrounding Santiago. Two days later he ordered his forces to be ready to march toward Santiago on July 1. The ultimate goal was San Juan Hill, which was also known as either San Juan Heights or San Juan Ridge.(20) The San Juan Heights rise above Santiago, about two miles east of the city. A small rise known as Kettle Hill was named for an abandoned mill and its iron kettles used to refine sugar. San Juan Hill rises to the southwest, about 400 yards further than Kettle Hill, and stands about 125 feet high with a brick blockhouse at the summit. Just east of Kettle and San Juan Hills flows the San Juan River. Approximately a thousand yards west of the San Juan Heights there was a strong line of Spanish fortifications that included barbed-wire entanglements, rifle pits, and trenches dug on the heights and to their rear. Shafter's plan to assault the San Juan Heights, based upon reconnaissance by his own troops and the Cuban army, was to send the Fifth Corps through the only two practicable routes in the jungle-covered terrain. The First Infantry Division under Brig. Gen. Jacob F. Kent and Wheeler's cavalry would approach Kettle and San Juan Hills through the same road the army had followed from Siboney. The first phase of the attack was for Brig. Gen. Henry W. Lawton's Second Infantry Division to take the village of El Caney on the right flank by way of the road to Guantanamo, which he claimed was possible in two hours. Lawton was then to move on to Santiago with Kent and Wheeler approaching to his left. If the plan went as designed, the three divisions would clear the Spaniards from the San Juan Heights and bring Santiago under siege. The Battle of Santiago began early in the morning of July 1 with Lawton attacking El Caney, but his force of sixty-six hundred men met heavy resistance from the five hundred Spaniards garrisoned at the village. Not until late afternoon did El Caney come under American control. With Lawton bogged down in El Caney, the First Cavalry Division and First Infantry Division with about eight thousand men would have to attack the defenses of San Juan Heights without the planned infantry support. The cavalry was now under the command of Brig. Gen. Samuel S. Sumner, who temporarily replaced an ill General Wheeler. As result of Wheeler's illness, Wood was promoted to brigadier general, and Roosevelt was raised to the rank of colonel of the Rough Riders.  The infantry division under General Kent moved behind the Sumner's cavalry division along the road leading to the heights at about 11 a.m. Gradually the infantry pressed up alongside the cavalry, then both divisions took position in an area that provided little cover, with the cavalry on the right and the infantry on the left. Not yet having received orders from Shafter's headquarters, the men were exposed in the open with no clear course of action. Before the men completed their deployment, the Spanish troops on San Juan and Kettle Hills commenced rifle and artillery fire.  What triggered the Spanish fusillade was an observation balloon operated by the Signal Corps. Their mission was to obtain more intelligence about the Spanish position, but the balloon gave the Spaniards a perfect marker on which to aim their fire. How many American casualties the balloon caused is impossible to say. On the positive side, the two observers aboard the balloon gathered information on the enemy's strength at San Juan Hill and discovered an alternate trail that helped spread the deployment of the Fifth Corps infantry.(21)  Sumner and Kent realized that San Juan Hill was heavily defended and the infantry and cavalry would be decimated unless they either advanced or retreated. Kent's infantry, followed by Sumner's cavalry, deployed along a narrow path, and by 1 p.m. the Americans established a firing line facing the heights against the Spanish right flank. Lt. John H. Parker and his battery of Gatling guns caused the most destruction. At a range of six hundred to eight hundred yards, Parker demoralized the Spaniards by firing continuously for little over eight minutes.(22) Using Parker's guns as a cover, the cavalry and infantry finally received permission to attack the Spanish forward positions along San Juan Heights. What actually happened at this point is still quite confusing. A number of different versions of the battle by its participants conflict with each other. Of particular interest to this study is Roosevelt's own account of the events. In his two reports to Leonard Wood that were published in the Report of the Secretary of War, as well as his postwar story in The Rough Riders, Roosevelt gives the impression that he alone was the first to charge the San Juan Heights to drive away the entrenched Spaniards. This image of Theodore Roosevelt was propagated with the help of Richard Harding Davis. Reporting for the New York Herald, Davis transcribed what Roosevelt told him, then added his own twist to the story. In addition to the newspaper articles, magazines and books picked up his story. Davis depicted a fearless Roosevelt, wearing a blue polka-dotted bandanna, charging up the hill mounted on his horse, Texas. Thus the legend of Theodore Roosevelt was created.(23) The first report, written on July 4, 1898, provides Roosevelt's initial claim for credit in charging the heights. He wrote, After crossing the river at the ford we were moved along and up its right bank under fire, and were held in reserve at a sunken road. . . . We then received your order to advance and support the regular cavalry in the attack on the entrenchments and blockhouses on the hills to the left. The regiment was deployed on both sides of the road, and moved forward until we came to the rearmost lines of the regulars. We moved forward until I ordered a charge, and the men rushed the blockhouse and rifle pits on the hill to the right of our advance. They did the work in fine shape, though suffering severely. The guidons of Troop E and G were first planted on the summit, though the first men up were some A and B troopers, who were with me. After the passage of almost three weeks, Roosevelt's final report to Wood elaborated even further on his immortal charge.   