10 th January

1738 Ethan Allen was born.

1901 The Texas oil boom started.

1946 The first manmade contact with the moon was established.

1978 Two Soviet cosmonauts were launched into space to dock with the Salyut 6 research station.

1984 The U. S. and the Vatican re-established full diplomatic relations.

Today is American Revolutionary War commander Ethan Allen’s birthday. Born on this day in 1738, Allen regarded himself primarily as an instrument of a supreme Being or will; and secondarily as a servant of the Continental Congress. He knew his priorities when he declared, “In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress. . . .” when he demanded the British surrender of Fort Ticonderoga.

We progress; we invest; we change. A valuable resource is simply one which someone has found a good use for. And on this day in 1901, oil was discovered in Beaumont, Texas. It ushered in an era of American prosperity as it introduced the world to a new energy source.

Each and every one of us should try to keep our lines of communication open. Regular, consistent interaction with friends, associates, and family members provides us with new insights. Communication cements all kinds of relationships. It’s a good theme for today, since this is the anniversary of some monumental connections. In 1946, the first man made contact with our nearest neighbor—the moon—was established when radar signals were bounced off the lunar surface. In 1978, two Soviet cosmonauts were launched into space to dock with the Salyut 6 research station, creating an essential link between man and one of his creations. Even when links are broken, it doesn’t mean they can’t be mended. On this day in 1984, the U. S. and the Vatican re-established full diplomatic relations after 117 years of silence.