What To Wear In San Francisco In The Night

San-Francisco

San Francisco has a wide variety of exciting nightlife options. It really does offer something for everyone. The large population of college students means that there is a definitely a nightlife for young people. The large gay and lesbian population has an array of choices for evening entertainment from the most casual to the more upscale of places. There are also many cultural events that attract the well-bred and the well-educated. In addition San Francisco offers the typical nightlife offerings of any big city.

If you are planning to go clubbing in San Francisco, what to wear will depend on the type of club you are going to and the population it attracts. For clubs targeting college-aged kids, young sexy trends are commonly seen, especially on girls. However, many students opt for jeans and a great looking top. The high-end clubs will be full of fahionistas who are wearing the latest designer labels and even one-of-a-kind outfits. Gay and lesbian clubs feature a wide variety of outfits from flamboyant queens, fashion-conscious men and women who butch it up.

If you are seeking more tranquil evenings in San Francisco, you will find that there are plenty of coffee shops in which to hang out and chat, read or use your computer. Dress in these places will vary but most everyone will be dressed very casually. There are also sports bars where you can hang out in the most casual of outfits. If you opt for a wine bar, martini bar or singles bar, be prepared to dress up a little. The atmosphere is more chic.

Restaurants abound in San Francisco and are of every different genre. However, there are large portions of the population in the city which are from Latin America and Asia. Many restaurants feature these styles of cooking to appeal to such individuals, but you can find any type of food you desire in San Francisco. Dress in most restaurants is casual.

There is a high society feel to San Francisco. Many wealthy families make their homes there and the standard of living in the city shows it. Expect to pay a premium for many things in San Francisco. If you are planning to visit some of the nicer restaurants in the city, you will be expected to dress properly for it. This means no jeans, T-shirts, tank shirts and men must wear a jacket and tie. If you attend the symphony, plays or shows, you will be surrounded by very well-dressed individuals. Therefore it is recommended to bring along formal wear for such occasions. Many conferences held in the city have a formal dinner that you need to dress for. Special celebrations and fundraisers also often require formal wear.

No matter where you go for your evenings out in San Francisco, remember to dress for the temperatures. Nighttime averages are 40 to 50 degrees year-round, so a light jacket or a long sleeved top is required for comfort, especially if you will be outside for a while. Get your San Francisco nightlife wardrobe ready and enjoy one of the most exciting cities for nightlife on the West Coast.

What To Wear In Florida

Florida

The Sunshine State is the place where so many people dream of living or at least vacationing for long periods of time. Beaches, great weather, no snow, great scenery and lots to do: what’s not to love? However, if you are heading to Florida there are some things you need to know about what to wear there.

What you wear in Florida depends on where you are going and what you will do; in addition to the time of the year you are there. An outfit that is suitable for Miami may not be suitable for a small town like Ocala. If you are planning to visit amusement parks, you will want to choose lightweight clothing that is suitable for the temperature outside and comfortable footwear. Nightclub wear in most bigger cities in Florida is similar to summer clubbing outfits anywhere around the country.

If you are in Florida on business, note that business casual is the most common type of required dress. Florida in general is very laid back in terms of fashion; however, you may want to check into the specifics of what the dress code is for the companies you will visit, as business casual is defined differently by different companies. You can bet on the fact though that shorts and flip flops are not a part of the accepted items of clothing.

North Florida and South Florida have different climates. Miami and surrounding areas are much more tropical than Jacksonville and other more northern spots in the state. While the Sunshine State does not get snow, the northern end may have some nights of frost during the winter months, so clothing that one would wear in the fall is suggested for winter wear. Miami rarely has such extremes and while a light jacket may be advisable on a winter night, the days should be pleasantly warm and require lightweight clothing.

Beachwear is extremely important in Florida. It is vital to have at least 1 swimsuit, if not multiple swimsuits that you can wear to the beach or pool. Choose a suit that fits well and is flattering to your figure. It is also important that you can move in it and actually use it for swimming if you desire. In fact, if you choose a suit that doesn’t meet this criterion, you should invest in another suit that you can use when needed. In addition you will need a beach cover-up. This is simply to get you to and from your destination in maximum comfort and a little modesty.

When it comes to footwear, there are really three choices: sandals, flip flops or sneakers. If you are planning to do a lot of walking or any exercise at all, it is sensible to bring along a pair of good sneakers. Your feet will definitely thank you. Flip flops are a must for a quick trip to the beach, pool, shopping or just hanging out. In fact, flip flops are practically a part of the Florida uniform. Sandals are great for dressing up, going out or anytime you want something cool but not as casual as flip flops. For comfort’s sake, avoid boots or closed shoes unless you are coming to the state for business and in the winter months.

Get your Florida outfits ready and hit the Sunshine State now in style!

What to Wear for Confirmation?

Confirmation

Confirmation is a special ceremony that requires a certain level of respectful dress in order to show respect to everyone present in the church as well as to the institution itself. In many parishes, there are strict dress codes that specify exactly what must be worn when taking part in a confirmation ceremony. In others, there are a few guidelines that kids can use to put together a respectful, appropriate outfit.

Girls

For girls, a nice dress is generally a part of the required attire. In just about any church confirmation ceremony, it would be inappropriate to wear anything that reveals the stomach at all. The dress should not be strapless and it should not have spaghetti straps. The dress may be sleeveless if it is a tasteful dress that is not too revealing elsewhere in its design.

If a skirt is worn, it should be at least knee length A longer dress than falls two or three inches below the knee or that hits at mid-calf may be required in some churches.

No matter what you choose to wear, make sure it is not sheer or too tight. A see-through shirt, even with a camisole under it, is not appropriate at confirmation. Likewise, a tight-fitting dress, shirt or skirt can be considered disrespectful. Shorts should be avoided as well as t-shirts.

Keep footwear formal but not too adult in style. A pair of low heels is an age appropriate selection that may be worn to confirmation, but a strappy pair of very high heels can be considered inappropriate to the occasion. A pair of flats that matches the dress is a good way to stay appropriate as well as comfortable and in style.

Keep jewelry to a minimum. A simple earring and necklace set that is tasteful and not too large is appropriate to the occasion. Dozens of bangle bracelets are not. Keep jewelry small and not too showy. Take out any piercings that are not on the ears.

Boys

Boys should wear either a suit or an outfit that incorporates a jacket or tie into a cohesive outfit. The key is to keep the outfit dressy and respectful. If the boy doesn’t own a suit, the outfit can consist of a dressy pair of khaki pants with a neutral-colored tie. The outfit may also be a dressy jacket with a dark pair of slacks and a light button-up shirt. Keep ties neutral in color.

Boys should not wear shorts, short-sleeved shirts or very loose pants. Keep the button-up shirts light in color and without patterns. The trend of wearing pants that are loose enough to slip off is an inappropriate look for confirmation. Choose ones that fit well or wear a belt.

Footwear should fit the occasion and the outfit. Tennis shoes are generally not advised for a confirmation ceremony. The shoes can be nice loafers that are in good condition or they can be dressier leather shoes. The shoes should be neutral in color and should generally match the outfit being worn.

What To Wear Camping

camping

Camping is simply one of those activities that you love or hate. True camping aficionados will do it year round regardless of temperature or terrain. However, most people who enjoy camping are fine weather friends to the activity. They enjoy camping when it is warm and dry outside and love the opportunity to be at one with nature. Nothing beats the sound of falling asleep listening to the peaceful sounds of nature, unless of course you prefer to be lulled to sleep by the sweet hum of an air conditioner.

When you embark on a camping trip, there is always the question of what to wear and it is closely tied to the fact that camping requires a lot of packing. Therefore you want to make the best use of the clothes you choose to bring camping by opting for multi-purpose clothes. It is also important to bring clothing that you can layer. If the night turns cold you will want to be able to add another layer and keep warm. Bringing a warm-up suit that can be used to sleep in is a great choice in terms of versatile clothing.

Another thing to keep in mind is the type of material the clothes are made from. It is important to choose items that can dry quickly and are lightweight. These will keep you comfortable and dry, while allowing you to do a little laundry by hand so you can wear these things repeatedly. This allows you to bring the least amount of clothes and saves packing space. It is also the perfect type of clothing to keep you cool and comfortable on warm days in the summer – the high season for camping.

Be sure to choose protective clothing appropriate to the area you are going. You may need hiking boots or at least closed shoes to comfortably walk to the area in which you are camping. If you are planning to go to any of the areas where ticks are abundant long pants tucked into your socks and long sleeved shirts are essential choices. Even if you are not crazy about that fashion statement, it will keep you healthy. If your main choices for tops are tank tops, bring along a lightweight shirt with short sleeves to protect your shoulders from the sun at least occasionally.

For most camping expeditions to less wild places, shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits and sandals or flip flops will be the uniform of choice. Many campgrounds are located on the water or have swimming pools available for use. You will want to bring a comfortable bathing suit that you can have fun in. Warmer clothing for the evening may still be necessary. Be sure to check the weather before you go to be sure that you know what to expect and how to be best prepared.

By choosing your camping attire wisely you will have fewer things to bring along but will still be ready for anything that comes your way. Remember camping is all about fun and getting away from it all so don’t sweat the details too much.

What Length Dress to Wear

Length dress

A Dress for Every Occasion

Women love to wear dresses and there is good reason for that. Dresses allow a woman to express herself and stay feminine all at the same time. What’s more, dresses offer great comfort and there is a dress for every occasion. But how do you know which type of dress goes best with each occasion? This can usually be determined by the dress’ length.

Wearing dresses really should come down to comfort but in this fashionably savvy world in which we live there are actually a few rules that should be heeded as well:

Casual: When going casual sky’s the limit. You need to consider comfort first and fashion second. The biggest no, no is wearing a dress that doesn’t compliment your body. As far as the length goers you can go conservative with a dress that comes down to your ankles or go a bit more on the risqué side and wear a dress that only comes down to the top of your knee. Since you are going casual the only person that dictates the rule on length here is you.
Work: When you are wearing a dress to go to work in you don’t want to go too short. Really you shouldn’t go any higher than knee length. Remember you want to be noticed at work for the things you do at work not for the clothes you wear. Stay professional and stay on the longer side.
Semi-formal events: Depending on the type of event it is you usually have two choices; dresses and gowns. In the evening you will probably want to go with a gown especially if the event is more on the formal side. The length is usually longer and the gown will tend to be a bit more on the elegant side. If you are attending an afternoon semi-formal event then you can usually opt for a longer dress. If the event is more of a laid back atmosphere with many friends in attendance then you may be able to get away with a slightly shorter style, but you still shouldn’t go shorter that knee length.
Night out on the town: If you are just going to let it all hang out for a girl’s night out then you can again go wild and choose what you like. This will be the most acceptable time to break out that dress that is really short and maybe on the tighter side. If you don’t want to go with such a revealing dress you can go with a semi-revealing dress that comes down to about mid thigh. This will give you more coverage but still let you flaunt your stuff just a bit.

