Mayflower Facts and Trivia

November 24, 2010
  • Two ships were originally scheduled to bring the group to America: the Speedwell and the Mayflower. But the Speedwell developed leaks, and the group had to turn back twice, so it was decided to put all the passengers on the Mayflower. The ship finally left England on Sept. 6, 1620.
  • There were 102 passengers aboard (three of whom were pregnant women) and a crew of 30. A son, named Oceanus, was born to Elizabeth Hopkins during the voyage.
  • The first half of the journey had good winds and weather, but fierce storms developed about mid-voyage. One swept a passenger named John Howland overboard, but he was able to grab on to some ropes and hang on until the crew could rescue him. Howland went on to live a long life and was ancestor to many people, including Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and George Bush, actor Humphrey Bogart and Mormon prophet Joseph Smith.
  • Only one person died during the voyage: William Button, a young boy who had come on the ship in the custody of doctor Samuel Fuller.
  • After traveling 2,750 miles, at an average speed of 2 mph, and after more than two months at sea, the Mayflower anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor on Nov. 11, 1620.
  • The original intent of the group was to settle further south, but the first land they spotted turned out to be Cape Cod. When attempts to go further south proved too dangerous, they opted to stay in the Cape Cod area.
  • They technically did not have permission from the King of England to settle in what would be the Massachusetts Colony, so they drew up the “Mayflower Compact” to give themselves authority to establish a government until an official patent could be obtained. The compact is considered the first written declaration of self-government in the New World and a precursor to the U.S. Constitution.
  • Of the 102 passengers, only 29 are currently known to have descendants.

Source: Carma Wadley – Deseret News, Nov. 14, 2010


Thanksgiving Daily

November 14, 2010

Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance

July 1, 2010

The Bulletproof George Washington

June 22, 2010

The Bulletproof George Washington

George Washington’s part in the July 9th, 1755, battle during the French and Indian War is indisputably one of the most significant events of his early years: his life literally hung in the balance for over two hours. This dramatic event helped shape his character and confirm God’s call on him.

During the two-hour battle, the 23 year-old Colonel Washington had ridden to and fro on the battlefield, delivering the general’s orders to other officers and troops. The officers had been a special target for the Indians. Of the eighty-six British and American officers, sixty-three were casualties. Washington was the only officer on horseback not shot down.

Following the battle, Washington wrote a letter to his brother in which he readily and openly acknowledged:

“By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet [I] escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!”

Fifteen years later, an old, respected Indian chief sought out Washington. The chief, explaining that he had led the Indians against them in the battle fifteen years earlier, revealed to Washington what had occurred behind the scenes during the conflict:

“I called to my young men and said, mark yon tall and daring warrior [Washington]? …Himself is alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies. Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss–’twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we shielded you. Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you…I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

This account of God’s miraculous care of Washington and of Washington’s open gratitude for God’s Divine intervention could be found in virtually all student textbooks until 1934; today, few have ever heard it. Through The Bulletproof George Washington some of our lost history is being returned to the forefront where it belongs! (This work includes many of the original illustrations used in the early texts).

After reading this account you will have a greater appreciation for the Father of our Country and a profound awe of the manner in which God sovereignly preserved him for the important task of helping bring forth, guide, and establish this great nation. May this account once again become widely celebrated throughout America!


This is the back cover of a wonderful book by David Barton, founder of the WallBuilder Press


Good Things to Come. Don’t Quit

June 20, 2010

Great, short inspirational little video about not giving up. There is hope.


Ben Comen – Inspirational Disabled Cross Country Runner

March 22, 2010

Amazing Music Ability – Derek on 60 Minutes

March 21, 2010

Link


Patrick Henry Hughes – Inspirational Story

January 27, 2010

Amazing story of 14-yr-old African boy who built windmill on his own

October 5, 2009

This is an incredible story of how a 14-year-old boy from Malawi who had to drop out of school was able to generate electricity and eventually change his whole family’s and villages situation by building a windmill on his own out of garbage and scrap: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/kamwamba-windmill/.

His initial desire was to be able to have light for him to use at night after the sun has gone down. Now it has developed in to much more than that.


Touching: Soldier Surprises Son

September 29, 2009

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