Did you know that before the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the heroically foiled 3rd target,  in Columbus, New Mexico on March 9th, 1916 was the previous date foreign terrorists crossed our borders and invaded the continental United States killing innocent civilians and burning down nearly half the town? It's true, and truth being stranger than fiction, the historical March 9th 1916 attack took place on the exact spot which is now the crossroads of New Mexico State Highways 9 and 11.

In Columbus, New Mexico on March 9, 1916 Camp Furlong was the headquarters of the 13th U.S. Cavalry under command of Colonel H. J. Slocum. The 13th Cavalry was stretched along the border on outpost duty from Noria to Hermanas on the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad. At least three troops were present during the raid on Columbus, New Mexico by Pancho Villa and his "Villistas". The hero of the day was Lt. Lucas of the machine gun troop, who while barefoot, set up machine guns in the main area of the town and directed heavy fire against the raiders. His actions inflicted numerous casualties on Villa's Forces and caused them to retreat back into Mexico.

Almost overnight the camp became a large military installation for protection from other raids and in preparation for a punitive expedition into Mexico to be led by General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing.

The 1916 Punitive Expedition made Columbus, New Mexico one of the most significant military historical sites in America. Among the long list of historical happenings are:

• The Last Ride of the Cavalry in military use.
• The birth place of the U.S. Air force with the 1st Aero Squadron being moved to Columbus and becoming the first Air Force contingency to be used in a foreign campaign.
• The first military use of Tanks under the command of young Lieut. George S. Patton

The Hidden History About The Statue Of Liberty

Pastor Joe Cortes of Faith Cometh By Hearing ministries takes us on a fascinating journey through the many told origins of the Statue of Liberty. Yes, the official story has been changed several times. The story we're taught in school is not even close. Sit back and be amazed at the truth of Lady Liberty.

Pastor Joe Cortes entire video library can be found in the Teaching Center on his website at www.teachingfaith.com

Design evolution

The original design went through significant changes after the Durst Organization joined the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as the co-developer of the project in 2010.

Height comparison of major skyscrapers in New York City, with One World Trade Center shown at far left. The North Tower of WTC was 1,727 ft (526.3 m) The 185-foot (56 m) tall base corners were originally designed to gently slope upward, and have prismatic glass.

One World Trade Center
Alternative names	1 WTC Freedom Tower (pre-2009)[1]
Record height
Tallest in North America since 2013[I]
Preceded by	Willis Tower
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Office Observation Communication
Architectural style	Contemporary modern
Location	285 Fulton Street Manhattan, New York City
Coordinates	40°42′46.8″N 74°0′48.6″W
Construction started	April 27, 2006
Topped-out	May 10, 2013[2]
Opened	November 3, 2014[3][4] May 29, 2015 (One World Observatory)[5]
Cost	US$3.9 billiona [6][7]
Height
Architectural	1,776 ft (541.3 m)[8][9]
Tip	1,792 ft (546.2 m)[8]
Roof	1,368 ft (417.0 m)[10]
Top floor	1,268 ft (386.5 m)[8]
Observatory	1,254 ft (382.2 m)[8]
Technical details
Floor count	94 (+5 below ground floors)[8][11]
Floor area	3,501,274 sq ft (325,279 m2)[8]
Lifts/elevators	73,[8] made by ThyssenKrupp.[12]
Design and construction
Architect	David Childsb Daniel Libeskind (2002)[13]
Developer	Port Authority of New York and New Jersey[8]
Structural engineer	WSP Cantor Seinuk
Other designers	Hill International, The Louis Berger Group[14]
Main contractor	Tishman Construction
References
[8][15]
a. April 2012 estimate. b. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The corners were later squared. In addition, the base's walls are now covered in "hundreds of pairs of 13-foot vertical glass fins set against horizontal bands of eight-inch-wide stainless-steel slats."

The spire was originally to be enclosed with a protective radome, described as a "sculptural sheath of interlocking fiberglass panels". However, the radome-enclosed spire was changed to a plain antenna. Douglas Durst, the chairman of the Durst Organization, stated that the design change would save $20 million. However, the tower's architect, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, strongly criticized the change. David Childs, the lead designer, said, "Eliminating this integral part of the building's design and leaving an exposed antenna and equipment is unfortunate...We stand ready to work with the Port on an alternate design." After joining the project in 2010, the Durst Organization had suggested eliminating the radome to reduce costs, but the proposal was rejected by the Port Authority's then-executive director, Christopher O. Ward. Ward was replaced by Patrick Foye in September 2011. Foye changed the Port Authority's position, and the radome was removed from the plans. In 2012, Douglas Durst gave a statement regarding the final decision: "(the antenna) is going to be mounted on the building over the summer. There's no way to do anything at this point."

The large triangular plaza on the west side of One World Trade Center, facing the Hudson River, was originally planned to have stainless steel steps descending to the street. However, the steps were changed to a terrace in the final design. The terrace can be accessed through a staircase on Vesey Street. The terrace is paved in granite, and has 12 sweetgum trees, in addition to a block-long planter/bench.

Durst also removed a skylight from the plaza's plans; the skylight was designed to allow natural light to enter the below-ground observation deck lobby.[128] The plaza is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) higher than the adjacent sidewalk.

The Port Authority formally approved all these revisions, and the revisions were first reported by the New York Post. Patrick Foye, the executive director of the Port Authority, said that he thought that the changes were "few and minor" in a telephone interview.

A contract negotiated between the Port Authority and the Durst Organization states that the Durst Organization will receive a $15 million fee and a percentage of "base building changes that result in net economic benefit to the project." The specifics of the signed contract give Durst 75 percent of the savings, up to $24 million, with further returns going down to 50 percent, 25 percent and 15 percent as the savings increase.

Click here to read entire Wiki article