4th of July, Happy Birthday America!

July 4th is the day to celebrate and reflect on the birth of our nation.

The founding Fathers wanted this nation to be independent and separate from Great Britain.  The decision by 56 of the 58 members of the Second Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence was not without struggles, challenges and risk of death.   Some names are easier to recognize than others but all were needed to give relevance and significance to this document and show unity. Some signatures have been colored by me to identify individuals mentioned below.

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The names and faces behind these signatures.

John Adams, 1735-1826

John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, the 2nd  President of the United States, Judge and Diplomat.  “It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.“

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Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790

Benjamin Franklin, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, diplomat, printer, scientist and Governor of Pennsylvania.  A quote from Benjamin Franklin on Christianity, “Whosoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.“

John Hart, 1711-1779

John Hart, signer of the Declartion of Independence, Judge and Lesgislator.  He was one of the men who became a target  of the British and was forced to flee from home and family.  His house, mill and crops destroyed.  After the long hardship of being on the run for over a year his health deteriorated and he never fully recovered. { continue …}

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Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826

Thomas Jefferson, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd President of the United States, Secretary of State, Diplomat and Governor of Virginia.  Thomas Jefferson’s well know phrase, ‘Separation of Church and State‘ was taken from letters written to the Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut .  It was not written in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution as many people have assumed.

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Thomas McKean, 1734-1817

Thomas McKean, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of Congress Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Governor of Pennsylvania and Governor of Delaware.  The following is an excerpt of a Proclamation for  a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer issued by  Thomas McKean, November 19, 1781:
“It is therefore recommended to the several states to set apart the THIRTEENTH day of DECEMBER next, to be religiously observed as a day of THANKSGIVING and PRAYER; that all the people may assemble on that day with grateful hearts to celebrate the praises of our glorious Benefactor, to confess our manifold sins, to offer up our most fervent supplications to the God of all grace that it may please Him to pardon our offense, and incline our hearts for the future, to keep all His laws, to comfort and relieve all our brethren who are in distress or captivity, to prosper our husbandmen, and give strength to all engaged in lawful commerce; to impart wisdom and integrity to our counselors, judgment and fortitude to our officers and soldiers; to protect and prosper our illustrious ally and favor our united exertions for the speedy establishment of a safe, honorable, and lasting peace, to bless our seminaries of learning, and cause the knowledge of God to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.”   {continue  …}

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Benjamin Rush, 1746-1813

Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, Treasurer of the U.S Mint and the ‘Father’ of public schools and American medicine. Quotes from Benjamin Rush regarding the Constitution,
“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.”
and the Bible,
“The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life… [T]he Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.“

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Oliver Wolcott, Sr. 1726-1797

 Oliver Wolcott, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, military General, and the Governor of Connecticut.  In a letter Oliver Wolcott stated, “It is most evident that this land is under the protection of the Almighty, and that we shall be saved not by our wisdom nor by our might, but by the Lord of Host Who is wonderful in counsel and Almighty in all His operations.“

Summer History Movie for the Family

The HBO 2008 mini series,  John Adams is one of our family favorite history series to watch. I can’t say that our kids were excited  to sit and watch history, but by the time part 1 ended, their interests heighten and were eger to continue  to part 2.  There were a few small parts that we decided to skip for the kids, but overall they watched everything else.  Bringing history of our nation to the next generation will help them to understand, appreciate and celebrate this day with pride and joy.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July celebration!

Thank you God for this great nation.

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images/sources:  Declaration of Independence signatures  ⎜ History.com  ⎜  John Adams:  Wikipedia, Wall Builders   ⎜  Benjamin Franklin:  Wikipedia, Wall Builders  ⎜ John Hart:  Wall Builders  ⎜  Thomas Jefferson:  Wall Builders, Wikipedia   ⎜ Thomas McKean:  Wikipedia,  Wall Builders  ⎜  Benjamin Rush:  Wikipedia, Wall Builders   ⎜  Oliver Wolcott:  Find a Grave, Wall Builders, US history

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posted by: Bill & Kay