Humorous Signs of the Zodiac

THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC. These may be divided into north and south. The first six, from Aries to Virgo, are northern; the latter six, from Libra to Pisces, are southern: this is because the Sun and planets, when in the first six, are north of the equator, and when in the last six they are south of that line. When the Sun is in northern signs he is longer above the Earth than below, and the days are longer than the nights; when he is in the southern signs, he remains longer below the horizon than above, and the nights are longer than the days.

Of course, when any planet is in a mirth sign it remains longer above the Earth than below; and, vice versa, when it is in a south sign its stay is longer below the Earth.

Each point of the zodiac rises and sets once every twentyfour hours, occasioned by the earth turning round on its axis once every day; therefore, when any given point be rising, the opposite point must be setting.

As the zodiac consists of 360 degrees from the first point of Aries until you come to that point again, and as these are divided into twelve portions or signs, they must consist of thirty degrees each.

Title: Merry's museum, Volumes 5-6. Volume 743 of American periodical series, 1800-1850. Publisher: I.C. & J.N. Stearns, 1843. Original from: Princeton University Digitized: May 19, 2008. Subjects: Literary Criticism / Children's Literature Signs of the Zodiac. In a former number of the Museum, I have told you about the "Zodiac, but as I wish to make ou remember all about it, I will just give you Mr. Cruickshanks' notions on the subject. ~e is a merry fellow in London, and thus he draws the twelve signs, in his sportive humor :— This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF. Works published before 1923, in this case 1843, are now in the public domain.

It is found that each of these signs, when it rises at the birth of an individual, possesses a certain influence to produce a particular form of body, and some peculiar mental inclinations. There is no reason to suppose, however, that the influence of Aries, or any other sign, proceeds merely from that sign alone; but it is more probable that when that sign is rising, tlie whole face of the heavens is such as to produce a certain effect. This may be caused as much by the distant stars in the milky way (that large shining band seen in the heavens on a fine night, which consists of innumerable millions of stars, and of which our Sun is supposed to be one) as by any others. In fact, Ptolemy speaks of these effects being produced by the "ambient," which means the entire of the heavens, and not the ascending sign alone.

Horses pulling car stuck in snow

Rescuing a motor car from burial in the snow on a Long Island Highway. One kind of horsepower providing assistance to another kind. In: "Handbook of Snow Removal" by Good Roads Machinery, Inc. 1926. Library Call No. M 1270 G646.

Image ID: wea01915, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) Collection. Photo Date: 1926 ca. Category: Monsters/Winter Storm/Snow Removal/

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Cupid

Cupid by Nikolai Ivanovich Argunov (1771 - 1829) - the painter, the academician of the St.Petersburg Academy of arts (1818). The son of I.P. Argunov. In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido, meaning "desire") is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of goddess Venus and god Mars. Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day. In popular culture he is the personification of love and courtship.

This image is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art and thus not copyrightable in itself in the U.S. as per Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.; the same is also true in many other countries. The original two-dimensional work shown in this image is free content because: This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF. Works published before 1923 are now in the public domain and also in countries that figure copyright from the date of death of the artist (post mortem auctoris) in this case (Nikolai Ivanovich Argunov (1771 - 1829) and that most commonly run for a period of 50 to 70 years from december 31 of that date.

Raphael's cherubs angels Sistine Madonna

Sistine Madonna, also called The Madonna di San Sisto, is an oil painting by the Italian artist Raphael. Finished shortly before his death, ca. 1513–1514.

A prominent element within Raphael's (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino April 6 or March 28, 1483 – April 6, 1520) painting, Sistine Madonna, are the winged angels beneath Mary.

This image is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art and thus not copyrightable in itself in the U.S. as per Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.; the same is also true in many other countries. The original two-dimensional work shown in this image is free content because: This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF . Works published before 1923 are now in the public domain. and also in countries that figure copyright from the date of death of the artist (post mortem auctoris) in this case (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino April 6 or March 28, 1483 – April 6, 1520) and that most commonly run for a period of 50 to 70 years from december 31 of that date.

Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10 Times Square

Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10 Times Square. Looking south on Broadway in the wesr 50s towards Times Square. The morning after about 9:30 am.

Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

If These image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain.

RELATED: Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10

More snow predicted for today. It seems like it's been winter forever. i hope it won't look like this tomorrow. image/editing/sookietex More about this image and story at Public Domain Clip Art - http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/2010/12/winter-snow-storm-new-york-city-122610_27.html

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Wishing all a joyful new year, members of the Cassini-Huygens team offer us their views of Saturn and the Cassini spacecraft. Cassini-Huygens, a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency, which is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, for NASA.

The Cassini orbiter (pictured at the top right of this image) and its two onboard cameras were designed, developed and assembled at JPL. The imaging operations center is based at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL NASA still images; audio files; video; and computer files used in the rendition of 3-dimensional models, such as texture maps and polygon data in any format, generally are not copyrighted. Unless otherwise noted, images and video on NASA public web sites (public sites ending with a nasa.gov address) may be used for any purpose without prior permission. The endorsement of any product or service by NASA must not be claimed or implied.

This file is a work of a NASA employee, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the file is in the public domain.

Generally speaking, works created by U.S. Government employees are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office.

NASA requests to be acknowledged as the source of the material except in cases of advertising.

Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10

The morning after. Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10. Looking north up Broadway from our 6th floor west 77th street window at 7 am on the morning 0f 12/27/10.

Snow Covered Cars. Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10. The morning after 9 am. Just outside our front door at Broadway and 77th street, looking west toward the Hudson River and New Jersey.

Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

If These image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain.

Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10

Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10. Looking north up Broadway from our 6th floor west 77th street window.

RELATED: Winter Snow Storm New York City 12/26/10 Times Square


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President Hu Jintao and First Lady Liu Yongqing

Chinese President Hu Jintao and First Lady Liu Yongqing land at Andrews Air Force Base Md., Nov.14, 2008, for the two-day G20 Summit at the White House in Washington. The summit, hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush, brought together world leaders to discuss the increasing global financial crisis, its causes and efforts to resolve it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Craig Clapper) AF.mil is provided as a public service by the Office of the Secretary of Air Force (Public Affairs). Information presented on AF.mil is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.

This file is a work of a airman or employee of the U.S. Air Force, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the file is in the public domain.

Generally speaking, works created by U.S. Government employees are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office.

Nave of the Basilica Church of the Nativity

Bethlehem and surroundings. Bethlehem, nave of the Basilica [Church of the Nativity]. Light-shafts encircling the ancient pillars. Title: Bethlehem and surroundings. Bethlehem, nave of the Basilica [Church of the Nativity]. Light-shafts encircling the ancient pillars. Creator(s): American Colony (Jerusalem). Photo Dept., photographer. || JPEG (48kb) || JPEG (110kb) || TIFF (29.0mb) ||

Date Created/Published: [approximately 1920 to 1933] Medium: 1 negative : glass, dry plate ; 5 x 7 in. Part of: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-matpc-02619 (digital file from original photo)

Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.

Call Number: LC-M32- 3072 [P&P] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.

Notes:

* Title from: Catalogue of photographs & lantern slides ... [1936?].
* Date from Matson LOT cards.
* Gift; Episcopal Home; 1978.

Subjects:

* West Bank--Bethlehem.

Format:

* Dry plate negatives.

Collections:

* Matson (G. Eric and Edith) Photograph Collection.

Christmas Tree 250 w 57th Street

Christmas Tree in the lobby at 250 West 57th Street, the Fisk Building named for what was then the Fisk Rubber Company, a major tire manufacturer built in the early 1920s. New York City, New York. December 13, 2010. Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

If This image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain.