We moved through several skirmish lines of the regiment ahead of us, as it seemed to me that our only chance was in rushing the entrenchments in front. . . . Accordingly we charged the blockhouse and entrenchments on the hill to our right against a heavy fire. It was taken in good style, the men of my regiment thus being the first to capture any fortified position and to break through the Spanish lines. The guidons of G and E troops were first at this point, but some of the men of A and B troops who were with me personally got in ahead of them. At the last wire fence up this hill I was obliged to abandon my horse and after that went on foot. . . . By the time San Juan was taken a large force had assembled on the hill we had previously captured, consisting not only of my own regiment but of the ninth and of portions of other cavalry regiments.(24) In The Rough Riders, written almost a year after the war, Roosevelt provides further assessment of his gallantry.   The General [Sumner] at once ordered the first brigade to advance on the hills, and the second to support it. The instant I received the order I sprang on my horse and then my "crowded hour" began. . . . I started in the rear of the regiment, the position in which the colonel should theoretically stay. . . . I had intended to go into action on foot . . . but the heat was so oppressive that I found I should be quite unable to run up and down the line . . . moreover, when on horseback, I could see the men better and they could see me better. I soon found that I could get that line, behind which I personally was, faster forward than the one immediately in front of it. . . . This happened with every line in succession, until I found myself at the head of the regiment. . . . The Ninth Regiment was immediately in front of me, and the First on my left, and these went up Kettle Hill with my regiment. The Third, Sixth, and Tenth went partly up Kettle Hill (following the Rough Riders and the Ninth and the First). . . . By the time I came to the head of the regiment we ran into the left wing of the ninth regulars . . . , who were lying down. I spoke to the captain in command. . . . I asked where the Colonel was, and as he was not in sight, said, "Then I am the ranking officer here and I give the order to charge. . . ." Naturally the Captain hesitated to obey this order. . . . So I said, "Then let my men through sir," and rode on through the lines, followed by the grinning Rough Riders. . . . Wheeling around, I then again galloped toward the hill, passing the shouting, cheering, firing men. . . . Some forty yards from the top I ran into a wire fence and jumped off Little Texas. . . . Almost immediately afterward the hill was covered by the troops, both Rough Riders and the colored troops of the Ninth, and some of the men of the First. There was the usual confusion, and afterward there was much discussion as to exactly who had been on the hill first. The first guidons planted there were those of the three New Mexican troops, G, E, and F, of my regiment . . . , but on the extreme right of the hill, at the opposite end from where we struck it, Captains Taylor and McBain, and their men of the Ninth were first up. Each of the five captains was firm in the belief that his troop was first up.(25) While Roosevelt's accounts and Davis's articles make exciting reading, they do not tell the complete story. Based on official reports that Roosevelt either did not consult or refused to believe, historians writing about the battle for Santiago since July 1, 1898, have exposed a number of inaccuracies in Roosevelt's versions. Ultimately the revised histories place credit for the charge on the San Juan Heights with the regular army, whom Roosevelt ignored in his accounts. Another obvious mistake is Roosevelt's insistence in his official reports that he charged San Juan Hill, when in reality his immediate assault was on Kettle Hill. According to historians Peggy and Harold Samuels, Roosevelt had convinced himself that he had charged San Juan Hill as had Hawkins. "Although San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were separated by geography and by difference in the quality of defenses, Roosevelt lumped together the hill, the knoll, the valley before them, and the heights as 'the battlefield at San Juan Hill.' He glossed over the clear physical difference between San Juan Hill in particular and the entire San Juan battlefield."(26) What the evidence supports is that the cavalry division advanced to the northwest across the San Juan River and up Kettle Hill. By the time the assault reached the top of Kettle Hill the ground was practically deserted by the Spanish soldiers. Due to the confusion of the heavy fire, cavalry units were intermingled with white soldiers of the Rough Riders firing beside the colored soldiers of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Regiments.(27) Who reached Kettle Hill first is where the confusion lies. First Lt. Edward D. Anderson made the claim for Troop C of the Tenth Cavalry. His report states that "while advancing near the road, Colonel Wood, the brigade commander, came by and told me to move my troop to the right and toward the blockhouse. I had 1 man killed and 7 wounded in reaching the top of the hill. . . . Shortly, Colonel Roosevelt and part of his regiment joined our right and I reported to him with my troop. His command took the position behind the crest in which we now occupy."