On this day in 1889 the Eiffel Tower opened.

The Eiffel Tower, an immense structure of exposed latticework made of iron, was built for the Paris Exposition of 1889. At the time, it was the world’s tallest structure—at 984 feet, a soaring celebration of the science and technology achievements of the age.

The Tower was not without its critics. One group of French artists called the Eiffel Tower “useless and monstrous”—an affront to French taste and the arts. At one time, it was almost torn down, saved only because of its antenna, which was used for telegraphy. Today, it is completely accepted by French citizens and is internationally recognized as one of the symbols of Paris itself.

Of course, the Eiffel Tower was not the first time humans had built a structure to honor their own achievements. That distinction goes to the Tower of Babel (see Genesis 11). After the Flood and the world had been repopulated, the people of the world decided that they would erect a tower in honor of—themselves! It most likely was a ziggurat (a pyramid-looking structure with steps). Often they would be as tall as 300 feet and just as wide.

The Tower of Babel was undoubtedly an incredible sight to see. But the people built it for all the wrong reasons—for their honor and glory, not God’s. We can do the same thing when we “build monuments” by using trophies, awards, report cards, clothes, or possessions to call attention to our achievements and ourselves. It’s OK to be good at sports or at school, or to be honored for your achievements. But when those items or honors take God’s place in your life, you may be building a monument that will never last.

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12, New International Version).

To Do

Take an inventory of your room or your locker at school. What “monuments” do you have to your achievements? What can you do to make those “monuments” a tribute to God?

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Bunsen Burner Day.

1870—In Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Thomas P. Munday became the first African-American to vote.

1918—Daylight Savings time went into effect for the first time.

1923—In New York City, the first dance marathon was held. Alma Cummings set a new world record of 27 hours.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is I Am in Control Day.

Who is in control at your house? At school? We all know people who are in control. They are the ones who make the decisions, come up with the plans, and get stuff done. Maybe that describes you!

In certain situations, it’s good to know that somebody is in control—like when you are flying in an airplane or going to the dentist. You certainly want to know that a trained and experienced pilot controls the plane, or that a professional dentist is about to fill in your cavity.

We all like to feel as though we have control. We like to feel free to make our own decisions and choices. But we can quickly get into trouble when we believe that “I am in control.” Take for example, King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1-4). He was king of the greatest empire of the world at that time. Everyone had to obey his every command. Nebuchadnezzar answered to no one, or at least he thought so.

One day as he was congratulating himself on all his great accomplishments, God said, “You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. . . . You will live in the fields of the wild animals, and will eat grass like a cow.” And King Nebuchadnezzar did just that for seven long years. You see, the king had forgotten an important fact. Although he knew about the God of Israel, Nebuchadnezzar didn’t really think that God was in charge. Only after living like a cow for seven years did the king come to his senses and recognize that God was truly in control.

So rather than celebrate “I Am in Control Day,” take time to acknowledge and thank the One who really is in charge of everything!

All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He has the power to do as he pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth (Daniel 4:35).

To Do

Read King Nebuchadnezzar’s praise song to God in Daniel 4:34, 35. Think about all the ways God is in control right now.

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Hot Dog Day. Enjoy one of your favorite weenies!

1867—U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

1932—Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic.

1964—”Jeopardy” debuted on NBC-TV.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1848, an ice jam stopped the flow of water over Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls is the second largest waterfall in the world. Water from Lakes Michigan, Erie, Superior, and Huron empty into the Niagara River and then fall over a spectacular drop the same height as a 20-story building.

Nearly 12 million visitors make the trek to view the majestic beauty of the falls. But imagine going to Niagara Falls and not seeing a drop of water trickle over. Even in the coldest of winters, the tremendous volume of water never stops flowing.

One time, however, the flow of water over the falls completely stopped for several hours because of an ice jam in the upper river. The Falls didn’t freeze over, but the flow of water stopped so that people were able to walk out and recover lost items from the riverbed.

The ice jam halting the flow of water over Niagara Falls is a good word picture for what happens when we allow sin to go unconfessed in our lives. Just like the ice jam upstream completely cut off the flow of water from the falls, our sin completely cuts us off from God. If we continually ignore our wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions, we will find ourselves separated from God. His love, grace, and forgiveness cannot flow through us because our sin is acting liking an ice jam. Remember, God is completely holy. He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate our sin in any form.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that our sin does not prevent God from loving us. The Bible tells us that when we confess our sins to God and turn from them, he is always willing to forgive us. Just as the flow of water rushed over Niagara Falls after the ice jam was removed, so a deluge of God’s forgiveness washes and removes our sins and our guilt.

