Sunday, 16 January 2011

Martin Luther King Day - 17th January 2011 - an official government-sanctioned holiday

Americans on each third Monday of January honor the life and achievements of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., (1929–1968).
Evangelical Pastor, Activist, Hero, Icon"King's unique vision reshaped the landscape of American politics and society. In his brief life, he redefined what it means to be black in the United States, and, by extension, what it means to be an American. "
Life Magazine
Read more:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1704734_1520199,00.html#ixzz1cUu3bhg9

 http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/January/20060109162734jmnamdeirf0.3977777.html##ixzz1cUrj1f4E

http://www.america.gov/st/pubs-english/2003/June/20050608091735pssnikwad0.4134333.html

http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/January/20060109162734jmnamdeirf0.3977777.html#

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1872501,00.html

King, Jr., Martin Luther Resources :http://free.ed.gov/keywords.cfm?keyword_id=954

Rare and unpublished photos of the Civil Rights Movement:

Mass Movement
Dr. King addresses thousands of supporters gathered near the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, on May 17, 1957 during a "Prayer Pilgrimage" organized by the civil rights movement

We Shall Overcome

Dr. King's Christian faith
impacted his leadership in the civil rights movement.
With the successful end of the Montgomery bus boycott, King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in order to take the civil rights struggle and his nonviolent message throughout the South. One of his most trusted aides urged him to drop the word Christian from the new organization. It was argued that such an explicit religious reference would alienate white Northern liberals, whose support would be crucial in the years ahead. King was adamant, however, and the word Christian remained. He also insisted that civil rights participants be guided by Christian principles. For example, volunteers in the Birmingham campaign were required to sign a "Commitment Card":

HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF--MY PERSON AND MY BODY--TO THE NONVIOLENT MOVEMENT.
THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS:
  1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
  2. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation-not victory.
  3. WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love.
  4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
  5. SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
  6. OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
  7. SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world.
  8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
  9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
  10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration.

Religious Freedom Day

"...Schools do more than train children's minds. They also help to nurture their souls by reinforcing the values they learn at home and in their communities. I believe that one of the best ways we can help out schools to do this is by supporting students' rights to voluntarily practice their religious beliefs, including prayer in schools.... For more than 200 years, the First Amendment has protected our religious freedom and allowed many faiths to flourish in our homes, in our work place and in our schools. Clearly understood and sensibly applied, it works."

President Clinton
May 30, 1998

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html

The FREE TO SPEAK pamphlet summarizes the U.S. Department of Education's Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.



Religious Freedom Day - 16th January 2011

The Pilgrim Founders reached the shores of Plymouth in search of a new beginning for their lives and for the generations to come in the area of religious freedom. They sailed to the New World in order to put an end to intimidation, oppression and persecution because of their religious beliefs.
Today, Sunday the 16th January, is once again Religious Freedom Day in the States by proclamation of the present American President, Barack Obama.
The fundamental principle of religious freedom is enshrined in the Constitution's First Amendment.
Here is an excerpt from the President´s Proclamation on the 14th January:

"The writ of the Founding Fathers has upheld the ability of Americans to worship and practice religion as they choose, including the right to believe in no religion at all. However, these liberties are not self-sustaining, and require a stalwart commitment by each generation to preserve and apply them. Throughout our Nation's history, our founding ideal of religious freedom has served as an example to the world.


"Though our Nation has sometimes fallen short of the weighty task of ensuring freedom of religious expression and practice, we have remained a Nation in which people of different faiths coexist with mutual respect and equality under the law. America's unshakeable commitment to religious freedom binds us together as a people, and the strength of our values underpins a country that is tolerant, just, and strong.


"My Administration continues to defend the cause of religious freedom in the United States and around the world. At home, we vigorously protect the civil rights of Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs."
http://blackchristiannews.com/news/2011/01/in-his-proclamation-for-religious-freedom-day-on-sunday-obama-condemns-recent-attacks-against-christ.html

http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/religious-freedom/religious-freedom-day-3.html


Religious Freedom Day
Religious
Religious Freedom Day

Thursday, 2 December 2010

The Christmas Symbols

Do you know the meaning behind these Christmas Symbols?









About CHRISTMAS - What is it?






Birth of Jesus
About 2000 years ago God sent an angel to Israel, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. The angel told Mary that by God's power, she would conceive and bear a son.

When Joseph learned that she was pregnant, an angel instructed him to marry her. Joseph took her to Bethlehem to register for a census. While there, Mary gave birth to Jesus. She laid him in a manger because there was no room at the inn or anywhere else. Shepherds, informed by armies of angels, came to worship Jesus in Bethlehem.

Later, wise men guided by a bright star brought gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense, myrrh. They had told Herod the Great, the king in Jerusalem, that Jesus would rule Israel. So Herod sent soldiers to kill the children in Bethlehem. Warned by an angel, Joseph took the family to Egypt. After Herod died, they returned to Israel and raised Jesus in a town called Nazareth.

