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BEIJING — China celebrated its rise to a world power over 60 years of Communist rule Thursday, staging its biggest-ever parade of military hardware with over a hundred thousand marching masses in a display that stirred patriotism — and some unease. Police blocked off a wide area around central Beijing's Tiananmen Square for the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic. City residents were told to stay away and watch the events on television. President Hu Jintao, dressed in a gray Mao tunic instead of the business suit he usually wears, reviewed the thousands of troops and hundreds of tanks and...

Spc. Hector Guzman, of Cold Spring, Minn., takes in the Assyrian Ruins during the project’s opening celebration, Jan. 4, 2009. Photo by Spc. Cynthia Teears, 11th Public Affairs Detachment. NINEWA PROVINCE — Sheik Khalid of Jobury and Sheik Ali of Albayati recently hosted a construction project opening celebration at the Assyrian Ruins here. Leaders from the military, police, construction company and surrounding towns were invited to celebrate and discuss issues concerning the new project with the Green Dream Contract Company, said Lt. Col. Chris Johnson, commander, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment.“The company is bringing in a new project to pave...

<p>The mayor said "everybody's talking about" the Obama celebration.</p> <p>"It's gonna be surprising. There's gonna be a lot of people who will want to come down and celebrate…We hope it's a million or more. It would be wonderful."</p> <p>The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week that the Police Department's retired resident expert on security planning has been hired back-this time on contract—to quarterback logistics for the Obama rally.</p>

Shouket Ahmed Rahman, Mayor of Yethrib, Iraq, shakes the hand of a soccer player from Albu Faras during the opening ceremonies of the Yethrib nahi'a soccer tournament. For the first time since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, the Yethrib District is holding a multi-village soccer tournament to commemorate the substantial progress that has been made in regards to security and stability in the Salah ad Din province. Photo by 1st Lt. Jonathan Springer. YETHRIB — For the people of Yethrib, Iraq, it has been a long five years. For over half a decade, the Balad and Yethrib areas have...

Link Only (AP Copyright issue): Arabs react to U.S. election results

AUSTRALIAN Iraqis celebrated after Saddam Hussein's death penalty was announced. Police in Sydney are investigating whether shots fired were part of last night's celebrations. Iraqi Association Incorporated spokesman Ali Doali was among 300 Iraqis who spilled onto Auburn Road, in Sydney's west, when the verdict was announced about 8pm (AEDT) yesterday. "So many Iraqi people have been waiting for this day," Mr Doali said. "This is very, very important in our lives and all of the people have been waiting for this day. "His death does not bring happiness to the people whose families have been killed but it shows...

SIERRA VISTA — Locals celebrated the U.S. Constitution’s 219th birthday on Sunday with patriotic music, ringing bells and saluting the flag. The Tombstone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored the program, “Bells Across America,” held at Veterans’ Memorial Park. “We do this every year, Vicki L. Brown, Constitution Week chairwoman. She added schools and churches may also participate. Mayor Tom Hessler read a proclamation declaring Constitution Week, which is Sept. 17-23, as a small group — many wearing American flag pins or patriotic clothing — listened. Judy Jolley Waterman, DAR chaplain, read an invocation. She thanked God...

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 15, 2006) – The Army’s 231st birthday brought hundreds of spectators to the Pentagon Courtyard June 14 for entertainment and remarks from senior leaders. A cake-cutting kicked off the celebration, which was hosted by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Secretary of the Army Dr. Francis J. Harvey and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld. “As we celebrate this occasion, I want to thank every Soldier in the U.S. and across the world,” said Rumsfeld. “My thanks to you, and my thanks to your families for all you’ve sacrificed to defend our country...

3 Gitmo Detainees Reportedly Hang Selves (AP) WASHINGTON Three Guantanamo Bay detainees hanged themselves with nooses made of sheets and clothes, the commander of the detention center said Saturday. They were the first reported deaths among the hundreds of men held at the base in Cuba — some of them for up to 4 1/2 years and without charge. Two men from Saudi Arabia and one from Yemen were found "unresponsive and not breathing in their cells" early Saturday, according to a statement from the Miami-based U.S. Southern Command, which has jurisdiction over the prison. Attempts were made to revive...

Please cascade throughout your organization! Celebrate Memorial Day at Weyerhaeuser!! Friday, May 26th CH Flagpole Noon Join us at the CH flagpole at noon on Friday, May 26th, for camaraderie, a few chosen words, and the Pledge of Allegiance. If you are active duty, a veteran, or provide support – “Thanks for your service and encouragement”. This is a grassroots effort so please pass this email on to all you can and plan to meet up on Friday! Wear your favorite old service clothing – cap, hat, jacket, g-suit – whatever! If it rains, remember the words of the ol’...

SCORCHING temperatures have not deterred hundreds of thousands of Victorians from attending New Year celebrations in Melbourne tonight. Police and the Metropolitan Ambulance Service have reported a quiet night so far as revellers gathered in seven designated party zones in Melbourne's CBD for a $1.1 million splurge on free entertainment and the traditional fireworks spectacular. Melbourne Lord Mayor John So estimated well over 400,000 people came to Melbourne for the celebrations. "Melbourne likes a great party and once again the city is celebrating the New Year in style with hundreds of thousands of people turning out to welcome 2006," he...

Today is the 4th of July 2005 – America’s Birthday which commemorates the Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776. President George W Bush commemorated the day by visiting West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia, he gave an address and afterward he greeted the crowd by signing autographs and shaking hands of military personnel. It was announced today that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit tsunami-hit parts of Thailand next week. On Saturday Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld acted as Grand Marshall at the Pepsi 400 NASCAR Race at Daytona. Enjoy your visit to Sanity...

On the 4th of July, 1776, the Congress of the United States of America formally renounced subjection to the government of Great Britain. That was a long, long time ago. Generations of Americans have come and gone and much has been forgotten regarding the sacrifices of those who put it on the line so that we might inherit Freedom and Liberty in our One Nation Under God, independent of any other nation or government. Many who enjoy the Liberty our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution provide have received it free of charge and without sacrificing one thing. Although I...

The purpose of FreeRepublic.com's multiple message boards is to limit the topics for each board to particular topics. Posting the same message on all the boards defeats the purpose of multiple-boards for special topics. It is very annoying to see the same message on every bulletin board. PLEASE! DO THE READERS A FAVOR. STOP CROSS-POSTING YOUR MESSAGES!

There seems to be some dispute about the date of the first Christmas. Part of that has to do with the Gregorian calendar, which is the one we use. At one time, Greek months had three ten day weeks. This forced them to add a month or two now and then. The ancient Hebrews, who alternated 29 and 30 day months, had the same problem. Our hour and minute divisions go all the way back to Mesopotamia. Our 24 hour day comes from pharaonic Egypt. The names we use for days and months come to us from the classical Greek,...

Share your 4th of July experiences and thoughts with the rest of us!