The American Creed
I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people and 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. William Tyler Page-1868-1942
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Preamble to the
Declaration of Independence:
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature’s God entitled them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to be separate.
We hold these truths to be self evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
July 4, 1876
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The United States is the only country with a known birthday. James G. Blaine-1830-1893
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Our fathers fought for liberty,
They struggled long and well,
History of their deeds can tell–
But, ourselves must set us free.
James Russell Lowell-1819-1891
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There is no freedom on earth or in any star that for those who deny freedom to others.
Elbert Hubbard- 1859-1915
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On January 1, 1776, George Washington announced the formal existence of the Continental Army. A huge ceremony was staged to mark the occasion on Prospect Hill in Somerville, Massachusetts, and Washington ordered a flag hoisted to the top of a 76-ft flagpole.
The flag that flew that day consisted of 13 alternating red and white stripes, with the British Union Jack as its canton (the design in the top left corner). The stripes represented the colonies, united in their struggle against tyranny. The Union Jack signified their loyalty to the ideals of the British constitution and the colonists? hope for reconciliation with England. The flag was known as the Grand Union Flag and would serve as the official flag of the Continental Army until the signing of the Declaration of Independence that summer.
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The Star Spangled Banner
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming –
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming!
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Francis Scott Key-1779-1843
Happy birthday, America