Today, May 5, marks Cinco de Mayo, a holiday most Americans celebrate by cracking open a few Coronas or downing margaritas. But do you know what you’re raising a glass to? Here are five facts you should know about Cinco de Mayo. 1. Cinco de Mayo is rooted in money—namely, unpaid debt. Suffering from the ravages of war and economic devastation, Mexico’s President Benito Juárez put a moratorium on repaying the country’s debts, and the French didn’t take kindly to that decision. The French army descended on Veracruz in 1862, demanding their dinero, and setting off the events of Cinco de Mayo. 2…
1. Some historians credit Matthew Maguire with proposing the Labor Day holiday in 1882, when he was secretary of New York's Central Labor Union. Others recognize Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, as the founder of the American Labor Day, claiming it was McGuire, not Maguire, who organized workers for the Sept. 5, 1882, parade in New York City. Either way, Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894—a peace offering by President Grover Cleveland following the deaths of Pullman Strike workers at the hands of the military—and has been celebrated the…
Fifty years ago today, workers began erecting the Berlin Wall, which was to divide the German capital for nearly three decades. Between its construction to the joyous celebration that greeted its fall, the Berlin Wall was a physical reminder of the Iron Curtain of Communism that divided Europe post-World War II. Outside of the pithy demand from President Reagan that “Mr. Gobachev, tear down this wall,” how much do you know about the Berlin Wall’s history? Here are five Berlin Wall facts: 1. Shaky on German geography? Then you may not realize that Berlin was fully in the eastern part of the …
Happy Birthday, America! Our great country turns 235 years old today. All across the nation, communities will celebrate the United States' big 2-3-5 with fireworks, parades and backyard barbecues. Here are five things we at Patch thought you should ponder as you celebrate American independence: 1. As the Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, there were roughly 2.5 million living in America. Today, there are an estimated 311.7 million American citizens. 2. Look up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. It's ... Chinese gunpowder. The U.S. imported $190.7 …
Cinnaminson’s Board of Education met Tuesday night at the middle school cafetorium. Here are five things the came out the meeting: 1. It’s likely Cinnaminson won’t join Medford schools in charging student teachers to work in the district. Medford made the change last month as a revenue-generating tactic. Cinnaminson board member James Herschel called Medford’s move “ludicrous.” Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi agreed, noting it does not cost Cinnaminson anything to host student teachers and, if anything, “we are the beneficiaries.” 2. The board had a first reading of a revised harassment, …
Today, Memorial Day, is one of America’s most solemn observances. We honor the men and women who died serving and defending our country—unlike Veterans Day, the day to honor all veterans. Amid the parades, 21-gun salutes and long weekend trips, how much do you know the holiday? Here are five Memorial Day facts. 1. The sheer carnage of the Civil War, America’s deadliest war, inspired Memorial Day as a way to honor the war dead. The observances originally were called Decoration Day because thankful Americans decorated and cared for soldiers’ graves. “Memorial Day” usage began appearing in 1882…
1. Today has been labeled as “Judgment Day,” and many have taken that to mean today is the last day Planet Earth will exist. More accurately, “Judgment Day,” refers to “The Beginning of the Rapture,” for some who read the bible. This means that, beginning today, those of us who are to be saved will be taken to Heaven. God will judge if we are worthy, hence the term “Judgment Day.” It isn’t until Oct. 21 that the Earth will be destroyed by fire, according to this belief. 2. There’s a chance the world won’t end today, or even this year. Harold Camping, who operates Family Radio, is the …
Today, May 5, marks Cinco de Mayo, a holiday most Americans celebrate by cracking open a few Coronas or downing margaritas. But do you know what you’re raising a glass to? Here are five facts you should know about Cinco de Mayo. 1. Cinco de Mayo is rooted in money—namely, unpaid debt. Suffering from the ravages of war and economic devastation, Mexico’s President Benito Juárez put a moratorium on repaying the country’s debts, and the French didn’t take kindly to that decision. The French army descended on Veracruz in 1862, demanding their dinero, and setting off the events of Cinco de Mayo. 2…
Today marks the 42nd annual Earth Day, a celebration that began in 1970 as a protest movement against pollution. Here are five facts about why we go green every April 22. And, here's a link to our green column published every week by Cinnaminson's own John Shields. 1. We have late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-WI) to thank for the official Earth Day celebration. But many credit John McConnell, an activist who proposed the day at a National UNESCO Conference in 1969, with founding Earth Day. While McConnell’s earlier Earth Day Proclamation received support from top United Nations officials, …
1. Shovel those sidewalks. Residents have 36 hours after a snowstorm ends to shovel all sidewalks. Failure to do so may result in a ticket from the township. Help keep everyone safe and do your part to keep sidewalks free from ice and snow. 2. With only five days left in 2010, you can still celebrate Cinnaminson's 150th birthday by purchasing a commemorative 150th anniversary flag. They are available at Haines Farm and Garden on Route 130, Hunter's Farm & Market on Union Landing Road or Beneficial Bank on Highland Avenue. 3. Get an early start on that New Year's resolution to read more books…
