February 2 is Groundhog Day. Groundhogs are small brown furry animals. They live in burrows in the ground, and they eat grass, berries, and other vegetation. Groundhog Day is based on folklore. The folklore is that if the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow then there will be six more weeks of winter weather. But if the groundhog comes out of its hole and doesn’t see its shadow, then there will be an early spring
The Groundhog Day ceremony is held at Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania, centering around a semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most attended. Grundsow Lodges in Pennsylvania Dutch Country in the southeastern part of the state celebrate them as well. Other cities in the United States and Canada have also adopted the event.
How much do you know about groundhogs ? Try this matching quiz to test your knowledge.
Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. unveiled in his hometown
Martin Luther King Jr. was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. His most famous speech was “I have a Dream” and was the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was murdered at the age of 39. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his death in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. The federal legislation challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service in honor of King.
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden asserted that “democracy has prevailed” Wednesday after he was inaugurated the 46th president of the United States, calling for Americans to unite and confront the perilous challenges before them: a deadly coronavirus pandemic, economic turmoil and divisions over American leadership.
Biden takes the helm at a precarious moment in U.S. history, as the nation continues its struggle with a virus that has claimed more than 400,000 American lives. And he enters the White House amid fallout from a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump, underscoring tensions in U.S. politics that Biden must navigate if he hopes to advance his ambitious agenda.
“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve,” Biden declared in his 21-minute inaugural address.
Standing on the steps of the Capitol, where rioters ransacked its hallowed halls just two weeks ago, Biden was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts in an austere ceremony stripped of much of its pomp and circumstance due to the pandemic. The otherwise ceremonial peaceful transfer of power had the feel of a war zone, ringed by large security fences near the National Mall with more than 25,000 National Guard members called in over security concerns after the Jan. 6 Capitol siege.
“Today, we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause: The cause of democracy. The people – the will of the people – has been heard,” he continued. “We’ve learned again, that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
Despite the absence of cheering supporters, Biden struck a hopeful tone throughout his first address as president, hitting on his campaign theme of unity and vowing his “whole soul” is invested in trying to bring people together. Touching on an idea often raised by past presidents but largely missing over the past four years, Biden pledged to be a “president for all Americans,” fighting as hard for those who didn’t vote for him as those who did.
“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue,” he said, “rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal.”
Biden checks a lot of boxes as your typical politician. The 78-year-old has a receding hairline, marked crow’s-feet, white skin, and whiter hair. He stands at 6 feet and flashes a bright toothy smile. Politically, he’s viewed as a moderate Democrat.
But a closer look into the life of the president-elect reveals a man deeply shaped by sadness, comfortable with vulnerability, and in possession of a unique ability to connect with others. And yet, over his nearly five decades in politics, he’s faced controversy, scandals, and gaffes, some of which have led to national discussions over Biden’s fit for certain offices.
Insider spoke with several former colleagues of Biden, including former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and official White House photographer David Lienemann, in addition to leadership experts like the “Grit” author and psychologist Angela Duckworth and the writer Evan Osnos, to get a close-up look at what they say are the strengths and weaknesses of America’s new leader.
Joe Biden will begin leading the US on Wednesday amid a pandemic, an opioid crisis, and massive political instability.
The president-elect presents himself as a conventional leader with a moderate stance toward policy.
Yet deep grief, empathy, adversity, and controversy have all informed his leadership.
February 2 is Groundhog Day. Groundhogs are small brown furry animals. They live in burrows in the ground, and they eat grass, berries, and other vegetation. Groundhog Day is based on folklore. The folklore is that if the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow then there will be six more weeks of winter weather. But if the groundhog comes out of its hole and doesn’t see its shadow, then there will be an early spring
The Groundhog Day ceremony is held at Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania, centering around a semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most attended. Grundsow Lodges in Pennsylvania Dutch Country in the southeastern part of the state celebrate them as well. Other cities in the United States and Canada have also adopted the event.
How much do you know about groundhogs ? Try this matching quiz to test your knowledge.
We were reminded the hard way on Sunday that NBA players are much more than those who provide highlight-reel plays on the court. Following the tragic death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant at the age of 41 in an helicopter accident, this became all too real.
Sandy Hooper-USA TODAY via Imagn
One day after the fact, many people are still having a hard time processing the tragedy.
The Lakers are doing what they can to help their employees. That includes the organization bringing in grief counselors to help, both in one-on-one and group settings.
This is the right way to do things. Lakers players will be forced to take to the court against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. No matter what transpires between now than then, they will do so with heavy hearts.
At the very least, some professionals can help the likes of LeBron James and Co. continue with their grieving process.
Bryant was among nine killed in Southern California late Sunday morning, along with his daughter Gianna.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the Bryant family, the Lakers organization and the families of those impacted by the tragedy.
Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. unveiled in his hometown
Martin Luther King Jr. was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. His most famous speech was “I have a Dream” and was the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was murdered at the age of 39. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his death in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. The federal legislation challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service in honor of King.
Columbus Day is on October 12, but it is sometimes celebrated on the second Monday in October. It is a federal holiday, so post offices and federal government offices are closed. Schools in some districts are open while in other districts they are closed. Columbus Day celebrates the 1492 landing of Christopher Columbus on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. The Bahamas are part of the Americas. Christopher Columbus is also called Cristoforo Colombo and Cristóbal Colón. This short lesson reviews basic facts about Columbus for K-12 and ESL students. (3 pages)
Who was Christopher Columbus?
He was an Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492.
Columbus “discovered America” when he landed on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas.
He was not the first European to visit America, but his visit led to the Spanish colonization of the area, which encourage other European countries to also colonize the area.
What was Columbus looking for?
He was looking for a sea route to Asia.
European merchants traveled across the land to get silk, spices, and opiates from China and India.
Columbus thought he could find a faster route to Asia.
On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. We encourage all Americans to observe this important day in our nation’s history by attending local events in your area. Celebrate Constitution Day through activities, learning, parades and demonstrations of our Love for the United State of America and the Blessings of Freedom Our Founding Fathers secured for us.
