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Entry bubble Happy Birthday, Abe!

By: Jess | February 12, 2009 | Category: Fun

Abe Lincoln in birthday hatI can't imagine being 200 years old!

Not many people live that long, and you have to be pretty special to have your 200th birthday celebrated long after you're gone. But Abraham Lincoln was that kind of guy.

So to celebrate his 200th birthday in style, the U.S. Mint is releasing four new pennies at three-month intervals throughout the year. The first goes into circulation today, so be on the lookout for it over the next few weeks as you dig into your pockets for spare change.

If you want a sneak peek at the new penny designs and to learn more about the designers you can check them out here.

Each scene depicts something memorable from Lincoln's life

First new penny

The first shows his childhood in Kentucky.

second penny

The second is school-age years in Indiana.

third new penny

The third, his professional life in the Senate in Illinois.

fourth new penny

And the fourth, his presidency in D.C.

Are you looking forward to the new pennies or will you miss the classic Lincoln penny?

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Entry bubble An Open Letter to Punxsutawney Phil (THE Groundhog)

By: Colleen | February 04, 2009 | Category: Fun

Dear Mr. Phil from Punxsutawney,phil

I'd like to commend you for all your years of season-predicting service. I often wonder what it must be like to be the most famous groundhog in the world. While it seems that you have a pretty cushy set-up in that den of yours, it has to be a bit unnerving to be yanked from one's cozy bed in the frigid early morning hours of every February 2nd.

While your service record is impressive, I can't help but notice a consistent pattern when reviewing your performance. You tend to always see your shadow and retreat back into your comfortable abode, thus leaving us common-folk with yet another six more weeks of winter.

Perhaps it should be brought to your attention that your anxiety about your shadow has dismal consequences for those of us who must leave our cozy beds EVERY frigid early morning, and not just on the second day of February.

Have you considered counseling? I have a somewhat unreasonable disdain for grocery stores, so I sympathize with your apprehension when confronted with your shadow. However, my fear doesn't have the same consequences as yours - think of all those other who are, quite frankly, dreading another six weeks of winter. Surely something can be done to ease your fears. Our new President has asked us as a nation to help each other. So, on behalf of millions of shivering Americans, please let me know of any way which I can be of service, or aid in your plight. I would never suggest you had adopted this behavior as the easiest means to return to slumber in your hollow. I just want to volunteer to help.

We'll all be rooting for your next February 2nd - you can do it! Don't let the shadow get the best of you!

With respect and optomism for a shorter winter in 2010,

Colleen

 

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Entry bubble I AM . . .

By: Editor | January 22, 2009 | Category: Fun

This essay marks the final text installment in our inauguration coverage. For a compilation of photos and videos, check out our Flickr photostream and YouTube account. Thank you for your comments and participation. We hope you enjoyed following our coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.


I am a proud witness of history. My husband and I attended the inauguration of our 44th president on Tuesday. It was an experience I will long remember for its cold weather, its beautiful music, its simplicity, and its monumental import.

Metro station platform at 6:30 a.m.I am lucky. We arose early Tuesday morning and caught the Metro before the crowds got too bad. We had a seat all the way in to town. We had tickets for the silver section, and although we stood in a line at least five blocks long, we only had to wait about 30 minutes before they opened the security gate. We passed through in mere minutes and eventually worked our way up to the Reflecting Pool just west of the Capitol. We stood right next to a woman from Las Vegas who’d waited since 4:30 a.m. to get in.

I am delighted that America takes its national celebrations as opportunities to revel in the arts. I will long remember the music I heard. A children’s choir singing of hope for the future, peace in our time, America the beautiful. A military band playing an 18th century Army marching song arranged by a 20th century American composer, Sousa’s marches, an achingly beautiful arrangement of “Amazing Grace”—iconic, American pieces all. The audience listening with rapt attention to the haunting strains of John Williams’ piece, “Air and Simple Gifts,” especially composed for the occasion.

crowd at the inaugurationI am in awe. On Tuesday, a simple ceremony shifted the leadership of our nation from one man to another in just 35 words. And as the oath of office was taken, a new era began. I wish I had been alive when Dr. King and the Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights workers fought for the freedoms of everyone so I could fully realize what it means for America and the world that we have an African-American president. I wish I personally knew the sense of triumph that swelled to cheers of “O-ba-ma” from so many African-Americans in the crowd with me on Tuesday.

