Welcome to Conversation on Friday, January 16

Today we, again, mix our National Day with history.

NATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY 

Each year, National Religious Freedom Day commemorates the day the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was signed on January 16, 1786. Each year, by Presidential Proclamation, January 16th is normally declared Religious Freedom Day. 

Thomas Jefferson’s landmark statute became the basis for Congressman Fisher Ames’ establishment clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”

.

.

.

Our art for today is from yours truly’s favorite artist, Claude Monet. His painting, Impression, Sunrise – 1873, is ranked a the number 8 world famous painting.

.

Today’s trivia question is: What singer was called the “Empress of the Blues”? 

.