A Few Biographical Notes About Galileo

Galileo is a famous historical figure and is noted for his contributions to astronomy and other areas of scientific study.  Here are a few biographical notes to create a snapshot of Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642).

Though he did not invent it, Galileo pioneered the use of the refracting telescope for observing the night sky. He improved upon the telescope and significantly enhanced its by grinding and polishing his own lenses, in order to increase the magnification, and that made it possible to actually see that there were craters and mountains on the moon and saw that the Milky Was was made up of thousands of individual stars.

Image credit:  Amazon.co

"After his formal trial, which took place on May 10 of that year, Galileo was convicted of a “strong suspicion of heresy,” a lesser charge than actual heresy."

~ QUOTE SOURCE: The truth about Galileo and his conflict with the Catholic Church | UCLA

“Nearly 70 at the time of his trial, Galileo lived his last nine years under comfortable house arrest, writing a summary of his early motion experiments that became his final great scientific work. He died in Arcetri near Florence, Italy on January 8, 1642 at age 77 after suffering from heart palpitations and a fever.”

~ QUOTE SOURCE: Galileo Galilei - HISTORY

In his day, his work was deemed heresy, but these days Galileo is praised for his contributions to astronomy and is called the "father" of observational astronomy, modern physics, the scientific method, and modern science.

Galileo fathered 2 daughters out of wedlock, who both became Catholic nuns. His oldest daughter, Virginia, corresponded regularly with his father. 124 of her letters survive to this day. Unfortunately, all of Galileo's replies to his daughter were burned. Her letters create a picture of a daughter's loving and supportive relationship with her father. The daughter herself was somewhat of a radical in her day. Even though she saw what happened to her father, she still dared to take a stand against corruption in the priesthood. Galileo died in 1642, but he outlived his daughter, who died of dysentery in 1634.

Galileo and the Stargazers: The Jim Weiss Audio Collection of inspiring true stories of heroic scientists ... https://t.co/LIdAKg2rtn via @amazon @audible_com
#16 in Historical #Biographies for Children
#21 in #Audiobooks on #Science & #Technology for #Children #education pic.twitter.com/yvUk1bGCsp

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) February 21, 2022

Original Source 

Recommended Reading: American Leaders : Who Framed the U.S. Constitution?

Do you know the men in America's history who wrote the United States Constitution?  Do you know the men who labored together, no doubt in love and out of loyalty to the cause of freedom and democracy, and with the firm belief that they represented the will and the dreams of all of the citizens when they wrote the words "We the People"?

Just shining the spotlight on one of the framers of the U.S. Constitution can shed tremendous light on what the entire process must have involved.

• James Wilson was never elected to be one of our nation's leaders. But he left an indelible mark in U.S. History. This Mr. Wilson played a huge role in writing into the Constitution the principle that sovereignty resides with the people.  Signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.  (Tell the truth. If you were playing an American history trivia game and that question was asked: “Who did that?” – you would have gotten it wrong, wouldn’t you? The name of James Wilson isn’t like cream. It doesn’t rise to the top when there is a discussion about framers of the U.S. Constitution.  Yet he was one of the signers.  Per information maintained by the National Archives, he was Signer Number 7 representing Pennsylvania.) 

The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787 by a group of 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. These historical figures played a key role in shaping the document:

- James Madison – Often called the "Father of the Constitution", and later helped shape the Bill of Rights.
- George Washington – Though he did not write the Constitution, Washington presided over the convention and was a key figure in its adoption.

- Benjamin Franklin – The oldest delegate, provided wisdom and mediation during debates.
- Alexander Hamilton and John Jay – Contributors to The Federalist Papers (addressed topics like separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and the dangers of factions).
- Roger Sherman – Proposed the Great Compromise, which shaped the structure of Congress. - Gouverneur Morris – Known as the "Penman of the Constitution. Credited with writing much of the final wording of the Constitution, including the famous "We the People" preamble.

FACT: Out of the 55 delegates, only 39 signed the final document. 

♦

REFERENCES:

Network, Laws. com. “Who Wrote the Constitution? - US Constitution - LAWS.Com.” LAWS.COM - American Constitution 1789, 7 Apr. 2020, https://constitution.laws.com/who-wrote-the-constitution.

“Meet the Framers of the Constitution.” National Archives, 2 Nov. 2015, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/founding-fathers.

HISTORY.com Editors. “Federalist Papers: Summary, Authors & Impact.” HISTORY, 9 Nov. 2009, https://www.history.com/articles/federalist-papers.

Mosvick, Nicholas. “Forgotten Founders: Gouverneur Morris.” National Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.Org, 8 June 2020, https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/forgotten-founders-gouverneur-morris.

♦♦

 

Great addition to your personal library.

What were the original framers 

of the U.S. Constitution really thinking? 

Americans should and need to know!

*

The Original Compromise: What the Constitution’s framers were Really Thinking

Author: David Robertson; Genre: Non-Fiction;

Publisher: Oxford University Press; Release Date: January 2, 2013

In this provocative new account of the framing of the Constitution, Robertson observes that the Federalist Papers represented only one side in a fierce argument that was settled by compromise–in fact, multiple compromises. …

Golly gee willickers, Mr. Wilson!

