Historical Tidbit: When the Washington Monument was built the nation’s leaders inscribed on the aluminum cap atop the monument two words – Laus Deo, Latin words meaning “Praise be to God.” These words are enshrined 555’ 5.125” above our nation’s capital, looking upward to this nation’s God in Heaven. As visitors stand atop Washington’s Monument and look our across the landscape they readily see the religious connotation the architect had in mind as he planned the layout of the nation’s capital – the Christian Cross: the White House to the north, Jefferson’s Memorial to the south, the Capital Building to the east, and Lincoln’s Memorial to the west. Very symbolic of the feelings of America’s Founders whose faith in the Divine was strong, and well founded.  

www.cacp.info – # 648 – 12-2-06 – 148 – Donald Conkey

A Historical Tidbit: On December 15, 1791, over three years after the Constitution of the United States was signed on September 17, 1787, Virginia became the ninth state to ratify 10 of the 12 proposed amendments that Congress had sent to the states for ratification, thus what we know today as America’s Bill of Rights became a vital part of the Constitution and has proved invaluable in protecting our most precious freedoms from an encroaching federal government.

            Had it not been for the courage of three Founders, Virginians George Mason, Governor Randolph and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, to stand before their fellow delegates and refuse to sign this world changing and revered document America would not have their Bill of Rights today. The Bill of Rights were the first 10 of only 27 Amendments added to the Constitution by the people of the United States in 219 years.