National Sock Day celebrates the rare joy of a perfectly matched pair while tracing the long history of socks from ancient animal-hair coverings to silk stockings for nobles, to modern machine-knit socks thanks to William Lee’s 1589 knitting invention that helped spark the Industrial Revolution. Today socks come in every fabric and design, from practical wool to the colorful pairs famously worn by President George H.W. Bush, and companies like Pair of Thieves mark the day by donating hundreds of thousands of socks to the homeless. With fun nods to lost socks, dogs who steal them, and mismatched fashion trends, the day reminds us that as we take steady steps of faith, the Lord always matches and magnifies our efforts more than we could on our own in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/sock-day-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

On December 3, 1777, Quaker mother Lydia Barrington Darragh bravely warned the Continental Army of a planned British attack after secretly overhearing officers meeting in her home, risking her safety to walk miles through snow under the pretense of getting flour so she could pass the message to Patriot contacts. Her intelligence reached George Washington in time to prepare for the assault at Whitemarsh, saving countless lives and earning her a place among Revolutionary-era heroes. Despite differing versions of exactly how her message was delivered, her courage remained unquestioned, and she continued supporting her family until her death in 1789. Lydia’s quiet bravery reminds us that doing what is right often requires risk, conscience, and courage, inviting us to “dare to do right” in our own choices in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/lydia-daragh-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

King Camp Gillette revolutionized shaving when he patented his razor with disposable blades in 1901, a breakthrough inspired by his experience as a traveling salesman and advice to “invent something people use and throw away.” After years of difficulty creating thin, hardened steel, inventor William Nickerson helped produce the first successful Gillette safety razor, which quickly spread nationwide—especially after the U.S. military issued millions of razors during World War I. Though Gillette also promoted bold utopian ideas and pursued other inventions throughout his life, his greatest legacy was innovation that transformed daily living. His story encourages us to be inventive and proactive, echoing Elder M. Russell Ballard’s reminder that the Lord expects us to act, create, and solve problems with inspiration in His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/gillette-razor-5

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.