(28) The troops on Kettle Hill under the orders of Sumner and the inspiration of Theodore Roosevelt started down the west slope of the hill and up the northern extension of San Juan Hill. The cavalry encountered trenches filled with dead Spaniards or those who wished to surrender. Some of the bolder enemy were shot in full flight by the Rough Riders and other regiments now firmly in place on San Juan Hill. The assaults against Kettle and San Juan Hills were against Spanish troops that had already begun pulling back. Around noon their two field artillery pieces had been depleted of ammunition, and their infantry had been decimated by the Gatling gun, artillery, and rifle fire. Those who remained in the trenches when the U.S. cavalry appeared were either dead or wounded. The Rough Riders did charge San Juan Hill, but only after the assault on the more strategically important Kettle Hill.  The July 1 assault on the San Juan Heights drove the Spaniards from the high ground surrounding the city of Santiago. This was accomplished at a severe cost, though, as the Fifth Corps sustained more than 1,300 casualties. The Rough Riders, who were about 490 strong when the battle started, suffered 15 men killed and 73 wounded. One of those killed was Bucky O'Neil, who was shot through the back of the head while parading in front of Troop A. Morale among the officers and men was at the lowest point of the campaign because of the high casualty rate and confusion of the day's battle.  To make matters worse, logistical problems in getting supplies and food to the men on San Juan Hill, as well as abysmal medical services, prompted Shafter to consider withdrawing on July 2 to reorganize. But the Fifth Corps remained and debated with the navy for the next several days over the course to follow for an attack on Santiago. Shafter wanted the navy to force its way through Santiago Harbor and bombard the city, while Adm. William T. Sampson wanted the army first to seize the forts at the entrance of the harbor. In the meantime, negotiations commenced between Shafter and the new commander of the Spanish forces at Santiago, Gen. Jose Toral. Shafter threatened Toral with a combined sea and land attack if the Spanish did not surrender. The final blow for the Spanish force was the fiery destruction of their squadron as it tried to flee Santiago Harbor on July 3. This, coupled with an increase in sickness and lack of food for Toral's men, induced the Spanish commander to surrender, and formal ceremonies took place on July 17.(29) Spanish forces march through the streets of Santiago.   The Spaniards were not the only ones suffering from disease. By the end of July, almost 20 percent of Shafter's men were hospitalized because of yellow fever, dysentery, and a large number of malaria cases. At first the War Department felt theFifth Corps should remain in Cuba and wait out the epidemics, but Shafter warned that the disease would worsen unless the sick men were returned to the United States. Shafter solicited the views of his division and brigade commanders, and they concurred that the weakened soldiers must leave Cuba immediately or risk yellow fever deaths rising by the hundreds. All three of Shafter's division commanders and several of the brigade officers, including Roosevelt, drafted and signed a letter stating their views on the withdrawal from Cuba. The letter was included with Shafter's dispatch and sent to the War Department on August 3. Roosevelt also took matters into his own hands and sent an urgent plea to his friend, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. A copy of Shafter's dispatch was leaked to an Associated Press correspondent at the Fifth Corps headquarters, and the generals' letter was printed in newspapers across the United States. Although the exact source of who leaked the dispatch was never revealed, Roosevelt has often been considered the prime suspect. Because the dispatch went through so many hands, it was called the "Round Robin" letter. The letter caused great embarrassment to the McKinley administration, which appeared cold and callous to the American public for leaving the sick troops in Cuba. McKinley was also fearful that news of a decimated army would give the Spanish more bargaining power when negotiating the armistice. The scandal became known as the "Round Robin Affair," and as a result, McKinley allowed Shafter to start sending his men north as soon as possible. The first shipload of troops left Santiago on August 7, and by August 25 the entire corps had left Cuba. The Rough Riders were among those transported on one of the first ships to leave Cuba and arrived at Montauk Point, Long Island, on August 15 to a cheering crowd.(30)  Before Roosevelt and his Rough Riders left Cuba for the United States, he commenced fighting another, personal, battle. General Wheeler promised to recommend him to the War Department for a Medal of Honor, and his good friend Leonard Wood got the ball rolling by submitting the first endorsement on July 6. In a letter to the War Department Adjutant General's office in Washington, Wood plainly stated that "I have the honor to recommend Lieut. Col. Theodore Roosevelt . . . for a Medal of Honor for distinguished gallantry in leading a charge on one of the entrenched hills to the east of the Spanish position in the suburbs of Santiago de Cuba, July First, 1898."(31)  Although a nice gesture, Wood's recommendation had very little merit. He had not been present during the actual charge, and Wood's enemies asserted that he had got lost in the woods trying to maneuver his brigade, reaching San Juan Hill only after the fighting had ended. He was therefore not a reliable witness, and the War Department would later reveal this fact. Following Wood's recommendation were similar endorsements from Generals Wheeler and Shafter. Like Wood, they also had not witnessed Roosevelt's alleged heroic charge.  Roosevelt also pushed the Medal of Honor issue to his long-time companion, Massachusetts Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Roosevelt boasted to him "that General Wheeler intends to recommend me for the Medal of Honor; naturally I should like to have it." In a another letter to Lodge complaining about the deplorable conditions in Cuba and the deaths that might result from the malaria, Roosevelt reflected upon his own possible death. He told Lodge that "if I do go, I do wish you would get that medal for me anyhow, as I should awfully like the children to have it, and I think I earned it."