"We hold these truths to be self evident,
that all men are created equal."
~Thomas Jefferson

"I know not what course others may take, but as for me,
give me liberty or give me death."
~Patrick Henry

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES,
The movement for independence (1754-1783)

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from England and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream. The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations. We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday, America!

REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN AMERICA
The beginning of the war

Fighting broke out between American patriots and British soldiers in April 1775. The Americans in each colony were defended at first by the members of their citizen army, the militia. The militiamen came out to fight when the British neared their homes. The patriots soon established a regular military force known as the Continental Army. Britain depended chiefly on professional soldiers who had enlisted for long terms. The British soldiers were known as redcoats because they wore bright red jackets.

The patriots won several victories in New England and the Southern Colonies during the early months of the Revolutionary War. As the fighting spread, many Americans became convinced of the need to cut their ties with Great Britain. In July 1776, more than a year after the start of the Revolutionary War, the colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Religious and political reasons for coming to America Some of the colonists, beginning with the Pilgrims in 1620, came to the New World to create communities where they could worship in their own way. Throughout the colonial period, many groups headed for the colonies to escape persecution for their religious beliefs. Among those religious groups were Quakers and Roman Catholics from England, Huguenots from France, Moravians from Germany, and Jews from throughout Europe.

Liberty Bell

is a treasured relic of the early days of American independence. It was rung July 8, 1776, with other church bells, to announce the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Its inscription, "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," is from the Bible (Lev. 25:10).

The Liberty Bell weighs over 2,080 pounds (943 kilograms). The colonial province of Pennsylvania paid about $300 for it in 1752. Today the bell hangs in Liberty Bell Pavilion, just north of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The Liberty Bell was first cast in England. It broke in ringing after its arrival and was recast in Philadelphia from the same metal, with the same inscription, in 1753. The Liberty Bell rang at each successive anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration until 1835. The bell broke on July 8 that year, while being rung during the funeral of John Marshall, chief justice of the United States. It became known as the Liberty Bell about 1839, when abolitionists began to refer to it that way. Previously, the bell had been called the Old State House Bell.

The Liberty Bell is no longer rung, but it has been struck on special occasions. On June 6, 1944, when Allied forces landed in France, Philadelphia officials struck the bell. Sound equipment broadcast the tone to all parts of the nation. Independence Hall was the permanent residence of the bell from 1753 until Jan. 1, 1976, when it was moved to the pavilion.

Read about the Liberty Bell

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
Click here

The Constitution of the United States of America
Historical Documents
Click here

Historical Documents
Click here

American Memory at the Library of Congress
Click here

Interesting information about the Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence is the historic document in which the American Colonies declared their freedom from Britain. The Second Continental Congress, a meeting of delegates from the colonies, adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. This date has been celebrated ever since as the birthday of the United States.

The Declaration of Independence eloquently expressed the colonies' reasons for proclaiming their freedom. The document blamed the British government for many abuses. However, it also stated that all people have certain rights, including the right to change or overthrow any government that denies them their rights. The ideas expressed so majestically in the Declaration have long inspired freedom-loving people throughout the world.

As the fighting intensified, hopes of reconciliation with Britain faded. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution to the Second Continental Congress stating that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States ..." After several days of debate, the Congress appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence. The committee gave the task to Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, who completed the work in about two weeks. Two other members, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and John Adams of Massachusetts, made a few minor changes.

When was the Adoption of the Declaration?
On July 2, the Congress approved the Lee resolution. The delegates then began to debate Jefferson's draft. A few passages, including one condemning King George for encouraging the slave trade, were removed. Most other changes dealt with style. On July 4, the Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Who were the first two signers of the Declaration?
The Declaration was signed by John Hancock as president of the Second Continental Congress and by Charles Thomson, the Congress's secretary. It was promptly printed and read to a large crowd in the State House yard on July 8. On July 19, the Congress ordered the Declaration to be engrossed (written in stylish script) on parchment. It also ordered that all its members sign the engrossed copy. Eventually, 56 members signed.

Where is the original Declaration of Independence?
The original parchment copy of the Declaration is housed in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. It is displayed with two other historic American documents--the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

What should we do as Christians and Americans ?

 

*Pray for your leaders (politicians)

*Become an educated and informed American Citizen

*Vote in all the elections

*Make your voice and opinions known

*Call, fax and email your elected officials to make your concerns on the issues known

*Register to vote if you haven't already

 

MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord..He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored...He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword...His truth is marching on....Glory! Glory..hallelujah!!! Glory! Glory...hallelujah!!!! Glory! glory..hallelujah!!! OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON.....
In the beauty of the lillies...Christ was born across the sea..With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me....As HE DIED TO MAKE MEN HOLY......Let us die to make men free...While GOD IS MARCHING ON......

