We
hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is
priceless. – Lech Walesa
We on this continent should never forget that
men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure
liberty for their souls. – Robert J. McCracken
Our
country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed
to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in
striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. – James Bryce
As
our country celebrates Independence Day on Thursday, it is a great time to
remember what we are celebrating.
What
actually occurred on July 4, 1776? One
might think that this is the day the Continental Congress voted to declare independence
from England, but that was actually July 2, 1776. One might think that it represents the day
the American Revolution began, but that was actually in April 1775. July 4th
represents the day that the Continental Congress approved the final wording for
the Declaration of Independence. And as
the author loves history, her research indicates that finalizing the wording
for the Declaration of Independence was not the easiest feat with 343 men from 13
states at the Continental Congress with differing opinions provided by the
different states represented.
When
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he had a vision of what
the United States would become:
We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal…
People
often wonder how Thomas Jefferson could have this vision for the United States
when he himself was a slave owner.
According to constitutioncenter.org, the Declaration of Independence was
“…an expression of an ideal”. The vision
did come to fruition years later and the United States is now “the perfect
embodiment of the American creed”.
We can all learn something from the founders and incorporate it
into our lives. The dreams and goals in
our life may seem like nothing compared to creating a free country. However, it is important to remember that we
live in a free country and we can work towards making our dreams a
reality.
I
believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the
opportunity to make those dreams come true. – Wendell L. Wilkie
CHALLENGE: Take time this week to read the Declaration of
Independence and remember what the original intent of our great country
was.
Resources
· https://www.bachelorandmaster.com/creationofknowledge/declaration-of-independence.html#.XRdspXdFzD4
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