What is so important about America's Independence Day?
As American citizens, we are responsible to remember and to educate.
“A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.”
Woodrow Wilson
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
Ronald Reagan
Woodrow Wilson
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
Ronald Reagan
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Independence Day - July 4th
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Listen to the reading of
the Declaration of Independence by Max McLean. |
The Fourth of July,
or Independence Day, is a federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. "Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the American people. The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and the Continental philosophers. What Jefferson did was to summarize this philosophy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and the mother country. We invite you to read a transcription of the complete text of the Declaration." http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html |
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This short clip shows an excerpt from the HBO miniseries of John Adams. The scenes prior to this set the tone for a highly charged and emotional, yet dignified, meeting of the delegates for the Second Continental Congress. They are about to vote on the Declaration of Independence.
John Adams was chosen to represent Massachusetts in the First and, later, the Second Continental Congress, in 1775. During that time he nominated Washington to be commander-in-chief on the colonial armies. |
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"Adams was a very active member of congress, he was engaged by as many as ninety committees and chaired twenty-five during the second Continental Congress. In May of 1776, he offered a resolution that amounted to a declaration of independence from Gr. Britain. He was shortly thereafter a fierce advocate for the Declaration drafted by Thos. Jefferson."
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/adams_j.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/adams_j.htm
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The following was a speech originally written by Rush H.Limbaugh, Jr. His son Rush Limbaugh put the speech onto his website for all to read. This will enrich the meaning of the holiday with deep and lasting significance.
The Americans Who Risked Everything is about the lives of the 56 signers on the Declaration of Independence. http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/pages/static/my_father_s_speech This excerpt of Senator Ted Cruz reading The Americans Who Risked Everything lasts only 6 minutes and covers just a part of the speech. Hopefully, you will find it interesting enough to read it on your own as well as to friends and family. |
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"David Barton is the Founder and President of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage. David's son, Tim, joined the WallBuilders to expand the teaching responsibilities. WallBuilders is a name taken from the Old Testament writings of Nehemiah, who led a grassroots movement to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its strength and honor. In the same way, WallBuilders seeks to energize the grassroots today to become involved in strengthening their communities, states, and nation. David Barton is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library of tens of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year. |
President Ronald Reagan said, “We've got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom – freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. Freedom is special and rare. It's fragile; it needs protection....
An informed patriotism is what we want. And are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?... So, we've got to teach history based not on what's in fashion but what's important-why the Pilgrims came here, who Jimmy Doolittle was, and what those 30 seconds over Tokyo meant...If we forget what we did, we won't know who we are. I'm warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit. Let's start with some basics: more attention to American history and a greater emphasis on civic ritual. And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let 'em know and nail 'em on it. That would be a very American thing to do." |
His exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues and he serves as a consultant to state and federal legislators, has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court, was involved in the development of the History/Social Studies standards for states such as Texas and California, and has helped produce history textbooks now used in schools across the nation.
A national news organization has described him as "America's historian," and Time Magazine called him "a hero to millions - including some powerful politicians. In fact, Time Magazine named him as one of America's 25 most influential evangelicals."
A national news organization has described him as "America's historian," and Time Magazine called him "a hero to millions - including some powerful politicians. In fact, Time Magazine named him as one of America's 25 most influential evangelicals."
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Fun ideas on these sites for
Independence Day. |
From the mini-series,
"America, the Story of US" 
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Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey The Day Independence Came A radio drama presentation, "The Day Independence Came", http://www.whitsend.org/en/albums/02-the-wildest-summer-ever/033-the-day-independence-came.aspx Lesson/Theme: American history; freedom; our Christian heritage. Bible Verse: Proverbs 28:16; Acts 5:29; 2 Corinthians 3:17 Description: Irwin Springer a middle schooler interested in history takes a wild journey back to the American Revolution, where he meets the men who shaped the United States. Download on MP3 or iTunes Picture used with permission from Focus on the Family. |
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" Anything that refreshes you |
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