4th of July: How Our Forefathers Were the Original Entrepreneurs
Parades. Barbeques. Sparklers. Fireworks. Patriotism. These are the quintessential ingredients that represent the celebration of Independence Day. It’s that time of year again to celebrate America’s birthday and everything this country stands for.
As I began getting into the holiday spirit, I couldn’t help but reflect on this nation – mainly what our forefathers must have been thinking back in 1776.
As I started to ponder, I realized that John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and every other important figure present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence were not only the founding fathers of our country, but the original American entrepreneurs.
Our forefathers started their own business in the form of a country. Signed on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence announced that the 13 American colonies (then at war with Britain) regarded themselves as newly independent states and no longer under British rule.
As a newly formed country, our forefathers needed to develop a business plan and lay the foundation for what they hoped would be a great nation. What transpired was the United States Constitution.
The Constitution begins, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” The beginning of the Constitution clearly states the mission and vision of the United States – to be a country that establishes justice, ensures tranquility, provides defense, promotes welfare and secures liberty. Establishing a mission and vision for your business is crucial if it is to succeed. And our founding fathers did just that.
What is amazing to realize is that this country is celebrating 238 years of “being in business.” While some amendments have been made to the Constitution, the United States has held true to the vision of the nation our forefathers hoped for.
In addition to developing a business plan, a company also looks for ways to brand itself. One way businesses elevate their brand is by creating a logo. It can be said that there are different logos for the United States, including the American flag and the bald eagle. And of course, America’s branded colors are red, white and blue.
But a business is much more than just a logo. A brand represents a company’s essence – the soul of the company. Our forefathers knew in 1776 what America was to stand for – which was (and still remains) freedom.
America is a country that celebrates democracy, independence and equality. This country’s people work hard to fulfill their dreams. America truly is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
So this 4th of July, amidst your barbeques and fireworks, take a little time to thank our forefathers for being our original entrepreneurs and creating a country that is so wonderful to live in.
baker creative, Christian, February, Love, Rome, Valentine's Day
Where did we get this whole notion of showing the ones we love how much we love them on February 14th?
Saint Valentine was the main person who started this day of love, hence Valentine’s Day. There are many stories as to who this man was and why he became so important. The first story comes from the Catholic Church. Valentine was a priest in third century Rome. When the Emperor outlawed marriage for young men, because he believed only unmarried men made the best soldiers, Valentine performed marriages in secret for young lovers. Once Emperor Claudius discovered his secret, Valentine was put to death.
Very noble of a man to stand up for love even when it’s not his own.
Another story tells us that Valentine was imprisoned for helping Christians escape Roman prisons. In this legend, Valentine sent his first “valentine” greeting when he fell in love with a young girl who visited him in prison. Before he was put to death, it is said he wrote one last letter and signed it “From your Valentine” which is still used today.
Now as I said these are legends, but these legends tell stories of heroic men who had sympathy for love. Now, if we keep going along the lines of history, we find that the Christian church placed “Valentine’s Day” in the middle of February to Christianize the celebration of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a festival in honor of Faunus who was the Roman god of agriculture and to the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
This festival began at a cave where it is believed Romulus and Remus were raised by a she-wolf. Priests would go to sacrifice two animals for fertility and purification and then go to town and mark women and crop fields with the blood. It was said women would become fertile for that next year and would find the love of their lives.
History can tell us amazing things that we never would have considered. But to answer my earlier question, greeting card companies did NOT create Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t until the 1900s that cards were printed to replace hand written letters.
Valentine’s Day does not have to be just for couples. It can be for friends and family as well. So here is a challenge. Write a hand written letter to the ones you love and tell them what they mean to you. Use good old fashion pen and paper and send the letter via mail. This will make it more personal then a card someone else has created for you. Feel free to post your thoughts or stories about Valentine’s Day.
20 Thursday Dec 2012
Posted by bakercreative in Holiday, Information
#America, #Brazil, #culture, #family, #France, #holiday, #Japan, #Russia, #Spain, #Sweden, bakercreative, christmas
In America, the tradition for most families is putting up a big tree full of lights, dress up in red and go visit Santa at the mall. But what about the other countries around the world? Does Japan hang stockings above the fireplace? Do Russians believe Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer leads the head of Santa’s sleigh?
Baker Creative is in the holiday spirit this year and since we are adding multicultural services to our agency, we wanted to do a little research and this is what we found.
Instead of Santa Clause delivering the gifts on Christmas, Brazilians have Papai Noel (father Noel). According to their legend, Papai Noel brings the gifts in silk clothing due to the hot summer. Papai Noel also hold his residence in Greenland. Fireworks go off at night and the there is a huge Christmas tree of lights that can be seen from San Paolo to Rio de Janeiro.
The Magi, or the three Kings, are particularly revered in Spain. Children put out their shoes to receive their gifts. They would leave carrots, straw and barley for the horses of the Wise Men. It is believed in some areas that Balthazar rides a donkey and is the one who leaves the main presents. On December 8th, there is a big celebration called the feast of Immaculate Conception and it is for the Virgin Mary. The elaborate dance that is performed by ten costumed boys is said to be moving and beautiful.
In France, children believe in Pere Noel, who delivers gifts with his disciplinarian partner Pre Fouettard. The job of Pre Fouettard is to remind Pere Noel how every child has behaved that year. In some parts of France, children get a visit on St. Nicholas Eve and then again on Christmas by Pere Noel. Most adults will generally wait on New Year’s Day to exchange gifts.
Surprisingly Japan has adapted many of the Christmas traits of America. They decorate, exchange gifts and the story of Jesus being born fascinates them, especially the little children. Jesus is said the have been laid in a cradle and in Japan the babies never sleep in cradles so they become fond of the baby Jesus. Hoteiosho is their version of Santa Claus and carries a huge pack of presents. The only difference is Hoteiosho is said to have eyes in the back of his head so that the children know he can see everything.
Russia:
The figure Babouschka is known to give the children their gifts. The story is the when the Christ child was born, Babouschka failed to give shelter and food to the three wise men that were traveling to see the baby. So tradition goes the Babouschka still roams the land to find the Christ baby and visits every home to give gifts to the children. The Christmas Eve dinner is also prepared with no meat and the most important dish is a special porridge called kutya, which give good blessings to each family.
Lucia is the Christmas figure for Christmas and is celebrated by a feast held on December 13th. Lucia was known for carrying food to Christians that hid in dark, underground tunnels because Christians were persecuted in the early days. She wore a wreath lit with candle on her head so she was able to see her way. Eventually Lucia was arrested and martyred. To celebrate her life, on the day of her feast, the eldest daughter in each family wears a white dress, red sash and wreath on her head lit with seven candles. She then delivers coffee and buns to each family member to thank Lucia for bringing hope to their dark days.
No matter what country or ethnic group you come from, spending time with the ones you love is most important.
Have a happy holiday, Feliz Ano Novo (Brazil), feliz navidad (Spain), Joyeuses Fêtes! (France), Tanoshii kurisumasu wo! (Japan), Счастливых праздников, (Russia) and Trevlig Helg! (Sweden)
From Baker Creative.