John Adams Prays Blessing for White House

John Adams

Pol Light Moment #113 happened on November 2, 1800, when John Adams prayed a blessing for the White House. John Adams was the 2nd President of the United States. He has served as President of the United States from 1797-1801.

John Adams was the first President of the United States to reside in the White House, which was originally called the President's House (History.com, November 1, 1800). He moved in on November 1, 1800, when parts of the interior rooms were still unfinished. At the time one had to get to the White House by traveling through a forest of undeveloped land in what is modern day Washington D.C.

On November 2, 1800, during his second day in the White House, John Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife Abigail offering this prayer of blessing on the house.

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

(Source: Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1800 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/)

Franklin Roosevelt appreciated this prayer so much that he had Adams' blessing carved into the mantel in the State Dining Room of the White House (World History Project, November 1, 1800).

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Image: The painting of John Adams is in the Public Domain.

Barack Obama Launches My Brother's Keeper Initiative

Barack Obama

Pol Light Moment #112 happened on February 27, 2014, when Barack Obama launched the My Brother's Keeper Initiative, a mentoring program for boys and young men of color. Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States. He served as President of the United States from 2009-2017.

Barack Obama said, "That's what 'My Brother's Keeper' is all about. Helping more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works - when it works, in those critical life-changing moments (My Brother's Keeper Website)."

According to the My Brother's Keeper website,"Through this initiative, the Administration is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class (My Brother's Keeper Website)."

Coinciding with the launching of this initiative on February 27, 2014, Barack Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color.

The following is a video on the launching of the initiative. You can also read the entire text of the President's Remarks on the My Brother's Keeper Initiative.

For other posts on Barack Obama search with the "Barack Obama" label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.  

The photo of Barack Obama is in the Public Domain as his official photo.

Mike Pence Rings Bells for The Salvation Army

Mike Pence

Pol Light Moment #111 happened on December 3, 2013, when Mike Pence rang bells to help raise funds at Christmas for The Salvation Army. Mike Pence is the current Vice-President of the United States, serving since 2017. He was formerly the Governor of the State of Indiana from 2013-2017. Mike Pence represented Indiana's 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-2013 before becoming Governor of Indiana.

At about 11 a.m. on December 3, 2013, Mike Pence served as a bell ringer for The Salvation Army at their red kettle at a Kroger in Rochester, Indiana (WNDU.com, Gabby Gonzalez). His efforts helped raise funds as part of the Red Kettle Campaign for The Salvation Army, which since 1891 has been using the traditional to raise funds to help support needy individuals at Christmas and throughout the year.

Mike Pence said about his experience, "There are more than a quarter million Hoosiers out of work and I thought there was no better way to start the holiday season then coming alongside The Salvation Army here in Rochester and reminding Hoosiers that now is a great time of the year to remember those in need (As Quoted by Tom Shaw for WREX.Com)."

Mike Pence has been featured on other posts at the Pol Light blog that can be found by searching for the Label Mike Pence.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Mike Pence is in the Public Domain.

Dwight Eisenhower Gives First Color TV Broadcast by a President

Dwight Eisenhower

Pol Light Moment #110 happened on May 22, 1958, when Dwight Eisenhower gave the first color TV broadcast by a President. Dwight Eisenhower served as the 34th President of the United States, from 1953-1961. Prior to that he had served as a 5 star General in the Army during World War II.

On May 22, 1958, Dwight Eisenhower gave an Address at the opening ceremonies of NBC and WRC-TV in Washington D.C. President Dwight Eisehower's speech is the oldest color TV broadcast known to be in existence. For more information on this historical time in television history read the article Video Shows Oldest Color Videotape (NBC Washington, October 24, 2012).

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Dwight Eisenhower is in the Public Domain.

Gerald Ford Becomes Longest Living President

Gerald Ford

Pol Light Moment #109 happened on November 12, 2006, when Gerald Ford became the longest living U.S. President. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States serving from 1974 to 1977. He served as Vice-President of the United States from 1973-1974 and prior to that represented the 5th District of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives from 1949-1973.

Gerald Ford died on December 26, 2006 and lived 93 years and 165 days (Wikipedia: List of Presidents of the United States). His record as the U.S. President to live the longest is 45 more days then Ronald Reagan lived.

Gerald Ford has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Gerald Ford posts search with the Gerald Ford label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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Photo: The photo of Gerald Ford is in the Public Domain.

George W. Bush Kisses Nurse Who Survived Ebola

George W. Bush

Pol Light #108 is when George W. Bush visited Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas on November 7, 2014, and he kissed nurse Amber Vinson who had recently recovered from Ebola. George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001-2009.

Here is a video of George W. Bush visiting Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and meeting Amber Vinson.

The Ebola virus disease is a disease with a high rate of fatalities once a person is infected. It was first discovered to impact humans in 1976 in Africa (Ebola Facts at CNN). The 2014 Ebola epidemic spread to the United States and Amber Vinson caught Ebola as she cared for an infected patient during the course of her duties as a nurse. After Amber Vinson passed the 21 day waiting period to be declared no longer contagious, George W. Bush affirmed her victory over Ebola when he personally kissed her and was not afraid of catching Ebola from her.

George W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George W. Bush posts search with George W. Bush label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.  

The photo of George W. Bush is in the Public Domain.

Franklin Roosevelt's Sullivan Letter

Pol Light Moment #107 is when Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) wrote a letter to Mrs. Sullivan on January 13, 1943. Mrs. Sullivan was the mother who lost all five of her sons in World War II because the cruiser they were all on was destroyed in war. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States and served from 1933 until his death in 1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt also served as the Governor of New York from 1929-1932.

The five sons of Mrs. Sullivan requested to be stationed on the same Navy ship. They were killed on Nov. 15, 1942 during World War II when their ship the Juneau was attacked off Guadalcanal and sunk during the Battle of Solomon Islands (American Presidents History).

The following was the contents of the letter dated January 13, 1943, that Franklin Roosevelt wrote to Mrs. Sullivan.

Dear Mrs. Sullivan:

The knowledge that your five gallant sons are missing in action, against the enemy, inspired me to write you this personal message, I realize full well there is little I can say to assuage your grief.

As the Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I want you to know that the entire nation shares your sorrow. I offer you the condolence and gratitude of our country. We, who remain to carry on the fight, must maintain the spirit in the knowledge that such sacrifice is not in vain. The Navy Department has informed me of the expressed desire of your son; George Thomas, Francis Henry, Joseph Eugene, Madison Abel, and Albert Leo, to serve on the same ship. I am sure, that we all take pride in the knowledge that they fought side by side.As one of your sons wrote, 'We will make a team together that can't be beat.' It is this spirit which in the end must triumph.  

Last March, you Mrs. Sullivan, were designated to sponsor a ship of the Navy in recognition of your patriotism and that of your sons. I am to understand that you are, now even more determined to carry on as sponsor. This evidence of unselfishness and courage serves as a real inspiration for me, as I am sure it will for all Americans. Such acts of fate and fortitude in the face of tragedy convince me of the indomitable spirit and will of our people. 

 I send you my deepest sympathy in your hour of trial and pray that in Almighty God you will find a comfort and help that only he can bring. 

Very Sincerely Yours,

Franklin Roosevelt 

(Source of Letter: American Presidents History). 

Franklin D. Roosevelt has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Franklin Roosevelt posts search with Franklin Roosevelt label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo in this post is in the Public Domain. It was obtained from Wikipedia.