Historical

National Constitution Week

By Steve Laubeon September 18, 2023

September 17-23 is National Constitution Week in the United States. Yesterday, September 17, was National Constitution Day.

“It was officially enacted on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The purpose of the observance week was to promote study and education about the constitution which was originally adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787.” (Quoted from the Apples for the Teacher website.)

If it has been a while since you read it, consider fixing the omission this week. Click here for an easy-to-read online version. Click here for a very good audio edition read by David Currie, who was a professor at the University of Chicago Law School at the time. Also available for free download.

For more information and to read four lectures on the Constitution, visit Justin Taylor’s incredibly informative blog “U.S. Constitution 101.”

It’s a Mad, Mad World

By Dan Balowon September 13, 2023

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If you have been part of this blog community for any length of time, you are bound to run across a history lesson. Today is one of those days. Sixty-five years ago was quite a time in the United States. On September 12, 1958, the United States Supreme Court ordered the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, to integrate racially. It was one of many civil rights-related court and …

Category: Historical

Book Birthdays: 2023 Edition

By Dan Balowon March 9, 2023

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Significant books are published every year. Here’s a personally curated list that I hope sparks some good memories and honors the works of the past. Crazy Love, by Francis Chan (2008) – 15 years Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller (2003) – 20 years The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel (1998) – 25 years A Voice in the Wind, by Francine Rivers (1993) – 30 years Trusting God, by Jerry Bridges (1988) – 35 …

Category: Historical, The Publishing Life

President’s Day – 2023

By Steve Laubeon February 20, 2023

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In the U.S., today is a national holiday, Presidents’ Day. Originally designed to be a celebration of Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays (February 22 and February 12 respectively), it has become a more general day to recognize our presidents. I find history to be fascinating, especially when learning or being reminded of tidbits from the past. Some are not pleasant. Did you know? John …

Category: Historical

A Year in Review: A Look at 2022

By Steve Laubeon January 9, 2023

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When we reflect on a prior year, it can be hard to recall highlights or lowlights. They sort of blend together. The constant barrage of wretched news media fills in the moments of silence and crowds out the goodness of God that should be readily apparent in our everyday lives. My attempt in this article is to focus only on our industry, our agency, and a couple of other good things we have going. …

Category: Agency, Awards, Historical

7 Favorite Writer Destinations

By Bob Hostetleron October 26, 2022

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I recently discovered online (is there any other way to discover things these days?) that there is a Writer’s Museum in Edinburgh. Say what? I have to go. After all, I’m a writer. Plus, it’s free, which is totally in my price range. Until I make that trip, however, I’ll have to reminisce about my favorite writerly destinations I’ve visited over the years—and I’ve had a lot of them. Years, that is. …

Category: Historical, Inspiration, Personal

Project Gutenberg

By Dan Balowon December 1, 2021

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Fifty years ago today, at the age of 24, Michael Stern Hart of Urbana, Illinois, founded Project Gutenberg. It was the world’s first digital library, using technology that would eventually help create the Internet. Michael invented ebooks. An interesting guy, his parents were both professors at the University of Illinois. He graduated from U of I in two years with a degree in Human-Machine …

Category: Historical, Publishing History

Publishing’s Historical Markers

By Dan Balowon July 15, 2021

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Seventy-five years ago this week, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Benjamin Spock was first published. That’s Doctor Spock, so relax, Trekkies among us. Only a handful of books published throughout history could have other books written about them. This is one of them. It sold more than 50,000,000 total copies in several dozen languages. From 1946 to the late 90s, most people agreed …

Category: Historical, Publishing History

Flag Day – 2021

By Steve Laubeon June 14, 2021

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Today, June 14 in the United States, marks the day in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress passed “The Flag Resolution,” establishing the Stars and Stripes as the nation’s official flag. Below is a short video with a more-detailed explanation. While it is clear that our ultimate allegiance should be to Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we can still have …

Category: Historical

Veterans Day – 2019

By Steve Laubeon November 11, 2019

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Today, November 11, 2019, is the 101st anniversary of Veterans Day, celebrated in the United States. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set to honor the end of World War I, which happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It became a legal holiday in the U.S. in 1938 and was renamed as Veterans Day in 1954. It is our opportunity to thank and celebrate all those who …

Category: Historical