Knights of Pythias
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The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society[1] founded at Washington, DC on 19 February 1864.
The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress (approved May 5, 1870 [16 Stat. at L. 98, chap. 80]). It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor and friendship that are central to the order.
The order has over two-thousand lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000 in 2003.
The order's ladies' auxiliary is the Pythian Sisters. An associated organization is the less-serious Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan.
The Knights of Pythias sponsors two youth organizations: the Pythian Sunshine Girls and the Junior Order, Knights of Pythias for boys.
According to the web site, membership requires "belief in a personal Supreme Being".
Degrees of Pythian Knighthood in the subordinate lodge (or Castle) are 1 Page 2 Esquire 3 Knight
[edit] Famous Pythian Knights
- Hugo Black, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
- William Jennings Bryan - U.S. Senator from Nebraska [2]
- Warren G. Harding - U.S. President [3]
- Hubert Horatio Humphrey - U.S. Vice President [4]
- William McKinley - U.S. President [5]
- Nelson A. Rockefeller - U.S. Vice President [5]
- Franklin D. Roosevelt - U.S. President [5]
- Sun Ra - jazz musician, composer & band leader
- Lew Wallace - general, author, diplomat [6]
- Charles Schumer- U.S. Senator
- Robert Byrd- U.S. Senator
- Anthony Weiner- U.S. Congressman
- Peter T. King- U.S. Congressman
[edit] References
- ^ Carnahan, James R. Pythian Knighthood: Its History and Literature, 2nd Ed, Revised and Enlarged. The Pettibone Manufacturing Company, Fraternity Publishers, Cincinnati, 1892.
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, Nebraska
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, California
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, Minnesota
- ^ a b c The Political Graveyard: Knights of Pythias, politicians, New York
- ^ Crawfordsville Saturday Evening Journal, June 19, 1875
[edit] External links
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