When in doubt go a bit longer than you want to. While there are certain situations where you can get away with going a bit longer in length, nothing makes you stand out the wrong way faster than wearing a totally inappropriate short dress. That will have you called many names fairly quickly.

When Is West Virginia Day

West Vieginia

West Virginia Day

Most states within America have different birthdays and are celebrated throughout the year in different ways. West Virginia has a birthday, but it also celebrates other special events in the course of its long history. West Virginia Day is one of them. More than just a birthday for this state, West Virginia Day celebrates not only its birth, but also its right to decide the course of their future by themselves; a day that serves as historically important as well as defining their purpose and future legacy.

West Virginia Day is celebrated every June 20th in West Virginia. The anniversary celebrates the day in 1863 when the state of West Virginia was officially ‘born’ and admitted into the United States of America as its thirty-fifth state, during the midst of the Civil War. That may not seem odd to most people, but for the most part, most of the state of Virginia had seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy at the outbreak of the Civil War. Virginians, however, were divided in their loyalties, and laying in the middle of the Mason-Dixon line, it is no wonder that families and neighbors were split on the issue of whether they supported the North or the South in this Civil War. The area of Virginia that is now known as West Virginia decided to join the Union while the majority of the rest of Virginia joined the South. Wanting to determine their right to decide for themselves and to declare this pro-Northern area a separate state, politically and civic-minded leaders from several counties urged Washington government representatives to create for them a new state. After two long years of haggling and fence sitting, West Virginia was admitted to the United States on June 20, 1863.

For the next sixty years, West Virginia celebrated their day of decision informally, but the day became an official state holiday in 1927, and has been celebrated with parades and festivals ever since. Children in countywide school districts learn about the unique history of their state and celebrate the day with plays, stories and readings of famous West Virginians. Parades, festivals and local civic events serve to remind every county within the state of their unique heritage.

West Virginia is known as the land of coalmines and tree studded mountains. Its history is studded with events that, for non-natives, are generally unknown. The first free mail delivery service started in 1896 West Virginia, though their very first post office was not created until 1972. It was also the first state to initiate a state tax on goods, way back in 1921. It is home to Organ Cave, the third largest in the United States, as well as to the Golden Delicious apple, which originated in Clay County. Much of the stone that was used to build the Washington Monument, located in Washington D.C., came from a quarry near Hinton.

West Virginia is tucked away in the rolling mountains of the Allegheny Mountains, a land of proud people. West Virginians live in towns or scattered in various nooks and crannies found in the thousands of miles of tree studded mountains and hills that cover most of the state. With a state population of almost two million people, inhabitants of the state enjoy celebrating the birth and independence-minded history of their state with local and statewide festivities that serve to remind not only West Virginians, but other American states as well, that the right to choose their own path is a God given right. The ability to make such as decision as to split from their mother state and create their own is an example of American spirit and fortitude that is seldom allowed or recognized in other countries around the world.

What Is Victory Day

V-J Day

V-J or Victory Day

Victory Day is also known as V-J Day, which stands for Victory over Japan. The years during World War Two were some of the most trying for the United States, which was propelled into a global war after our country was attacked by Japanese forces on December 7th, 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought America into a world war that was already ravishing Europe and parts of Asia. Hundreds of thousands of American soldiers were sent to fight in the European Theatre of War, while others were sent to fight in the Pacific.

The war in Europe came to an end in May of 1945, but the war continued in the Pacific Theatre of war until September of that year. V-J Day is the day that has been set aside ever since to celebrate the end of many years of battle with Japan. In early 1952, President Harry S. Truman designated September 2nd as V-J Day after Japan formally surrendered to Allies onboard the U.S. Missouri, an American battleship, in Tokyo Bay, Japan on September 1st.

Since then, the date has been observed, honored and celebrated by military personnel, organizations and civilians throughout the United States. While some people call the anniversary of the day V-J Day and others call it Victory Day, it is the same observation of the victory of the United States against hostile forces that attacked American soil so many years ago. The attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Second World War, will never be forgotten in the minds of Americans every where. Today, with surviving soldiers of the Second World War dwindling due to age and health concerns, it’s even more important for the history of the war to remain alive in the minds of generations to follow. During World War Two, the United States showed the world that strength of purpose and dedication to duty remained an American trait that has been carried down generation after generation following the American Revolution.

V-J Day celebrates the end to an awful era, an era that saw the deaths of millions of Americans and other soldiers and civilians around the world that died fighting for justice and democracy, and against evil, oppressive forces that sought to crush others beneath the onslaught of aggression. V-J Day is celebrated throughout the country with flag raisings, speeches and parades. On that day, Americans of all races, creeds and beliefs surged out into streets to celebrate the end of the long war.

The flag that flew over the Capitol on December 7th 1941 was the same flag that was flown over American General Douglas Macarthur’s headquarters in Tokyo in 1945 as Japan formally surrendered to foreign leadership for the first time in almost two thousand years. To this day, older Americans remember V-J Day especially, and veterans from around the country visit military ceremonies and events.. Children of all ages are taught about the events leading up to World War Two and of the sacrifices of what has been called ‘The Greatest Generation’ of American history. V-J Day is a day that will always be remembered in history books and in the minds of patriotic Americans, no matter where they live. Every September 2nd sees the American flag flying high over government buildings and private homes throughout the country. While the battles are over and the soldiers who fought them are fading away in the memory of later generations, it’s especially important for all Americans to remember V-J Day as a day that saw the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and bravery come to a welcome end. Today’s Americans are no strangers to war, but global war is something the United States has managed to avoid since the conclusion of hostilities in 1945. Today, the United States is on friendly terms with Japan, but nevertheless, Americans should always remember V-J Day, as part of the history of American fortitude, dedication and resilience.

Understanding National Coming Out Day

Coming Out

Diversity creates strength. Whether we agree with someone else’s opinion, beliefs, way of life or sexual orientation, there’s no doubt about it, the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. One particular day has proved to cause quite a stir in society within the United States, and that is National Coming Out Day, observed every October 11th since 1988.

National Coming Out Day serves to support the rights of gay and lesbian citizens throughout the country. The day, and its surrounding events, are meant to increase awareness and recognition of members of gay and lesbian communities in cites and towns across America. In 1987, half a million people marched in Washington D.C. to promote the rights of gay people everywhere in the country, no matter their age, race or religious belief systems. ‘Coming Out’ is the process of going public with individual homosexuality, a term that encourages those with such tendencies to quit hiding behind closed doors and to embrace who they are with pride and dignity.

Human Rights is one of the foundation blocks upon which America was built, and it stands to reason that the rights of every individual are protected under the United States Constitution, regardless of age, color and yes, even sexual preferences. While homosexuality has not always been so openly discussed as it is these days, public awareness of it and, to some degree, acceptance, has come a long way since the 1980s, when founders Dr. Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary organized the first march on Washington D.C. for gay and lesbian equality. Observed by all members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) organization, National Coming Out Day encourages its members to represent all ages and ethnic groups who fight for equality in the workplace, educational facilities and in private sectors of American communities.

Members of LGBT, as well as all members of communities around the country, celebrate the day with parades and civic events. The first National Coming Out Day was celebrated in eighteen states and was covered on national television stations and talk shows. Since then, states around the country have been added to the list. The day originated in an effort to confront anti-gay legislation and laws that began to sprout up in the 1970s and early 1980s, as well as to address issues of gay-bashing and discrimination in all sectors of American culture and society. Since then, laws have been passed that protect the rights of those with different lifestyles, no matter what they may be, and the public has become somewhat more understanding of gay lifestyles. Religious organizations, for the most part, don’t participate in National Coming Out Day events, and continue to be outspoken about the lifestyle.

Throughout the country, millions of people gather every year to march in parades on National Coming Out Day, which has not been designated an official holiday, though people everywhere are aware of its presence due to widespread media coverage. The main focus of the day is to promote awareness of different lifestyles and to encourage understanding and peace between those of different beliefs within communities. Since its advent, the National Coming Out Project has helped to offer resources not only to gay couples, but also their family and friends. Whether or not people agree with or condone a gay lifestyle, every American has a right to live in peace and without fear. While it does not seek to specify which lifestyle is right or wrong, the Coming Out Day project and the recognition of Coming Out Day does promote a ‘live and let live’ philosophy and attempts to promote enough understanding and knowledge to ensure that American citizens everywhere are protected by laws against discrimination, physical and emotional abuse.

Who Was Kamehameha

Kamehameha day

Understanding Kamehameha Day

Sure, it’s a difficult word to wrap around your tongue, but the name of the Hawaiian king who did so much for what is today known as the State of Hawaii is one to be remembered. The birthday of one of Hawaii’s most beloved figures is celebrated every June 11th.

King Kamehameha (Ka-May-Ha-May-Ha) was the king who conquered the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui and Kauai way back in the early 1800’s, uniting them with his kingdom, which he ruled from the big island of Hawaii. He was also big on reform and instituting customs that would honor Hawaiian ancestors and customs. He did away with a lot of superstitious rules and regulations, and may be one of the first rulers who actually tried to improve the lot and status of women on his islands. Not only that, but he welcomed and helped to arrange visits from early American missionaries as well as encouraged education among his people. Though he died before the first American missionaries arrived, he set a precedent that few other island kings or rulers did in welcoming foreign interests and education.

Kamehameha was known as a great ruler, and is believed to have fulfilled the Hawaiian prophecy of the legend of the birth of a male who would eventually become the greatest king Hawaii had ever known. He was born in the 1750’s in what is known as North Kohala. Because of the danger and threat he presented to current kings and rulers in Hawaii, he was spirited away and raised in a remote mountainous area until he became a teenager. His people in Kohala especially loved and revered him, and as he grew older, he conquered all the islands and united them under his leadership. He is known as Hawaii’s greatest warrior as well as statesman, who became known for his gentle spirit and his patience and kindness to all his people.

According to tradition, King Kamehameha was a giant of a man, one who commanded respect. Believe it or not, he owned a surfboard, which is reputed to be very large, as are his spears. A feather cape is still in existence today, which is too large for anyone under at least six foot five inches to wear without dragging on the ground.

