Tidbit for the day . . . THE UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL Take out a one dollar bill and look at it. The one dollar bill youre holding in your hand first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it, which is actually material. Weve all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used; the contents will never be known. It is overprinted with symbols and then starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of the bill, youll see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top youll see the scales for a balanced budget. In the center you have a carpenters square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the key to the United States Treasury. Thats all pretty easy to figure out but whats on the back of the dollar bill is something we should all know. If you turn the bill over, youll see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved. If you look at the left-hand circle, youll see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Ben Franklins belief that one man couldnt do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. IN GOD WE TRUST is on the currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means God has favored our undertaking. The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, a new order has begun. At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that its on every National Cemetery in the United States. Its also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most heros monuments. Slightly modified, its the seal of the President of the United States and its always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: first, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong and smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of the shield you have a white bar signifying Congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagles beak you see E PLURIBUS UNUM meaning one nation from many people. Above the Eagle are thirteen stars representing the thirteen original colonies and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch but in times of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. The number 13 is said to be an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You usually never see a room numbered 13 or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in E Pluribus Unum, 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, 13 arrows and 13 original colonies. God bless America the greatest nation on the face of the Earth!
Posted on: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:12:51 +0000
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