(32)  Impatient to hear news about the Medal of Honor, Roosevelt wrote to the War Department in September 1898. Assistant Secretary of War George D. Meikeljohn responded that they had Wood, Wheeler, and Shafter's letters on file, but "owing to the pressure of current work the Department is unable to give consideration cases of this class at the present time, but the application made in your behalf will receive careful attention as soon as it is found practicable to take up these cases."(33) Although Roosevelt may have deemed Meikeljohn's response a snub, his application was indeed one of many pouring into the War Department. Joining him on the Medal of Honor and Brevet list were more than fifty other veterans of the Spanish-American War. In order to deal with each case in a fair manner, Secretary of War Alger established on November 9, 1898, a "board of officers . . . for the purpose of making recommendations for brevet promotions, the awards of medals of honor, and certificates of merit for the officers, and enlisted men who participated in the campaigns of Santiago, the Philippines, and Porto Rico."(34)  Known as the "Brevet Board," the three officers in charge received mountains of paperwork from the Adjutant General's Office that no doubt included Roosevelt's numerous letters and supporting documents. To determine eligibility for the Medal of Honor, the Brevet Board had to follow paragraph 177 of the United States Army regulations. It states that "in order that the Congressional Medal of Honor may be deserved[,] service must have been performed in action as such conspicuous character to clearly distinguish the man for gallantry and intrepidity above his comrades--service that involved extreme jeopardy of life or the performance of extraordinary hazardous duty. Recommendations for the decoration will be judged by this standard of extraordinary merit, and incontestible proof of performance of the service will be exacted."(35) Since its creation during the Civil War, the Medal of Honor had been haphazardly awarded because there were no clear rules or policies for documenting and authenticating the acts of gallantry befitting the decoration. The Brevet Board served to temporarily correct this dilemma.  Four months after submission of his name for the Medal of Honor, Roosevelt became more obsessed with the issue. He painfully told Lodge on December 6 that "if I didn't earn it, then no commissioned officer can ever earn it. . . . I don't ask this as a favor--I ask it as a right. . . . I feel rather ugly on this medal of honor business; and the President and War Dept. may as well understand it. If they want fighting, they shall have it." Three weeks later in another letter to Lodge, Rooseveltchanged his tone. He told his friend "now, please don't, in the midst of all your worry over big matters, do another thing in connection with the medal."(36) He prepared himself for possible denial after learning from Senator Lodge that Secretary Alger had told him at a White House dinner that the Rough Rider would not receive the medal. Roosevelt also claimed that Alger had made this announcement to others on a number of occasions. He wrote to Leonard Wood and told him "pray do not think of the medal anymore. There is nothing to be done about it. I really care more for the recommendations for it than the medal itself."(37) In a letter to Gen. Francis Vinton Greene, Roosevelt vented his frustrations about Alger: "You will readily understand however, that both my friends and myself feel that when the Secretary announces in advance publicly and repeatedly that the medal must not and will not be given, this mere fact itself amounts to coercion of the Board, and I shall think that the Board might better <<display>> sensitiveness about the coercion than about my friends having called in consequence of the Secretary's public statements."(38)  Roosevelt also expressed these same feelings in a barrage of letters to the office of the Adjutant General of the War Department, Henry C. Corbin. Corbin responded that "one word as to the reported remark of the Secretary of War that 'you were not entitled to a medal of honor.' I am fully persuaded that the Secretary never made any such statement to any one. My relations with the Secretary have been intimate and your name has been frequently mentioned and there was never a suggestion from him that was not full of kindly regard and appreciation. What he probably did say was 'the case as presented by General Wood would not, under the rules of the office, entitle you to this consideration,' and you must agree that Wood's recommendation was lacking in the special features that warrant the issuance of medals to any one. As you have written him, I hope he will be able to set forth in detail just why it should be done. Should he do this, I undertake to say the Secretary will share with me the pleasure of bestowing this honor upon you."(39) Taking Corbin's advice, Roosevelt solicited another statement from Wood. But Wood's second letter quoted almost verbatim the official reports submitted to him in July by Roosevelt. In other words, Wood could not offer himself as an eyewitness. Roosevelt began to realize that there may not be any accurate witnesses to his valor because "I don't know who saw me throughout the fight, because I was almost always in the front and could not tell who was close behind me, and was paying no attention to it." Not giving up the fight, Roosevelt requested statements from regular army officers and volunteers who were either with him or in the area during the attack on San Juan Heights.  