GLORY.......GLORY......HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! GLORY......GLORY....HALLELUJAH!!!!! GLORY.....GLORY....HALLELUJAH.......OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON!!!!!

 

 

Uncle Sam: Uncle Sam is a figure that symbolizes the United States. The term originated as an unfriendly nickname for the U.S. government during the War of 1812.

The term "Uncle Sam" was used as early as 1813. In that year, a Troy, N.Y., newspaper stated that it apparently had arisen because of the initials "U.S." on government wagons. In 1816, the nickname appeared in a book title, The Adventures of Uncle Sam. It was later asserted that the term had its origin in a specific person--Samuel "Uncle Sam" Wilson of Troy, N.Y., who supplied the army with "U.S."-stamped barrels of provisions. The costume of Uncle Sam, decorated with stars and stripes, originated in cartoons of the 1830's and 1840's. But the figure did not assume its present form until after the Civil War (1861-1865). In 1961, Congress passed a resolution saluting Samuel Wilson as the person who inspired America's national symbol.

 

 

 

 

• The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Our Flag

As red as a fire,
As blue as the sky,
As white as the snow--
See our flag fly!
Three pretty colors
Wave at the sky,
Red, white and blue
On the Fourth of July!
Red, white and blue
Those colors are,
And every state has its very own star.
Hold up the flag
Hold it up high,
And then say, "Hurrah,
For the Fourth of July!"

Evolution of the Flag

 

• On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
• Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
• Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state.
• Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.
• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

•  

• Flags Facts and Timeline

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So, while we celebrate this year.. As we hold our love one's close, we begin celebrating our Nations' 223rd Birthday, rememering to give Thanks for having the Freedom to do as we want. In return for this, take a moment to remember the Fathers, Mothers, Husbands, Wives, Sons and Daughters,
Who are not here to help celebrate but making sure that WE remain free.

Please keep in your PRAYERS

Name: Michael George Hoff
Rank/Branch: O4/US Navy
Unit: Attack Squadron 86 "Sidewinders", USS CORAL SEA
Date of Birth: 11 September 1936 (Baker OR)
Home City of Record: LaGrande OR (resided in Orange Park FL
Date of Loss: 07 January 1970
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 164300N 1055100E (XD158627)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A7A

 

Name: Thomas Earl Dunlop
Rank/Branch: O5/US Navy
Unit: Attack Squadron 22, USS CORAL SEA
Date of Birth: 10 July 1930
Home City of Record: Neptune Beach FL
Date of Loss: 06 April 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam

Loss Coordinates: 172300N 1063800E (XE735170)
Status (in 1973): Missing in Action
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A7E

 

Here are some Links for you to visit:

My Heart Was Touched 
Operation Just Cause
VietNam Veteran's Memorial Wall Page
Library of Congress
POW/MIA'a Their Voices Cannot Be Heard, But Ours Can!
Missing In Action
The Cat Page, We Have Not Forgotten
The Military Network
Arlington National Cemetery
MIA Related Sites
The Hatfield Group
Agent Orange Victims and Families Page
Veterans For A Change
POW/MIA Information Repository
Operation Just Cause Yellow Ribbon Campaign

 

Government Resources
The White House
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
Congressional Quarterly
The U.S. Library of Congress
U.S. Agencies

Here are some more Links for you to visit:
Send a 4th of July Postcard on the web
Fourth of July at Disney Animation
4th of July Page
American History for HomeSchoolers by Debbie
Awesome Cyber Greetings - Free 4th of July Greeting Cards
California 4th of July Fireworks Safety
Debbie's 4th of July Celebration
Declaration of Independence
Flag Picture Gallery ~ Look at the different flags that Americans have used through the years.
Fourth of July Celebration With Billy Bear
Good Housekeeping's: Etiquette for Picnics and Parties
Happy Birthday America
Heather's Happy Holidaze - 4th of July!
Holidays on Kate.net - 4th of July Page
Independence Day on the Net
Kidz July 4th Fun
Peggie's Place - "Free As A Bird?"
Real Liberty....The Fourth
The Mining Co. American History Page
The Star-Spangled Web Site
The World Famous Hot Dog Page
Uncle Sam Page
Visit the Betsy Ross Home Page