But there is a problem—your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore (Isaiah 59:2).

To Do

Find some pictures of Niagara Falls on the Internet. Let them remind you of God’s overflowing love for you as you confess your sins.

Also on this day . . .

1790—John Tyler, the 10^th president of the United States, was born in Virginia

1886—Coca-Cola was invented.

1974—Mariner 10 became the first spacecraft to reach the planet Mercury. It had been launched on November 3, 1973.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1797 Nathaniel Briggs patented the washing machine.

The next time you throw your laundry in the hamper, be thankful you don’t have to go down to the nearest river or stream to wash your clothes by hand! Before the washing machine, people got dirt out of their clothes by pounding them on rocks and rinsing them in streams. Of course, that’s better than what sailors did. They used to throw their clothes in a bag over the side of the ship and trail the bag behind them with the hopes that the rushing water would remove the dirt.

In 1797, Nathaniel Briggs came up with an invention that he believed would revolutionize this backbreaking chore for women—the predecessor of today’s automatic washing machine, the washboard. While it was one step removed from lugging the clothes down to the river, this invention still required a lot of work on the part of the cleaner. Still it was a beginning.

Today we enjoy the convenience of throwing our dirty laundry into the washing machine, adding a cupful of detergent, turning on the machine, and walking away. About 30 minutes later—clean clothes!

Now we all know it’s important to keep our outer selves clean and wear clean clothes every day. But it’s also important to keep our inner selves clean. You don’t need a washing machine to do that. You don’t even need to find the nearest stream and pound out the dirt. All you need to do is go before God, confess your “dirty laundry,” and God will wash away your sins.

David knew that clean feeling that comes when we confess our sins before God and we are confident that he forgives us. Read Psalm 51, and rejoice with David that we have a God who is able to clean us daily—without scrubbing!

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).

To Do

What do you need to confess to God today? Give him your “dirty laundry” and let him wash you clean.

Also on this day . . .

1885—The Salvation Army was officially organized.

1979—A major accident occurred at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. A nuclear power reactor overheated and suffered a partial meltdown

1983—Sally Ride became the first woman in space.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Today is Smell the Breezes Day in Egypt.

Believe it or not, this holiday is one of Egyptian culture’s oldest traditions. Known as Sham el Nessim, it probably was celebrated as early as 4,500 years go. Sham el Nessim literally means “sniffing the breeze” and marks the beginning of spring. According to Egyptian tradition, you are supposed to get up early, cut open an onion, and then smell it! Then during the day, you are supposed to take time to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air.

Today, celebrating Smell the Breezes Day is much the same—with the possible exception of cutting an onion! Millions of Egyptians take the opportunity to go out and have a picnic. The holiday celebration also includes special foods such as smelly fish like sardines or anchovies, dyed eggs, and greens such as green onions and lettuce. In some areas of Egypt, the day is marked with folk dances and parades.

What a great way to welcome spring, don’t you think? The changing of the seasons happens without fail year in, year out. Most of us probably go from winter to spring, and spring to summer without taking much notice, except to put away our coats. Yet, each passing season is a reminder of our great God, who created this world and set into motion the pattern of each season. Immediately after the flood during Noah’s time God promised that the world would go on: “As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night” (Genesis 8:22). God promised never again to destroy the world with water, and the rainbow is a sign of that promise.

Celebrate spring this year like an Egyptian. Go outside and take a deep breath. Let the sweet smell of springtime air refresh you and remind you of God’s everlasting faithfulness.

You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows when to set (Psalm 104:19).

To Do

Weather-permitting, pack a picnic lunch or dinner with your family. Then go outside and smell the breezes!

Also on this day . . .

1790—The shoelace was invented.

1884—The first long-distance phone call was made between Boston and New York City.

1912—As a gift from Japan to the United States, 3020 Japanese cherry trees were planted along the Potomac.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is National Make Up Your Own Holiday Day!

