Lunar v. Solar calendars

    The oldest lunar calendars were found in caves in France and Germany. One such lunar "chart" was marks made on an animal bone, and another on the wall of a cave.2,3

    The first recorded change from lunar to solar calendars was made by the Egyptians. The rise of the Sirius above the horizon, just before dawn, indicated when the Nile would flood.1 The solar calendar of 365 days and 6 hours. "Instead of 32 years with the moon, it is 1460 years before Sirius rises again on the first day of the first month."1, 4

Sirius

 

      Twelve lunar months make up 354 days. The a lunar calendar is eleven days shorter than a solar calendar year. The Muslim calendar rights itself every 32 years. The Babylonians, Roman Republic, and the Jewish calendars add(ed) a month to make up for the shortage. 1
      "The lunar month on the Jewish calendar begins when the first sliver of moon becomes visible after the dark of the moon. In ancient times, the new months used to be determined by observation. When people observed the new moon, they would notify the Sanhedrin. When the Sanhedrin heard testimony from two independent, reliable eyewitnesses that the new moon occurred on a certain date, they would declare the rosh chodesh (first of the month) and send out messengers to tell people when the month began."5 Festivals and religious holidays always occur on the same Jewish calendar day, unlike the civil calendar.5

1  http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac06
2  https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/oldest-lunar-calendars/
3 Aurignacian Lunar Calendar(image) from source 2
4 https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ZfCeNQdINfGJ7QpAYVppwgHaHI&w=92&h=105&c=8&rs=1&qlt=90&dpr=1.090909&pid=3.1&rm=2  (image of Sirius)
5 http://www.jewfaq.org/calendar.htm

Century Anniversaries 2017

500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Europe (a Catholic reformation followed in response to the Protestant Reformation.  Martin Luther was a key figure of the Protestant Reformation; he nailed his 95 Thesis to the Castle Church door of Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.
http://www.pbs.org/program/martin-luther-idea-changed-world/
http://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html
http://www.luther.de/en/anschlag.html

100th Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (Communism)
http://nation.com.pk/08-Nov-2017/100th-anniversary-of-the-bolshevik-revolution-in-russia
https://www.biography.com/news/russian-revolution-100th-anniversary-facts

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

I.                    Pyramid of Giza

The Pyramids on the Giza Plateau are located on the edge of Cairo, Egypt.  The Great Pyramid at Giza is the only surviving “ancient wonder”. The Great Pyramid took 23 years to make and was completed in 2560 B.C.  It is the largest of 80 pyramids in Egypt, with a height of 480 feet. It was covered in quality limestone, that was stripped away to rebuild Cairo.

II.                  Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were created as a surprise gift from King Nebuchadnezzar II for his queen, Amytis of Media.  Babylon was a city on/near the Euphrates River. The location of the Euphrates has changed during the last 7,000 years.  It is hypothesized how the gardens were watered. 

III.                The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The statute of Zeus was created in the first century AD. The ivory was fastened over a wood frame.  A secret method was used to soften the ivory.  Special techniques were used to shape every detail.  The seated statue of 45 feet in height took seven years to create, before it was installed in the temple at Olympia.

IV.                Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was the elaborate tomb of the Persian Satrap (governor) Mausolus (who married his sister Artemisia). Pitheus built the 14 story building with twice life-sized statues and various building styles from different countries. This is the first, known, building to have a statue put on top. A fifteenth century earthquake destroyed the mausoleum and the remaining materials were used to make cement.

V.                  The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Temple of Artemis, the second or three built on the same site. It was commissioned by King Croesus of Lydia and begun in 550 BC.  The building was almost twice the size of the Parthenon with 126 -60’ columns entirely of marble.  It took 50 years to finish by the architect and his son.  Iron tools were used.  The temple was destroyed by arson, when the wooden roof and interior stairs burnt a column fell and the temple collapsed. Within seven decades temple was rebuilt.1,2

VI.                The Colossus of Rhodes

The Colossus of Rhodes was a giant bronze statue of the sun god, hellos.  The victory statue was 120 feet tall and loomed over the harbor site. The frame of the statue was wood and iron with rocks added inside the base for support. It was built on-site with a 100’ sand/dirt ramp spiraling up from the ground around it during its construction. The 225 tons of bronze plates were riveted into place.  It took 12 years to build, lasted 56 years, and toppled in an earthquake in 226 BC. It was left broken for 900 years because of an oracle that said if it was rebuilt then Rhodes would be destroyed.

VII.              The Pharos of Alexandria

The Pharos, lighthouse, of Alexandria was 400+ feet high and its beam could be seen 50 miles out to sea.  It was the first skyscraper.  It was built during Ptolemy II’s reign by the Greek engineer and architect Sostratus of Cnidus. Vast furnaces were kept burning and bronze reflectors directed the light.  It is believed that a spiral ramp inside allowed donkeys to carry the fuel for the furnaces.  A remarkable feat of engineering considering that the walls had to withstand all the weight of above. In 1303 an earthquake toppled the lighthouse.  It is now studied by marine archeologists.

Cite: DVD The 14 Wonders of the World: Ancient and New.

