On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence at once became the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Thomas 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.
At the time the 13 colonies were set on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation the population was 2.5 million. Today the population of the United States of America is 313.9 million.
As always, this most American of holidays will be celebrated by citizens with parades, fireworks and barbecues all across the country.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY FROM ALL OF US AT NATIONAL WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN!
Showing posts with label continental congress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label continental congress. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
America's Economic Independence Begins 1776
On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress took the first step toward American independence by announcing their decision to open all American ports to international trade with any part of the world that was not under British rule.
It was the first act of independence by the Continental Congress that had so openly and publicly rejected the American Prohibitory Act passed by the British parliament in December 1775. The act was designed to punish the American colonies for the rebellion against the King and British rule, which had begun with the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775 by banning all British trade with America. It was, in essence, a declaration of economic warfare by Great Britain. For its part, the Continental Congress' decision to open all ports to any country but those ruled by Britain constituted America's declaration of economic independence.
It was the first act of independence by the Continental Congress that had so openly and publicly rejected the American Prohibitory Act passed by the British parliament in December 1775. The act was designed to punish the American colonies for the rebellion against the King and British rule, which had begun with the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775 by banning all British trade with America. It was, in essence, a declaration of economic warfare by Great Britain. For its part, the Continental Congress' decision to open all ports to any country but those ruled by Britain constituted America's declaration of economic independence.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
George Clymer - Founding Father
George Clymer was a man of wealth who literally risked his fortune on the revolution by exchanging his hard coin monies for the shaky Continental currency. During the capture of Philadelphia his home was plundered and destroyed by the British
Clymer signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. A man of unusual intellectual curiosity, he also served as an officer of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. He was one of the first to advocate complete independence from Britain, and was called upon by the Continental Congress to serve as the first treasurer for the United Colonies. He was given the almost impossible assignment of raising money to support the government's operations, chief of which was the new Continental Army.
In 1791, after a term in the First Congress, Clymer served as Federal Collector of the controversial tax on liquor which led to the Whiskey Rebellion. He concluded his career by negotiating an equitable peace treaty between the United States and the Creek Tribe in Georgia.
Clymer signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. A man of unusual intellectual curiosity, he also served as an officer of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. He was one of the first to advocate complete independence from Britain, and was called upon by the Continental Congress to serve as the first treasurer for the United Colonies. He was given the almost impossible assignment of raising money to support the government's operations, chief of which was the new Continental Army.
In 1791, after a term in the First Congress, Clymer served as Federal Collector of the controversial tax on liquor which led to the Whiskey Rebellion. He concluded his career by negotiating an equitable peace treaty between the United States and the Creek Tribe in Georgia.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Nov. 10, 1775 - Birth of The United States Marine Corps
During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that "two battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces for the recently formed Continental Navy. The resolution, drafted by future U.S. President John Adams and adopted in Philadelphia on November 10, 1775 is now observed as the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Serving on land and at sea, the original U.S. Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations during the Revolutionary War. The first Marine landing on a hostile shore occurred when a force of Marines under Captain Samuel Nicholas captured New Province Island in the Bahamas from the British in March 1776. Nicholas was the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and is celebrated as the first Marine commandant.
Serving on land and at sea, the original U.S. Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations during the Revolutionary War. The first Marine landing on a hostile shore occurred when a force of Marines under Captain Samuel Nicholas captured New Province Island in the Bahamas from the British in March 1776. Nicholas was the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and is celebrated as the first Marine commandant.
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