By now you probably have noticed that there is a holiday for just about every day of the year. There are holidays to celebrate food, animals, people, and events. Here are a few you have already missed: Happy Mew Year Day for Cats (January 2); Answer Your Cat’s Question Day (January 22); or Stop Bad Service Day (March 7). But you still have time to mark your calendar for the following: Cow Appreciation Day (July 14); Raspberries and Cream Day (August 7); Elephant Appreciation Day (September 22); even Eat a Red Apple Day (December 1).

Now to be sure, the majority of holidays mark significant events, such as birthdays, national milestones, and other important celebrations. In fact, holidays have been around a long time. (Take a look at tomorrow’s entry to see one really ancient celebration.) After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he gave them a whole list of holidays and festivals to celebrate and observe. These holidays reminded the people of God’s great miracles and helped them remember what God had done for them.

That’s not a bad place to start when creating your own holiday. Begin with God and how he has cared for you and your family. Maybe you can celebrate “Dad’s New Job Day,” or “We’re All Healthy, Thank You Very Much Day.” Or maybe it’s time to throw a party because it’s, “I Have a New Friend Day” or “God Keeps Me Safe Day.” Once you think about it, there are probably are as many ways as days in a month—make that in a year—to celebrate God’s goodness and care for you.

So go ahead. Create your own holiday. Celebrate “National Fig Day” if you want. Just start your celebration with thanks to God.

We praise you, Lord, for all your glorious power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.(Psalm 21:13).

To Do

Plan a family celebration today for your special holiday. Make decorations. Plan at least one activity or game to go along with your celebration. Then have fun!

Also on this day . . .

1953—Dr. Jonas Salk announced the discovery of a new vaccine that would prevent polio.

1958—Donald Duck co-hosted the Academy Awards.

1982—Ground breaking ceremonies were held in Washington, DC, for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

In 1807, the British Parliament abolished the slave trade.

Since 1772, it had been legally recognized that individuals in Britain could not be slaves. However, that did not prevent the British from participating—and leading—the international trade in slaves. British ships loaded with cheap goods such as firearms, gunpowder, alcohol, and beads, would sail to Africa and return with slaves. At the height of the slave trade, British ships were said to carry about 50,000 slaves a year.

In the late 1700s, men like William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson worked tirelessly to stir public opinion against this practice. Then in 1807, as the acting spokesman in parliament against slavery, Wilberforce was successful in getting the slave trade abolished throughout the British Empire. But that was only the beginning. Wilberforce spent the remaining years of his life working for the abolition of slavery itself. In 1833, as Wilberforce lay dying, he was informed that the Abolition of Slavery Act was passed. It took a bloody civil war until the United States freed all its slaves and abolished slavery some thirty years later.

It’s hard for us to understand the concept of slavery today. We live in a country where we are free to speak our minds, to worship as we please, and to go where we want. We consider ourselves free people. But the Bible tells us that there is another type of slavery. If we are without Jesus we are slaves to our selfish desires and our sinful nature.

Slavery to sin is bad news. The good news is that Jesus died on the cross to set us free from sin. That doesn’t mean we are free to do whatever we want. No, that would lead us right back into slavery. Jesus has set us free to live unselfishly for him and for others. Celebrate your freedom today!

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you (Galatians 5:1, The Message).

To Do

Finish this sentence: “Thank you God that I am free to do _____________________ today.”

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Pecan Day.

421—The city of Venice was founded.

1668—The first horse race in America took place.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

Today is Harry Houdini’s birthday.

Harry Houdini, one of the world’s most famous escape artists, was born this day in 1874. Houdini, whose real name was Ehrich Weiss<cq>, built his career on the notion that he could escape from anything.

Houdini became most famous for his escapes from handcuffs. During his career, the handcuffed Houdini escaped from sunken packing crates, an enormous paper bag (without tearing the paper), padded cells, coffins, a roll-top desk, burglar-proof safes, a preserved giant squid (yuck!), a giant football, a diving suit, a U.S. mail pouch, and a plate glass box.

While acts like Houdini’s amaze us and leave us thinking, “How did he do that?” these feats of trickery pale in comparison to the great escapes in the Bible. Remember Paul and Silas? While in Philippi, the pair was arrested, beaten, and thrown into the dungeon of the prison. And since the jailer was ordered not to let the Paul and Silas escape, he further clamped their feet into leg stocks, a type of “feet-cuffs.” Get the picture?

