Jody Victor: In astronomical terminology, the new moon is the lunar phase that occurs when the Moon, in its monthly orbital motion around Earth, lies between Earth and the Sun, and is therefore in conjunction with the Sun as seen from Earth. At this time, the dark (unilluminated) portion of the Moon faces almost directly toward Earth, so that the Moon is not visible to the naked eye.

The original meaning of the phrase new moon was the first visible crescent of the Moon, after conjunction with the Sun. This takes place over the western horizon in a brief period between sunset and moonset, and therefore the precise time and even the date of the appearance of the new moon by this definition will be influenced by the geographical location of the observer. The astronomical new moon, sometimes known as the dark moon to avoid confusion, occurs by definition at the moment of conjunction in ecliptic longitude with the Sun, when the Moon is invisible from the Earth. This moment is unique and does not depend on location, and under certain circumstances it may be coincident with a solar eclipse.

The new moon in its original meaning of first crescent marks the beginning of the month in lunar calendars such as the Muslim calendar, and in lunisolar calendars such as the Hebrew calendar, Hindu calendars, and Buddhist calendar. But in the Chinese calendar the beginning of the month is marked by the dark moon.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: February 22nd is Washington's Birthday. In honor of the first President of the United States of America, here are some quotes by him.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

"Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession."

"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth."

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.":

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."

"If freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

"We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience."

"Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

"Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind: for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved."

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Born of the wilderness, near Hodgenville, Ky., and self-schooled by candlelight, he grew to be the savior of the Union, the foe of slavery, and then was assassinated on Good Friday night of 1865. In honor of the bicentennial of his birth, here are some quotes of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts."

"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration."

"I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me."

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."

"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot."

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

"...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: London's finest, known as Bobbies, were named after Robert Peel, who was born on this day in 1788, in Lancashire, England.

Robert aka Bobbie Peel was an English statesman who first established the Irish constabulary. The people commonly called this police organization 'Peelers' after Mr. Peel.

Then, when Robert Peel became Home Secretary of England, he reorganized the London police. It was 1829 and London's populace had grown to the point that it needed an organized police force to question travelers after dark, hold all suspicious persons and quell any disturbances. (There were already special police to guard docks and markets and to serve notices and warrants.) Peel organized a paid and trained force for day and night duty called the Metropolitan Police of London. Once again, the people nicknamed the police after Peel. They have been referred to as Bobbies ever since.

Jody Victor