“The year 1776, celebrated as the birth year of the nation and for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was for those who carried the fight for independence forward a year of all-too-few victories, of sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear, as they would never forget, but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country, and that, too, they would never forget.” – 1776
244 years ago, today, the Second Continental Congress, representing the thirteen colonies, ended its association with King George by declaring its sovereignty from British rule. Though still in the midst of the American Revolution, this Declaration of Independence signaled their commitment to becoming a new nation. The additional taxes that had been levied on the colonist were seen as a dangerous precedent of increasing governmental power. And having grown accustomed to their independent lives, these New World settlers picked up their muskets and fought, to secure their own freedom. And in time, their new nation would become a beacon of liberty for the entire world.
The eventual reward for their great courage became the American experiment in self-government. America would be the first country formed on the shared belief in liberty and equality. The Constitution created a limited government to protect individual rights, a foundation of a free society. The Founders believed that we were endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And that these rights cannot be taken away by any person, any collective, or any legislative body. That is, we are each independent, free, and sovereign entities.
Our Founders had an abiding faith in Providence and often felt the hand of God on their side. In the first and largest battle after the colonies declared their independence, the troops suffered a horrific loss in Brooklyn Heights, after being surprised by a British attack from behind. Nearly 3,000 were lost or injured. Worse, another 9,000 American troops were trapped, a certain defeat for our rebel army. Yet, Washington had a plan. He devised a surprise evacuation of all the troops, horses, supplies, and artillery across the East River into Manhattan, all overnight. By morning light, however, half the troops were still in danger. When miraculously, a fog settled in and remained until the last boat, which carried Washington himself, made its way safely across the river. An hour later, the fog completely lifted, leaving the British gobsmacked.
In David McCullough’s 2005 book, “1776”, McCullough relives the battle for the independence of the thirteen colonies against Great Britain and King George, leading to the Declaration of Independence and resulting in the establishment of the United States of America. McCullough tells the story of the plight of General George Washington and his men as they circled the countryside from battle to battle to conquer the King’s army. Washington, dubbed the “Father of our Country”, would show his valor as he led a small, untrained cadre of soldiers against the professional redcoats of Britain. Obvious underdogs, this motley assortment of craftsmen and farmers, overcame enormous odds to lead America to victory.
During the book’s promotion in 2005, McCullough addressed the Union League Club by responding to a question about the media’s perception of George Washington then and now. He said, in part, “It’s not just that they paint everyone in public life warts and all, it’s that they paint everyone in public life as if they were all warts.” The fact that Washington held many slaves at the same time he was fighting for independence is certainly conflicting. But there were many extenuating circumstances. Washington was raised in a very wealthy home with slaves at a time when no one questioned slavery. It was only when our Founders started drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution that they reconciled that slavery must end and then made many attempts to do so.
Yet, all these years later, a mob in Portland, Oregon would encircle the statue of George Washington, our nation’s first President, before setting it aflame and knocking it to the ground. A new generation of youth, ignorant of history and drunk with power, destroying and demonizing America as if it were sport.
As our history is slowly being erased and rewritten, it’s time to remember the sacrifice of our founding ancestors. Those who risked so much for our benefit should never be forgotten. George Washington, during the tumult of war, responded to a distressed General: “Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country if this is not?” It’s not a bad question, to ask ourselves today!
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