I totally expected the headline to read:@ElonMusk and @POTUS #Trump Do Everything for Love of Country!

NOT!
INSERT #MenaceToSociety
Eh! Make it a double! #TwoMenacesToSociety https://t.co/E6TlUN8vx3 pic.twitter.com/4urkSeAqqT

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) May 24, 2025

Ancient History : People and Places : Seven Wonders Plus One (or Two)

My late sister was an avid reader. She read anything and everything – books, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries. My appreciation for the joys of reading did not come until my university years. My sister's brain was a repository of all kinds of information. Why read? Just ask her your questions. :) She was the one who taught me about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. To this day, every time there is a mention of these “Wonders”, it opens up a floodgate of memories.

Found an article at Info Barrel and would you believe it? Nothing has changed. Yep. The pyramids, the Hanging Gardens, a statue of Zeus, etc.All seven of them are still holding their historical ground as the "Seven Wonders", marvels and monuments to man's ingenuity, intelligence, and skill.  Structures actually built without a CAD program.  (CAD = Computer Aided Design)

● REFERENCE:

OnlineInspiration. "The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World." InfoBarrel.com. Hinzie Media Inc., 18 May 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.

♦ ♦ ♦

Here's something my sister did not teach me but it has always been a wonder to me; two wonders if you count each person separately.

Two of the most influential people in the history of mankind. One of them, you can't find their grave or burial place. The other, there's a tomb but no body. Moses and Jesus.

You would think, what with them being prophets and notable leaders on a Divine mission, that they would have left some sort of indisputable undeniable physical trace of their existence on earth. Like maybe ... a bone fragment for DNA testing.

Not trying to be blasphemous, irreverent, or disrespectful. Don't want to offend any true believers out there. Let the record show I'm a true believer. OK? But it does make me wonder.  (O.o)

***

“The tomb is now open and the Nazarene is gone.”

Pure Flix. “AD: The Bible Continues.” YouTube, 2 Feb. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ANOKSB060. 

That was the only impressive line in that TV series.  It was a very disappointing television show.  "... this production has got to be the most historically inaccurate, unbiblical presentation of a Bible story ever made!!"  (I'm quoting myself.)

Review:  TV Series : “A.D. The Bible Continues” Does Not Continue the Bible!

Harry Belafonte Expressed His Joy of Life Through Entertainment, Activism, and Humanitarianism

Harry Belafonte passed away, on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96. He left an indelible mark in the history and the heart of America.

• If you were preparing a list of iconic and legendary American entertainers, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of notable civil rights activists in America, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of humanitarians worthy of double honor for their good works, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.

Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. known to the world as Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian. Date of Birth March 1, 1927 — Date of Death April 25, 2023. Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.

Americans from my generation (50s, 60s, and 70s) know Harry Belafonte. We know the lyrics to the Banana Boat and Matilda songs, backward and forward. Several years back (1997) there was a special program on television — “An Evening With Harry Belafonte & Friends” — where he sang many songs accompanied by fabulous singers and musicians. He performed Banana Boat and Matilda. I’m sure he knew that if he had not sung those songs, the audience would have been very disappointed.

Mr. Belafonte is known for his singing, and also for the memorable roles he has played in several films like “Carmen Jones” (1954), and “Island in the Sun” (1957). He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

In addition to knowing him as an extremely talented triple threat, i.e. he can sing, dance and act — we also know him to be a civil rights activist and a humanitarian, involved in many good works.

Giving honor where honor is due, one person referred to Mr. Belafonte as “living history”. While he was alive, you did not have to read historical events in a book because you could just talk to him since he was alive during the time and actively participated in history-making.

Mr. Belafonte has passed from living to legend now. He was almost a centenarian; age 96.

“If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” ~ Harry Belafonte

IN MEMORY OF: Harry Belafonte (1927–2023)

♦

I hope that his amazing talent, his fight for human rights, and his selfless charitable acts will be appreciated and remembered by Americans for generations to come.

Original Source

How to watch and stream Harry Belafonte movies

Society and Culture: What Does Arab Mean?

QUESTION:  Besides being in the entertainment business, what do Danny Thomas, Casey Kasem, Paula Abdul, and Paul Anka, all have in common?

ANSWER:  
They are all famous Arab-Americans.


Michael Franks is a smooth jazz crooner and he sings a love song about his tumultuous relationship with his lover. He describes their interactions with these lyrics: “Every night we fuss and fight like Arabs and the Jews.” Whoa! There's a lot of history wrapped up in just one line from a song.  The Jews I know but exactly who is an Arab?  Karla Scott, M.B.A. wrote an excellent blog post that answers this question.  An excerpt and the link are below. 

"What does Arab mean?

a. A nationality
b. A religion
c. A race
d. A geographical area

The answer is none of the above, really.