Total Lunar Eclipse 12/21/10

The last lunar eclipse of 2010 is especially well placed for observers throughout North America. The eclipse occurs at the Moon's descending node in eastern Taurus, four days before perigee. The Moon's orbital trajectory takes it through the northern half of Earth's umbral shadow. Although the eclipse is not central, the total phase still lasts 72 minutes.

At the instant of greatest eclipse (08:17 UT) the Moon lies near the zenith for observers in southern California and Baja Mexico. At this time, the umbral magnitude peaks at 1.2561 as the Moon's southern limb passes 2.8 arc-minutes north of the shadow's central axis. In contrast, the Moon's northern limb lies 8.1 arc-minutes from the northern edge of the umbra and 34.6 arc-minutes from the shadow center. Thus, the southern half of the Moon will appear much darker than the northern half because it lies deeper in the umbra.

Since the Moon samples a large range of umbral depths during totality, its appearance will change dramatically with time. It is not possible to predict the exact brightness distribution in the umbra, so observers are encouraged to estimate the Danjon value at different times during totality. Note that it may also be necessary to assign different Danjon values to different portions of the Moon (i.e., north vs. south).

During totality, the winter constellations are well placed for viewing so a number of bright stars can be used for magnitude comparisons. Pollux (mv = +1.16) is 25° east of the eclipsed Moon, while Betelgeuse (mv = +0.45) is 16° to the south, Aldebaran (mv = +0.87) is 20° to the west, and Capella (mv = +0.08) is 24° to the north.

The entire event is visible from North America and western South America. Observers along South America's east coast miss the late stages of the eclipse because they occur after moonset. Likewise much of Europe and Africa experience moonset while the eclipse is in progress. Only northern Scandinavians can catch the entire event from Europe. For observers in eastern Asia the Moon rises in eclipse. None of the eclipse is visible from south and east Africa, the Middle East or South Asia.

Description: December 21, 2010 Total Lunar Eclipse 0805Z.jpg. Now that the umbra has completely covered the Moon, earthshine is starting to become visible. Date: 21 December 2010(2010-12-21) Author: Supportstorm.

I (Supportstorm), the copyright holder of this work, release this work into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: I (Supportstorm) grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

TEXT CREDIT: NASA Eclipse Web Site

Julian Assange

Description: Julian Assange full.jpg. Julian Assange, photo ("sunny country background") Date: In or before 2006. Author: Martina Haris, Julian Assange. Julian Paul Assange (born 3 July 1971) Australian journalist, publisher, and Internet activist Spokesperson and editor in chief for WikiLeaks, a whistleblower website and conduit for information leaks.

Before working with WikiLeaks, he was a hacker, university student and computer programmer.

This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Marina Harris, Julian Assange. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: Marina Harris, Julian Assange grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

This photo was takin by Martina Haris on my instruction. We place it into the public domain. Julian Assange & Martina Haris WebCite

Piltdown Man

Title: Current history, Volume 14 Current history. Publisher: New York Times Co., 1921. Original from: Harvard University. Digitized: Aug 4, 2008. This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF . Works published before 1923, in this case 1921, are now in the public domain.

After the restoration modelled by J- H. McGregor. December 18, 1912, Piltdown Man discovered. The "Piltdown Man" is a hoax concerning the finding of the remains of an unknown early human. The hoax find consisted of fragments of a skull and jawbone collected in 1912 from a gravel pit at Piltdown, a village near Uckfield, East Sussex, England. More than 40 years elapsed from its "discovery" to its full exposure as a forgery in 1953.

The identity of the Piltdown forger remains unknown, suspects have included Dawson, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Arthur Keith, Martin A. C. Hinton, Horace de Vere Cole and Arthur Conan Doyle and numerous others.

Facts suggest that Martin A.C. Hinton, a volunteer at the British Museum was the culprit. He was attempting to embarrass Arthur Smith Woodward, curator of the Museum's paleontology department, because Woodward had refused Hinton's request for a pay raise.

