We will be adding new information to this page regularly, so check back often for new and interesting facts about America's founding!

2010 March Update

How did "Chester" influence the Revolution?

• "Chester" was a hymn, adapted by William Billings in the late 1770's.  He was a church composer and the hymn became the song of the American Revolution
• the first verse:  "Let tyrants shake their iron rod, And slavery clank her galling chains,  We fear them not we trust in God, New England's God forever reigns." 

Why did the Virginia House of Burgesses propose and approve a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer?

The date was May 24, 1773.  It was their sympathetic response to their friends in Massachusettes:  "the dangers of a British America" became quite clear by the British naval blockade of the port of Boston.  And the reason for the blockade? . . . England's response to the Boston Tea Party!

What were the top two selling books in America in colonial America?

The Bible was of course number one.  Number two was The New England Primer which taught the ABC's using biblical truths and concepts such as, A = In Adam's fall, we sinned all.  B = Heaven to find, the Bible Mind. etc.)

What were the reasons for separating from England?

There are 27 "legal reasons" listed in the Declaration of Independence.  But the founders viewed those reasons only as a part of a much bigger issue - the plan to take away their religious liberties by establishing a national church, just like the Church of England from which they had escaped!

2010 February Update

Which founding father was known as"Mr M"?

• James Madison. 
• During the Constitutional Convention he kept very thorough notes with his own method of shorthand.  Not until 30 years after the convention did people realize he had such a complete set of notes, more thorough than those of the congressional secretary.  Via those notes the true record of the Constitutional Convention has been preserved for posterity
• Oh, incidentally, Mr. M . . . was referring to himself!

Where did the colonial soldiers find maps and plans to capture the fort at West Point?

They were hidden in the boot of John Andre'. He was a Major in the British army who secretly passed notes back and forth with an American traitor named . . . Benedict Arnold.

 What was the turning point of the War for Independence?

• Although there were several key events it was probably the Battle of Saratoga. 
• When Gen Burgoyne surrendered on Octtober 17,1777 the British plans to capture and destroy the colonists Northern forces were defeated.  More than one third of the British force in America had surrendered. 
• American patriotism exploded.  Many militia joined the Continental army.
• Even in England people began to support American Independence and in France the king of France pledged aid to help defeat the British.
• Yes, the tide had turned!

Who wrote "Summary View of the Rights of British America", was the first Secretary of State and the second Vice President?

Thomas Jefferson

What building, whose cornerstone was laid in 1792, was the first to be constructed in our nation's capitol?

• The White House
• The cornerstone was laid during George Washington's presidency but the house  was not completed until near the end of the term of our second president, John Adams.

2010 January Update

What did Congress and George Washington do together after Washington's inaugural address?

They went to church together!!  (Oh my goodness.)

How did the Rev. Jonas Clarks' congregation contribute to America's founding?

• Believe it or not the first shots of the war were fired at Lexington Green, which was his church lawn!
• The minute men who fought the British that morning April 19, 1775 outside his church were actually members of his congregation.
• Not only did he promote the cause of liberty from his pulpit, he helped train the minute men.
• The ride of Paul Revere and the Battle of Lexington led Rev. Jonas to say, "From this day will be dated the liberty of the world." 

Which famous American historical document recognized "religion, morality and knowledge" as necessary for good government?

• The Northwest Ordinance.
• It was passed by the first Congress under the Constitution, which I think demonstrates the Christian character of our founders.
• And would you believe, the Ordinance said those three should actually be taught in the schools?

Why was the battle at Yorktown, Virginia significant?

It was the last battle of the Revolutionary War.  It was fought in October 1781, six plus years after the first shots of the war were fired at Lexington.  Gen. Cornwallis' battle plans at Yorktown were destroyed thanks to a storm sent from God.  As George Washington had the British surrender their weapons, Cornwallis signed a peace treaty.  The war was over!

December 2009 Update

Was there a definite number of "Founding Fathers"?

No.  Those who signed several key documents such as the Constitution and the Declaration of independence are usually considered as such.  But others like John Marshall and Patrick Henry and George Mason, who did not sign either document, contributed immensely to the founding of this country.  Generally, 240-250 "Founding Fathers" are usually identified.

Can you name the two "unusual signatures" on the Declaration of Independence?

• John Hancock - his signature was very big, "...so even King George could read it...."
• Charles Carroll - because he added "of Carrollton" after his signature, making him the only signer to reveal where he could be found.

Who was the first chaplain for the Congress?

Rev. Jacob Duche.  He received a letter dated July 8, 1776 and signed by John Hancock, which confirmed that appointment.  It was another Godly contribution from our founding fathers.