Roosevelt was correct. The statements submitted on his behalf were of little help because they provided conflicting and vague accounts of his bravery. Capt. C. J. Stevens of the Ninth Cavalry stated that "Col. Roosevelt was among the very first to reach the crest of the hill." On the other hand, 1st Lt. Robert Howe of the Sixth Cavalry recalled that the "Colonel's life was placed in extreme jeopardy, owing to the conspicuous position he took in leading the line, and being the first to reach the crest of that hill." Gen. Samuel S. Sumner, as though he felt an obligation to support Roosevelt's Medal of Honor case, simply says that "Col. Roosevelt by his example and fearlessness inspired his men at both Kettle Hill and the ridge known as San Juan, he led his command in person." Sumner, whose testimony had great merit, provides no comments on whether Roosevelt was the first or among the first on the hill. The statements from former officers in the Rough Riders, such as Maxwell Keyes, W. J. McCann, and M. J. Jenkins, were biased in support of Roosevelt. They essentially echoed their colonel's argument.(40)  With the Medal of Honor issue dragging on, Roosevelt's emotions took on a childlike, vindictive tone. In a letter to Gen. Bradley Tyler Johnson, he wrote, "I do not believe the War Department has the slightest intentions of granting it, and I have really given up thinking about it. You see I cannot blame the War Department for feeling bitterly toward me now, for I have hit, and intend to hit them, hard for what they have done and left done and left undone, and I am rather pleased than otherwise that they should have given me no excuse to feel under any obligation to them. Now they can grant me the medal or not, just as they wish, for it will not make a particle of difference in what I shall write about them."(41) When Roosevelt states that "I have hit the War Department hard," he is most likely referring to the Round Robin affair and his testimony before the "Commission Appointed by the President to Investigate the Conduct of the War Department in the War With Spain."  The long wait for news about his award ended for Roosevelt on June 8, 1899, when the Brevet Board submitted its recommendations for the Medal of Honor to the secretary of war. The three board members stated that "many cases of bravery and unquestioned courage in battle have been presented, but the application of the rules laid down for the guidance of the Board in awarding Medals of Honor constrains it to limit its recommendations."(42) Twenty-eight participants of the Santiago Campaign were approved to receive the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action, but Roosevelt's name was not among them. Instead, his name appeared with other volunteer officers on a separate list for recommendation as brevet colonel and brevet brigadier general.  Exactly why the Brevet Board denied Roosevelt the award is not officially documented. There are no extant War Department records nor similar correspondence among the personal papers of Russell Alger that hint at why Roosevelt was rejected. Certainly no evidence exists to support the contention that Alger held a grudge over the Round Robin affair or Roosevelt's testimony to the congressional committee. On the contrary, letters from the War Department to Roosevelt indicate that they were more than willing to assist him in getting the Medal of Honor. One can only assume that the Brevet Board came to the conclusion that, though Roosevelt's conduct in Cuba was quite admirable, it was not worthy of a Medal of Honor.   The Medal of Honor was awarded to twenty-eight men in the battle for Santiago, but Roosevelt failed to secure it.   Regardless of why Roosevelt was not awarded the Medal of Honor, it was the correct decision. In one way or another, most of the officers participating in the fighting on July 1, 1898, performed very well. Military historian Graham Cosmas states that "in most regiments, the officer casualty rate was about double that for enlisted men--an indication of the extent and price of leadership from the front."(43) To single out Roosevelt as a hero among the other line officers would have been a great injustice, and the merit of the award would have been cheapened. The denial of the Medal of Honor does not diminish the fact that Roosevelt gave his best effort in attempting to bring order to the chaos along the San Juan Heights. He risked his life by riding his horse during the charge while the Spanish bullets rained down upon him. There is no doubt that he was an inspiration to the men of the Rough Riders and the troops of the cavalry division. Roosevelt took the Brevet Board's decision with great disappointment, as might be expected. But time also helped heal any ill feelings he may have harbored, at least publicly. Since he was no longer serving in the United States Army, the brevet ranks of colonel and brigadier general had only political value to Roosevelt.(44) His career as a politician was right on track, and there was no reason to stew about the Medal of Honor any further. In 1907 he rejected an offer to join the Medal of Honor Club for the reason that "I was recommended for it [Medal of Honor] by my superior officers in the Santiago campaign, but I was not awarded it; and frankly, looking back on it now, I feel that the board which declined to award it took exactly the right position."