American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Martin Niemoeller (January 14, 1892-March 6, 1984) was a German submarine captain in World War I; studied theology at Munster; was a pastor at Dahlheim; formed the Pastor's Emergency League to protest the Nazi government; was arrested in 1937; and spent 7 years in concentration camps. He helped to rebuild the Evangelical church in Europe after World War II and served as the president of the World Council of Churches, 1961-68. As a citizen in Germany during the Nazi regime, Martin Niemoeller wrote: <In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a...

Agatha Christie (September 15, 1891-January 12, 1975) was an acclaimed British playwright and author of popular detective fiction. She was educated at home by her mother and served as a volunteer nurse during World War I. The Mysterious Affair at Styles, her first manuscript, was rejected over 6 times by publishers until it was finally published in 1920. She created the well-known fictional detectives, Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot. One of the foremost writers in the 20th century, Agatha Christie's works include: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, 1926; Murder on the Orient Express, 1934; Death on the Nile, 1937;...

Earl Warren (March 19, 1891-July 9, 1974) was Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed in 1953, after having been Governor of California for three terms, 1943-53. He held the unique honor as having been first man ever to win both the Democratic and Republican nominations for governor in 1946. He was the Republican nominee for Vice-President in 1948. On February 5, 1954, in addressing the International Council for Christian Leadership, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren stated: <Before these perplexing, troublesome days pass it may be necessary to move mountains. It is good that we keep the...

Edward Vernon "Eddie" Rickenbacker (October 8, 1890-July 23, 1973) was a celebrated American aviator in France during World War I. Having begun his career as an auto racer, he grew to international fame before the war. In 1917 he was sent to France as the personal chauffeur of General John J. Pershing. Eddie Rickenbacker requested transfer to the air service. He became commanding officer of the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron, which was responsible for destroying sixty-nine enemy aircraft, the highest number shot down by any American Squadron. Eddie Rickenbacker was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for personally shooting down...

Wyoming (July 10, 1890) was the 44th State admitted to the Union. The Constitution of the State of Wyoming, adopted 1890, stated: <Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties...establish this Constitution.> 1890WY001 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1890WY001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Wyoming, 1890, Constitution, Preamble. Charles E. Rice, The Supreme Court and Public Prayer (New York: Fordham University Press, 1964), p. 176; "Hearings, Prayers in Public Schools and Other Matters," Committee on the...