To this day, King Kamehameha Day is celebrated on all the Hawaiian Islands with traditional ceremonies, parades and torchlight processions, but the celebrations observed in Honolulu are perhaps the most elaborate. On this day, exciting canoe, outrigger and surfboard and swimming races are held, attended by thousands of islanders and visitors from around the world who watch these traditional ceremonies with delight and awe. Of course, what would any Hawaiian celebration be without a traditional luau, or feast, complete with roasted pork, fish wrapped in leaves, traditional poi and other native delights such as coconut pudding? Ceremonial native dancers perform dances to the beat of drums and the flames of torchlight and bonfires.

A torchlight parade is often held, which a large man leads, standing in for King Kamehameha. He wears a large, yellow, feather robe and helmet and is surrounded by young men donned in feathers as well. Visitors will often discover that many other cultures also join in this parade, among them Chinese, Japanese and Korean organizations, all dressed in traditional costumes as well.

While celebrated mostly in Hawaii, King Kamehameha Day is known throughout the United States, and many mainland citizens opt to serve Hawaiian dishes for meals throughout the day in honor of the Hawaiian king. School children in Hawaii and around the mainland learn about this great leader on King Kamehameha Day, and create Hawaiian crafts and learn about the history of the great state of Hawaii. It’s a day to be remembered not only in Hawaii, but also throughout the country, a time to honor a great leader and icon of American generosity and spirit.

What Is Indigenous Peoples Day

Indigenous People

Understanding Indigenous Peoples Day

First of all, indigenous people are those that are recognized to be original residents of a land or country. For example, Native American Indians are considered to be the indigenous people of the United States, as they were present and established before Columbus, or even his predecessor, Leif Erikson, arrived on the coastlines of the eastern seaboard of the continent.

There is a growing trend in the country to celebrate what used to be known as Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day, and the weekend closest to October 12th is now a time where Americans of all races, colors, beliefs and creeds celebrate their roots and their ancestry in the freest nation in the world. Many Americans recognize the fact that, while Columbus is generally accepted as the discoverer of America, that Native Americans lived in the country for hundreds of years before that. Some may even feel that Columbus’ discovery was little more than an invasion, but as with all cultures throughout history, exploration and settlement has changed and absorbed, or eradicated, many cultures and ways of life for many native peoples.

One of the founders of Indigenous Peoples Day, a woman named Millie Ketcheshawno, was a member of the Creek tribe of Native Americans. In the 1970’s, she joined in the revival of American Indian rights’ activists groups to draw attention to the poverty and lack of education and equal rights suffered by America’s first inhabitants. Along with the Civil Rights movements of the 1960’s, such protests and gatherings initiated a broad impact on American citizens to the plight of indigenous people not only in America, but also around the globe. For the first time, Americans seemed to take notice of the near third-world country living environments of her original settlers, and many were shocked and disturbed by what they saw. Efforts to improve living environments, education standards and career opportunities of America’s native people began to create and form organizations and clubs that focused on the needs of the long neglected people.

In California, Columbus Day is no longer celebrated, but has been replaced with Indigenous Peoples Day instead. Around the country, other local and state governments are following suit, and while the discoveries of Christopher Columbus will never be forgotten, many feel that it’s time to recognize the native inhabitants of all countries around the world. Since the year 2000, Americans from around the country travel and are welcome to attend regional Native American Indian celebrations and dances known as Powwows and Indian Markets where indigenous foods and crafts are available for sale and consumption. Schools around the country teach children Native American crafts and games, and more attention is being given to the ways of life of the American Indian before the arrival of immigrants and settlers from around the world caused the extinction of that way of life.

Because of the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, tribal societies and values are making a resurgence in the minds of America’s native people, and government has given tribal leaders the right to run Indian lands and reservations with little interference of the federal government. All Native American lands today are ruled and governed by tribal counsels, tribal police and elected officials. Efforts to improve living conditions, housing and education continue to grow and the input and efforts of Native Americans have made a huge impact on American culture and customs.

Despite the advent of modern industrialization and civilization however, more and more Native Americans are relying on their older relatives to teach them their native languages and customs. These customs and celebrations are then passed down to the young generations so that the American Indian way of life will never be forgotten.
America is known around the world for its rich heritage of spirit and freedom. Fierce pride and nobility of spirit are an American way of life, one that has been passed down for centuries by her native people.

Understanding Daylight Saving Time

daylight savings time

Oh, the blissful days of summer, when the sun rises early and sets late, enough daylight to enjoy the warmth, get all the work done, and still have time, if you’re lucky, to sit and enjoy watching a sunset. The only trouble is, people have to be constantly reminded to switch their clocks forward every spring, and back every fall. It might have been easier to just keep things the way they were, but since World War One, Americans have been ‘switching back and forth’ every spring and summer, to the point that it has become a tradition as loved as baseball and apple pie.

In the United States, daylight saving time began during the years following the First World War, which ended in 1918. Originally meant to ‘preserve daylight and provide standard time for the United States’, the law that has had Americans switching clocks twice a year was officially adopted on March 19, 1918. Such a law set regular, standard time zones and set a prescribed Daylight Summer Time that began on March 31 and was observed for a 7-month period of time. However, after the war ended, Americans complained so much about the time changes that the law was vetoed and thereafter, different states were allowed to observe or not.

However, the practice was revived during World War Two. President Franklin Roosevelt called it ‘War Time’, and it lasted from February 2, 1942 to September 30, 1945. This ‘war time’ was instituted to last year-round. After the war, individual states were again allowed to determine whether or not they wanted to change clocks and observe a Daylight Saving Time every spring and summer. However, as one could imagine, mass confusion resulted as airline and train schedules, not to mention the chaos caused within the broadcasting media, caused the federal government to halt the free-for-all. By 1966, Congress finally took action and standardized one pattern that the country was to follow, and President Lyndon Johnson created a Daylight Saving Time that would start on the last Sunday of every April and end on the last Sunday in October of every year. This was called the Uniform Time Act of 1966. However, the fun didn’t stop there, as in 1972, Congress then decided if a state happened to incorporate two or more time zones, they could exempt one part of the state from the time change, while the other part would change their clocks.

Daylight Saving Time start and stop dates underwent several additional changes over the years, until today, the time determined for the beginning of Daylight Saving Time is designated as the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November. Unless, of course, you live in Hawaii or much of Arizona, which have steadfastly refused to play this game.

Nevertheless, Daylight Saving Time seems to serve most Americans as the true beginning of the spring and summer season, and brings with it days of longer play for children across America, and longer hours of work for many adults. While gaining an extra hour of sleep appeals to most Americans, knowing that the sun won’t set, in most states, until after 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. leaves others shaking their head in chagrin. While most Americans don’t seem to really mind having to change their clocks twice a year, they do have to be constantly reminded to do so. Daylight Saving Time invariably means that some people are late, or early, to work, and that many companies have employees working all night to update computers and catch up or get ahead on lost, or gained, work hours.

Daylight Saving Time, for whatever reason it was begun, has become a tradition that is observed all across America, and while some grumble, others giggle with glee at the extra hours of daylight granted by, not Mother Nature, but the United States government.

How to Customize T-Shirts

Customize t-shirts

Custom T-Shirt Printing

One of the most popular, and easiest, ways to express yourself is through your clothing. And, what says expression better than a custom designed T-Shirt.  A popular fad during the 1980s, heat-pressed t-shirts bearing glittered images of television personalities and rock stars may not be the “in” thing today – but the popularity of personalized t-shirts has not really declined.

Today, it’s more common to see screen-printed t-shirts bearing a popular cartoon character with some catchy phrase reflecting the personality of the wearer.  Take a look in the halls of nearly any high school, and you will be bombarded with personality shirts.  This is a great trend for the younger crowd, but what about young professionals?

It is becoming more common than ever to see company representatives in t-shirts and golf shirts bearing the embroidered logo of their employer.  Often, these shirts are presented to the company for use on casual dress days or company events.  Promotional companies have built tremendous corporate customer bases through the popularity of these embroidered shirts.

Similar to the process used in the glitter shirts of the 80s is the process of dye sublimation, which allows for heat transfer of a detailed and multicolored image with more accuracy and less change of fading than a standard ironed-on design.  The process of dye-sublimation requires specific materials and equipment, and it is most commonly done by professionals. However with the right tools and techniques, any of the four methods of designing custom t-shirts can be done by just about anyone with a little time and creativity.

Heat Transfer

Heat transfer, or iron-on, t-shirt design is perhaps the easiest and least expensive method for creating custom t-shirts for yourself, your friends or your family.  Commercial heat-press t-shirt designers generally use an industrial bed-style heat press in order to apply the customer’s choice of design to a t-shirt.  The designs are printed onto a special paper, which allows the image to separate from the backing paper when the design is pressed at a high temperature.

In contrast to the high costs of industrial heat presses, the home iron actually works just as well for most people interested in the world of t-shirt design.  And, just about anyone with a little creativity can create their own transfer designs with a home computer and a color printer.

The average cost for a professional heat press is around $500.  There are a wide variety of options for those interested in purchasing this equipment, including different size machines, different temperature settings and different styles and colors.  Most people could easily find an industrial heat press that meets their needs for well under $1,000.  While this might sound like a pricey endeavor, it is beneficial to think of the return on investment.  Generally, a custom printed t-shirt at the local mall will cost between $15 and $30.  The price is 10% higher, on average, when the t-shirt is printed at or near a tourist attraction.  Considering the popularity of custom t-shirts, an entrepreneur could easily recover the cost of the press in as little as one month.

For heat pressing, the press is the most crucial and most expensive piece of equipment. However, many t-shirt shops are now purchasing computer systems and printers which allow for complete customization and eliminate the need to purchase and store large numbers of stock designs. With the aid of computer software and image packages, a t-shirt designer can allow customers to browse thousands of customizable images which can be quickly printed and pressed onto the t-shirt of their choosing.

The cost of the computer, printer and software necessary to offer such a wide selection to customers depends more on the desired technology and individual preferences of the purchaser. A decent computer system, complete with a color printer, can cost as little as $600 and as much as several thousand dollars.  Many software packages are available, and the software ranges in price from inexpensive, with less customization options, to also in the several thousand dollar range.  Generally, the more expensive software offers the most customization options for the t-shirt designs provided.  The cost can seem daunting, however in order to consider the benefits it is necessary to explore the alternatives.

