National Thomas Day – July 22, 2024

History of National Thomas Day

Thomas the Apostle is the earliest and most prominent bearer of this name in history. Also known as Didymus, Thomas was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus in the ‘New Testament.’ He is a central figure among Indian Christians, who believe that he traveled from Rome to Tamilakam (South India) to preach the gospel. Indian Christians view him as their patron saint. Thomas the Apostle is also known for doubting the resurrection of Christ until he saw the weeping wounds from His crucifixion. Saint Thomas Christians have a special place for his name in their hearts.

Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and third President of the United States, is someone we can look up to. During the American Revolution, Jefferson served as Virginia’s representative in the Continental Congress. In 1790, President George Washington appointed Jefferson as the nation’s first Secretary of State. During the creation of the First Party System, Jefferson and other like-minded leaders like James Madison founded the Democratic-Republican Party. Throughout his administration, he protected American shipping and trade interests against oppressive British trade regulations and Barbary pirates from North Africa while expelling native tribes from recently annexed lands at home. Additionally, Jefferson approved a statute that forbade the importing of slaves.

Last but not least is Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of, among other things, the light bulb, the automatic telegraph, the carbon telephone transmitter, and the phonograph. Edison grew up in the American Midwest, working as a telegraph operator, which sparked his imagination. Throughout his career, he collaborated with industry titans such as Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone to develop numerous inventions. Edison holds over 1,000 US patents and is often regarded as the greatest inventor in American history.