Adoration of the Shepherds

This image is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art and thus not copyrightable in itself in the U.S. as per Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.; the same is also true in many other countries. The original two-dimensional work shown in this image is free content because: This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF . Works published before 1923 are now in the public domain. and also in countries that figure copyright from the date of death of the artist (post mortem auctoris) in this case (Charles Le Brun february 24. 1619 - february 12, 1690) and that most commonly run for a period of 50 to 70 years from december 31 of that date.

LE BRUN, Charles, a French historical painter, was born in Paris, February 24th, 1619. He received his first instruction in art from his father, who was a sculptor, and from an obscure painter named Perrier. At the age of eleven he was fortunate enough to be noticed by the Chancellor Siguier, who placed him in the studio of Vouet, and ever proved a constant friend to the rising young artist. During the next few years his progress and industry were remarkable. He attracted the notice of Poussin, and in 1642 accompanied him to Italy, whither he was enabled to proceed by the generosity of his patron.

He was received by the Barberini, then paramount in Rome, and presented to Pope Urban VIII. His stay lasted about four years, during which period he painted a few works, but chiefly occupied himself in studying from the antique. There is still extant a letter written by him at this period, which shows how greatly he was attracted by the smallest details of classical antiquity. During his journey home, he made a short sojourn at Lyons, where he executed some commissions. Arrived at Paris, where his reputation had preceded him, he at once settled down to the practice of his profession. Orders quickly flowed in upon him.

He was one of the numerous band of artists who worked for the President Lambert de Thorigny on the decoration of his hotel on the tie St Louis. The magnificent Fouquet employed him at his chateau at Vaux, and gave him a pension of 12,000 livres. For the oratory of Anne of Austria, he painted a 'Crucifixion,' and she presented him with her portrait set in diamonds. By Mazarin he was introduced to Louis XIV., and through the king's patronage became, after the death of Le Sueur, the head of the French school, exercising unlimited sway in all matters relating to art in France. In 1648, he took the principal part in the foundation of the Academy, which was always an object of great solicitude to him, and in which he filled successively all the offices of honour. This was not the only service French art owed to him.

He was greatly instrumental in the establishment of the French school at Rome, and he was the first director of the Gobelins manufactory on its foundation by Colbert. During all this time he was painting unceasingly for his royal patron. After the fire at the Louvre in 1661, the works in the Apollo Gallery were entirely confided to him. He also found employment at the royal chateau at Sceaux, and at the Pavilions at Marly.

But his greatest work was at the King's new and costly hobby at Versailles. There he designed fountains, statues, decorations, Ac, besides painting the gigantic series of allegories commemorating his royal patron's achievements. On the death of Colbert in 1683, his supremacy began to suffer an eclipse at the hands of Louvois, who favoured his rival Mignard. He gradually withdrew from court, and fell into a state of melancholy, which continued until his death at the Gobelins in Paris, on February 12, 1690.

TEXT CREDIT: Dictionary of painters and engravers

Robert William ("Bob") Feller

Chief Specialist Robert William ("Bob") Feller, USN(R?), (1918 -2010) Robert William Feller was born on 3 November 1918 near Van Meter, Iowa. As a youth, he showed great talent as a baseball pitcher and played his first game with the Cleveland Indians in 1936. His performance at that time set the pattern for a two-decade long career with that team that was remarkable for its achievements, among them three "no hitter" games.

Generally known by the nickname "Bob", Feller retired from Major League baseball in 1956 and entered the Baseball Hall of Fame several years later.

During the Second World War, while at the peak of his sporting career, Feller spent nearly four years in the Navy. He volunteered for the service immediately after the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and was initially assigned duty as a physical education instructor. However, he actively sought transfer to a combat position. Following gunnery training, he joined the newly-constructed battleship Alabama. As a member of her anti-aircraft gun team, he participated in combat action in the Pacific during the conflict's final two years. Feller left active duty in late 1945, shortly after World War II's conclusion.