(45)  The reasons behind Roosevelt's adamancy about getting the Medal of Honor are open to conjecture, but political ambition was certainly one of his motives. Clearly Roosevelt had sights on the presidency, and the medal was the perfect vehicle to help get him into the White House. He may also have been in awe of the Medal of Honor winners with whom he served in Cuba: Nelson A. Miles, William R. Shafter, Henry W. Lawton, Robert Lee Howe, and Leonard Wood. As an overly confident volunteer, Roosevelt hoped for acceptance by the regular officers. In his eyes, the Medal of Honor would put him on the same level as the career soldiers. Politically, not receiving the Medal of Honor certainly did not impede Roosevelt's career as a civil servant. Because of his participation in the Spanish-American War, he was considered one of the most popular and colorful political figures in the United States. Almost immediately after the war, Roosevelt was elected governor of New York, then selected by McKinley as his vice president, then became President of the United States. His political successes were a direct result of the image he made for himself in Cuba. Theodore Roosevelt passed away in 1919 from complications relating to an adventure in South America. Had Roosevelt still been alive in 1944, he would have been proud to learn that a Roosevelt did eventually win the award he so coveted. His son Brig. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., received the Medal of Honor posthumously for "gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in France."(46) However, this Medal of Honor was awarded with its own bit of controversy. Originally, Theodore jr. had been cited for the Distinguished Service Cross. Some commanding officers in the First Army, including Maj. Gen. J. Lawton Collins and Lt. Gen. Courtney Hodges, considered this to be the appropriate award, but the War Department upgraded the citation to a Medal of Honor.(47)  Even though he did not receive his nation's highest military decoration, Theodore Roosevelt will forever be known as one of America's most well-liked and vibrant characters. His charge up Kettle Hill, even though he insisted it was San Juan Hill, conjures a heroic image that will likely never fade with time. Theodore Roosevelt will always be remembered as the embodiment of the Spanish-American War, a significant historical event that he called the "time of my life."(48) NOTES  1. Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography (1913), p. 275. 2. Frank Freidel, The Splendid Little War (1958), p. 340. 3. Although Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography and The Rough Riders contain reproductions of Roosevelt's Medal of Honor recommendations, there is no mention of the award in the narratives of either book  4. Elting E. Morison, ed., The Letters of Theodore Roosevelt (1951), p. 1094  5. Hermann Hagedorn, ed., The Works of Theodore Roosevelt (1926), vol. 13, pp. 182-199  6. Roosevelt, Autobiography, p. 237. 7. Nathan Miller, Theodore Roosevelt: A Life (1992), pp. 33, 55  8. Graham A. Cosmas, An Army for Empire: The United States Army in the Spanish-American War (reprint, 1994), pp. 106-108.  9. Roosevelt, Autobiography, pp. 237-38. 10. Robert McHenry, Webster's American Military Biography (1978) pp. 487-488.  11. General Correspondence, file #536595, entry 25, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's-1917, Record Group 94, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC (hereinafter, records in the National Archives will be cited as RG__, NARA).  12. General Correspondence, file #536595, entry 25, RG 94, NARA.  13. Roosevelt, Autobiography, p. 238.  14. Theodore Roosevelt, The Rough Riders (1899), pp. 5-40.  15. Due to the lack of space aboard the U.S. Army transports, horses designated for the cavalry units were left behind in Tampa. Only officers and support units were allowed to bring horses to Cuba. 16. Cosmas, Army for Empire, pp. 188-189. 17. Roosevelt, Rough Riders, p. 70.  18. David F. Trask, The War with Spain in 1898 (1981), pp. 217-223.  19. Charles H. Brown, The Correspondents' War (1967), p. 320.  20. Trask, War with Spain, pp. 235-238.  21. War Department Annual Report, 1898, Vol. 1, part 2, Major General Commanding the Army, pp. 275-359. See also General Correspondence, file #122370, entry 25, RG 94, NARA, and Graham A. Cosmas, San Juan Hill and El Caney (1986), pp. 118-148.  22. Trask, War with Spain, pp. 217-223. 23. Margaret Leech, In the Days of McKinley (1959), pp. 248-250. 24. War Department Annual Report, 1898, Vol. 1, part 2, Major General Commanding the Army, p. 686-687. 25. Roosevelt, Rough Riders, pp. 139-143.  26. Peggy and Harold Samuels, Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan: The Making of a President (1997).  27. Trask, War with Spain, pp. 217-223.  28. War Department Annual Report, 1898, Vol. 1, part 2, Major General Commanding the Army, p. 327. 29. Trask, War with Spain, pp. 311-314.  30. Leech, In the Days of McKinley, pp. 306-312.  31. General Correspondence, file #104879, entry 25, RG 94, NARA. This file contains all extant Theodore Roosevelt Medal of Honor recommendations as submitted to the War Department.  32. Morison, Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 1125.  33. General Correspondence, file #104879, entry 25, RG 94, NARA.  34. War Department, General Order 42, June 30, 1897. 35. War Department, Special Order 255, paragraph 10, 1898.  36. Morison, Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, pp. 1093-1098.  37. Theodore Roosevelt to Leonard Wood, Jan. 12, 1899, Wood Papers, Library of Congress.  38. Morison, Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 1107.  39. General Correspondence, file #104879, entry 25, RG 94, NARA.  40. General Correspondence, file #104879, entry 25, RG 94, NARA.  41. Morison, Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 1098.  42. General Correspondence, file 147551, entry 25, RG 94, NARA.  43. Cosmas, San Juan Hill and El Caney, p. 123.  44. A brevet was normally an honorary rank in which an officer functioned when on special assignment. Officers ordinarily received pay based on their brevet rank.  45. Morison, Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 1393.  46. War Department, General Order #77, 1944.  47. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Medal of Honor File, Records of United States Army Commands, RG 338, NARA.  48. Roosevelt, Rough Riders, p. 127.

Theodore Roosevelt

July 27, 1940 saw the introduction of what beloved cartoon character in the 8:15 short A Wild Hare?

