4th of July

July 4th, or Independence Day, is a national holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This historic document declared the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britain, marking the birth of the United States of America. Adams and Franklin made the first revisions to the Declaration before the entire committee did so. The language was changed a total of 47 times before it was delivered to Congress on June 28. These changes included the addition of three full paragraphs. The Declaration of Independence consists of 47 sentences.

IN GOD WE TRUST

On July 30, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law P. L. 84-140, which made “In God We Trust” the nation’s official motto. The motto had appeared on coins since the Civil War era, but now it would also be printed on paper currency.

On March 31, 2011 The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 13) 112-47 reaffirming ‘‘In God We Trust’’
as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.

Click here to download the 147kb file from Congress.gov 😉

H. Rept. 112-47 – REAFFIRMING “IN GOD WE TRUST” AS THE OFFICIAL MOTTO OF THE UNITED STATES AND SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO IN ALL PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS

The United States of America is a great country because of our national motto. In God We Trust and in Jesus we believe!

Thomas Paine

On January 10, 1776, a 47 page pamphlet named “Common Sense” was published by Thomas Paine advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. This pamphlet helped inspired the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson born on April 13, 1743, was an American statesman, planter, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address was a speech given by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 which began by saying “Four score and seven years ago”. It refers to the 87 years that had passed since the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. “Score” is an old-fashioned term that means 20 years, so “four score and seven” is another way of saying 87 years. 

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell born on March 3, 1847, was Scottish-born Canadian-American inventor, scientist and engineer who is credited with patenting the first practical telephone. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885. Using his sound skills, he created the telephone and made the first call in 1876. He called Thomas Watson, his assistant, and said, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.” Graham’s inventions have allowed for communication to continue to expand.

Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison, born on February 11, 1847, was an American inventor and businessman. He is regarded as the most prolific inventor in American history. He developed many devices in fields such as electric power generation, mass communication, sound recording, and motion pictures. These inventions, which include the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and early versions of the electric light bulb, have had a widespread impact on the modern industrialized world. 

Henry Ford

Henry Ford was an American industrialist and business magnate. As the founder of the Ford Motor Company he is credited as a pioneer in making automobiles affordable for middle-class Americans. Ford was a conspiracy theorist who drew on a long tradition of false allegations against Jews. Ford claimed that Jewish internationalism posed a threat to traditional American values, which he deeply believed were at risk in the modern world. Henry Ford died on April 7, 1947

Paris Peace Treaties

The Paris Peace Treaties, signed in February 1947, marked the formal end of World War II for several Axis powers. ¹ These treaties were negotiated among the Allied powers (primarily the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France) and five former Axis states: Italy, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Finland.