By a 40mm quadruple anti-aircraft gun mount, probably on board USS Alabama (BB-60) in late 1942 or early 1943.

The original caption (released 5 March 1943) reads: "GUN CAPTAIN FELLER -- Bob Feller, one of the finest baseball pitchers of the era, is all set to do a different kind of pitching these days. As a Chief Specialist, he is the captain of a 40mm gun crew aboard one of Uncle Sam's new battleships. The former American Leaguer joined the U.S. Navy as a physical education instructor and later applied for Gunnery School. Subsequently he was assigned to sea duty and here he is -- grin and all -- beside his guns on a cold winter day."

Image License: The Online Library is the Photographic Section's readily accessible index to Naval and maritime history pictures.

To the best of our knowledge, all Online Library pictures are in the public domain and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose without requesting permission.

This file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the file is in the public domain.

Generally speaking, works created by U.S. Government employees are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office.

American bison (Bison bison)

American bison Image Number K5680-1 Photo by Jack Dykinga. The American bison (Bison bison) is a North American species of bison, also commonly known as the American buffalo. USDA's Online Photo Center provides more than 20,000 high-quality digital images, and it continues to expand.

Images are organized by categories for easy access. All of our photographic images are USDA property and, consequently, are in the public domain.

This files are works of an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the file is in the public domain.

Generally speaking, works created by U.S. Government employees are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office.

Musk Oxen Ovibos moschatus

Title: Musk Oxen. Creator: Keller, Jo. Subject: ox Mammals Publisher" U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Contributors: DIVISION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. Type: Still image. Format: JPG. Source: WO-3222. Language: English. Rights: Public domain.

Audience: General. Date created 2008-04-18. Date modified: 2008-04-18.

Title: Musk Ox. Alternative Title: Ovibos moschatus. Creator: Bowman, Tim. Subject: Animals, Mammals, Alaska. Publisher: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Type: Still image. Format: JPG. Source: SL-Bowman-Muskox-01. Language: English. Rights Public domain.

Audience: General. Date created: 2008-04-18. Date modified: 2008-04-18

These files are works of an employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the file is in the public domain.

Generally speaking, works created by U.S. Government employees are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Department of the Interior | USA.gov |

RELATED: Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus)

General Daniel Butterfield

General Daniel Butterfield at Gettysburg July 2, 1863. Title: A biographical memorial of General Daniel Butterfield: including many addresses and military writings. Editor: Mrs. Julia Lorrilard Safford Butterfield. Publisher: The Grafton Press, 1904. Original from: Harvard University. Digitized: Aug 9, 2006. Length: 379 pages. Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Military History / General United States. Daniel Adams Butterfield (October 31, 1831 – July 17, 1901) is credited with composing the bugle call Taps also known as "Butterfield's Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done".

This Image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office. Works published before 1923, in this case 1904, are now in the public domain

The tune is a variation of an earlier bugle call known as the "Scott Tattoo" used in the U.S. from 1835 until 1860, and was arranged in its present form by Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, who commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division in the V Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac while at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, in July 1862 to replace a previous French bugle call used to signal "lights out". Butterfield's bugler, Oliver W. Norton, of Erie, Pennsylvania, was the first to sound the new call. Within months, Taps was used by both Union and Confederate forces.

Major O. W. Norton, a member of Butterfield's Brigade, writing from Chicago to the editor of the "Century" Magazine, August 8, 1898, says:

Chicago, Aug. 8, 1898.

"I was much interested in reading the article by Mr. Gustav Kobbe, on 'Trumpet and Bugle Calls,' in the August 'Century.' Mr. Kobbe says that he has been unable to trace the origin of the call now used for Taps, or the 'Go-to-sleep,' as it is generally called by the soldiers. As I am able to give the origin of this call, I think the following statement may be of interest to Mr. Kobbe and your readers.

