In the United States, today is Memorial Day. This day of remembrance began in 1868, and was initially called Decoration Day. It was established as a day to decorate the graves of those who were killed in the Civil War. After World War I, the observance was expanded to include those who fell in all American wars. Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday by Congress in 1971, and placed on the last Monday in May.

We all need to be reminded of the sacrifice that many have given to ensure our freedom. In honor of Memorial Day, here are a couple of statements made by past Presidents of the United States.

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy

“They do not need our praise. They do not need that our admiration should sustain them. There is no immortality that is safer than theirs. We come not for their sakes but for our own, in order that we may drink at the same springs of inspiration from which they themselves drank.” — Woodrow Wilson

“It was the transcendent fortitude and steadfastness of these men who in adversity and in suffering through the darkest hour of our history held faithful to an ideal. Here men endured that a nation might live.” — Herbert Hoover

“I don’t have to tell you how fragile this precious gift of freedom is. Every time we hear, watch, or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in this world.” — Ronald Reagan

“Looking across this field, we see the scale of heroism and sacrifice. All who are buried here understood their duty. All stood to protect America. And all carried with them memories of a family that they hoped to keep safe by their sacrifice.” — George W. Bush

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones defending the American Way.

If you are interested n finding out more about Memorial Day, here are a few resources:

• US Department of Veterans Affairs
• History.com
• Memorial Day website

On this day in history: Today marks the anniversary of a lot of human ingenuity. In 1570, Abraham Ortelius published the first modern atlas in Belgium. In 1841, Henry Kennedy received a patent for the first reclining chair. In 1849, Abraham Lincoln received a patent for the floating dry dock. In 1891, the first public motion picture was given in Thomas Edison’s lab. In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield invented the toothpaste tube. And in 1906, the Wright brothers received a patent their flying machine.

How To Make Coffee Cookies In The Shape Of Coffee Beans – Because you have always wondered this, right? Give it a try. And then drop some off at my office…

Why Do We Put Candles On Birthday Cakes? – This is not just a random tradition it seems. The article is interesting, but the bonus facts at the end are especially intriguing.

The Curta Calculator – I have long been a fan of history, and for various reasons, the period of the 20th century surrounding WWII is my favorite. This article shows the ingenuity of man, even in the face of the most dire of circumstances.

You Can’t See This – Our minds play tricks on us. Very often there are things we can see or can’t see that are different from what is really there. This video explains. Despite the evolutionary assumptions it makes, it’s pretty interesting.

On this day in history: In 1602, Cape Cod was discovered by Bartholomew Gosnold. In 1800, President John Adams orders the federal government to pack up and leave Philadelphia and set up shop in the nation’s new capital in Washington, D.C. And in 1942, gasoline rationing began in the U.S. The limit was 3 gallons a week for nonessential vehicles.

Chemex Coffee Brewing – This is my favorite brewing method by far, and it is a lot easier than most people realize. This tutorial explains just how easy it is, and you can order one here.

7 Tips To Look Amazing Without Overdressing – There is no reason why you can’t be the best dressed person in the room, no matter where you are. But doing so does not mean that you have to be overdressed. Here are seven excellent tips to help you out.

Just How Big Is The Universe? – This comes from the Huffington Post, so take that for what it’s worth, but the universe may be a whole lot bigger than we imagined. And God knows every last particle of it.

What Happens To Our Bodies After We Die? – As Christians, we know what happens to us after we die. But what about the body we leave behind? What happens to it? This my be slightly morbid, and maybe even gross, but it’s a valid question, and the answers are very interesting.

On this day in history: In 1800, the Library of Congress was established with a $5,000 allocation. In 1833, a patent was granted for first soda fountain. In 1982, Jane Fonda’s first workout video was released. And in 1990, the space shuttle Discovery blasted off from Cape Canaveral, FL. It was carrying the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope.

Scientists Sequence Coffea Arabica Genome – The coffee nerd in me found this quite fascinating. The opening article is brief, and the actual findings are here, along with a video. And now I’m looking for my Chemex…

5 Productivity Tips You Haven’t Heard A Million Times Before – I’m always trying to make the best use of my time. This list doesn’t contain any staggeringly amazing tips, but it is intriguing.

Scientists Admit Limit To Human Life Span – Despite the first verse being misapplied (I don’t think 120 years is a limit to our age, but rather a time frame for the flood to come), the point of this article is very interesting.

What’s The Fastest Way To Alphabetize Your Bookshelf? – This is interesting, but seems to stop short of the easiest method of just inserting the books in the proper order without comparing each separate pair over and over. Watch the video to see what I mean.

On this day in history: In 1790, the U.S. patent system was established when U.S. President George Washington signed the Patent Act of 1790 into law. In 1825, the first hotel opened in Hawaii. In 1849, Walter Hunt patented the safety pin. He sold the rights for $100. And in 1970, Paul McCartney announced the breakup of the Beatles.

Pour Over Coffee Tutorial – The pourover is my preferred method of making coffee. I use a Chemex and a Hario V60 primarily, and I love the wide range of possibilities they can bring to my coffee cup. Here’s a simple tutorial on how to use a pourover effectively.

The Optimal U.S. National Parks Centennial Road Trip – I love the National Parks system. There are several parks that are on my bucket list to visit. And although it would be not very practical for me to make this trip all at once, it would be very awesome. Also, check out this interactive site with several of these parks featured.

The US-Canada Border Slash – Did you know that there is a 20 foot wide slash through the landscape that delineates this border? I didn’t. This is very interesting.

The Hidden War Over Grocery Store Shelf Space – While this may seem trivial and laughable, it’s a very real phenomenon. And the best spaces get the most dollars. It’s a very intriguing video.

On this day in history: In 1841, the first steam fire engine was tested in New York City. In 1884, the first long-distance telephone call was made from Boston to New York. In 1905, fingerprint evidence was used for the first time to solve a British murder case. And in 1912, the first cherry blossom trees were planted in Washington, DC. The trees were a gift from Japan.

A Coffee Drinker’s Guide to Coffee Candies – You need to know this stuff. Really. And I’m going to have to find some of these.

Watch Sand Bubbler Crabs Transform A Beach – Have you ever heard of the sand bubbler crab? Neither had I, but this time-lapse video is pretty neat to watch.

Comedy Wildlife Photography – People have great senses of humor. But sometimes it seems like animals do too. Here are the 2016 finalists for The Comedy Wildlife Competition.

Unsatisfying – Some things just leave you… unsatisfied. Enjoy. Or not.

On this day in history: In 141, the 6th recorded perihelion passage of Halley’s Comet took place. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin, subtitled “Life Among the Lowly,” was first published. In 1885, John Matzeliger of Suriname patented the shoe lacing machine. And in 1888, the Sherlock Holmes Adventure, “A Scandal in Bohemia,” began.

Physics Says This Is The Best Way To Deal With Hot Coffee – When coffee is too hot, what do you do to cool it? Here are two approaches, examined from a scientific standpoint, showing which way actually works better. Or, you can just drink it hot.

Why The Purple Skittle Tastes Different Outside America – I didn’t know that Skittles had different flavors. They just taste like sugar to me. And I certainly didn’t realize they made them differently for different parts of the world.

20 Quick Tips To Improve Your Productivity – I found this to be the best article on productivity that I have ever read. This list prioritizes things like Bible reading and memorization, along with more mundane productivity tips. Well worth reading!

The Deadliest Garden In The World – This was morbidly fascinating. There is actually a garden that cultivates poisonous and deadly plants… on purpose. And it’s really quite beautiful.