A little history lesson

From my friend Dave Kitterman, this about Hayim Solomon, who no one otherwise remembers:

On the rear of the one dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.
In the left-hand circle is a pyramid. Notice that the face is lighted and the western side is dark; this country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone is an all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. In God We Trust is, therefore, on this currency.
The Latin above the pyramid, Annuit Coeptis, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.' The Latin below the pyramid, Novus Ordo Seclorum, means, 'a new order has begun.' At the base of the pyramid is the Roman numeral for 1776: MDCCLXXVI
The right-hand circle, slightly modified, is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: first, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown; we had just broken from the King of England. Also, notice the shield is unsupported; this country can now stand on its own. At the top of the shield is a white bar signifying Congress, a unifying factor; we were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak is E Pluribus Unum meaning,'from many, one'. Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and the clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons: an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but will never be afraid to fight to preserve it. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch but, in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief; you will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this:
13 original colonies
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence
13 stripes on our flag
13 steps on the Pyramid
13 letters in, Annuit Coeptis
13 letters in E Pluribus Unum
13 stars above the Eagle
13 bars on that shield
13 leaves on the olive branch
13 fruits
and
13 arrows.

Finally, the 13 stars in the right-hand circle are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington after he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army. Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself, but would like something for his people; the Star of David was the result. Few people know it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions, but died a pauper.

Rico says now you know...