2 http://www.softschools.com/facts/wonders_of_the_world/temple_of_artemis_at_ephesus_facts/69/

Independence Day 4 July 1776 (241st Anniversary in 2017)

1760-1791 The American Revolution: Conflict between the American Colonies and England.4

June 7, 1776 The Continental Congress met in the “Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."3

            Drafting of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson

July 2  Delegates of the Continental Congress voted for independence. 2

July 4, 1776  The official date on the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen, American Colonies independence from England with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.1

July 8  Liberty Bell run; first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. 2

1 Study & Quiz https://quizlet.com/subject/1776-colonial-history/

2 http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

3 http://www.military.com/independence-day/history-of-independence-day.html

4 Timeline of the[American] Revolutionary War  http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.html

Checklist for making a local field guide: Part I: Planning Stage

. Incorporate this activity for school or community participation; unless you like to work alone.
. Create a description (goal) for the project.
. List specific learning objectives that will be covered or used in this activity.
.create a supply list with prices
. Find funding for the project before starting.
. Make a calendar timeline with start and end dates and times.  Search out other community events to either coincide or not with other happenings in your area.
. Write an end goal statement of what will be accomplished by the end date and by; the target purpose.
. For a group event, advertise to inform participants.
. List locations with directions, contact person, phone, email, address, GPS coordinates, hours, or set appointment and secondary rain date if outside.
. Ask questions and take notes.
. Keep a project box with gathered materials.
. Investigate sources.
. Analyze reliability of sources (interpretation, rumor, or unsubstantiated)
. Plan order of events.
. Carry list of contacts and participants with you.
. Have a plan B.  Have filler activities and challenges. (ex.Have list of clean kids jokes and riddles to engage participants.)
. Schedule writing time for multiple drafts of field guide.
. Incorporate a treasure hunt (many versions), geocaching, snap a picture, or other activity.
. Consider transportation and accessibility requirements for participants.
. Make plans for the weather: sunscreen, rain gear, drinking water, etc.

                              

Add comments on how to improve this list, below. Thank you.

Saint Patrick

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, seventeenth of March

Patron Saint of Ireland, Australia, Nigeria, Montserrat

Saint Patrick (   )is the patron saint of Ireland.  He was captured by a raiding party of the Picts, from a Roman Colony in (Scotland or Armoric, Gaul)at the age of sixteen(c.403).1,2  He was sold as a slave to Milcho. He cared for the man’s sheep and learned the language and customs of Ireland. He later escaped back to what is now the Island of Britain.  He became a monk with the intent to return to Ireland as a missionary.  He needed the permission of Pope Clementine in Rome.  He then went back to Ireland to minister to the Irish.  He used the shamrock to explain how God the Father, God the Son (Christ/Messiah) and God the Spirit (Holy Ghost) are one in the same (all linked).  Incorprated … into the Celtic Cross. 

c. 403 (age 16 estimated) captured and sold into slavery

c.403-c.409 slave, isolated shepherd

409 returned home

Ordained a priest

Received permission from Pope Clemintine to return to Ireland

432 - 461AD Ireland’s second Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland.2

Died. 461 AD  in the village Saul

INTERESTING: “Many monk missionaries left Ireland … [and] went to Spain and  Saint Brendan the Abbot even went to North America (474-577).”2

1 McSpadden, J. Walker.  The Book of Holidays. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1917.  Pp.70-79.  Library call #J394.2M

2 http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/the-full-story-of-st-patricks-life-from-kidnapping-to-the-irish-peoples-faith

George Washington (b.February 22, 1732)

George Washington (b.February 22, 1732)

1An excellent source of key facts: http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/key-facts/ 
2 Quiz http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/quizzes/how-much-do-you-know-about-george-washington/
3 Lesson Plans:  http://www.mountvernon.org/education/lesson-plans/  
4 Videos: http://www.mountvernon.org/video/all/

George was tutored as a child in a one room schoolhouse on his father’s property.

His mother sewed his penmanship pages “Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour” together to make a booklet.

He was born in Colonial Virginia at Popes Creek.

He was a surveyor.

He was part of the British Army in the American Colonies.

     1752 He went to Barbados with Lawrence, his half-brother, in hopes his brother  would recover from Tuberculosis. Lawrence died. George contracted smallpox. George did not immediately inherit Mount Vernon, there were two others in line before him. 
     May 28, 1754  The British forces under the command of George Washington at Jumonville Glen in Pennsylvania, resulted in the beginning of the Seven Years War / French and Indian War.1
     1761 inherited Mount Vernon.

He wrote letters to many women asking them to marry him. (If one is found, the Mount Vernon Association is interested).

Martha wanted her daughter to marry George, her daughter did not want to, Martha accepted.

George and Martha never had any children of their own.

George and Martha were married for about ten years,before they sat down to dinner alone.

The slaves were never sold off even though there were too many to be supported on the Mount Vernon Plantation.  Families were kept together, one slave family had 6 daughters.

George Washington was bankrupt, but forgiven.
     George Washington was chosen to lead the new, independent Army, because he was an excellent roll model and leader who motivated his troops. By choosing Mr. Washington, Virginia was thus included in the American Revolution, which until that time had been centered in the North in New England.

Commander in Chief of the new United States Army.

Dec. 25-26, 1776 He crossed the Delaware River at night to surprise the Hessian forces at Trenton.

He was asked, if he would be king, but declined (this was one of the reasons for the war for independence.)

First President of the United States of America. Set the precedent for limited term of office.

He had no teeth.  His false teeth were very uncomfortable.

He wrote many letters to Martha on how to specifically run the estate.

The gardens at Mount Vernon had an outhouse in a corner. The deposits would be used as fertilizer.

George paid craftsman to come live on his estate and train one of his slaves in the trade needed.

The main house at Mount Vernon is wood, sand was added to the paint to make it look like white stone.

The house was in severe disrepair and some ladies from the DC/Alexandria area formed a group and raised money to repair the house and grounds, within the last century.

George died at the age of 67.  He was having difficulties breathing and was further weakened by