Today's American Minute

Criss-Cross (1475) originated from the Middle English Christ's-Cross, and earlier, 1390, from Cros-Kryst, was the mark + or X written before the alphabet. This originated from the Greek spelling of the name of Christ, which were X P, called "chi-rho." This is the origin of the use of X-mas for "Christmas." During Medieval times when many were illiterate, an individual would mark their name by the X, the Christ's Cross, and kiss it in front of witnesses to show sincerity. This was a written form of the oath, "So help me God." This was also the origin of signing Valentine...

Bartolome' de Las Casas (August 1474-July 17, 1566) was called "the Apostle of the Indies," as he was one of the first Christian missionaries to minister to the Indians of Latin America. The first priest ordained inthe New World, Las Casas became known for his devotion to the oppressed and enslaved natives. He wrote Apologetic History of the Indies (Apologetica Historia de las Indias), 1530, which exposed the oppression of the Indians in the forced labor "Encomienda" system and influenced Madrid to enact the New Laws, 1542, in the interest of Indian welfare. He also provided a great literary service...