Did Thomas Mc Kean impact our Declaration of Independence?

Absolutely.  There were three Delaware delegates to the Continental Congress.  George Read was opposed to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Caesar Rodney was in favor.  Thomas McKean joined Rodney and voted for approval making it "The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states...".  

November 2009 Update

Which founding father was often pictured with a bandage around his jaw as though he had a toothache?

He was Caesar Rodney of Delaware.  It was not a toothache however.  He suffered from a cancer of the cheek.  He actually had it from youth, and only with his death in 1783, at age 53, did the cancerous suffering end.

What biblical verse is enscribed on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia?

• It is Leviticus 25:10, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof."
• While on Mt Sinai the Lord was telling Moses of the promised land he was about to give to the people of Israel ... and to the upcoming jubilee celebration.
• How appropriate it is for that verse to be on the Liberty Belll ... it too rings of a "jubilee celebration."

Who made this motion in Congress- "... the colonies should form governments independent of the crown."?

• No, not Ben F. or Thomas J.  It was John Adams.  He made the motion on May 6,1776.
• About one month later Richard Henry Lee made a more explicit motion declaring the colonies free and independent.
• Shortly thereafter Adams was chosen to the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, along with Franklin, Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston.

October 2009 Update

Which state had the fewest U.S. Constitution signers?

It was New York.  And their lone signer was none other than the historical . . .  Alexander Hamilton.  (Pennsyvania had the most - 8)

Who was the "Father of the American Revolution"?

• It was Samuel Adams
• He was a vocal supporter of Independence.  His proposal of "Committees of Correspondence" was meant to educate the colonists about their rights and political convictions based upon Biblical principles.
• His first letter entitled "Rights of the Colonists" was the first public denial of the right of Great Britain to tax the colonies.

Who was the "Reverend" Declaration of Independence signer from New Jersey?

• Rev. John Witherspoon. 
• Although there were several ministers he was the only practicing minister to sign the declaration.  And it was Witherspoon who delivered a famous speech which begins, "There is a tide in the affairs of men.", which helped secure the last cautious delegates who were undecided mainly, because of the timing of the declaration.

Which U.S. president was a surveyor?

• George Washington
• His father was a surveyor.  Several years after his death George found his fathers surveying tools and learned surveying.   By the age of 16 George was such a good surveyor he was hired to survey the wilderness.

September 2009 Update

Which of the following sparked the Revolution:  the Boston Massacre, the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party, the Townsend Acts?

• Each of course contributed.  The chronology of the events marked a growing rebellion.
• The Stamp Act of 1765 and Townsend Acts of 1767 angered the colonists with taxes imposed without representation.
• In 1770 the killing of five colonists, the Boston Massacre,  was perhaps the culmination of the crisis.
• But this author believes (don't get upset) that in Dec. 1773, when the Sons of Liberty led the Boston Tea Party, the event rallied the revolutionary support in all thirteen colonies and perhaps was the incident that was the true spark for the Revolution.

Which well-known founding father, who never signed the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence, left his mark as the "Father of American Scholarship and Education?"

It was non other than the word (and the Word) enthusiast Noah Webster (1758-1843).

Why was the Liberty Bell originally ordered?

The Pennsylvania Assembly wanted to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, the original Constitution of Pennsylvania. 

Why was the Northwest Ordinance important?

Passed on July 13,1787:

• It declared the intention to settle the land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi.
• It established the procedure upon which new states would be added to the United States.
• And interestingly, it established the importance Congress attached to religion - "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."

August 2009 Update

"...we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor" are the last words of which famous document?  a) U.S. Constitution, b) Bill of Rights, c) Declaration of Independence, d) The Mayflower Compact.

• c) Declaration of Independence
• The last sentnce reads "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Thomas Jefferson's tombstone does NOT include which of the following? a) "Author of the Declaration of Independence", b) "Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom", c) "And Father of the University of Virginia", d) "President of the United States of America".

• Surprisingly the answer is d) "President of the United States of America"
• Just before he died he presented a case to Mrs. Randolph, whom he adored, which was not to be opened until after his death.  It contained a tribute to her and an epitaph for his tombstone.  President of the United States was NOT to be on the epitaph.  Amazing.

John Morton of Pennsylvania cast what very important vote?

On the vote for independence the Pennsylvania delegation was equally divided for and against.  Morton was called upon to give a casting vote for Pennsylvania.   He voted YES, and from that moment the United Colonies were declared Independent States!

July 2009 Update

What is the significant connection of Sept. 25, 1789 and Dec.15, 1791?

