Today's American Minute

How did January 1st become New Year's Day? and How is it connected to Leap Day?

January 01, 2026

As Rome expanded, it was difficult to sync the different calendars of conquered countries. Julius Caesar instituted one unified calendar, based on the Earth's orbit around the sun, 365 days, and a "leap" day every 4th year. Called the Julian Calendar, it was instituted January 1, 45 B.C.

Until We Meet Again - "I know Who holds the future and I know Who holds my hand"-A.B. Smith - American Minute with Bill Federer

December 30, 2025 • "The Captain's Daughter"; "I know Who holds the future and I know Who holds my hand"-A.B. Smith • "Until We Meet Again" & James T. Fields' The Atlantic Monthly

"But his little daughter whispered. As she took his icy hand, 'Isn't God upon the ocean, Just the same as on the land?'"

Freezing Valley Forge, 1777, and Starving Ships "If those few thousand men endured that long winter of suffering ... what right have we to be of little faith?" -American Minute with Bill Federer

December 27, 2025 • & Starving Ships "If those few thousand men endured that long winter of suffering ... what right have we to be of little faith?" • 1777 • Freezing Valley Forge

Washington added: "... that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place ... this Army must inevitably ... starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can."

Freezing Battle of the Bulge 1944 "We will, with God's help, go forward to victory" - American Minute with Bill Federer

December 27, 2025 • Battle of the Bulge--Freezing Winter 1944 WWII "We will • go forward to victory" • with God's help

German commander Heinrich Freiherr von Luttwitz demanded Americans surrender. On December 22, 1944, U.S. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe answered: "To the German Commander. NUTS!"

How Saint Nicholas became Santa Claus - American Minute with Bill Federer

December 24, 2025

Dutch called Saint Nicholas - "Sant Nikolaus" or "Sinter Klass," which became pronounced "Santa Claus." "Santa Claus" is the Dutch pronunciation of Saint Nicholas.