TAC - Transport Accident Commission - Campaign

This Christmas avoid alcohol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8

Sunday, 21 November 2010

The First Thanksgiving Teaser - Comedy Presentation

by TheSkitGuys
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9EB20FNU

Blessings

This video is at http://www.skitguys.com/
A pilgrim helps his friend, a giant turkey, learn how to see past his circumstances in order to live a life of gratitude in the face of difficulty.
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.godtube.com/embed/source/7g7wk7nx/400/255/true.js%22%3E%3C/script>

THANKSGIVING DAY CARDS

next Thursday in the States people will be celebrating this Day of Thanks...
Gratitude for so many things...
 here are a few reasons to remember in ecards.
Press on the PLAY word to start them
Give Thanks
http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/thanksgiving/give-thanks-4.html
On Psalm 100
http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/thanksgiving/psalm-3.html
The Turkey viewpoint
http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-funny.html

http://www.crosscards.com/cards/original-artists/a-joyful-creation/autumn-2.html

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Poppy Day - Veterans Day - Remembrance Day - Today

http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/veterans-day/thank-you-for-your-service.html

Here you have a quiz that might be suitable for low intermediate students.
It is based on:
The Read Canadian Songbook: Bryan Adams: (short) Remembrance Day
Bryan Adams honours the Canadian soldiers who died in world wars in "Remembrance Day" from the album, "Into the Fire."

http://www.trcs.eslvideo.com/?page_id=292

http://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/veterans-day/honoring-veterans-day-1.html

Monday, 25 October 2010

Poppy Day - Remembrance Day - 11th November




What is Remembrance Day about? Why is it also called Poppy Day?



Where is it celebrated? When is it celebrated? Why is it celebrated? How is it celebrated?





http://youtu.be/gTdjVrdiQKM

Sunday, 24 October 2010

"NO to halloween celebration - Having fun should not be an excuse!"

Halloween is rooted in disgusting, gory practices of the druids. Rituals were performed by offering human sacrifices to their over 300 gods to placate them. The druid priests would go from door to door to get crops, animals, preferably young people to be sacrificed. "Trick or treat" refers to the punishment or gift given by the druids to the families that did not give away or agreed to surrender the requested offers to be piled up with timber and set afire in the open air bonfire. The bigger the sacrifice the higher favour from the gods they thought would be reached. The barbarous practice of burning humans was stopped in 1600. Many people in the USA and Britain do not see any reason to celebrate or remind the day with any practice, some openly oppose this celebration and do not allow their children to partake in mean scares, nor watch horror movies or dress in gruesome, grotesque costumes. There have been cases of violence that led to very sad happenings, including the death of children by other children in their playing around witches, demons and scary monsters while trying out psychic, paranormal abilities.

Friday, 22 October 2010

A Song that Changed People and Laws in Britain ... and carries on Changing People all over the World






Amazing Grace by various performers:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-MU0aqUXJU&feature=related

Andre Rieu and The European Pipe Band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ME2uk-wVeA&feature=related

Mahalia Jackson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJg5Op5W7yw&feature=related

Marines and Bagpipes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5P1M5qwBwo&feature=related

a cappella by Leann Rimes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT88jBAoVIM

Wintley Phipps ( President of an Organization for Children of Prisoners ) on Negro Spirituals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0&feature=related

A SONG THAT CHANGED PEOPLE AND LAWS IN THE USA ...








We shall overcome...


Martin Luther King, Jr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=130J-FdZDtY&feature=related


one man, one vote rally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ4W2VpqRjA&feature=related


Mahalia Jackson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmR1YvfIGng&feature=related


Louis Armstrong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti5aP_nyNig


Joan Baez:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkNsEH1GD7Q


Bruce Springsteen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbxru9dl0sc&feature=related

EbenezerPraiseDancers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75r-Q54_VHc&feature=related


Morehouse College:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aor6-DkzBJ0&feature=related


GSS Mass Choir:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcAxZ6fXGPc&feature=related


Diana Ross:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnzmPrsLXn8&feature=related


President Obama at Ebenezer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbv24MWa_jg&feature=related

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Martin Luther King Junior: The Dream, the Fight for Freedom




" I have a Dream Speech " given on 28 August 1963
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA&feature=fvw

 The Song " We shall overcome some day"

The Lyrics:


1.
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day /today


CHORUS


2.
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand some day/today


CHORUS


3.
We shall all be free
We shall all be free
We shall all be free some day


CHORUS


4.
Blacks and white together 
Blacks and white together 
Blacks and white together some  day /today
 
5. We are not afraid today... 6. Everything will be alright ...
(shortened)



The Music of Black Americans

... a key anthem of the US civil rights movement...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Shall_Overcome

MLK´s Quotations:





The March over Washington - The "I Have a Dream" Speech :

We shall overcome Legislation - Lyndon B. Johnson