"During the early part of the Civil War I was bugler at the headquarters of Butterfield's Brigade, Morell's Division, FitzJohn Porter's Corps, Army of the Potomac. Up to July, 1862, the infantry call for Taps was that set down in Casey's Tactics, which Mr. Kobbe says was borrowed from the French. One day, soon after the seven days' battles on the Peninsular, when the Army of the Potomac was lying in camp at Harrison's Landing, General Daniel Butterfield, then commanding our Brigade, sent for me, and showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, asked me to sound them on my bugle.

I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter, in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night, and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring brigades, asking for copies of the music, which I gladly furnished. I think no general order was issued from army headquarters authorizing the substitution of this for the regulation call, but as each brigade commander exercised his own discretion in such minor matters, the call was gradually taken up all through the Army of the Potomac.

I have been told that it was carried to the Western Armies by the nth and 12th Corps, when they went to Chattanooga, in the fall of 1863, and rapidly made its way through those armies. I did not presume to question General Butterfield at the time, but from the manner in which the call was given to me, I have no doubt he composed it in his tent at Harrison's Landing. I think General Butterfield is living at Cold Spring, New York. If you think the matter of sufficient interest, and care to write him on the subject, I have no doubt he will confirm my statement."

RESOURCES:

• Daniel Butterfield From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Taps From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Snowman in snowy Forest

Foreground Image, Snowman at Christmas tree lot, 71st street and Broadway New York City, New York. December 11, 2010. Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. If This image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain. Background image Winter Woods Snow and Trees Publisher: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Contributor DIVISION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. Language: EN - ENGLISH. Rights: (public domain) Audience: (general) Subject: Scenics, Scenic, Snow, Winter.

Ralph Bunche

Title: [Portrait of Ralph Bunche] Creator(s): Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964, photographer Date Created/Published: 1951 May 16. Medium: 1 photographic print : gelatin silver. Part of: Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964. Portrait photographs of celebrities. Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-109113 (b&w film copy neg.) Rights Advisory: Per the instrument of gift, "for a period of 20 years from the date of this Instrument [1966], none of the photographs contained in said collection may be sold, reproduced, published or given away in any form whatsoever except with my [Saul Mauriber, Photographic Executor for Van Vechten] express permission in writing." This restriction expired in 1986.

In 1998 the Library’s Publishing Office was contacted by Bruce Kellner, who disputes Mr. Mauriber’s authority in executing the Instrument of Gift. Upon review of the relevant materials, the Library continues to believe that the photographs are in the public domain.

However, patrons are advised that Mr. Kellner has expressed his concern that use of Van Vechten’s photographs "preserve the integrity" of his work, i.e, that photographs not be colorized or cropped, and that proper credit is given to the photographer.

Call Number: LOT 12735, no. 173 [P&P] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Notes:

* Title derived from information on verso of photographic print.
* Van Vechten number: X II 20.
* Also available on microfilm.
* Gift; Carl Van Vechten Estate; 1966.
* Forms part of: Portrait photographs of celebrities, a LOT which in turn forms part of the Carl Van Vechten photograph collection (Library of Congress).

The Last Supper in Needlepoint

Title: Cross-stitched art [i.e., needlepoint] located in sanctuary, Highlands Methodist Episcopal Church at Five Points, Birmingham, Alabama. Creator(s): Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer. Date Created/Published: 2010 February 25. Medium: 1 photograph : digital, TIFF file, color. JPEG (85kb) || JPEG (212kb) || TIFF (40.1mb) Part of: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946- Carol M. Highsmith Archive. Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-highsm-05013 (original digital file) Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.