Medal of Honor Statistics MEDAL OF HONOR STATISTICS Current as of  September 15, 2014   How many Medals of Honor have been awarded? How many were awarded to each branch of service? How many heroic acts have merited a Medal of Honor award? If you have spent much time surfing Medal of Honor web sites, reading books, or otherwise seeking answers to these questions, you have probably concluded your quest with more questions than answers.  The numbers provided at one source are often different from the answers found at another, leaving you to wonder WHO is correct.  Chances are, they ALL are correct!  We have developed this page to help make some sense of these differing numbers. Simply put there have been: *3,510 Medals of Honor Awarded .... *For 3,505 Different acts of Heroism .... *Performed by 3,491 different individuals.... *Of whom 3,482 are identified by NAME in the Roll of Honor. (The remaining 9 are awards to the Unknown Soldiers.) These four statement provide a good STARTING POINT provided you insure that your Medal of Honor information is CURRENT.  Older reference books may not include Medal of Honor awards in the last several years.   Many reference works do not include those Medals presented since Ronald Reagan presented the Medal of Honor to Roy Benavidez on February 24, 1981.  Current Medal of Honor statistics include: 1)  The restoration of Medals of Honor to 5 civilian scouts during the Civil War and Indian Campaigns.  These 5 (including "Buffalo Bill" Cody) were part of the purge of 1917, but were restored on June 12, 1989. 2)  Awards of the Medal of Honor to new recipients listed in the table below: Apr 24, 1991 Presented posthumously to the only Black soldier of WWI to receive Medal. May 23, 1994 *Gary I. Gordon Army/SOMALIA Presented posthumously by President Clinton to the widows of the two Army Rangers killed in Somalia.  The LAST MOH action. May 24, 1994 Vernon J. Baker Army/WWII After an extensive review of military awards to Black soldiers during World War II, these seven soldiers' awards were upgraded to Medals of Honor which were presented posthumously by President Clinton to the families of 6 of them, and personally to Mr. Vernon J. Baker. Jan 13, 1997 Presented by President Clinton for heroism during World War II. July 10, 1998 Presented by President Clinton for heroism in Vietnam. Feb 8, 2000 Presented by President Clinton for heroism in Vietnam. Jun 21, 2000 Awards to 22 Japanese-Americans for World War II heroism.  (Most of these were heroes from the 442d Regimental Combat Team that was the most highly decorated unit of World War II, but which had only previously received ONE Medal of Honor, the posthumous presentation in 1946 to Sadao Munemori.)  As a result, the following 22 names were added to the Honor Roll:  (*Posthumous Award) Rudolph B. Davila Dec 8, 2000 William Pitsenbarger Air Force/Vietnam Presented posthumously to his father at Wright-Patterson AFB for heroism in Vietnam. Jan 16, 2001 Andrew Jackson Smith Army/Civil War Presented posthumously at the White House to their surviving family members by President William Clinton. Theodore Roosevelt Army/Spanish American War Jul 16, 2001 Ed Freeman Army/Vietnam Presented at the White House by President George W. Bush May 1, 2002 Ben Louis Salomon Army/WWII Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush Jon Swanson July 8, 2002 Humbert Roque Versace Army/Vietnam Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush April 4, 2005 Paul Ray Smith Army/Iraq Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush Sep 23, 2005 Tibor Rubin Army/Korean War Presented belatedly at the White House by President George W. Bush Jan 11, 2005 Dunham, Jason L. USMC/Iraq Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush. Feb 28, 2007 Crandall, Bruce P. Army/ Presented belatedly at the White House by President George W. Bush. Oct 22, 2007 Murphy, Michael P. Navy/Afghanistan Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush. Mar 3, 2008 Woodrow Wilson Keeble Army/Korea Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush. Apr 8, 2008 Monsoor, Michael A. Navy/Iraq Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush. June 2, 2008 McGinnis, Ross A.. Army/Iraq Presented posthumously at the White House by President George W. Bush. Sep 17, 2009 Monti, Jared C. Army/Afghanistan Presented posthumously at the White House by President Barack Obama. Sep 19, 2010 Etchberger, Richard L. Air Force/Vietnam Presented posthumously at the White House by President Barack Obama. Oct 6, 2010 Miller, Robert James Army/Afghanistan Presented posthumously at the White House by President Barack Obama. Nov 16, 2010 Giunta, Salvatore Army/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama. Salvatore Giunta is the first LIVING Recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions since the Vietnam War. May 2, 2011 Anthony Kaho'ohanohano Henry Svehla Presented posthumously at the White House by President Barack Obama. July 12, 2011 Petry, Leroy A. Army/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama.  Sep 11, 2011 Meyer, Dakota L. USMC/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama.  Mar 16, 2012 Sabo, Leslie H., Jr. Army/Vietnam Presented posthumously at the White House by President Barack Obama.  Feb 11, 2013 Romesha, Clinton L. Army/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama Apr 11, 2013 Kapaun, Emil J. Army/Korea Presented Posthumously at the White House by President Barack Obama Aug 26, 2013 Carter, Ty Michael Army/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama Oct 15, 2013 Swenson, William D. Army/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama Mar 18, 2014 Follow a review of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Distinguished Service Crosses, on March 18, 2014 President Barack Obama awarded Medals of Honor to the following 24 individuals: (*Posthumous Award) World War II May 13, 2014 White, Kyle J.. Army/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama Jun 19, 2014 Carpenter, William Kyle USMC/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama July 21, 2014 Pitts, Ryan M. USMC/Afghanistan Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama Sep 15, 2014 Adkins, Bennie G. *Sloat, Donald Paul Presented at the White House by President Barack Obama   Cushing, Alonzo Award Approved but Presentation is delayed . When you have insured that your data is CURRENT, you can begin to further analyze the numbers.  