Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.: March 2012

Barack Obama

Barack Obama was elected president on Nov. 4, 2008, becoming the first African-American to claim the highest office in the land, an improbable candidate fulfilling a once-impossible dream. Obama's Inauguration took place in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 20, 2009.

A nation that in living memory struggled violently over racial equality will have as its next president a 47-year-old, one-term U.S. senator born of a Kenyan father and Kansan mother. He is the first president elected from Chicago and the first to rise from a career in Illinois politics since Abraham Lincoln emerged from frontier obscurity to lead the nation through the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.

Obama's resounding victory over Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) repudiates an unpopular incumbent and an ongoing war, shifts national leadership to a new generation and provides dramatic proof to the world of the American ideal of opportunity for all.

Obama was born Aug. 4, 1961, in Hawaii. He graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a political science degree, and he entered Harvard Law School in 1988. Obama published an autobiography in 1995--"Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance". He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996. In 2000, Obama ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but lost to incumbent Bobby Rush.

In 2004, Obama won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. That summer, he delivered the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. His opponent in the senate race was supposed to Jack Ryan. However, Ryan withdrew from the race amid sexual allegations by his ex-wife. Alan Keyes replaced Ryan on the ballot, and in the general election, Obama won easily, grabbing 70 percent of the vote

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza - The Origin
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a phenomenal site! One of the ancient wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid still produces awe and wonder! Because of its immense size, chambered design and perfect dimensions, many scholars have developed remarkable theories about its true origin and purpose.

The most popular theory is that the Great Pyramid served as a huge tomb for an ancient pharaoh of Egypt. In fact, most pyramids throughout Egypt were constructed for that purpose. However, there is now plenty of evidence to show that the Great Pyramid was a unique structure, not intended to be a traditional tomb

The Great Pyramid of Giza - The Dimensions
The dimensions of the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as The great pyramid of Khufu reveal incredible mathematical insights! The architect possessed knowledge way ahead of his time! In fact, we now know that the Great Pyramid solves one of humanity’s most difficult mathematical challenges -- the squaring of the circle. When the radius of a circle equals the height of the pyramid, then the circumference of that circle equals the perimeter of the pyramid's base. Indeed, twice the height of the Great Pyramid, divided into the distance around its base, equals nearly perfectpi. Mankind has only recently been able to calculate pi to this level of mathematical accuracy.

The length of each side of the Great Pyramid’s base is 365.2422 Royal Egyptian cubits (“pyramid cubits”). Amazingly, our astronomical year has a mean length of 365.2422454 solar days. Also, the perimeter of the base of the Great Pyramid is 36524.22 “pyramid inches,” the length of 100 years expressed in days. Calculations of such accuracy weren’t known in mainstream mathematics until the 20th century. Many additional proportional phenomena and mathematical mysteries related to the Great Pyramid have been identified, proposed and/or studied. Clearly, this is a remarkable ancient structure!

The Great Pyramid of Giza - Purpose for God?
Just as instructions were given to Moses for assembling the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, is it possible that God delivered perfect instructions for erecting the Great Pyramid of Giza? The biblical texts reveal perfect dimensions delivered to Noah for the ark and ideal proportions delivered to David for the Jewish Temple -- Like other symbols throughout the ancient scriptures, is it possible that the Great Pyramid might serve some testimonial purpose for God?

In the 8th century BC, the prophet Isaiah was speaking of the “end times” when he declared:

“In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border”

Indeed, two Egypts are mentioned in the Bible -- Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. When the text is focused on the one unified Egypt, the Hebrew word Mazor is used. However, when Upper and Lower Egypt are referenced, as in Isaiah’s scripture, the text uses the Hebrew wordMizraim – “two Egypts.”

Remarkably, geographic studies have been done, including hydrographs and satellite imagery, confirming that the Great Pyramid of Giza is located in the direct middle of Egypt, on the “boundary” between the two ancient Egypts. In fact, Giza is Arabic for “border.” Amazingly, the Great Pyramid is a pillar on the border between these two Egypts, while also “in their midst” (the Hebrew word is betoch, meaning “between” or “within”).

The prophecy of Isaiah continues:“And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them”.

Materials

The Great Pyramid consists of an estimated 2.3 million limestone blocks with most believed to have been transported from nearby quarries. The Tura limestone used for the casing was quarried across the river. The largest granite stones in the pyramid, found in the "King's" chamber, weigh 25 to 80 tonnes and were transported from Aswan, more than 500 miles away. Traditionally, ancient Egyptians cut stone blocks by hammering wooden wedges into the stone which were then soaked with water. As the water was absorbed, the wedges expanded, causing the rock to crack. Once they were cut, they were carried by boat either up or down the Nile River to the pyramid. It is estimated that 5.5 million tons of limestone, 8,000 tons of granite (imported from Aswan), and 500,000 tons of mortar were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid

THE GREAT COLOSSEUM ( ONE OF THESEVEN WONDERS IN THE WORLD)

The Colosseum is probably the most impressive building of the Roman empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was the largest building of the era.

The monumental structure has fallen into ruins, but even today it is an imposing and beautiful sight.

The Flavian Amphitheater

Emperor Vespasian, founder of the Flavian Dynasty, started construction of the Colosseum in AD 72. It was completed in AD 80, the year after Vespasian's death.
The huge amphitheater was built on the site of an artificial lake, part of Nero's huge park in the center of Rome which also included the Golden House (Domus Aurea) and the nearby Colossus statue. This giant statue of Nero also gave the building its current name.

The Building

The Colosseum in Imperial Rome

The elliptical building is immense, measuring 188m by 156m and reaching a height of more than 48 meter (159 ft). The Colosseum could accommodate some 55,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances.
Above the ground are four storeys, the upper storey contained seating for lower classes and women.

The lowest storey was preserved for prominent citizens. Below the ground were rooms with mechanical devices and cages containing wild animals. The cages could be hoisted, enabling the animals to appear in the middle of the arena.

Velarium

The Colosseum was covered with an enormous awning known as the velarium. This protected the spectators from the sun. It was attached to

large poles on top of the Colosseum and anchored to the ground by large ropes. A team of some 1,000 men was used to install the awning.

Bread and circuses

Emperors used the Colosseum to entertain the public with free games. Those games were a symbol of prestige and power and they were a way for an emperor to increase his popularity.
Games were held for a whole day or even several days in a row. They usually

started with comical acts and displays of exotic animals and ended with fights to the death between animals and gladiators or between gladiators. These fighters were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Sometimes free Romans and even Emperors took part in the action.

Inauguration

Hundred-day games were held by Titus, Vespasian's successor, to mark the inauguration of the building in AD 80. In the process, some 9,000 wild animals were slaughtered.

The Ruins

The southern side of the Colosseum was felled by an earthquake in 847. Parts of the building - including the marble facade - were used for the construction of later monuments, including the St. Peter's Basilica