Take a look at the offerings of any t-shirt kiosk in your local mall.  You will see that there are usually a few hundred pre-printed designs for customers to choose from.  These designs are not customizable in most cases, and they are definitely not very unique.  What you may not realize is that the shop owner pays around $1 per copy of each image offered.  A new t-shirt shop owner hoping to compete in the custom shirt market will need to purchase a large variety of designs in varying quantities.  If you were to purchase 10 copies of 100 designs, you are already spending $1,000 for a minimal supply of designs.  And, chances are that you might choose to expand your offerings. This would leave you with the already purchased designs, in addition to requiring the purchase of new and exciting designs when they become available.  Because trends and fads come and go, the amount of research and background work necessary could easily be eliminated with the use of software offering quarterly design updates.

Honestly, the selection of equipment depends on the desire of the t-shirt printer.  If you intend to generate repeat business, you will need to stay current with your offerings – and this is true with both stock options and customizable options.

Embroidered T-Shirts

One of the most popular corporate promotions and advertising methods today is the embroidered t-shirt, bearing a high contrast logo on a t-shirt.  Most companies distribute these shirts to employees for casual days and corporate picnics and other events.  Although t-shirts are not generally thought of as corporate attire, no one wants to visit an amusement park wearing a suit and tie.
The corporate logo t-shirt generally requires little customization, because the company provides the logo to the producing company.  But, unlike handcraft embroidery the threadwork needs to be done using an embroidery machine.  Home embroiderers who want to create custom shirts for friends and family members will sometimes choose hand-embroidery as the production method. However, duplication is nearly impossible and can be extremely time consuming.  For this reason, home embroidery machines are gaining popularity at fabric shops everywhere.

Generally, a home embroidery machine with a variety of template designs costs around $500.  The options for these machines are limited, and unless they come with software and connections for a home computer, the number of designs that can be produced is quite limited.  Of course, there are always more templates available for purchase.  Considering that the price of new templates adds up over time, it might be better for the home embroiderer to spend around $1,000 for a machine that will work with a computer, similar to the way a printer works.  With this type of machine, the embroiderer can connect their machine to their computer, select a standard design, or design a custom image to be embroidered onto their t-shirt.

Professional promotional companies that provide mass quantities of embroidered shirts will generally need to spend around $5,000 for the equipment necessary to mass produce embroidered t-shirts at a relatively fast rate.  Of course, these machines also generally require computer systems and software.  The additional cost can be as low as $600 and as much as several thousand dollars.  Most would agree that the price is right, considering the average cost of $20 for a custom embroidered shirt.

Embroidery has always been a popular adornment for clothing.  Looking back to ancient Rome, it is evident that the more detailed a robe or tunic, the more important the wearer was to the society.  Intricate designs were embroidered by hand onto silk robes and other pieces of clothing in order to customize them for the wearer.  While embroidery no longer represents social status, the appreciation for fine embroidered designs is just as common today as it was then.

Machine embroidery has also developed over time. Embroidery machines gained popularity during the 1990s, with a few machines to choose from. Companies familiar to tailors, including Brother and Toyota, offered the first commercial and home embroidery machines.  Technology is constantly evolving, and today’s machines are much more sophisticated than those produced just a decade ago.  While the original designs required machine specific templates, the advent of developing computer software now allows the t-shirt designer to design their own images, and to convert it to a standard format for use by the embroidery machine of their choosing.  Standardization has also opened up the availability of millions of designs for embroiderers.

The field of t-shirt embroidery is gaining in popularity among designers and shirt wearers alike.  And, technological developments continue to become available to embroiderers. This reduces the amount of time and the cost of production for each individual shirt.  The selection of the right equipment and software to meet your needs is an individual decision, and therefore it is important to explore the various options to find the best solution for your situation.

Screen Printing

The first screen printers lived in Japan, thousands of years ago. Evidence exists today in museums across the world, in the fine art galleries.  Most of the rare Japanese prints hanging in these galleries are early forms of screen printing.  Today, we see screen printed items nearly everywhere we look.  Walking down a city street, you will see screen printed signs, bumper stickers and billboards. But the most commonly screen printed item is the t-shirt.

Industrial screen printing is one of the least expensive methods for mass-production of printed t-shirts.  A walk through any department store will place you in a sea of shirts produced in this way.  There are many methods for production, but the original method used by the Japanese still provides the basic principle used in screening.

The technique of screen printing utilizes some type of frame, which will align a template and the material onto which the design will appear.  The template is most commonly made of thick cellophane or another non-porous material.  Once the material and the template are locked into the frame, a thin layer of paint or ink is pulled across the template using a squeegee in order to guarantee an even distribution of the design.

The design options for screen printed shirts are much more limited than the designs used in embroidery and heat pressing.  However, they are often more interesting to the beholder.  Most of the time, these designs are printed in one color – possibly as many as a handful of colors depending on the intricacy of the design.  It is easier for a commercial printer to produce multi-color designs than it is for an individual at home.

The design of the template for printing utilizes the idea of negative space, a concept unfamiliar to most people without an art or design background.  When creating the template, it is necessary to draw out the design which will appear on the shirt and then to use an Exacto knife to cut out the inside of the desired design.  Thus, most people new to screen printing will choose to begin practicing with very basic designs.  Once the process of creating negative space becomes comfortable, designers can easily move to slightly more difficult patterns and images.  Professional artists who generate screen printing templates will often create multiple templates for the same design, one for each color to be printed in a particular order.  The ordering of the templates is crucial for multi-colored designs in order to produce the desired design as it was intended by the designer.

Most professionals who opt to screen print t-shirts will purchase equipment that can automatically cut out the desired design from the template material.  This process is very expensive, and so generally the produced templates will be utilized many times. This type of equipment is fairly expensive, and in order to generate a profit the designer will need to produce and sell many duplicate designs.

The home screen printer, who wants to create custom screen printed designs, will not need to purchase this expensive machinery so long as they have an eye for design and a steady hand.

Screen printed t-shirts are commonly worn by little league baseball teams, and school students who receive shirts for participating in events and activities.  Generally, the more shirts that are produced with a similar image, the cheaper the shirts will become.  For this reason, screen printing is often the method of choice when the t-shirts need to be identical.

Screen printed t-shirts make great gifts for friends and family members however remember that you will need to select a sturdy material for your shirt design templates so that they will last through multiple printings.  Practice makes perfect with this technique, so be sure to try printing your design on paper prior to locking that shirt into the frame.

Dye Sublimation

Dye sublimation is a heat transfer process used for creating custom t-shirts, and although the process is more involved and requires specialty inks the process is quite popular.  Like iron-on heat transfer designs, designs printed with sublimation inks are transferred to t-shirts with the use of an iron or a heat press.

The difference between dye sublimation and iron-on transfers is that with dye sublimation, the fabric of the shirt is actually changed when it absorbs the sublimation ink.  This is in contract to the iron-on, which simply attaches to the shirt with a binding agent.  For this reason, shirts designed with dye sublimation tend to maintain their design through many more washings.

The process of dye sublimation includes printing a design onto heat transfer paper with special inks that evaporate to a gas-state when heat is applied.  The ink then attaches to the fiber of the fabric onto which it is being applied.  There is no change in the texture of the fabric, and the design is permanent.

One of the benefits of using this type of transfer process is that the design can be much more intricate than that of an embroidered t-shirt, a screen printed t-shirt or an iron on transfer.

Generally, the process involved will include a computer generated or scanned image that is printed with an ink jet printer on to sublimation transfer paper.  For the home crafter, the process is a bit involved because special ink is required. While some printer manufacturers make available sublimation ink cartridges, others do not.  For those that don’t have the option to use pre-filled cartridges, there are kits available for filling empty cartridges with a syringe.  The process is not extremely involved and is simple once you know the steps for filling the cartridges.

Once the design is printed onto the paper, it can be transferred with a hot iron or a flat heat press.  Generally, steam is not preferable and therefore it is best to turn off the steam setting on the iron prior to pressing the t-shirt.

The catch is that when you are selecting the t-shirt, you cannot just select any material.  Artificial fabrics, like polyester, work much better with this process than natural fibers like cotton.  This is because of the structure of the fibers, and their level of ink absorbency.  There are ways to coat a natural fabric with polyester in order to produce the desired transfer effect on the t-shirt, however it is probably easier to just purchase a polyester t-shirt from the beginning.

The process used in dye sublimation is much newer than other t-shirt transfer processes.  It was actually discovered by a French printer in the 1950s.  A printer realized that certain inks would vaporize and then solidify onto another fabric (or paper) when high heat was applied.  The process is quite common today in the printing industry.  However, because of the longevity of sublimation clothing manufacturers have also adopted the process.

Interestingly enough, the process of dye sublimation can also be used when screen printing a design. The difference between this type of screen printing and normal screen printing is that instead of applying ink and pulling it across the template with a squeegee, a layer of thin, transparent film is applied atop the template and then high heat is applied to transfer the design to the t-shirt.

Generally, the process of sublimation is difficult to master for the home crafter. However, once you practice and develop a technique it is very useful in t-shirt design.  Industrial t-shirt manufacturers commonly use this technique to create beautiful and unique t-shirts which outlast those created using other methods.

What’s Trendy in Maternity Clothes

Trendy

Being pregnant is hip. This is good news for maternity clothes. For too long, women had to forsake fashion for unattractive and limited maternity clothes. Not all that long ago, it was considered unseemly to be out and about showing off your baby belly. Not anymore, those days are long gone. Rejoice fashion minded new moms everywhere.

The first places to look for the hottest trends in maternity fashions are celebrity moms. It seems everyday someone announces they are having a new baby. While we may not much in common with a movie star in every day life, being pregnant is a common experience for all women. Everyone’s body will undergo big and wonderful changes as their baby grows. So everyone will need new clothes to fit that beautiful baby creating body.

Maybe you aren’t the girl who normally embraces the latest trends in clothing. You like to have clothes that work throughout the seasons and are very versatile. Being pregnant is a great time to break out of the practical mold. Yes, you will still need some of the basic pieces of a wardrobe in neutral go anywhere colors. Then go for it. Buy that cute shirt. The beauty of maternity clothes is that you only wear them for a season. You aren’t going to be wearing that shirt next year; you will be wearing something with baby spit up on it. So embrace the trends.

The most important consideration for maternity clothing, practical or trendy, is comfort. When shopping, be sure to sit down and move around in the clothes as you try them on. Maternity clothes are sized to be the same as what you normally wear. So if you are normally a medium, try mediums. Then if those don’t fit, move up or down as needed. Buy fabrics that are easily cared for. Cotton and cotton blends are a great choice. These fabrics also breathe and as you feel warmer when pregnant this is an important consideration.

