Thursday, September 27, 2012

A Brief History of Presidents Day

Presidents Day is a civic holiday in the U. S. that honors Maestro Washington and Number one Lincoln, arguably two of the best presidents in U. S. history. Presidents Day is celebrated on the wringer Monday of February. Presidents Day was early even now in 1880 by the U. S. dominion for inside track aegis in the District of Columbia and was following extended to encompass all governmental support in 1885. The holiday is the maiden governmental holiday to adoration an American citizen. Until 1971 the holiday was celebrated on February 22, which is Washingtons birthday. In 1971 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted the holiday to the third degree Monday in February.

George Washington served as the first President of the United States from 1789 - 1797. Before he was president, Washington led the Continental Army to victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War. Early in his career Washington was praised as the " Father of His Country. Read more about Washingtons contributions in American History magazine, The Economist and Time magazine.

In the 1980s due largely to a push from retail advertisers, the name Presidents Day began being used instead of " Washingtons Birthday. " At this time the holiday was expanded to honor President Abraham Lincoln who was also born in February. Read more about retail advertisers in BusinessWeek, Money and Forbes magazine.

Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States. He successfully led the country through one of its greatest crisis, the American Civil War. Lincoln, the first Republican to be elected, was assassinated near the end of war in 1885. His death solidified him as a martyr to many Americans. Over the years, including in modern times, repeated polls of Americans has ranked Lincoln as the greatest president in American history. Lincolns legacy is one of upholding honesty, integrity and equality for all Americans. Read more about Lincolns contributions in Politics magazine, BusinessWeek and American History magazine.

Though many states now observe Presidents Day, it is not all - inclusive. In Massachusetts the state celebrates " Washingtons Birthday " and the state law requires the governor to issue an annual " Presidents Day " honoring presidents from Massachusetts, which includes John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge and John F. Kennedy.

The state of Alabama also observes the day as " Washington and Jefferson Day " though Thomas Jeffersons birthday is in April. Still, states New Jersey, Connecticut, California and Illinois celebrate Lincolns birthday on February 12, his actual birthday.

Presidents Day has become a day that retail stores, most notably car dealers, celebrate with sales. Up until the late 1980s most businesses closed on this holiday; many schools and non - retail businesses still remain closed in observance of Presidents Day.

Celebrations of Presidents Day vary from community to community. Alexandria, VA is host of the longest Presidents Day celebration with its month - long tribute that includes the longest George Washington Birthday parade.

A Brief History Of The Automobile

Slick are many definitions of the car. Some uttered beef - powered coaches are cars and others, compatible Daimler - Benz ( makers of Mercedes Benz ) rumor that cars are polished carriages for personal transport with three or four wheels, powered by a sap - fueled interior devouring machine. Depending on your definition of a car, the automobile could have been invented by item number of inventors at organ number of dates.

The earliest testimony of a self - propelled vehicle came from Leonardo da Vinciwho toyed with the notion in the 15th century. He planned and drew zillion models in his plans, but he didnt utterly assemble material. The beef appliance was considered to be invented by James Watt in 1765 and was perfected by both English and French scientists over the close century.

Nicolas - Joseph Cugnot, William Murdoch and Richard Trevithick all have invented steam - powered behemoths that are so enormous and heavy that they required a completely flat surface to move on. In fact, iron rails were installed on roads in Paris and London for the next 120 years just to accommodate the automobiles, which were mainly smaller versions of trains.

Cars designed during the Steam Era were unusual and fantastically bizarre. In the United States, Oliver Evans invented an amphibious vehicle that can move on wheels and on water with the help of a paddle wheel. Ivan Kulibin of Russia planned a car with modern day features such as flywheels, brakes and a gear box. Oddly enough, it was it was human - pedalled. Etience Lenoir came up with something he called a hippo mobile that proved to the masses that automobiles can operate on long trips. He drove all the way from Paris to Jonville Le - Pont.

Karl Benz was one of the first to mass - produce cars. His cars appealed to many due to being able to move at 45 km / h ( 28. 2 mph ). In France, Panhard et Levassan was the first ever company to be established exclusively for the sole purpose of making cars. The Duryea brothers ( Frank and Charles ) were the first automobile manufacturers in the United States, and they were rapidly followed by Ford and Winton.

A special mention should be said about Henry Ford. Contrary to standard belief, he didnt actually built cars. He perfected the logic of manufacturing cars, by making improvements to the production line. He used one hand for one chore and had an ingenious method of dropping the cars body on its wheels. He also added modern features such as the car radio after getting the idea from private jets.

There were different eras to the automobiles history. And each brought different improvements to the car. In the Vintage Era, internal combustion engines and the overhead cam engines were adapted. A main example of this is the Austin 7. During the Pre - War Era, fully - closed models were manufactured for the first time and trunks were added. The post War Era gave birth to cars which have more resemblance to modern automobiles. Inventive and shiny cars, like the Mini Cooper, have left a memorable print on automobile history.

