“Because we Americans enjoyed a national beginning which we have come to regard as foundational, and not a mere temporal launching pad, we have the ability in times of trouble to think our way back to our origins, and take from them not only a well-deserved rebuke, but also a strong dose of inspiration and redirection.” - L&L
“This evening my church gathered with three other churches in the area to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Here are the remarks I prepared to open the time of thanksgiving, prayer, and singing.” - Andy Naselli
Address at the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 05, 1926
Calvin Coolidge: 30th President of the United States: 1923 – 1929
Fellow Countrymen:
“The event, titled “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,” is part of a series of events and initiatives designed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.” - RNS
“We trust the Holy Spirit, not the government, to produce change hearts and lives. Our deep commitment to this principle as a nation has even driven us to grant religious freedom to those who would take ours if given enough power.” - P&D
“This Fourth let’s remember the roots of our republic—the idea of liberty—which slowly spread to embrace every American in every walk of life. No one is promised equality of outcomes in their life. But everyone should cherish the promise that liberty provides as they pursue their vocations.” - Acton
Editor’s note: The full title of the speech below is “An oration, pronounced at Hanover, New-Hampshire, the 4th day of July, 1800; being the twenty-fourth anniversary of American independence.” The speaker is Daniel Webster, who was then a junior at the University of Dartmouth.
AN ORATION.
COUNTRYMEN, BRETHREN, AND FATHERS,
WE are now assembled to celebrate an anniversary, ever to be held in dear remembrance by the sons of freedom. Nothing less than the birth of a nation, nothing less than the emancipation of three millions of people, from the degrading chains of foreign dominion, is the event we commemorate.
“On the 4th of July, I’m always reminded of times I’ve traveled in countries where freedom is severely curtailed. Or where the people have been freshly freed from the chains of injustice, and the joy of their release was palpable.” - Church & Culture
“While I live in Israel today, I spent my childhood in the U.S., and I am proud to say that I am a citizen of both countries.” - CPost
From Democracy in America (De La Démocratie en Amérique) vol. I, by Alexis de Tocqueville, 1835.
It predominates over the whole of society in America — Application made of this principle by the Americans even before their Revolution — Development given to it by that Revolution — Gradual and irresistible extension of the elective qualification.
