By Bill Federer, staff writer

“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended,” spoke President Bush, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, after Islamic terrorists hijacked passenger jets, flying two into New York’s World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and one which crashed in Pennsylvania.
That evening President Bush stated:
“Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. Pictures of planes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.”
President Bush continued:
“America was targeted…because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world…I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve…I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:
‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil … Continue Reading:American Minute September 11

By Bill Federer, staff writer

In 1769, the first Spanish missions were founded in California by Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra, whose statue is in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
In 1822, Mexican Emperor Augustin Iturbide took California away from Spain and in 1833, Santa Anna’s Vice-President, Gomez Farias, took all mission property away from the Church with the Mexican Secularization Act.
Attempting to explain this, the U.S. Board of Land Commissioners reasoned:
“The Missions were intended…to be temporary…It was supposed that within that period of time the Indians would be sufficiently instructed in Christianity and the arts of civilized life.”
In 1849, the same year the U.S. acquired California, workers building a sawmill for John Sutter on the south fork of the American River, discovered gold.
Soon prospectors, called “Forty-Niners,” arrived and California became the 31st State on SEPTEMBER 9, 1850.
Its Constitution, which prohibits slavery, stated:
… Continue Reading:American Minute September 9

By Bill Federer, staff writer

The Journals of the Continental Congress recorded:
“Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 7, 1774, 9 o’clock a.m. Agreeable to the resolve of yesterday, the meeting was opened with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Duche’.
Voted, That the thanks of Congress be given to Mr. Duche’…for performing divine Service, and for the excellent prayer, which he composed and delivered on the occasion.”
Rev. Jacob Duche’ had prayed:
“O God of Wisdom…direct the counsel of this Honorable Assembly…that the scene of blood may be speedily closed…that Truth and Justice, Religion and Piety, prevail.”
John Adams wrote:
“Reverend Duche’…read the 35th Psalm… After this…unexpectedly to every body, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess, I never heard a better prayer.”
The Library of Congress printed on an historical placard of Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia:
“Washington was kneeling there with Henry, … Continue Reading:American Minute September 7