1947
1947 was a year in which a fascinating variety of life-altering events occurred. One could say it was a year of eeriness, for in 1947 a mysterious object crashed in a field near Roswell, New Mexico, which to this day people believe was a UFO from some extraterrestrial source that the United States government was trying to hide from the public. The supposed UFO was actually identified to be part of a target for radar equipment, but who cares about the facts when something more exciting can be substituted?
A truly exciting and important event for Bible scholars taking place in 1947 was the throwing of a stone by a shepherd in the wilderness on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. His stone struck an ancient pot in a cave, and the unusual sound of shattering clay in the desert led the shepherd to investigate and find what have come to be known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. This discovery has been a huge help in understanding some of the sects, beliefs and approaches existing around the time of Jesus Christ in His first advent.
Technologically, 1947 was the year in which the transistor was invented at Bell Laboratories by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William Shockley. Imagine being able to carry a radio in one’s hand wherever one goes, not needing to plug it in! I still remember the first such radio Uncle Don bought and used—not in 1947, but in the 1950s.
For children of all ages who love to play with Legos, 1947 is significant as the beginning of production of plastic Legos. While invented by Ole Kirk Christiansen in 1932, until 1947 the building blocks had been made of wood.
On the governmental front, 1947 is noteworthy as the year when the Central Intelligence Agency was established. The Department of Defense was also formed that year, with the intention of facilitating greater cooperation and coordination among the armed forces of the United States.
Cat lovers appreciate 1947 as the year when cat litter was developed by Edward Lowe. Those who cherish quiet were bothered by the fact that sonic booms began that year, starting with Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier while flying an experimental X-1 rocket craft over Rogers Dry Lake in southern California.
For followers of English royalty, 1947 was the year Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip exchanged wedding vows. In other words, this year marks their 73rd wedding anniversary. That’s quite a milestone! By the way, Prince Philip celebrated his 99th birthday last month.
July 4
July 4 has had extra significance for 244 years now, as the day on which the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence from British rule. Fireworks vendors are eager to make sure the holiday will never be forgotten.
The 4th of July is a day on which some important figures of history met the One who created all men equal. On July 4, 1826, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams entered eternity. Both of these men were part of the 5-man committee which drafted the Declaration of Independence. While his soul was of equal value, another man who died on July 4, 1881, contributed much less to the benefit of society. Billy the Kid was shot dead on that date while trying to escape custody after having been sentenced to death for murdering a sheriff.
July 4 is also the day of special birthdays. In 1826, Stephen Foster was born. His birth has great significance for us, not only because of his well-known songs such as Swanee River and Beautiful Dreamer, but especially because of his prophetic song in which he wrote about dreaming of a girl who would be born on the same day as he was, only 121 years later! He got the spelling of her name wrong, but certainly he had that girl in mind when he composed I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair!
Happy Birthday, Jeanne!
You are such a gifted writer, interesting historian, and a special brother! Thanks!