Jordan Valley at Gilgal, which went dry as soon as the Ark of the Covenant reached the shore (). Yom HaAliyah (Aliyah Day, ) is an Israeli national holiday celebrated annually on the tenth of the Hebrew month of Nisan to commemorate the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the Land of Israel while carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Jordan River is revered by Christians as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Jesus' traditional baptism site has attracted pilgrims throughout history. During the last four decades pilgrimage facilities have been created at three different sites. With Al Maghtas
John Clarke (Baptist minister) more for his fellow man than he received." The First Baptist Church of Newport, a grammar school, and a merchant Liberty ship, the SS John Clarke, are named for Clarke. The science building at the University of Rhode Island was dedicated in his honor in 1963. A plaque on the wall of the Newport Historical Society reads: Erected by the Newport Medical Society December 1885 To John Clarke, Physician 1609–1676 Founder of Newport And of the Civil Polity of Rhode Island John Clarke was the fifth of seven known children born to Thomas and Rose Clarke, all born or baptized