Yet, in the middle of the night, as Paul and Silas were singing hymns of praises to God, an earthquake shook the prison. The prison doors flew open. The chains of every prisoner fell off! But Paul and Silas remained in the jail. And because they stayed, the jailer wanted to know all about the God that they worshipped. That very night, the jailer and his entire family were saved.

Paul and Silas didn’t have to rely on sleight-of-hand or illusions. Instead they relied on God. And we can too. When we focus on God, rather than our own problems, he is able to perform amazing acts right before our eyes.

His great works are too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number (Job 9:10).

To Do

Do you have a favorite card trick? Perform one for a friend or family member. Then tell them who performs the most amazing acts and miracles.

Also on this day . . .

1882—Professor Robert Koch announced the discovery of the tuberculosis germ—in Berlin, Germany.

1898—The first automobile was sold.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1806 Lewis and Clark begin their return journey from the Pacific Coast.

Imagine setting out on a journey without a map, without any directions, and without knowing your final destination. That’s exactly what Meriwether Lewis and William Clark had to do when Thomas Jefferson commissioned the two to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. Their mission? To discover an overland route to the Pacific Ocean, following the Missouri and Columbia rivers. When Lewis and Clark set out on May 14, 1804, it was the beginning of one of America’s greatest adventures.

More than a year later the expedition stood on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River. With winter soon to arrive, the expedition set up camp and waited for spring before setting out for home. So it was that on March 23 the expedition started back up the Columbia and headed homeward.

When Lewis and Clark started out, they didn’t know where they were going to end up. They didn’t know what they might encounter. They only had their mission and their supplies.

Thousands of years earlier, a man named Abraham faced a similar journey. He didn’t know exactly where he was going. He certainly didn’t have a map, and he didn’t know what he was going to encounter on his way. He only knew that God had told him to leave his homeland and go to a new land that God would show him. There, God would make Abraham the father of a great nation. Abraham trusted God and obediently went.

You may never have to explore uncharted land, like Lewis and Clark did. But God may lead you to unknown places, like Abraham, where you can serve him. That’s when you will need to respond like Abraham—with trust and obedience

Then the Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).

To Do

Make a map of your life. Mark the place where God has you today. Include, if you can, where you think God will lead you in the future.

Also on this day . . .

1513—Ponce de Leon discovered Florida.

1775—Patrick Henry declared, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

1839—The expression “OK” [oll korrect] was first used—in Boston’s Morning Post.

1912—The Dixie Cup was invented.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1455, The Gutenberg Bible was the first book ever printed.

If you have one or more Bibles in your home, take a moment to say thank you to Johann Gutenberg, who on this day in 1455 printed the world’s first book, the Bible. Gutenberg was a native of Mainz, Germany. He began experimenting with casting movable type in the 1440s. By about 1450 Gutenberg had perfected a technique that allowed him to produce enough type to print small grammar books and other short works. It was soon afterwards that he began work on the project to which his name would forever be linked—the Gutenberg Bible.

Gutenberg and his workmen produced some 160 to 180 copies of the Bible. Each Bible consisted of nearly 1,300 pages, measuring about 16 inches by 12 inches. (That’s a big book!) Gutenberg never made a profit from his invention or from publishing the Bible. In fact, he died penniless and owing money. Today one of his surviving Bibles is worth millions of dollars.

Gutenberg’s invention ushered in the print revolution. Information was now accessible to the general population. In the ensuing years, church leaders like William Tyndale worked to translate and print the Bible into the English language.

Because of the determination and creativity of men like Gutenberg, Tyndale, and others, we now have access to the Bible in any number of translations, with study notes, devotions, maps, charts, and other aids to help us understand God’s Word. The power of God’s Word is available in 500 different languages today and is available to more than 35 million people around the world.

Spend some time today celebrating Gutenberg’s great gift to us by reading your Bible!

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it (Isaiah 55:11).

To Do

Make it a personal goal to read the Bible daily. Ask a parent or your Sunday-school teacher for a reading plan. (Your Bible may have one in the back. Check it out!)

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Goof-Off Day.

Musical composers Stephen Sondheim (1930) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948) share this birthday.

1954—The first shopping mall opened in Southfield, Michigan.

1997—Tara Lipinski, at 14 years and 10 months, became the youngest women’s world figure skating champion.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.