Arab is a culture. The three unifying features of the Arab world are language (Arabic), religion/law (Islam, Koran in Arabic)* and geography(24 countries in Middle East and Africa). The term Arab refers to a culture that originated in Arabia and in the 7th century, expanded to include most of the Middle East and Northern Africa. ..."


Continue reading ...

What Does Arab Mean? | Go Overseas With Ease

* NOTE:  There are some who disagree with Ms. Scott's second identification mark.  They maintain that an Arab can be an Arab and not be Muslim.  In fact, they assert that Arabs were Arabs long before Islam was even a religion.  They back up their claims either by pointing to secular historical records that pre-date Islam; referencing Jewish/Old Testament scriptures which refer to the descendants of Ishmael as Arabs (Ishmael was Abraham's son by his wife's handmaid, Hagar); or referring to both the records and the biblical accounts.  It is said that Mohammed proposed that the entire Arab (which was very divided) could be united if they all embraced the religion of Islam as it would make them a brotherhood.  Some Arabs, not ALL, embraced the religion.

America is clearly a diversified country.  But since American history textbooks don't truly reflect this diversity, certain months are set aside in the USA to pay respect and honor to Americans of various heritages and backgrounds who made significant and positive contributions to the building of America.  April is the month designated to celebrate Arab-American Heritage.  I could have published this post in April.  But why? ☺  Any day is a good day to share enlightening facts gleaned from American history or world history.

“There are two types of people in this world, the Givers and the Takers. The Takers sometimes eat better, but the Givers always sleep better.” - Danny Thomas, Birthday remembrance pic.twitter.com/508as7mheZ

— Aurora (@CitizenScreen) January 6, 2018

Omar Sharif (April 10, 1932 – July 10, 2015) pic.twitter.com/g58KHB1GDz

— Aurora (@CitizenScreen) July 10, 2017

The Name 'Shirin' Means Peace (Reblog)

Determining the origin of or learning the meaning of a name has always been fascinating to me. My kids enjoy playing video games and lots of times I've noticed that the characters have names that sound very unusual to me. In addition, as I am a very active Tumblr blogger, the artists and gamers share interesting tidbits and illustrations about these characters.

Came across a cute illustration by a Tumblr blogger of a character named Shirin.  (See below.)  It was a sketch done for “The Arcana”, a fantasy/romance visual novel.  Staying in the know about video games isn't at the top of my “To Do List”; but did have some extra time so did a little research on that name. These are my findings. My research is not extensive but it is enlightening and entertaining.  😊

Behind the Name: Meaning, origin, and history of the name Shirin ~ A Persian name which means “peace”. Mentioned in Persian and Turkish legend. ~ Follow @onomast on Twitter.

Famous people named Shirin?
Shirin Ebadi ~ Nobel Prize winner for peace.

Image credit:  sofsocialgood.tumblr.com

Content first appeared at partner blog

Awesome Content Found on Tumblr

• grasshoppaillustrated
• celebratingamazingwomen
• thesmithian-blog
• theautumnal

http://grasshoppaillustrated.tumblr.com/post/157844554974/scanned-concepts-of-my-oc-shirin-for

https://celebratingamazingwomen.tumblr.com/post/162080513685/shirin-ebadi-b-1947-is-an-iranian

http://thesmithian-blog.tumblr.com/post/4850598574/if-you-cant-eliminate-injustice-at-least-tell

http://theautumnal.tumblr.com/post/13113545220/books-read-in-2011-iran-awakening-a-really-good

Looking for a Successful Male? He's in the Details.

Had an opportunity to peruse the Special 15^th Anniversary Edition of a magazine called “Details”.  There was a detailed article in the magazine paying tribute to successful males "whose influence has shaped every facet of our culture and defined the young millennium" (direct quote from the Table of Contents).

His name? Bradley Cooper.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Bradley Cooper made the cover of the October 2015 anniversary issue as one of The Most Influential Cultural Figures of the New Millenium.

Mr. Cooper along with several other 21^st century men deemed groundbreaking icons are profiled on pages 103 - 133.


Totally OK with all the leading men showcased in the portfolio with one exception.

• Number 15: Edward Snowden.

Mr. Snowden is the whistle-blower who is being given credit for exposing the U.S. government's surveillance abuses, in the name of national security, truth, justice, and the American way ... blah blah yadda yadda.

Per the article writer, Bret Begun: "How history will judge him is anybody's guess."

No guess for me. Wrote out my judgment as to his actions, January 27, 2014, and posted it on Google Plus. Click here. He left the USA.  He is one leading man I will not be following.



* * REFERENCE: "The 15 Most Influential Cultural Figures of the New Millennium ." Details. Condé Nast, Oct. 2015. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.

* * *
Original source:
Looking for a Leading Man? He’s in the Details | My Pain, Your Gain, published 05 Oct 2015

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

* * * Latest Buzz on Brad * * *

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Related articles

• Bradley Cooper's 'Limitless' TV Show Pulls in Solid Ratings
• Snowden Says Aliens  Are Using Encrypted Transmissions
• US surveillance: What Snowden never told us

* BLEU DE CHANEL
  - AND -  JOHN VARVATOS Dark Rebel *