For George Washington's birthday lunch break today, I loved opening the [1960 World Book Encyclopedia] and seeing the pictures --like visiting an old friend. It brought back memories of my school days, when it was my main source of information for essays and research papers I typed on my big black 1930's-vintage Underwood.
"George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, on an estate in Westmoreland County on the banks of Popes Creek, about 30 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, Va. The plantation later became known as Wakefield. Washington's birthday is now determined by the Gregorian or 'New Style' calendar. ... His parents were Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. ... George was the first child of Augustine's second marriage. Three other sons and two daughters soon followed. ... Young George had little schooling in classrooms. ... George was eleven years old when his father died. ... He had two tutors, or private teachers [who] taught young George the arts of war. ..."
"The people of the United States and many other lands call George Washington the 'Father of His Country.' He looked after his country the way a good father would look after his son. ..."
-- The World Book Encyclopedia, copyright 1960, U.S.A.
Now in 2019, it’s so easy to search and study great history. Are there millions doing so on their phones today? Young and old, grateful for freedom, all pondering what our country has endured and where this one nation, under God ... is headed. What do you think?
