Here at American Adventurist we believe that it is important to know, and honor, our history as Americans.
"I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
- Accepted by the United States House of Representatives on 3 April 1918
Our rights as Americans are protected by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the documents that founded this Country. On this July 4th, it is vital that we reacquaint ourselves with these two historic documents so we might "form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty".
Our independence, freedom, and the birth of our Country were not easily gained. On April 18th, 1775, General Gage, the Commander in Chief of the British Army in America sent soldiers to confiscate arms from rebels in Concord Massachusetts. The rebels were warned by Paul Revere and other patriots who rode out ahead of the British. As the colonists gathered to defend themselves at nearby Lexington, the first battle of the American Revolution was fought on April 19, 1775.
In response, the Second Continental Congress met on May 10th, 1775 and appointed George Washington as the leader of the Continental Army.
On June 7th, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, proposed the motion that "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and independent States."
On June 11th, 1776, Congress chose a committee to prepare the Declaration of Independence, consisting of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and the person who was tasked with writing the document itself, Thomas Jefferson.
When the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, the American Colonies had already been at war with Great Britain for more than a year. With the declaration, the meaning of that war subtly changed. What began as a resistance to unjust acts by the British Government now became a war of Independence. The Colonies had united as one to form a new nation.
Signing the Declaration was an act of treason, and all the signers were risking their lives if the revolution had failed. In the final sentence in the Declaration, the signers offer their lives, their fortunes, and their honor in support of the Declaration.
And, after several years of fighting, which saw 79,000 Americans serving in uniform, and the loss of 25,000 American lives, our Nation achieved victory at the battle of Yorktown on 19 October 1781.
We all know the famous opening phrase of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this Continent a new Nation." The truth is different. In 1776, thirteen American Colonies only temporarily joined forces in order to defeat the British. Once victorious, after the treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd, 1783, they planned to go their separate ways, and lacking a strong central Government, things went from bad to worse. Thinking men soon realized something had to be done and in 1787, a convention was called in Philadelphia.
Instead of changing the existing Articles of Confederation, the delegates decided on a bold new plan, one that no other country had ever tried - to write up a Constitution setting up a federal government for the states.
On July 2nd, 1788, ten states had ratified it and the Constitution was adopted.
The rights afforded to us by the Constitution are often mentioned, and well known. But, how familiar are we with our responsibilities, as citizens? The word "citizen" is defined as, "a person who is legally recognized as a member of a state, with associated rights, and obligations." Just like with any membership, belonging to the United States brings responsibilities, as well as benefits. Some of these responsibilities include:
. To support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic
. To stay informed of the issues affecting your community
. To participate in the democratic process
. To respect and obey federal, state, and local laws
. To respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
. To participate in your local community
. To pay income and other taxes
. To serve on a jury when called
. And, to defend the Country should the need arise.
As Americans, each one of us plays a role in shaping the future of our nation.
Today, America faces challenges that are reflective of past struggles which shaped the lives of previous generations, our leaders, and our founding fathers.
America's future is in our hands.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!
"I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
- Accepted by the United States House of Representatives on 3 April 1918
Our rights as Americans are protected by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the documents that founded this Country. On this July 4th, it is vital that we reacquaint ourselves with these two historic documents so we might "form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty".
Our independence, freedom, and the birth of our Country were not easily gained. On April 18th, 1775, General Gage, the Commander in Chief of the British Army in America sent soldiers to confiscate arms from rebels in Concord Massachusetts. The rebels were warned by Paul Revere and other patriots who rode out ahead of the British. As the colonists gathered to defend themselves at nearby Lexington, the first battle of the American Revolution was fought on April 19, 1775.
In response, the Second Continental Congress met on May 10th, 1775 and appointed George Washington as the leader of the Continental Army.
On June 7th, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, proposed the motion that "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and independent States."
On June 11th, 1776, Congress chose a committee to prepare the Declaration of Independence, consisting of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and the person who was tasked with writing the document itself, Thomas Jefferson.
When the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776, the American Colonies had already been at war with Great Britain for more than a year. With the declaration, the meaning of that war subtly changed. What began as a resistance to unjust acts by the British Government now became a war of Independence. The Colonies had united as one to form a new nation.
Signing the Declaration was an act of treason, and all the signers were risking their lives if the revolution had failed. In the final sentence in the Declaration, the signers offer their lives, their fortunes, and their honor in support of the Declaration.
And, after several years of fighting, which saw 79,000 Americans serving in uniform, and the loss of 25,000 American lives, our Nation achieved victory at the battle of Yorktown on 19 October 1781.
We all know the famous opening phrase of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this Continent a new Nation." The truth is different. In 1776, thirteen American Colonies only temporarily joined forces in order to defeat the British. Once victorious, after the treaty of Paris was signed on September 3rd, 1783, they planned to go their separate ways, and lacking a strong central Government, things went from bad to worse. Thinking men soon realized something had to be done and in 1787, a convention was called in Philadelphia.
Instead of changing the existing Articles of Confederation, the delegates decided on a bold new plan, one that no other country had ever tried - to write up a Constitution setting up a federal government for the states.
On July 2nd, 1788, ten states had ratified it and the Constitution was adopted.
The rights afforded to us by the Constitution are often mentioned, and well known. But, how familiar are we with our responsibilities, as citizens? The word "citizen" is defined as, "a person who is legally recognized as a member of a state, with associated rights, and obligations." Just like with any membership, belonging to the United States brings responsibilities, as well as benefits. Some of these responsibilities include:
. To support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic
. To stay informed of the issues affecting your community
. To participate in the democratic process
. To respect and obey federal, state, and local laws
. To respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
. To participate in your local community
. To pay income and other taxes
. To serve on a jury when called
. And, to defend the Country should the need arise.
As Americans, each one of us plays a role in shaping the future of our nation.
Today, America faces challenges that are reflective of past struggles which shaped the lives of previous generations, our leaders, and our founding fathers.
America's future is in our hands.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!
