Today in history

Abraham Lincoln, October 3, 1862 on the Battlefield of Antietam. This is perhaps the best outdoor portrait of Lincoln. He is shown standing next to Allan Pinkerton (Left) and General McClernand (Right). The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest day in American History. There were 23,000 casualties in one day . . . four times the casualties suffered during the D-Day invasion. The Battle of Antietam was one of the defining moments in American History. In the fall of the year 1862, Abraham Lincoln had become desperate for a victory in the Civil War. Up to that time, the South had achieved victory after victory. Bull Run, Wilson's Creek, and Shiloh had all been convincing victories for the South. Abraham Lincoln realized that if the North did not achieve a victory soon, the survival of the Union would be in doubt. This led Abraham Lincoln to look to God and make an offer . . . Lincoln prayed that if God would grant him victory on the battlefield, he would free the slaves. Slavery had haunted Lincoln for some time. He fully realized the cruelty and brutality of this corrupt institution, but he did not have the strength to stand up against it. Desperate for a victory, he made the deal with God. Shortly after this, he received news of McClellan's success at Antietam. Despite devastating losses, McClellan was able to drive Lee out of Maryland, and back into Virginia. The battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862. On September 22, 1862 Abraham Lincoln honored the promise he made to God, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Adrenalin Junkies

Now that's what I call living dangerously!

Confident or Crazy?

So, his house is on fire, and he's sitting on the front porch smoking a cigarette! Here's a guy who either has absolute confidence in the fire department, or he's an idiot. What do you think?

Pretty Women

They can be dangerous! See what I mean?

Mowing No Matter What

Here's a guy that takes his yard seriously. He mows no matter what! Is this photoshopped? No, this is Kenny Leitner mowing what little grass he has that’s not under water Monday in the 1300 block of West Main Street in Grafton as the Illinois River rises out of its banks. Source: My Life So Far

The Computer Factory

So this is where our computers are made! Who knew?

Happy Father's Day!

father's day by shirleytwofeathers on Zooomr

Robert E Lee talks about Fathers

Robert E. Lee is no doubt one of the most respected figures to ever walk the stage of human history. He was loved by his soldiers, revered by his peers, respected by his enemies, and it has even been said that his former slaves and servants cherished the time they were given to be with him. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee was so respected that President Abraham Lincoln offered him the position of Commander of the Union Forces. Lee’s response was that he would not take sides in the conflict, and would only draw a sword if it were necessary in the defense of Virginia. Posterity has placed Robert E. Lee in the unique position of being one of the most respected military figures of all time. Today however, I am not here to talk about Robert E. Lee the General, but Robert E. Lee the father. Prior to the unpleasantness of 1861, while Lee’s children were still young, he went out early one morning for a walk. A gentle snow had fallen the night before, and there was a beautiful blanket of snow covering the path. As he walked along, he could hear the faint sound of small footsteps behind him. Lee looked back and found that his little boy Custis was behind him, imitating his every move and walking in the very tracks the father had made in the snow. Step for Step the boy was struggling to ensure that each of his steps fell in the exact footprint left by his father. "When I saw this," Lee told one of his friends long afterwards, "I said to myself, ’it behooves me to walk very straight when this fellow is already following in my tracks.’ " Lee’s story is a reminder to all Dads . . . We must remember that our actions speak so loudly that our children can barely hear our words.

Today in History

It was a war between Good and Evil, and Evil was winning. Out of Europe had come a maniacal dictator with a philosophy of Fascism and a gospel of hate. He had dreams of creating a new world order; a world purged of Jews and governed by his perverted perspective. His name was Adolf Hitler, and he was determined to take over the world. By 1944 this tyrant and his war machine had taken most of Western Europe. Some countries fell because they had limited resources and others fell because their will was weak, led and filled with men not willing to make a stand. The tiny island of Britain remained one of the last European holdouts. At this time there was a Nation that stood up and said "Enough, this will not stand". That country was the United States of America, and she was coming to Britain’s aid. The photograph above was taken on June 5, 1944, one day before the Allied invasion of Europe on the beaches of Normandy. This image captures one of the Defining Moments in American history. General Eisenhower is speaking to a group of paratroopers. He is sending them on a mission, and it will be a suicide mission. Within 24 hours they are to be dropped into enemy territory. Within 24 hours, many of them will be dead. We know this now, and they knew it then. Look at the determination on Eisenhower’s face, and ask yourself, how could he send these men to an almost certain death. Look at the quiet resolve on the face of the men, and ask yourself how could they face so great a mission with such calm reserve. The answer to both questions is simple. These were men who believed in a country and believed in a cause more important than their very lives. They were willing to trade their life for the country and the cause they loved. Freedom of their families and their country was more important to them than the length of their lives. The calm came not from a lack of understanding the risks, but from a full understanding of the importance of the cause. We must ask ourselves, what would the world look like today without their sacrifice? What would the world be without men such as these, willing to make a stand? Evil is on the move in the world again today, an evil element on par with the brutal regime of Hitler. Again today, men have stood up and put their lives on the line. Men are standing up and shedding blood on foreign soil in the hopes of preventing the shedding of the blood of their friends and family on American soil. How can we thank men like this, past and present? We can thank them by each purposing in our heart to make a Nation that continues to be worthy of their sacrifice. We must love and cherish the priceless gift that has been given to us at so great cost . . . our freedom.

At The Bus Stop

Here's somebody having a bad day!

Tribal Africa

From photographer Steve Bloom come this spectacular portraits of tribal Africa.

Exhausted!

Some people can sleep anywhere!

The Klutz Family On Vacation!

LOL!

Women of Paudang Tribe - Thailand

Paudang tribe women of Thailand start using copper neck rings when they are around the age of five and when they reach adult age their necks are more than 20 centimeters long.

Here's an odd couple!

I'm speechless!

Oh My!

I think this guy is in serious trouble!

Something Fishy Going on Here!

I can't decide if this is funny, or stupid, or creepy, or cool. What do you guys think?

Walking Barefoot To Work

Here's a "green" idea! Walking barefoot to work... on grass no less! Looks fun, doesn't it?

Indian waiters on a train

Now that's what I call service!