All your favorite wardrobe items are available in maternity styles. If you are a dress girl, check out a cute halter dress in a fun print. If you prefer jeans, get a pair with embellishments on the side. Be adventurous. Buy that fabulous piece that can be used as both a strapless dress and a skirt. Swimwear and lingerie are other necessities that can also be fun and very sexy.

Don’t forsake your favorite activities just because you are pregnant. In fact exercise will help you feel more energetic and make you more prepared for labor. So get a new pair of yoga pants and a new hoodie and stretch away. Active wear is also great for those days you don’t feel so comfortable in your new body and just need something comfy to wear around the house.

One of the hottest trends in maternity fashions is t-shirts with designs about being pregnant. T-shirts are a perfect marriage of fashion and comfort. Often these t-shirts are more fitted than other maternity shirts. But when you are wearing a shirt announcing the baby is “Due in July”, you want everyone to see that wonderful baby belly. If no one can see your “Buddha Belly” what would the point of the fun t-shirt be? Announce to the world you are having a princess, a future world changer or the next big thing. The best place to shop for these t-shirts is online. There is any number of retailers with great, inexpensive, and fashionable options.

What Tie Dye Means

Tie dye

1. History of Tie Dye

Tie dye originated in different parts of the world and thus it doesn’t belong to one particular region. The history and various forms of tie dye that have been practiced in different countries are as follows:

Tie Dye in Ancient Times
Tie dye is believed to be a prehistoric product. The researches has shown that the ancient people had used tie dye by applying flower’s juices, plant’s juices, leaves, stones and other substances on their cloths. But they might have not been aware of the fact that it is actually dying; for them it was just a way to decorate their cloths.

Archeologists have found printed pieces of fabrics in various parts of India which shows that ancient dyers had tried to make patterns of colors on fabrics using various dyes. Even the mummies of Egypt were found wrapped in a dyed fabric. So, it may be possible that tie dye techniques travel from India to Egypt and then to other parts of the world.

Tie Dye in Persia
Persia’s history shows the existence of tie dye centuries before the birth of Christ. Persians used the threads of Safflower, which is a quick dissolving herb as their dye material. They used to crush it and dissolve it in water to dye their cotton fabrics into deep yellow shades.

Tie Dye in China
Chinese had been using tie dye since the sixth century. But it fully developed and spread all over China during the T’ang Dynasty (618AD – 906AD). Chinese tie dye is also called “zha ran” or “jiao xie”. The tie dye silks of this era were found at Astana and Khotan in the graveyards and at Sin Kiang on the Old Silk Road. One interesting fact is that not everyone was allowed to wear the tie dye cloths; only Priests and rich people were allowed to wear it. They even had set separate standard colors for all the social classes.

Chinese were aware of the technique of turning, folding and tying the fabric in such a way that when it was dipped; different parts of the cloth would be dyed. They used to extract their dyes from flowers, leaves, roots, blackberries, onion, indigo, sage, red cabbage, safflower etc. They used a special technique of tie dye called “ikat” in which the threads are dyed before weaving the cloth.

Tie Dye in India
Indian tie dye is probably the most famous form of tie dye. It is believed that tie dye in India started almost five thousand years ago and hence is the oldest one. Indians used tie dye on silk materials as cotton was not available there at that time. Tie dye was known as “Bandhana work”, “Bandhani” and “Bandhej” in India and was unique in its own way. The dyers used to grew the nails of their thumb and forefingers very long and use them to pick small points of the fabric to tie in shapes of small dots before dyeing it.

Tie Dye in Japan
Tie dye started in Japan during the Nara period (552AD – 794AD). Japanese tie dye known as “shibori” is one of the most famous forms of tie dye which is used to make various forms of designs on cloths for elaborating kimonos. Japanese used tie dye on both silk and cotton materials.

Tie Dye in Africa
Tie dye has been widely used in all the African countries, especially Nigeria. Africans used tie dye to make dotted designs on woolen cloths and to produce magnificent indigo-dyed fabrics. The modern form of African tie dye involves synthetic dyes and patterns.

Tie Dye in United States
Tie dye started in United States during 1920’s but fully bloomed in 1960’s when everyone was emphasizing individuality. Tie-dyed sheets were very commonly used as room dividers, tablecloths, curtains and wall hangings. Tie dye banners of silk and cotton were used as backdrops for the concerts.

It was the era of 1980 that changed the fate of tie dye and made it a very stylish, highly skilled and labor intensive form of art. Permanent dyes in bright and earth tones were invented which replaced the easily fade dyes.

2. What can you tie dye (products)/ Tie dye ideas.

Adding color to your clothes – old and new !

The colorful clothes originally popularized by the members of the hippie subculture in the sixties have really stood the test of time in terms of popularity through out the world and is currently a hot (and colorful) favorite in the United States.

The method used to color clothes as well as a host of accessories is called the Tie dye method, where clothes are tied, either with string or rubber bands into various attractive patterns. Then the clothes are dyed, either by submerging them in a dye bath or by squirting dye solution onto them.  Areas where the fabric is tied and in inner parts of folds, do not absorb dye, thus forming a pattern. This is also known as a resist technique (since the areas that are tied and the inner parts of folds resist dyeing). While the craft has been practiced in nearly every part of the world for hundreds of years, it probably began in ancient Asia and spread to Africa.

Many Americans who served in the Peace Corps in Africa during the 1960s learned tie dye designs from the native people, and on their return to the United States, they taught the craft to others.

Since each design is always different from any other and it is nearly impossible to predict the end result with absolute surety, the surprise forms the large part of the fun in its creation. Tie dyeing is a great way to give new life to an old or stained t-shirt, and recycling old clothes.

Natural fibers, such as 100% cotton are best suited for tie dye, but a combination of cotton and polyester can be used successfully.  There are thousands or designs which are used, very imaginatively on the items, the most common of which is a t-shirt, but you can dye just about anything (shirt, pants, socks, handkerchief, pillowcase, sheets, curtains, tablecloth, etc., in fact for the home and the entire family).

Below is a list of some of the items you can tie dye:
– For Him: T Shirts,  Scarves, Shirt, Trousers, Socks, Handkerchief, Neckties, bandana, Hoodie
– For Her: Yoga pants, Tee shirts, Socks, Underwears, Skirts, Tank tops, Hot Shorts, Capri pants, Pajamas, Kaftan
– For Home: Pillow case, Sheets, Curtains, Tablecloth , Napkins, Kitchen Mops, Tapestry wall hanging,  kitchen apron.
– For infants and toddlers: Rompers (long and short sleeves), Diaper covers, Body suit, Bib, Long sleeve lap dress, Booty pants set, Onesie

3. How to Tie Dye (tie dye) a Shirt (Tie Dye Detailed Instructions)

Tie dye is the most experimental and unpredictable form of art. You can never figure out its final outcome unless it is completely processed and dried. If you keep on trying your hand on tie dye, you will learn to create many different effects that you would not have otherwise even heard about. You can make a number of tie dye items such as colorful t-shirts, sheets, pillow covers, curtains etc. A detailed instruction on tie dyeing a T-Shirt is given below.

Items for Tie Dyeing
You’ll need various items ready in order to tie dye your t-shirt depending on the brand of your dye. Below is a list of some important supplies you may need:

– T-Shirt: The first thing you need is a t-shirt; just be sure that it is at least 60% cotton or another dye able fiber.
– Rubber Gloves: It will protect your hands from the dye and hot water.
– Large Container: A large container with a capacity to hold at least 3 gallons is needed for the mixing of the dye.
– Spray Bottles: It is used to apply the dye.
– Long-Handles Utensil: It is used to stir the dye.
– Sodium Carbonate: it is used to pre-treat the item you are tie dyeing.
– Rubber Bands: It will be used to tie up the item you are tie dyeing.
– Salt: it is used to make the darker colors even more vibrant.
– Plastic Bag: It is used to keep the dyed item in it for approximately 24 hours.
– Newspaper and/or Plastic Garbage Bag: It is used to protect your work area.
– Rags, Paper Towels, Cleanser: It is used for the cleaning of utensils and work area.

Remember, the above listed items are just to give you an idea of what you may need. You should read the instructions given by the manufacturer of the particular dye you may use to know the exact items needed for tie dyeing.

Instructions to Tie Dye a T-Shirt
Tie dying is a very simple process. Some of the instructions may vary depending on the brand on the dye but the basic instructions are as follows:

– Place the T-Shirt – Firstly, place the t-shirt out flat.
– Tie the T-Shirt – Now tie the t-shirt using rubber bands or strings in spirals, accordion folds or sunbursts. These techniques of tying are given below:
Spirals – Grab the t-shirt at the center of the spiral and make a tight bundle by twisting it clockwise. Now tie    the t-shirt with rubber bands and make several parts of pie shape. Spiral Tying is dyed by filling different       colors in the pie shapes while turning the t-shirt over and repeat the same process on both sides.
Accordion Folds – This tie is used if you want to make band of colors in different directions. It may resemble      this VVVVVVVVV. This type of tie is dyed by folding the stripe, binding it with rubber bands and then dyeing in     strips across the folds.
Sunbursts – Hold the t-shirt from the center of the sun burst and make folds that emerge from that point. Now       bind it with rubber bands and dye in strips across the folds.
– Prepare the Dye – Next mix your dye according to the manufacturer’s directions. But if you want to be really accurate you should measure the dye by weight and use the proportions of dye accordingly.
– Pre-treat the T-Shirt – Some brands of dyes needs you to wash and spin the t-shirt and then soak it in soda ash for at least 30 minutes and with others you have to simply dip it in hot water.
– Start Dyeing – Dye the t-shirt now. It is recommended to start with the lightest color incase of using many colors. Again follow the manufacturer’s direction. You may need to rinse or wait between colors. Some dyes need you to rinse immediately and others may need to sit it in some plastic bag for at least 24 hours.
– Final Touch – Ok now rinse the t-shirt in cold water and wash it for about 2-3 times to remove excess dye. You may dry it in a dryer or simply hang it to dry itself.

Again, the above mentioned instructions are basic guidelines to tie dye but the exact instructions may vary depending on the brand of the dye you are using. Therefore, you should read all the instructions and precautions given by the manufacturer very carefully. Remember, no two t-shirts will ever show the same results, no matter how hard you try! So be creative and you’ll be having fun in it.

4. Tie Dye Tips

No doubt tie dyeing is fun to do and it’ll become even more valuable and interesting if you follow the below guidelines and tips.

