Abraham Lincoln - A Man for the Ages

The 16th President of the United States

I couldn't let today pass by without mentioning one of the greatest Americans to ever live. He was born on this date in 1809. This boy would grow up to be the 16th President of the United States. He would also be known for a speech which to this very day is one of the greatest in the history of not only America, but the entire world. In just over two minutes time, this President rallied a broken nation to the cause of victory in the deadliest war in US history. The man? Abraham Lincoln. The speech? The Gettyburg Address. The words "Four score and seven years ago..." will live in the hearts of all men who yearn for one of the most basic human instincts - to be free to live his life as he chooses in accordance with the laws of a civilized nation.

There's not much, if anything, that I could add to Abe Lincoln's life story, so I'll leave that to people way more qualified than I am. What I do about this man is that he was the right man for the times when he became President of the United States. It was Divine Providence that he lead the country through the most perilous years of its young existence. Honest Abe stood by the principles of the Founding Fathers when they wrote that, 'All men are created equal...". Lincoln issued an Executive Order freeing all slaves in the United States under the war powers granted him. It became known as The Emancipation Proclomation, a landmark document for all citizens of the United States. That's about all I wanted to say about ole Abe, but you can click on the links above if you'd like to delve a little deeper into the facts about him.

I remember as a young child in school that we used to celebrate Lincoln's Birthday every year. But, for whatever reason, it and George Washington's Birthday were consolidated into a day honoring all Presidents of the USA. i think that's a stupid idea, but that's a story for another day. Many of us know that today is the day Abe Lincoln was born. and for now, that's all that matters.

God bless Abraham Lincoln and may God continue to bless this great country of ours.

Texas Tidbits: The Texas Revolution - The Week in Review

A Challenge to a Tyrant

Over the last week we have learned more about Texas History than at any time in our lives since 7th Grade Texas History class (God bless Maedell Kenas). Well, we've at least had our memories jogged concerning the events in Texas from October, 1835, the "Come and Take It" Battle of Gonzales to, at this point, March, 1836, when Texas has officially declared her Independence and the fall of the Alamo have taken place. Today I want to link again to the posts from earlier in the week, so maybe you can actually sit down and read them without the constraints of time. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to read these posts, there is some outstanding information in them, including some eyewitness accounts of what was happening at the time Texas was desperately seeking its Independence from Mexico.

                  Texas History, October, 1835 to March,1836 

• The First Shot of the Texas Revolution - The citizens of Gonzales had a big cannon. The Mexican Army wanted it. The people of Gonzales made a flag with a very clear message - "Come and Take It." The Mexicans did not get the cannon.
• Closing in on Independence - This post covers February, 1836. The siege of the Alamo was underway and Texans were bracing for a full blown revolution.
• The Texas Revolution, March, 1836 - Texans declare their Independence from Mexico, the Alamo falls yet the people of Texas are mere weeks away from Freedom and Liberty.

• A Letter of Defiance and Anger - Benjamin Briggs Goodrich wrote a letter to his family in Tennessee to report the death of his brother at the Alamo. He also updates them on the ever-changing events of the Texas Revolution. It's amazing to read it just like you reading your morning newspaper.

Reading the posts and clicking on the links in each one could take a little while, so you might want to plan to look them when you have some time to do so. I really do highly recommend that you do exactly that. There is some fascinating history in there and it's just a couple of clicks away. I hope you enjoy it!

God bless you and may God continue to bless that Beautiful Lady we call Texas,