Call Number: LC-DIG-highsm- 05013 (ONLINE) [P&P] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Notes:

* Construction on the Sanctuary Building began in 1907, and with it came a new name for the congregation, Highlands Methodist Episcopal Church, South. After two years construction, the Spanish Renaissance Revival style Sanctuary was completed in March 1909.
* Title, date, subject note, and keywords provided by the photographer.
* Credit line: The George F. Landegger Collection of Alabama Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
* Gift; George F. Landegger; 2010; (DLC/PP-2010:090).
* Forms part of: George F. Landegger Collection of Alabama Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Christmas Tree 488 Madison Avenue NYC

Christmas Tree in the lobby at 488 Madison Avenue New York City, New York. December 4, 2010. Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

If This image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain.

Attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese planes view

Photo #: NH 50930 Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941 Photograph taken from a Japanese plane during the torpedo attack on ships moored on both sides of Ford Island. View looks about east, with the supply depot, submarine base. Japanese caption on this captured photo reads: "Full view of Ford Island gasping under the attack of our Sea Eagles.

This distant view of Ford Island immediately after the attack of our assault force shows the enemy capital ships lined up on the opposite side of the Island. in the foreground is the cruiser fleet, including the battleship UTAH. The enemy ships around the island have all become tempting targets for our Sea Eagles. In the upper right clearly appear the outlines of two of our Sea Eagles who are carrying out a daring low-level attack, reminiscent of the performance of the Gods."

This photographic image was published before December 31st 1956, or photographed before 1946 and not published for 10 years thereafter, under jurisdiction of the Government of Japan. Thus this photographic image is considered to be public domain according to article 23 of old copyright law of Japan and article 2 of supplemental provision of copyright law of Japan.

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• Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
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Japanese dragon, Chinese school, 19th Century

Description: Japanese dragon, Chinese school, 19th Century.jpg. Japanese dragon, colour engraving on wood, Chinese school, 19th Century, bibliothèque des Arts décoratifs, Paris. Unedited High Resolution Image (1295 × 1966 pixel, file size: 2.84 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The Chinese dragon is a creature that also appears in other East Asian cultures, and is sometimes called the Oriental (or Eastern) dragon. Depicted as a long, snake-like creature with four claws, in contrast to the Western dragon which stands on four legs and is usually portrayed as evil, it has long been a symbol of power in Chinese folklore and art.

Licensing: Public domain. This image is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art and thus not copyrightable in itself in the U.S. as per Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.;. the same is also true in many other countries. The original two-dimensional work shown in this image is free content because: This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1978 were copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF . Works published before 1923 (in this case ca. 1902) are now in the public domain. This applies to Canada, the European Union and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 70 years.

Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Street leading to the Church of the Nativity Bethlehem

Bethlehem. Street scene. (Street leading to the Church of the Nativity). editing/sookietex More about this image and story at Public Domain Clip Art - http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/2010/12/street-leading-to-church-of-nativity.html

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus.

Hand-colored photographs of Jerusalem and Palestine. Creator(s): American Colony (Jerusalem). Photo Dept., photographer. Date Created/Published: 1919. LC-DIG-ppmsca-18417-00003 (digital file from original

Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.

Photographs were created by the photographers of the American Colony Photo Department, located in Jerusalem. Founded in the late 1890s by Elijah Meyers, the photo agency was headed during its heyday (ca. 1903-1933) by Lewis Larsson, whose staff photographers included Erik Lind, Lars Lind, Furman Baldwin, and G. Eric Matson. It transitioned into the Matson Photo Service around 1940, with photography by Matson, Hanna Safieh, Joseph H. Giries, and others. John D. Whiting contributed periodically to the work of both agencies.