– Cover the Work Area: You should cover your work area by laying down some newspaper or garbage bags.
Wear Gloves: Always remember to protect your hands from hot water and stains by wearing rubber gloves while dyeing.
– Try it Outside: It is recommended to tie dye your item outside if the weather is good.
– Pre-Wash: You should wash the material before dyeing in order to remove anything it may have gotten on it from the manufacturer.
– Follow the Instructions: It is highly recommended that you follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of that particular dye while tie dyeing your fabric.
– No Softeners: No softeners or fabric sheets should be used during pre washing.
– Recommended Fabric: Cotton fabrics and almost all other nature fibers shows best results after tie dyeing.
– Hot Water: Dye should be mixed using hot water.
– Pre Decide: The design and colors you want on your fabric should be pre decided.
– Watch your Color Combination: You should remember the color wheel and apply the colors that come next to each other in the start like red – orange – yellow – green – blue etc
– Depth of Color: The depth of color is determined by the length of time the dye is used.
– Rinse Cautiously: The tie dye item should be rinse with warm water first and then with cold water.
– Wash Carefully: You should wash the tie dye products very carefully. Most of the tie dye item should be washed with cold water.
– Let it Dry: You should let your item dry flat.
– Wash the Containers: After dyeing all containers should be washed with hot water and cleanser or soap.

5. Where can you buy tie dye supplies (online and off)

Acquiring those Tie Dye Clothes – It’s easier than you think!

If you think buying the colorful, attractive tie dye items is tough in the United States, think again. There are innumerable websites on tie dye selling stuff on line. They accept mail orders and even payment can be made with almost all major credit cards. There are wide varieties of designs, colors, patterns which are displayed for items which range from personal casual wear to kids/infant wear to household items. And if you wish to learn “how to do”, there is equally large number of websites teaching you the art of tie dye.

Ordering is simple; where you have to specify your design and size and there you are…goods are delivered at your doorstep. Of course there are shops as well who specialize in tie dye wears.

Here are a few websites which you can visit for your shopping of tie dye goods:

Wildflowerdyes gives you access to an exhaustive range of clothes and accessories with vivid colors and designs which is surely to make an impact wherever and whenever you wear them.

EBay is a huge market of tie dye products.

Contact Richard@tie-dyes.com for fabulous tie dye products.

TrueTieDye is available offline at below address:
742B Maniton Avenue #3,
Maniton Springs,
CO 80829, USA.
Ph. (800) 796 5723.

TieDyeQueen offers online as well as offline supplies of tie dye products. You can contact the owner, Karen at Karen@TieDyeQueen.com. Their can be found offline at below address:
3511 Sierra Madre,
Columbia/Missouri 65203.
Ph. (573) 442 5791.

You can have custom-made tie dye apparels at dyemaster.net. Products of this company are also available offline at the following stores :
Headquarters
125E, 7th Street,
Tempe, Arizona .
Ph: (602) 956 5093.

Strawberry Fields
304E Main Street,
Salem, VA 24153.
Ph: (540) 375 6550.

You can see an excellent collection of tie dye products for the entire family as well as for your home just by logging on to mamashome.com.

Mamatiedye.com is yet another site which is as refreshing as the summer setting in and the vibrant colors offered with a wide range of items is bound to make your on line shopping memorable.

1. History of Tie Dye

Tie dye originated in different parts of the world and thus it doesn’t belong to one particular region. The history and various forms of tie dye that have been practiced in different countries are as follows:

Tie Dye in Ancient Times
Tie dye is believed to be a prehistoric product. The researches has shown that the ancient people had used tie dye by applying flower’s juices, plant’s juices, leaves, stones and other substances on their cloths. But they might have not been aware of the fact that it is actually dying; for them it was just a way to decorate their cloths.

Archeologists have found printed pieces of fabrics in various parts of India which shows that ancient dyers had tried to make patterns of colors on fabrics using various dyes. Even the mummies of Egypt were found wrapped in a dyed fabric. So, it may be possible that tie dye techniques travel from India to Egypt and then to other parts of the world.

Tie Dye in Persia
Persia’s history shows the existence of tie dye centuries before the birth of Christ. Persians used the threads of Safflower, which is a quick dissolving herb as their dye material. They used to crush it and dissolve it in water to dye their cotton fabrics into deep yellow shades.

Tie Dye in China
Chinese had been using tie dye since the sixth century. But it fully developed and spread all over China during the T’ang Dynasty (618AD – 906AD). Chinese tie dye is also called “zha ran” or “jiao xie”. The tie dye silks of this era were found at Astana and Khotan in the graveyards and at Sin Kiang on the Old Silk Road. One interesting fact is that not everyone was allowed to wear the tie dye cloths; only Priests and rich people were allowed to wear it. They even had set separate standard colors for all the social classes.

Chinese were aware of the technique of turning, folding and tying the fabric in such a way that when it was dipped; different parts of the cloth would be dyed. They used to extract their dyes from flowers, leaves, roots, blackberries, onion, indigo, sage, red cabbage, safflower etc. They used a special technique of tie dye called “ikat” in which the threads are dyed before weaving the cloth.

Tie Dye in India
Indian tie dye is probably the most famous form of tie dye. It is believed that tie dye in India started almost five thousand years ago and hence is the oldest one. Indians used tie dye on silk materials as cotton was not available there at that time. Tie dye was known as “Bandhana work”, “Bandhani” and “Bandhej” in India and was unique in its own way. The dyers used to grew the nails of their thumb and forefingers very long and use them to pick small points of the fabric to tie in shapes of small dots before dyeing it.

Tie Dye in Japan
Tie dye started in Japan during the Nara period (552AD – 794AD). Japanese tie dye known as “shibori” is one of the most famous forms of tie dye which is used to make various forms of designs on cloths for elaborating kimonos. Japanese used tie dye on both silk and cotton materials.

Tie Dye in Africa
Tie dye has been widely used in all the African countries, especially Nigeria. Africans used tie dye to make dotted designs on woolen cloths and to produce magnificent indigo-dyed fabrics. The modern form of African tie dye involves synthetic dyes and patterns.

Tie Dye in United States
Tie dye started in United States during 1920’s but fully bloomed in 1960’s when everyone was emphasizing individuality. Tie-dyed sheets were very commonly used as room dividers, tablecloths, curtains and wall hangings. Tie dye banners of silk and cotton were used as backdrops for the concerts.

It was the era of 1980 that changed the fate of tie dye and made it a very stylish, highly skilled and labor intensive form of art. Permanent dyes in bright and earth tones were invented which replaced the easily fade dyes.

2. What can you tie dye (products)/ Tie dye ideas.

Adding color to your clothes – old and new !

The colorful clothes originally popularized by the members of the hippie subculture in the sixties have really stood the test of time in terms of popularity through out the world and is currently a hot (and colorful) favorite in the United States.

The method used to color clothes as well as a host of accessories is called the Tie dye method, where clothes are tied, either with string or rubber bands into various attractive patterns. Then the clothes are dyed, either by submerging them in a dye bath or by squirting dye solution onto them.  Areas where the fabric is tied and in inner parts of folds, do not absorb dye, thus forming a pattern. This is also known as a resist technique (since the areas that are tied and the inner parts of folds resist dyeing). While the craft has been practiced in nearly every part of the world for hundreds of years, it probably began in ancient Asia and spread to Africa.

Many Americans who served in the Peace Corps in Africa during the 1960s learned tie dye designs from the native people, and on their return to the United States, they taught the craft to others.

Since each design is always different from any other and it is nearly impossible to predict the end result with absolute surety, the surprise forms the large part of the fun in its creation. Tie dyeing is a great way to give new life to an old or stained t-shirt, and recycling old clothes.

Natural fibers, such as 100% cotton are best suited for tie dye, but a combination of cotton and polyester can be used successfully.  There are thousands or designs which are used, very imaginatively on the items, the most common of which is a t-shirt, but you can dye just about anything (shirt, pants, socks, handkerchief, pillowcase, sheets, curtains, tablecloth, etc., in fact for the home and the entire family).

Below is a list of some of the items you can tie dye:
– For Him: T Shirts,  Scarves, Shirt, Trousers, Socks, Handkerchief, Neckties, bandana, Hoodie
– For Her: Yoga pants, Tee shirts, Socks, Underwears, Skirts, Tank tops, Hot Shorts, Capri pants, Pajamas, Kaftan
– For Home: Pillow case, Sheets, Curtains, Tablecloth , Napkins, Kitchen Mops, Tapestry wall hanging,  kitchen apron.
– For infants and toddlers: Rompers (long and short sleeves), Diaper covers, Body suit, Bib, Long sleeve lap dress, Booty pants set, Onesie

3. How to Tie Dye (tie dye) a Shirt (Tie Dye Detailed Instructions)

Tie dye is the most experimental and unpredictable form of art. You can never figure out its final outcome unless it is completely processed and dried. If you keep on trying your hand on tie dye, you will learn to create many different effects that you would not have otherwise even heard about. You can make a number of tie dye items such as colorful t-shirts, sheets, pillow covers, curtains etc. A detailed instruction on tie dyeing a T-Shirt is given below.

Items for Tie Dyeing
You’ll need various items ready in order to tie dye your t-shirt depending on the brand of your dye. Below is a list of some important supplies you may need:

– T-Shirt: The first thing you need is a t-shirt; just be sure that it is at least 60% cotton or another dye able fiber.
– Rubber Gloves: It will protect your hands from the dye and hot water.
– Large Container: A large container with a capacity to hold at least 3 gallons is needed for the mixing of the dye.
– Spray Bottles: It is used to apply the dye.
– Long-Handles Utensil: It is used to stir the dye.
– Sodium Carbonate: it is used to pre-treat the item you are tie dyeing.
– Rubber Bands: It will be used to tie up the item you are tie dyeing.
– Salt: it is used to make the darker colors even more vibrant.
– Plastic Bag: It is used to keep the dyed item in it for approximately 24 hours.
– Newspaper and/or Plastic Garbage Bag: It is used to protect your work area.
– Rags, Paper Towels, Cleanser: It is used for the cleaning of utensils and work area.

Remember, the above listed items are just to give you an idea of what you may need. You should read the instructions given by the manufacturer of the particular dye you may use to know the exact items needed for tie dyeing.

