Celebrating the Blessings of Easter

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Observing Maundy Thursday during Holy Week

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Today is Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, during Holy Week. This day is observed by Christians on the Thursday before Easter. Maundy Thursday (or Holy Thursday) commemorates Christ's Last Supper, as well as the initiation of the Eucharist. We remember this as the time Christ washes the feet of His Disciples, to remind them to love one another as He loved them and how to serve. What a powerful lesson to reflect on today!

In Observance of Holy Week

Some moments do not need words to describe it’s Power and Excellence! May you find peace, hope and gratitude during this Holy Week.

Celebrating Chemistry Pioneer, Percy Lavon Julian, PhD

Percy Lavon Julian, PhD
Research Chemist, Inventor & Pioneer

Today we celebrate the birthday of Percy Lavon Julian, (April 11, 1899-April 19, 1975) a U.S. research chemist and pioneer specializing in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. Julian became a chemistry instructor at Fisk University. He received an Austin Fellowship in Chemistry in 1923, then enrolled at Harvard to complete his masters degree. In 1931, Percy Julian obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Vienna.

Julian had to overcome the obstacles of segregation. As an African-American, he was denied opportunities to work for large corporations, but held more than 100 patents and received 19 honorary doctorate degrees. In 1951, he and his family moved to Oak Park, Illinois and became the first African-American family to live there. Although his house was firebombed twice, the community largely backed him and celebrates his birthday to this day as a holiday.

Despite his adversity, Percy Julian ascended to international notoriety. He was entered into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990 and in 1993 the U.S. Postal Service honored him with a Black Heritage Commemorative Stamp. Happy Birthday Dr. Julian!

Life-Size Noah’s Ark is Built Based on Bible Dimensions

Following the proportions specified in the Bible, Johan Huibers, a carpenter at age 33, was inspired to build Noah’s Ark. The life-size ark, known as Johan’s Ark is 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 3 stories tall. The boat took 3 years to complete in Dordrecht, Netherlands. On an average, approximately 3,000 tourists visit this full-sized replica of Noah’s Ark every day on the Marwede River. You can learn more about the "Ark van Noach" by visiting http://www.arkvannoach.com/.