I am hopeful. President Obama’s inaugural address was filled with soaring words of a new vision for America mixed with a sense of history’s weight and the challenge of working to make that new vision a reality. We humans are reluctant and slow to change, even if we know the change is good for us. I hope that the buoyant spirits which brought millions to brave a cold January morning, to wait in long lines with good will, to travel far distances in poor economic times, will convert into the energy and determination to do the hard work of making America a better place than it was on January 20th when history was made.

dawn over the Capitol on Jan. 21 

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Entry bubble Kids' Inaugural Concert

By: Jake | January 21, 2009 | Category: Fun

Kids' Inaugural Ball Picture

My colleague Velmarie Caraballo who works on GobiernoUSA.gov went to the Kids' Inaugural Concert and this is her take:

I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to cover the Kids' Inaugural Concert “We Are The Future”, the concert dedicated to the children of military families in our nation, for USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov on Monday afternoon.

I got to the Verizon Center around 4:45pm, and waited for almost 30 minutes outside in very cold weather, along with many members of the print and TV media. After security checked our bags, all of us who had a “print media” credential were escorted to the 6th floor, where we were able to watch the concert. I was very excited but a little disappointed when I found out I would not be able to take up-close pictures or interview anyone. Still, the concert was awesome and it was very refreshing to see so many kids having a great time.

The concert included performances from young artists like Miley Cyrus, who also sang with her dad, country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, rapper Bow Wow and, High School Musical's Corbin Bleu. Other celebrities such as George Lopez, Rosario Dawson, Queen Latifah, Usher, Demi Lovato and Lucy Liu were also at the concert. Also, Jamie Foxx sang “America the Beautiful” along with hundreds of kids.

Throughout the concert, kids had the chance to participate in trivia questions about past presidents for freebies. The concert had some very emotional moments like when several military moms, dads and kids went up to the stage to send messages to their families.

One of the most anticipated moments was when Dr. Jill Biden went up to the stage with her grandchildren and delivered a brief message to all the families at the concert; “You all, the military families, are true American heroes.” She then introduced First Lady Michelle Obama who emphasized how important kids are for the future of this country, “We all have so many incredible ways to contribute to the life of this nation, and kids, that means you too.”  Hundreds of kids in the crowd started shouting “Michelle, we love you,” as she spoke.

The highlight of the night for me was watching First Lady Obama rocking out to the Jonas Brothers with her children, Sasha and Malia Obama. The "first kids" went up on stage with other kids to jump and dance to the music. When the concert was over they started hugging every kid on the stage. It was the coolest, most exciting moment and I will never forget it.

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Entry bubble Let's Party

By: Editor | January 19, 2009 | Category: Fun

If yesterday was a day to come together in music and song to celebrate our common heritage and common future, Monday evening has been the time to party! We have members of the USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov team at a variety of events this evening, and everyone has been treated to beautiful dresses, high excitement, and many famous people. They've also had the opportunity to celebrate with so many different people.

Velmarie attended the "Kids' Inaugural: We are the Future" concert. Big-name performers like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, and Demi Lovato sang for military families. Kids got to go up on stage to dance before the concert officially began. And they got to hear about their role in the historic events of the last couple days. Jamie Foxx told the audience, "You are here because you are the future." Michelle Obama declared, "You are the future of this great nation." And George Lopez joked, "If you think we're making history, just wait until you see the first Latino president!"

Laura went to the 2009 Latino Inaugural Celebration, not only as an attendee, but also as a performer. She sings with a vocal group called Coral Cantigas here in the Washington, D.C. area, and she was lucky enough to be among the chorus' members who sang this evening. The mood was festive from the moment she walked into the grand hall at the Organization of American States, across the street from the grounds of the White House. When the National Anthem was sung, people cheered for over a minute! Performers and presenters alike shared how the nation is changing, as Hispanics make a greater impact (in this election, 10 million Latinos voted). 

The parties will go on well into the night, so check back tomorrow for pictures, perhaps some video, and thoughts from our team members who experienced it all themselves. 

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