Instructions to Tie Dye a T-Shirt
Tie dying is a very simple process. Some of the instructions may vary depending on the brand on the dye but the basic instructions are as follows:

– Place the T-Shirt – Firstly, place the t-shirt out flat.
– Tie the T-Shirt – Now tie the t-shirt using rubber bands or strings in spirals, accordion folds or sunbursts. These techniques of tying are given below:
Spirals – Grab the t-shirt at the center of the spiral and make a tight bundle by twisting it clockwise. Now tie    the t-shirt with rubber bands and make several parts of pie shape. Spiral Tying is dyed by filling different       colors in the pie shapes while turning the t-shirt over and repeat the same process on both sides.
Accordion Folds – This tie is used if you want to make band of colors in different directions. It may resemble      this VVVVVVVVV. This type of tie is dyed by folding the stripe, binding it with rubber bands and then dyeing in     strips across the folds.
Sunbursts – Hold the t-shirt from the center of the sun burst and make folds that emerge from that point. Now       bind it with rubber bands and dye in strips across the folds.
– Prepare the Dye – Next mix your dye according to the manufacturer’s directions. But if you want to be really accurate you should measure the dye by weight and use the proportions of dye accordingly.
– Pre-treat the T-Shirt – Some brands of dyes needs you to wash and spin the t-shirt and then soak it in soda ash for at least 30 minutes and with others you have to simply dip it in hot water.
– Start Dyeing – Dye the t-shirt now. It is recommended to start with the lightest color incase of using many colors. Again follow the manufacturer’s direction. You may need to rinse or wait between colors. Some dyes need you to rinse immediately and others may need to sit it in some plastic bag for at least 24 hours.
– Final Touch – Ok now rinse the t-shirt in cold water and wash it for about 2-3 times to remove excess dye. You may dry it in a dryer or simply hang it to dry itself.

Again, the above mentioned instructions are basic guidelines to tie dye but the exact instructions may vary depending on the brand of the dye you are using. Therefore, you should read all the instructions and precautions given by the manufacturer very carefully. Remember, no two t-shirts will ever show the same results, no matter how hard you try! So be creative and you’ll be having fun in it.

4. Tie Dye Tips

No doubt tie dyeing is fun to do and it’ll become even more valuable and interesting if you follow the below guidelines and tips.

– Cover the Work Area: You should cover your work area by laying down some newspaper or garbage bags.
Wear Gloves: Always remember to protect your hands from hot water and stains by wearing rubber gloves while dyeing.
– Try it Outside: It is recommended to tie dye your item outside if the weather is good.
– Pre-Wash: You should wash the material before dyeing in order to remove anything it may have gotten on it from the manufacturer.
– Follow the Instructions: It is highly recommended that you follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of that particular dye while tie dyeing your fabric.
– No Softeners: No softeners or fabric sheets should be used during pre washing.
– Recommended Fabric: Cotton fabrics and almost all other nature fibers shows best results after tie dyeing.
– Hot Water: Dye should be mixed using hot water.
– Pre Decide: The design and colors you want on your fabric should be pre decided.
– Watch your Color Combination: You should remember the color wheel and apply the colors that come next to each other in the start like red – orange – yellow – green – blue etc
– Depth of Color: The depth of color is determined by the length of time the dye is used.
– Rinse Cautiously: The tie dye item should be rinse with warm water first and then with cold water.
– Wash Carefully: You should wash the tie dye products very carefully. Most of the tie dye item should be washed with cold water.
– Let it Dry: You should let your item dry flat.
– Wash the Containers: After dyeing all containers should be washed with hot water and cleanser or soap.

5. Where can you buy tie dye supplies (online and off)

Acquiring those Tie Dye Clothes – It’s easier than you think!

If you think buying the colorful, attractive tie dye items is tough in the United States, think again. There are innumerable websites on tie dye selling stuff on line. They accept mail orders and even payment can be made with almost all major credit cards. There are wide varieties of designs, colors, patterns which are displayed for items which range from personal casual wear to kids/infant wear to household items. And if you wish to learn “how to do”, there is equally large number of websites teaching you the art of tie dye.

Ordering is simple; where you have to specify your design and size and there you are…goods are delivered at your doorstep. Of course there are shops as well who specialize in tie dye wears.

Here are a few websites which you can visit for your shopping of tie dye goods:

Wildflowerdyes gives you access to an exhaustive range of clothes and accessories with vivid colors and designs which is surely to make an impact wherever and whenever you wear them.

EBay is a huge market of tie dye products.

Contact Richard@tie-dyes.com for fabulous tie dye products.

TrueTieDye is available offline at below address:
742B Maniton Avenue #3,
Maniton Springs,
CO 80829, USA.
Ph. (800) 796 5723.

TieDyeQueen offers online as well as offline supplies of tie dye products. You can contact the owner, Karen at Karen@TieDyeQueen.com. Their can be found offline at below address:
3511 Sierra Madre,
Columbia/Missouri 65203.
Ph. (573) 442 5791.

You can have custom-made tie dye apparels at dyemaster.net. Products of this company are also available offline at the following stores :
Headquarters
125E, 7th Street,
Tempe, Arizona .
Ph: (602) 956 5093.

Strawberry Fields
304E Main Street,
Salem, VA 24153.
Ph: (540) 375 6550.

You can see an excellent collection of tie dye products for the entire family as well as for your home just by logging on to mamashome.com.

Mamatiedye.com is yet another site which is as refreshing as the summer setting in and the vibrant colors offered with a wide range of items is bound to make your on line shopping memorable.

When Is Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, one of America’s founding fathers, was also the third President of the United States, one who served two election terms, from 1801-1809, and actively pursued new lands for American citizens during the Louisiana Territory disputes of the early 1800’s. Born in 1743, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday is celebrated every year on April 13th.

The first official celebration honoring the birthday of one of our greatest presidents occurred on April 13th in 1830. A fine dinner was held for a Congressional delegation and attended by President Andrew Jackson and other notable leaders. Some of those who had designed the event had intended to use it as an opportunity to profess their political views, but President Jackson but a terse end to such machinations when he rose to propose a toast and said, “Our Federal Union: It must and shall be preserved.” Quiet dissention involving state’s rights ultimately caused all but thirty members in attendance to leave the room, and such was Jefferson’s first national holiday celebrated. In most states today, Thomas Jefferson’s birthday is a legal holiday while in others it is not.

In the early day of the 20th century, Democrats mostly observed the day, but these days, a non-political observance of the day is celebrated in many states, including Virginia, and most especially at the University of Virginia, which Thomas Jefferson founded in 1819. Opening to students in 1825, it was the first university in the United States to offer a full education to students, and was founded around a library rather than a church. His home in Monticello, Virginia, is the site of pomp and ceremonies every year to celebrate the anniversary of his birth and Americans from around the country make a visit to his home every year to honor his memory.

Known as the silent member of Congress during the days of America’s birth, Thomas Jefferson preferred to express his views with his pen rather than his voice. As a young man of only 33 years old, he drafted our American Declaration of Independence and also wrote a bill that established American rights to religious freedom in 1786. A scholar at heart, Thomas Jefferson admired education and sought to provide educational opportunities for all people, and many of his students went on to become famous American’s in their own right, including American poet Edgar Allen Poe.

His face is familiar to every American who touches a nickel, upon whose surface Jefferson’s strong features are imprinted. His face is also forever immortalized in the huge carvings on Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, along with three other great presidents, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Battleships are named after him, as are a myriad of libraries and buildings, streets and town squares. Children in schools memorize his preamble to the Declaration of Independence every year, and learn of his presidency and deeds. His writings are voluminous and highly valued, as are his political writings, some of which are displayed in the Smithsonian as well as the Library of Congress. Few presidents have left such an impact or a legacy of the principles of American freedoms as has Thomas Jefferson, and as such, he remains a beloved figure in American history.

Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826, and his epitaph reads, at his own insistence, “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom and the father of the University of Virginia.”

Thomas Jefferson’s birthday is honored every year, an occasion when all Americans can recognize the spirit of freedom and loyalty that was personified by him. It was Jefferson’s writings that founded our nation, and as such, he will be remembered for all time as one of our greatest Founding Fathers.

How to Celebrate Steelmark Month

Steel

Thinking about Steel during Steelmark Month

Steel is a material that many Americans take for granted. But did you know that without steel, we would not have skyscrapers, or tall office buildings, nor armored equipment and weapons for our military?

Steelmark month was designed and designated to encourage Americans to recognize the contribution that steel, and the steel industry, has made to the national security of the United States, as well as her defense. It goes without saying that the United States military appreciates the discoveries and innovations within the steel industry that serve to create not only body armor, but steel plates used in the construction of tanks, missiles, submarines, Humvees and aircraft within every branch of the military. Without steel, American soldiers and support personnel would lack adequate protection from enemy missiles, mortars and other weapons. While the invention of new weapons increasingly forces the United States steel industry to create new materials to protect our soldiers, steel has been invaluable in both the domestic and military history of the United States.

Steel manufactures and associations throughout America, including the American Iron and Steel Institute, United States Steelworkers and the Steel Manufacturer’s Association, are vital to American military defense and Homeland Security, as well as being major providers of steel products and services for millions of cities around the United States. Supporting domestic steel production is a vital component of the U.S. Steel industry, and one that many Americans don’t consider very often.

Steelmark Month, observed every May, is a time when American citizens can discover and appreciate the advancements and products that support not only the defense of, but also the American way of life, as we know it today. Without steel, Americans would not be able to fly, sail or drive anywhere. Steel is found in everyday products that many of us take for granted, from the chair we’re sitting on to the wastebasket we toss our trash in. Efforts to keep steel production within the United States, instead of outsourcing our steel needs as well as our steel-related products, is an effort that has gained attention in our country in the last decade. Limiting our reliance on foreign sources of steel is a major topic of many politicians in Washington D.C. and at state levels.

Steel plays a vital role in the strength of the United States military, and our ability to produce vast quantities of it has helped to maintain our military strength for over a hundred years. From handheld weapons to missile launchers to tanks and aircraft, steel has been the number one supporter of the military since the founding of our country.

Manufacturing steel is a hard, dirty job, but thousands of Americans across the United States enter the workforce within the steel industry every year. They work in various aspects of the industry, from mining minerals to designing the latest in armored vehicles, tanks and weapons for our military personnel. Millions of buildings are erected every year throughout the country, built upon a foundation of steel rods, beams and girders. Without steel, America would not be the successful and powerful nation that it is today.

Celebrating Steelmark Month is something that every American should observe. Children in schools are taken on tours to factories and taught about the importance of steel in our everyday life, but adults tend to neglect such lessons. While we see examples of steel use around us every day as we work, play or run errands, we take them for granted. Appreciating the steel industry for its innovations and advancements is the driving force behind Steelmark Month, one that every American should take a few moments to ponder during the month, recognizing its presence in our lives.

Observing Confederate Veterans Day

Confederate veterans

The South Endures on Confederate Veterans Day

The War Between the States ended over one hundred forty years ago, but the legacy of its history lives on to this day. The flag of the Confederacy still flies over many homes, businesses and public properties everywhere, a testament to Southern pride and loyalty.