• Both dates relate to "amendments" to the U.S.Constitution
• Sept. 25, 1789 - Congress offered 12 amendments for the states to ratify (yes 12)
• Dec. 15, 1791 - 10 amendments were approved and became known as the Bill of Rights
• And what were the 2 amendments not approved?  One was concerned with representation, the other (which was eventually enacted in 1992 as the 27th Amendment) said that "any change in the compensation paid to senators and representatives could take effect only after an election intervened."

Is it true that the United States Supreme Court has never declared this a Christian nation?

No, it is not true!  In 1892, and in several other published decisions, the Supreme Court said "...this is a Christian nation."

Which president was perhaps the most prolific reader of the bible? 

John Quincy Adams, the 6th president, supposedly read the bible cover to cover several times.

June 2009 Update

The most unusual first name of a Declaration of Independence signer was ... ?

How about Button?  Button Gwinnett of Georgia

Which Livingston from New York signed the Declaration of Independence:  Robert, William, Walter or Philip?

• Robert?  No -  he was on the drafting committee for the declaration but did not sign it.
• William?  No -  he signed the Constitution, was brother of Philip and Robert's uncle.
• Walter?  No - he was a member of the Continental Congress (1784-5) and Philip's son.
• Philip?  Yes - a patriotic family indeed!

Which Dec. of Ind. signer was not allowed to hold office in his home state?

Charles Carroll of Maryland.  And the reason?  He was a Catholic in a very protestant state.  As a result of that discrimination, he worked dilligently to help pass the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed his freedom of religious choice.

Is Daylight Savings Time related to a founding father?

Yes.  Ben Franklin actually proposed such an idea in 1794.  Why?  He usually woke about noon.  One day he woke at 6:00 and was surprised to see how much daylight he was missing by sleeping in.  His proposal was gearded toward better usage of the daylight hours.

What American city is comprised of ALL patriots?

Patriot, Indiana.  Population app 200.  It is the only city in America with that name.  How about that. 

May 2009 Update

Was any Founding Father ever impeached?

• No, however Samuel Chase of Maryland did undergo impeachment proceedings.
• Apparently due to some rather abrasive and extreme remarks, the House of Representatives initiated impeachment action but the Senate found him not guilty.

Why was New Hampshire's constitution vote so memorable?

New Hampshire was the ninth state to vote to approve. That was the vote which assured national ratification of the U.S. Conststution.

Is the term "gerrymandering" somehow related to our Founding Fathers?

• Yes it is.
• Eldridge Gerry was Gov. of Massachusettes, when he approved an unusual redistricting which favored his then Democratic-Republican Party.  One district looked like a salamander, thus the term "gerrymander'.
• Gerry signed the Declaration of Independence but refused to sign the Constitution since it did not include a Bill of Rights.  He was eventually elected Vice President when James Madison was elected to a second term in 1812, but he died in office.

April 2009 Update

How many Catholics signed the Declaration of Independence?

• Only one - Charles Carroll of Maryland
• In the early 1770's he was actually barred from practicing law and voting because he was a Roman Catholic
• Maybe that is why he was such a champion for religious freedom and eventually assisted in drafting the Bill of Rights, finally assuring his freedom of worship.

Has any state ever required a representative to be a "believer"?

• Surprise.  The answer is yes.
• The state of Delaware did require it
• In article 22 of the Delaware Constitution - anyone chosen as a member of the House or Senate was to profess a faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost
• However religious parameters have since become quite clear:  "Congress shalll make  no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."  [Bill of Rights, Amendment One]; "...no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."  [United States Constitution, Article VI]

Were all 13 colonies present at the First Continental Congress?

Actually no.  When they assembled in Philadelphia in September, 1774 the colony of Georgia was not represented.

Is "Yankee Doodle" an American original?

• No.  The tune is old. 
• The melody is traced back to the Middle Ages in southern Europe, Holland harvesters singing it in the 1500's, & later, children in England creating their own lyrics. 
• Only later did the old tune of "Yankee Doodle" come to express, in song, an American spirit of rebellion among the colonists.

How long did it take Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?

• 17 or18 days
• According to John Adams' notes written years later Jefferson actually  may have offered a draft in a day or two.
• The Continental Congress appointed Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston to draft a declaration that could be issued IF Congress adopted independence.  The group of five actually selected Jefferson who, although a poor speaker, was a brilliant writer 
• The original began, "The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over theses states."

March 2009 Update

Who was Mary Washington?