Looking up the River Jordan

Looking up the River Jordan. LC-DIG-ppmsca-18417-00036 (digital file from original on page 71, no. 36) Hand-colored photographs of Jerusalem and Palestine. Title: Hand-colored photographs of Jerusalem and Palestine. Creator(s): American Colony (Jerusalem). Photo Dept., photographer. Date Created/Published: 1919. Medium: 1 album (36 photographic prints, most hand-colored) ; 31 x 41 cm. (album)

Summary: Photographs show people, buildings, and landscapes in Jerusalem and Palestine (present day Israel and the West Bank). (p. 1-35) Photographs include: Shepherds, Bethlehem street scene, Jaffa (Joppa) rocks in a storm, panorama of Jerusalem, row of olive trees, and in Jerusalem: a pack train outside Damascus Gate, city walls, David Street, Dome of the Rock, Via Dolorosa, arched street in Old City, and a monk reading book in Garden of Gethsemane. (p. 35-73) Photographs include: Portrait of an "Arab Jew from Yemen," Ramallah peasant spinning wool, Ramallah woman in embroidered costume, village carpenter making plows, Bedouin man, shepherd with rod and staff, shepherd going before his flock, workers reaping barley harvest, reapers eating, camel caravan on Mt. of Olives, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, sunset by the ravine of the River Arnon, sheep grazing in Jordan Valley, and rough sea at Jaffa.

Part of: Visual materials from the papers of John D. Whiting. Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-18417 (digital files of original photos) LC-DIG-ppmsca-18416 (digital files of album pages)

Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.

Access Advisory: For reference access, please use the digital images in the online catalog to preserve the fragile original items. Call Number: LOT 13846 (H) (USE DIGITAL IMAGES) [P&P] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Notes:

* Photographs were created by the photographers of the American Colony Photo Department, located in Jerusalem. Founded in the late 1890s by Elijah Meyers, the photo agency was headed during its heyday (ca. 1903-1933) by Lewis Larsson, whose staff photographers included Erik Lind, Lars Lind, Furman Baldwin, and G. Eric Matson. It transitioned into the Matson Photo Service around 1940, with photography by Matson, Hanna Safieh, Joseph H. Giries, and others. John D. Whiting contributed periodically to the work of both agencies. For more information see: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/matpc/ and http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/629_whiting.html.
* Photographs in album are uncaptioned. Captions based on similar images in the G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection.
* Most of the photographs are hand-colored.
* Blind stamp in bottom right corner on most photographs: American Colony, Jerusalem.
* Inscription on first page of album: "To our precious Mother with love from all her children, Christmas, 1919." "Mother" is probably Anna Spafford, leader of the American Colony.
* LOT title devised by Library staff.
* Album unpaginated, album page numbers supplied by Library staff. Verso of each page is blank.
* John D. Whiting's diaries, correspondence, and other materials are located in the Library of Congress Manuscript Division (Papers of John D. Whiting).
* Forms part of: Visual materials from the papers of John D. Whiting.
* Transfer; Manuscript Division; 2006; (DLC/PP-2006:051:30)

Christmas Tree and Hanukkah menorah

Christmas Tree and Hanukkah menorah in the lobby at 336 west 37th street, New York City, New York. December 3, 2010. Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

If This image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain.

Santa Jaws is Coming to Town

Santa Jaws is coming to town

Oh You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:

Santa Jaws is coming to town

He's making a list,
He's checking it twice,
He's goanna find out
who's naughty or nice.
Santa Jaws is coming to town.

He'll chomp you when you're sleeping,
He'll chomp you when you're awake.
He'll chomp you if you're bad or good,
Cuz he thinks you taste like cake

Image License: I, (sookietex) the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant any entity the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

If This image is subject to copyright in your jurisdiction, i (sookietex) the copyright holder have irrevocably released all rights to it, allowing it to be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, used, modified, built upon, or otherwise exploited in any way by anyone for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, with or without attribution of the author, as if in the public domain.

Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias

The great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, also known as great white, white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a lamniform shark, the largest are known to have approached or exceeded 20 ft in length and 5,000 lb in weight.

It is found in coastal waters of all major oceans. It reaches maturity at around 15 years of age and can have a life span of over 30 years.

Description: Carcharodon carcharias.jpg Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), Isla Guadalupe, Mexico.

This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Sharkdiver68. This applies worldwide. In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so: Sharkdiver68 grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.