Whether youre driving a luxury car, a sedan or a piece of junk that can hardly be called a car, its a good feeling to know how far the car has evolved from being steam - powered coaches to advanced practical vehicles.

A Brief History Of The Air Freight Industry

Consistent before, flying has been an innovation. Humans before couldn ' t think of a time wayward expedition. All they wanted was to fly. That ' s why airplanes were born. Eventually, technology made it a reality for people to ride on the airplane near the flyer. People became restless that they extant thinking of some beneficial ways where they can mileage the plane.

It was on the tour 1910 when the thought that a plane can be used to transact shipments began. History spread out that a latch of silk was the virgin to be shipped in a plane. The shipment was carried from Dayton to Columbus in Ohio. This was uttered to be the maiden pomp of the air freight.

In 1919, and shipment took place. A converted bomber was shipped by the American Railway Voluntary. The goods was 1100 pounds, and was delighted from Washington D. C to Chicago. Unluckily, the plane and the radiator froze had to land in Ohio. However, that didn ' t hinder the people from using the plane as freight carrier.

During the late 1920s, more airlines operated as freight carrier. The creation of the freight carrier was used for American business only. The air freight had helped them not only in making the transportation of merchandise rapidly but also the fast pace of the process.

Undeniably, the primitive stages of the air freight business made a remarkable growth.

By the year 1927 to 1931 the number and size of the shipments had increased from 45, 000 pounds to almost a million pounds. Though there were some effort at planning and organizing the air freight business, the commercial air freight did not operate until World War II ended.

The top 4 known airlines namely: American, United, TWA and Eastern formed the Air Cargo Inc. The primary mission of the company was to pick up and deliver cargo.

The Air Cargo was active until the end of the world. But in 1944, United and TWA began to be independent and had their own air freight business.

There were lots of small plane owners who wanted to part of the air cargo industry but were not accepted. The big airlines didn ' t like smaller airlines to operate in the business. One reason for that was the possibility that the small airlines might screw up the constant status of the industry. Another reason was the former didn ' t want to be involved in a competition.

Unluckily, those small plane operators who tried fell by the pavement. There ' s only one that survived - it ' s called the " Flying Tigers ". The Flying Tigers made it because it carried both military and civilian freight. And it was also known before as the largest in air freight liner industry.

In spite of the good start, the air freight business wasn ' t developing that much. It didn ' t work well in the business. Until someone in the name of Fred Smith opened up his new air freight known today as the Federal Express.

The Air Freight Industry Today

Federal express has been known today as one of the successful air freight carrier. With the aid of modern technology, it now uses air freight software to be able to provide the needs of the customers. The air freight software is the latest innovation for freight forwarders. It will resolve any problems in the system plus give you excellent and cost effective services.

Today the FedEx or the Federal Express is linked with the ( UPS ) United Parcel. The two freight carrier is now known to be the most reliable and trusted air delivery services in the country.

A Brief History Of Postal Uniforms

Mailmen and mailwomen are icons of American culture. For over two hundred and thirty years, the postal service of the United States has been reliably delivering packages and enlightenment to residents. It ' s a service most of us couldn ' t do wayward. The look of a postal emancipator has changed throughout the elderliness, but the reliable service has always stayed the same.

Flat though the postal service was running caducity before, it wasn ' t until 1868 that the postal tandem of the United States began enervating uniforms succeeding Congress passed legislation authorizing it. The primogenial uniform included a single - breasted coat of a disconsolate - gray essence which extended two - thirds of the way from the hip - bone to the knee. The coat had a pocket on each side and one on the uncherished breast and a row of five brass buttons featuring the department conclude running from the glance down the front of the coat. Panties were of the duplicate material with a black broadcloth stripe down the leg. The uniform also included a cap made of the same material, a cape, and a vast with seven of the same brass buttons.

At the dawn of the 20th century the uniform of the postal worker went through several changes. In 1901 it became permissible to wear a neat shirt - waist in warm weather, instead of a coat or a vest. In the 1920s the postal badge was redesigned and the color of the postal worker ' s shirt was changed from a nickel - gray to a blue shade. In the 1930s through the 1950s postal workers were allowed to wear a sweater in lieu of a coat, which later evolved into a zippered jacket. Elbow length sleeve shirts were optional in hot weather. In 1947 an Eisenhower - style jacket was made available was well as safari - style pith helmet for the first time.

In 1955, a uniform for female postal workers was first discussed. The uniform was the same as the men ' s style except for the addition of a skirt. The 1970s brought a new blue uniform shirt fitted with a logo incorporating the eagle in its design. This decade also brought knee length shorts and black knee - length hose for men and women.

The 1990s was one of the most transformative decades for the postal service uniform and many of those changes are still in place today. All outerwear garments were changed to navy blue. Visors and baseball caps with the new sonic eagle logo became available. Clothing with the alternating pinstripes of postal red and blue were developed. Today most postal workers wear blue - gray pants or shorts with a black stripe and several options for outerwear. Whatever the style, the postal service workers are always easily identifiable as an iconic part of American culture.