Various southern states have long been in favor of proclaiming a Confederate Veterans Day in honor of the soldiers, leaders and political figures who supported Southern rights during that long, bloody war, though the tradition has not caught on in great numbers. Even if the day is not declared a national holiday, there are a vast number of Southern political figures and supporters that would like, at the very least, for school children to learn about the military figures and political leaders of the south during that difficult period of American history. Today, honoring such veterans is also commonly known as Confederate Memorial Day, and is observed at different times in various southern states, depending on the veteran or southern political leader who happens to hail from each particular state.

During the years leading up to the Civil War, the country endured growing pains. After all, the United States was less than one hundred years old. States’ rights conflicted with federal beliefs and regulations, which ultimately brought the country to the brink of a crucial test. While the issue of slavery and the right to own slaves was at the basis of the disagreement that eventually split the United States in half, issues of states’ rights to govern themselves without interference of the federal government was also put to the test.

The Civil War broke out in 1861 and ended in 1865, after losses of vast numbers of men who fought for both the North and the South. It has long been accepted, and understood, that both Northern and Southern points of view are an important lesson for Americans to remember. America was founded on individual and national freedom, and for all Americans, the right to choose is a time honored tradition and way of life. Many great leaders came from the South, a testament that their Northern brothers could well attest to. Many generals enjoyed long and close relationships before the tensions of war forced them to choose sides and represent their native states.

In the Southern states, Confederate Veteran’s Day is a day when Johnny Reb’s are honored and saluted for their devotion and loyalty to the Southern Cause. While the harsh feelings brought about the war slowly mended over generations, Southerners still feel an immense sense of pride in their soldiers and honor their memory on this day. Flowers and small Confederate flags are placed on the graves of Civil War veterans and local events serve to keep their memory alive. Though the day is not considered a national holiday, Southerners nevertheless observe the day in their own way, which they have been doing since 1865.

The War Between the States was a difficult time for all Americans who were forced to choose between loyalty to their state or allowing a federal government to determine the course of their future. The history of issues that culminated in the War Between the States is long and complicated, but one thing is for certain. Every soldier who fought in that war, for North or South, considered himself or herself an American.

The memory of those who dared to fight, and die, for what they believed in, is strongly honored in the South to this day. Confederate Veterans Day is meant to serve as a reminder that all Americans, despite beliefs or heritage, deserve the right to have a say in how they are governed.

Who Celebrates on Lee-Jackson Day

Lee-Jackson Day

The South Celebrates on Lee-Jackson Day

The War Between the States ended in 1865, but the legacy of the South lives on every year when Lee-Jackson Day is celebrated in Virginia every January 20th. The day is meant to observe the strength of conviction and loyalty felt by General Robert E. Lee and General Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson to their native state during the wrenching years that temporarily drove our nation apart.

General Robert E. Lee is considered one of America’s finest military leaders, and is admired by both Southerners and Northerners alike. While the nation was divided into Yankee and Confederate, both General Lee and Jackson were forced to divide their loyalties between national duty and duty to their own states. It was not an easy decision for either man to make, but they stood by their convictions and remained loyal to their states. The war is long over, and Americans throughout the nation recognize the importance of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson in American history. Though they fought for the Confederacy, they continue to be considered Americans, as all who fought in the war, and the passage of time has allowed wounds and scars to heal.

While celebrated mostly in Virginia and parts of the South, Lee-Jackson Day also reminds all Americans that though many of us have our differences, we are still One Nation Under God. The Confederate flag still flies in many locations in the south, alongside the flag of the United States, a legacy from the Civil War that will most likely continue into the distant future. In the south, Lee-Jackson Day is celebrated with speeches and parades. Displays of Civil War period attire and weaponry delight locals and visitors who are interested in history, and schools around the country teach children about the two greatest leaders of the South during the Civil War.

The original celebration of Lee-Jackson day occurred in 1889, designed mainly to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee. The foundation of the celebration is held at the Lee-Jackson memorial in Baltimore, Maryland and is attended by throngs of citizens who also remember the thousands of Americans killed during the Civil War, from both sides. Patriotic organizations, veterans groups and those belonging to the Sons or Daughter’s of the Confederacy groups also attend, as well as Americans throughout the country who find themselves visiting either General Lee or Jackson’s birthplaces on that date. Civil War reenactment groups also participate, holding mock battles and maneuvers for observers, as well as parades and formal ceremonies honoring both the American and Confederate flags. Beloved songs of the South are sung, and southern foods are generally on the bill of fare as are other entertainments.

Military and civilian groups are welcome to attend these ceremonies, and are invited to join in. Historical battalion and battle flags are in abundance, as are period costumes and artifacts, and the sound of cannon and musket fire often echo over the rolling hills of the south on this day. Southern pride still runs deep, and while celebrating the legacy of two of America’s greatest military leaders, all Americans can appreciate the sacrifices and dedication to all of the men and women who served their country during the War Between the States.

The courage of both men is a testament of American strength and duty, admired by all during the Civil War and the years since its end. Because the American Civil War was such a difficult period in our history, people everywhere take the day to remember the valuable lesson obtained from the dark years when brother fought brother and the nation split in two. Since the Civil War ended in 1865, the United States of America has stood as one, never to be divided again. Southerners and Northerners are all Americans.

What Is Ash Wednesday

ash wednesday

The Rites of Ash Wednesday

In the Christian religion, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the observation of Lent, and usually falls in February, though its date of observance depends on the week in which Easter Sunday is celebrated. Generally, Ash Wednesday is observed on the seventh Wednesday before Easter, usually forty-six days from the Christian event that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave.

The name, Ash Wednesday, originates from around the eight century and is a day when all Roman Catholics are asked to approach the alter of their community church or cathedral, to be marked with the sign of the cross. The cross, marked on the foreheads of the faithful, symbolizes that man rose from the ashes or dust and to ashes or dust shall he return. In the old days, the ashes were created from the burning of palm fronds mixed with olive oil that were blessed the Palm Sunday of the previous year. While the day isn’t observed in Protestant churches in Germany, it is recognized and celebrated by many churches and faiths in America, some with the use of ashes, some without. Among those who practice and observe Ash Wednesday are Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Anglicans, in addition to many Lutherans and some Presbyterians and Methodists.

The symbol of the ash cross, written on the forehead, is a token of recognition of mortality and the urging of repentance in mankind. Lent is officially forty days long, and Sunday’s are not counted as days of penance, but depending on the calendar, Ash Wednesday may fall anywhere from early February to early March. Nevertheless, it is celebrated by either a Catholic Mass or church services by many denominations and faiths in the United States, usually with an evening church service, where the priest or pastor or minister marks the forehead of each member of the congregation with blessed ashes, which are not to be washed off until either sunset or until parishioners arrive back at their homes. During the service, certain phrases are usually uttered, among them, “Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return” or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” or “Repent and hear the Good News”.

Within the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed with fasting and abstinence of meat and repentance. In other faiths, the day marks the beginning of Lent, when most observers give up something they like to eat or do for the period of forty days until Easter as a sign of personal sacrifice. Many different faiths honor the season by reflecting on their faith, and their dedication to serving God.

While Ash Wednesday is a major religious holiday throughout the world, is it not an official holiday in the United States and people are not given the day off, which is the reason most religious services to honor the day are held during the evening hours. It is a time when Christians throughout the country remember the sacrifices of Christ as He ventured to Jerusalem for the last time and was brought before Pontius Pilate, scourged and then crucified. What little tokens we can offer aren’t meant to compare to the suffering of Christ, but they are symbolic of our understanding and are meant to serve as an example to leading a more pure and righteous existence.

Ash Wednesday is not generally celebrated in schools throughout the country, except religious or private religious based private schools, in recognition of separation of church and state in America. The observance of Ash Wednesday is a personal choice for all American, which is a basic right; to practice their faith and beliefs in any manner they so choose.

Observing Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

The Observance of Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is known as the Day of Atonement in the Jewish faith, a time of somber reflection and fasting that falls on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah, the observance of the Jewish New Year. The word ‘Kippur’ means to cover, and it’s believed that on this day, God will cover, or blot out, or erase, the sins of the Jewish nation. Yom Kippur is one of the most important and sacred days of the Jewish religion.

Those of Jewish faith don’t work on Yom Kippur, for it’s written that the day will be forever a day of rest. The ten days that fall between the first day of Tishri, the first month of a new year, and the tenth, are called the Days of Awe. It is believed that the day was set apart from all others by the prophet Moses, a tradition that continued every year in Jerusalem until the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. This period of time is meant for self-reflection and change, one in which the Jewish people recognize faults or sins and then resolve to change them. It’s a time for forgiveness and prayers, which ends on Yom Kippur, the day in which a ceremony of atonement is observed and honored.

In ancient times, the Jewish people would sacrifice animals, on whom their sins were loaded, most often in the form of goats, doves or cattle. It was from this tradition that the term ‘scape-goat’ was first coined. These animals, destined to bear the sins of man, were then sacrificed to God in atonement for human sins and shortcomings. Some believe that the practice of atonement originated during the exile of the Jewish nation in Babylon, but nevertheless, Jews from the United States and around the world continue to honor the sacred observances of Yom Kippur with prayers and memorials for the dead.

Children whose parents have died often speak their names and offer contributions to various charities in their behalf and in homes and temples around America, and the globe, lights are lit and kept burning throughout the night as a symbolic recognition of the immortality of departed souls.

During the evening before the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, a prayer called the Kol Nidre is recited three times, followed by what is known as the most somber moment of the entire year, when all pray for forgiveness and atonement for past sins and transgressions. It is traditional that all observing Jews refrain from eating or drinking anything on Yom Kippur, which requires a 25 hour fasting period beginning on sunset on the evening before and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The faithful also refrain from the use of cosmetics and deodorants as well as the practice against wearing any leather on that most sacred of days.

As the most solemn and holy of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur is an observation of the frailties of man and our constant need to strive to better ourselves and the world around us. Millions of Jews in the United States as well as the world continue to honor this ancient tradition. It is stated that, “No matter how much else has fallen into desuetude, so strong is its hold upon the Jewish conscious that no Jew, unless he has cut himself entirely loose from the synagogue, will fail to observe the Day of Atonement by resting from his daily pursuits and attending service in the synagogue. With few exceptions, the service even in Reformed synagogues is continuous throughout the day.”

Indeed, Yom Kippur, the most holy of religious observances, has been passed down for thousands of years, generation after generation, among those of the Jewish faith, unchanging despite the passage of time.