While it is correct that the total number of Medals of Honor awarded to date is: 3,510 : Nineteen of these were awarded as a SECOND award to men who had already received a previous Medal of Honor.  When these 19 double awards are subtracted from the TOTAL AWARDS, we find that the Medal has been awarded to 3,491 different individuals (including 1 woman and 9 Unknown soldiers). Five of the 19 double awardees were Marines who, during World War I worked closely with members of the Army and were awarded BOTH the Army and Navy Medals of Honor for the SAME ACTION.  The other 14 double awardees received their second Medal of Honor for a SECOND HEROIC ACTION.   This means that the total number of Medal of Honor actions numbers 3,505 separate acts of heroism .   Click on the red button to open our page on the DOUBLE AWARDEES of the Medal of Honor.  It will open in a separate window which you can close after reading, to return to this page. These numbers DO NOT include the great pioneer of aviation, William "BILLY" Mitchell.  While the actual status of his award is often debated among historians, the fact remains that the medal ordered struck and presented (posthumously) to  Mitchell, WAS NOT the Medal of Honor but a separate award.  Occasionally you may find Medal of Honor statistics that differ from others by ONE.  Chances are, if the information is current and correct, the statistician has included Billy Mitchell's award. Understanding differing data based on branch of service: 3,510 Individual Medals have been awarded to 3,491 individuals for 3,505 separate acts of heroism.  The diagram below explains the disposition based on the Medal design, and not necessarily the branch of service of the individual recipient. 2449

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According to the nursery rhyme, who couldnt put humpty back together again?

Humpty Dumpty | Ruining your childhood Ruining your childhood Madeleine Everyone knows the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, all the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again. Before I even begin ruinning this i would like to point out that everyone thinks Humpty is an egg, where in the poem does it say that?                 Anyway.                 Back to ruining your childhood.                 It turns out that, according to several internet sites (and who disbelieves the internet?) Humpty Dumpty was a name for a cannon protecting a fort which fell. While the men attempted to lift the cannon again, they were being slaughtered and finally they surrendered because they couldn’t get the cannon working.                 So the poem should be;                 The big cannon sat on a wall                 the big cannon had a great fall                 All of the soldiers                 and all of the knights                 Died trying to pick up the cannon. Your childhood just became a lot darker than you remember.  Follow

all kings horses and all kings men

According to the Bart Simpsons TV ad, Nobody better lay a finger on my what??

When You Fall! A new Twist on Humpty Dumpty | Ken Davis When You Fall! A new Twist on Humpty Dumpty Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall All the kings horses and all the kings men Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again Remember that poem? Kind of a bleak picture isn’t it.  Every body falls at one time or another.  Whether it is a financial mess, a moral failure, a relationship breakdown or a personal defeat,  it isn’t a matter of IF you will fall, it is a matter of WHEN you will fall.  Yep, I have been there too. I quickly discovered that even though I desired to get back up again, under my own power I couldn’t put my self back together .  With the help of friends I was able to make some headway, but living with the joy I had once known seemed impossible. I wanted to stand, but could only make it to my knees.  It was from that position that I found hope.  I wrote about the experience in the chapter, “The valley of the shadow of death” of my book Fully Alive.   From my knees, I saw that God’s grace made it possible for me to be whole again. I can almost hear you respond.  “Yah, but it was after I knew Jesus that I fell!”  Well, you are not alone.  The same was true for me.  So many people feel like Humpty Dumpty when they have sinned against God.  They try with all their will to “put it together again.”  They enlist the help of friends and professionals and still feel broken.  Too many lose hope.  From my knees I wrote this poem as I emerged from one of the darkest periods in my life.  I hope it is an encouragement to you this Christmas Season. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great  fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again. But along came the King and touched Humpty’s soul. Only the King could make Humpty whole. What do you do when you stumble and fall? Enlist the kings horses and all the Kings men. But only the King can heal you again. Rejoice Humpty Dumpty there’s reason to sing God loves broken people, Go to the King. Don’t let your life be a yoke. The King can use all the pieces of a broken life to make you more whole then before the fall. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

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