Browsing: Society

A Brief History On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX issued his Apostolic constitution, Ineffabilis Deus, in which he established Catholic doctrine that the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, had been conceived without the ‘original sin’ that every other human is born with.  This bit of dogma is not to be confused with the Doctrine of Incarnation, which is the Virgin Birth of Jesus.  December 8th is thus celebrated each year as The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic “holy day of obligation,” and even a national holiday in some predominantly Catholic countries. Digging Deeper Mary, daughter of St.…

A Brief History On December 5, 63 BC, Roman politician and famed orator Cicero delivered the 4th of his famous Catiline Orations to the Roman Senate, warning of a plot to overthrow the Roman government.  Cicero is usually considered one of Rome’s greatest orators, and also one of the best speakers in History.  Today we list 10 of those people that delivered inspirational messages via the spoken medium, whether we agree with their messages or not, and some of these people we admit we do not even like.  (Note: There is no significance to the order listed.) Digging Deeper 1. Cicero,…

A Brief History On December 3, 1997, a conference of countries of the world decided on conditions to draft a treaty banning the use of anti-personnel land mines.  Although 121 nations signed the so called Ottawa Treaty (because it was signed in Ottawa, Canada), the United States, along with China, India, Israel, Iran and Russia refused to sign the humanitarian pact.  When the largest or most powerful countries refuse to sign a treaty, what good is the treaty?  Here we list some of the treaties the US has refused to join, despite nearly universal acceptance by other countries. Digging Deeper…

A Brief History On December 2, 2017, we celebrate National Mutt Day, that day when we acknowledge the union of pure-bred and non-pure-bred dogs that produce the most common type of canine of all, the humble but wonderful “mutt.”  We are not talking about “designer” breed mixes here, either!  No “labradoodles” or “puggles” need apply.  In fact, we are not even talking about dogs at all!!!  We are discussing the marriage of royalty and commoners, especially in light of the recent engagement of Britain’s Prince Harry to American divorcee and actress Meghan Markle. Digging Deeper Prince Harry is the son…

A Brief History On November 29, 1963, in the wake of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, President Lyndon B. Johnson formed a committee under the direction of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Earl Warren to investigate the assassination and related events.  Johnson used Executive Order 11130 to form the commission and Congress had passed Senate  Joint Resolution 137 authorizing the President to form such a commission.  The name, Warren Commission, has stood for controversy and distrust of government ever since! Digging Deeper The idea behind the formation of an investigative commission of prominent…