Ode to Reggie White

Reggie White- The Minister of Defense

All-Pro NFL Lineman and Record Holder

Ordained Baptist Minister

12/19/1961- 12/26/2004

This day in history...

 

39 years ago, the deadliest cyclone in history struck East Pakistan (modern Bangladesh), killing est. 500,000, more than doubling even the Indian Ocean earthquake of 2004. The Bhola cyclone was a category 3, reaching winds up to 130mph.

What I didn't know (before today):

• That it happened.
• That the handling of disaster relief caused political turmoil in Pakistan and led to the formation of Bangledesh.
  

This Day in History

72 years ago, the Hindenburg's first trans-Atlantic flight ended in disaster.

What I didn't know until today:

• It was first used as a tool to spread propaganda during Hitler's occupation of the Rhineland
• It operated for a full commercial season without incident
• It filled with hydrogen because helium exports were restricted from the United States
• It burned totally in 37 seconds
• Indiana Jones originally rode on the Hindenburg, but it was later edited because the events supposedly took place in 1938, a year after the explosion
  

This Day in History...

6 years ago, Operation Iraqi Freedom began with the "shock and awe" air strike. Baghdad was conquered by ground forces in 21 days.

What I didn't know then:

• That we'd still be there. But that's not all bad, nor all to blame on any one person or political party. That we haven't had another terrorist attack on American soil since then says alot. And whether or not democracy is the destiny of the Iraqi people, I'm certain they're better off in the wake of Saddam.
  

This Day in History...

200 years ago, Charles Darwin was born. In light of this, there is a significant campaign amongst evolutionists and even churches to memorialize his influence and progress his atheistic agenda in large measures. Thanks to Answers in Genesis for their resistance.

What I didn't know (until today):

• His middle name is Robert
• He lived for 73 years

What most people don't know: Life Doesn't Revolve Around Darwin

This Day in History...

25 years ago, the Supreme Court legalized abortion. I;ve not been able to research it much, so read and listen to these people:

John Piper

Justin Taylor and Rev. John Ensor

Russell Moore- it's not what you think.

Justin Taylor- bio of "Roe"

Enjoy this music video, "I'm Holding a Miracle" by JasonFrench.

This Day in History...

27 years ago, the Iranian Hostage Crisis ended after 444 days of captivity and minutes after Reagan took office. I'm not sure why the Iranians were so willing to work with Reagan and not Carter (difference in foreign policy- Reagan strong, Carter weak? Reagan unfroze Iranian assets? Shah of Iran died? Conspiracy by Reagan during election?)

This Day in History...

41 years ago, the Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl. They completed the season with this vicotry only after winning the famed "Ice Bowl" in the NFC Championship.

What I didn't know (until today):

• The trophy they took home was called the "World Championship Game Trophy."  It was not call ed the "Lombardi Trophy" until 1970 when its namesake died of cancer.
  
• Most of the NFL was concerned about the dominance of Green Bay when they followed up this victory by winning Super Bowl II

This Day in History...

67 years ago, Pearl Harbor.

The men at Pearl Harbor are often called heroes. I don't intend to overuse the word by applying it to those Americans just because they were there. Many, however, may earn such a designation in some degree because of their response. That more were not lost, that America awoke from its slumber, that Japan was conquered by the same soldiers who awoke to its fury- these are elements of heroism in the American people.

There was, unfortunately, more than just what appeared on the surface at Pearl Harbor- more than we'll ever know. But no amount of dirty politics, poor sports, conspiracy theories, or bad apples can change the fact that I owe much to that generation and the heroes that arose from the smoke of Pearl Harbor.

This Day in History...

58 years ago, the American Northeast experienced the "Storm of the Century." All kinds of crazy stuff happened, like feet of snow falling in a few hours, over 100mph winds, record high and low temperatures.

See also: History.com, wikipedia.org

This Day in History

90 years ago, the Allies and Central Powers sign an Armistice to end World War I. It was signed at 11:00 (on 11/11) on a railcar outside Compiégne, France.

What I didn't know (until today):

• America celebrated this day as Armistice Day until May 26, 1954, when President Eisenhower signed into law the celebration of Veteran's Day.

This Day in History...

491 years ago, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of All Saints Church in Wittenburg, Germany, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

What I didn't know (before today):

• The Theses were originally written in Latin, to the scholars, but were translated by a nameless supporter who had them printd and distributed abroad.
• The All Saints Church, on which the 95 Theses were posted, contained one of the largest collections of relics in Europe. "By 1509 Frederick had over 5,000 relics, purportedly 'including vials of the milk of the Virgin Mary, straw from the manger [of Jesus], and the body of one of the innocents massacred by King Herod [1].'"
• The main focus of the Theses was the practice of indulgences, something Luther understood to terribly pervert the forgiveness we have in the cross.

This Day in History...

25 years ago, 241 Americans died in bomb blast in Beirut.

What I didn't know (until today):

• The explosion was, at the time, considered "the largest deliberate non-nuclear blast ever."
• There was an identical attack upon a French base 6km away a few minutes later, killing 58 Frenchmen.
• The victims families sued the government of Iran (for sponsoring the attacks) and won $2 billion.
• It's technically not a terrorist attack, as no international law recognizes soldiers, not even sleeping ones, as non-combatants.
• Sadly, there was no American response but withdrawal.