Yesterday was March 13th, Friday the 13th.

Yesterday was March 13th – Friday the 13th – 2015. This is, I believe, the 708th Anniversary of the day the attempt to destroy the Templar Order was begun by oeder of King Philip the Fair of France. The article below is from the San Diego Herald of June 5, 1851 and reproduces a short piece commemorating the end of Jacque De Molay at the pyre in 1314.

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Five hundred and thirty-eight years have passed since the last Grand Master of the Knights Templers, Jacques Molay, was burned alive at Paris, upon the little island above the city, near the place where now stands the statue of Henry the Fourth, upon the Point Neuf. Despite the persecution, the society of Templars has continued to exist, from age to age, even to our day. It has lately had its annual celebration at Paris, when several new members were admitted.

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I find it noteworthy that the above piece was published two weeks before the first formal announcement of anything of Masonic interest in San Diego. This first notice was from the San Diego Herald, June 19, 1851 and is reproduced below.

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Masonic.—All Master Masons, in good standing with their respective lodges, are requested to assemble at the Exchange Hotel, in the City of San Diego, on Friday evening, the 20th inst., to make arrangements for celebrating the anniversary of our patron saint, John the Baptist.

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