• She was the proud mother of George Washington.   
• On his way to NYC from Mt. Vernon, for his inauguration, George stopped in Fredericksburg, Virginia to see his mother who was dying with cancer.  She prayed,  "...go my son, and may that Heaven's blessing and your mother's blessing be with you always."  It was the last time they would see one another. 
• Mary Washington died several months later, never having seen her son take the oath as the first president of the United States of America.

Did someone named "Publius" write a well known American document?

Yes.  In fact there were three rather famous men who shared the pseudonym "Publius":  James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.  Together they created The Federalsit Paperswhich agressively advocated a new and more powerful centralized but balanced system of government.

Which founding father created the first volunteer fire-fighting company in America?

None other than the great inventor himself, Benjamin Franklin.  In 1736 he created The Union Fire Company.

U.S. presidential inaugurations have occurred in how many different American cities?

• Three. 
• New York City (1st), Philadelphia (2nd and 3rd), Washington D.C. (all others)

February 2009 Update

Was Alexis de Tocqueville really interested in our prison system?

Actually that interest was an excuse.  He used it to get permission to leave France and travel to this country.  It ended being a 9 month travel which culminated in a remarkable book, "Democracy in America" which described this country during the revolutionary war .

Did the 'Great Awakening' help define this country?

It certainly could have.  It was during this period, 1740-1760, when the 'American Christian Revolution' may have been birthed - and impressionable young men growing up during that time included George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and many more of our founding fathers.

Did the founding fathers have formal schooling?

• No.  Of the 117 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, 1 in 3 had only several months of such schooling and only 1 in 4 attended college.  The majority were educated by their parents, church schools, tutors, academies and apprenticeships.
• By the way, here is a remarkable list of some that were apparently home-schooled all or part of the time -  Noah Webster, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

Is it possible 45 words can grant 5 freedoms?

Yes.  If you read the First Amendment (which has 45 words) you will see it spells out our freedoms of religion, speech, the press, the right to assemble and the right to petition the government.

Did Patrick Henry oppose the adoption of the United States Constitution?

• Surprise.  Yes he did oppose it.  Although he was an eloquent orator who guided this country towards independence, he was a critic of the U.S. Constsitution believing it gave too much power to the federal government. 
• But, as a result of his dissatisfaction, he did become instrumental in forcing the adoption of another rather important document, the Bill of Rights.

Was the founder of the University of Pennsylvania and the first Postmaster General under the Continental Congress the same person?

• It was indeed.  Those were just two of the remarkable distinctions of - Benjamin Franklin.

January 2009 Update

Was Washington D.C. always the U.S. capitol? 

• No, not always. 
• Philadelphia, New York City & several other locations were temporary sites of the federal government before it was permanently established in Washington D.C.

Did you know Thomas Jefferson died in debt?

• He was reportedly over $100,000 in debt.  
• But more amazing was that some of that debt was repaid by the selling off of approximately 190 slaves Jefferson still owned!

Did you know eight of our first nine presidents were not born in the United States?

• Correct.  They were actually born before 1776 in the then American Colonies, thus being British subjects.
• George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William Henry Harrison were all born before the Declaration of Independence was written. (Martin Van Buren, our 8th president, was the first to be born after 1776.)

Was John Adams at one time a minister?

• No, although his father would have loved it.  He wanted him to pursue a religious carreer.
• And although John was a devout Christian, he said being a minister would "make my Life miserable, without any prospect of doing any good to my fellow Men." 

December Update

Did you know more presidents have attended Harvard University than any other college or university?

That's right.  There were seven presidents:  John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Rutherford B. Hayes, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush.

November Update

At the first inauguration of an American president, George Washington placed his hand on a Bible opened to what verse?

Deuteronomy 28 - it promises blessings or curses on a nation according to its faithfulness to follow and abide by God's Word

• after the oath Washington added "So help me God" and kissed the Bible
• every president since has repeated the very same appeal to God.

What was the main killer of Washington's troops the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge?

Approximately 2,000 colonial soldiers died - but most were due to disease rather than cold or starvation.

Who created the Seal of the United States?

Shortly after the Declaration of Independene was adopted in 1776, a committee to formulate an official seal, also known as the "great seal," was chosen.  The committee was comprised of none other than Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklinand John Adams.   But it was not until 1782 that the "great seal" was actually approved by Congress.

During the Revolutionary War who was known as "The Black Regiment?"

The answer has nothing to do with race but rather with occupation.  You see the war effort was indeed blessed.  The inspirational leadership of the clergy from the colonies became known by their enemies as "the Black Regiment" in reference to them oftentimes wearing their pulpit gowns, even while on the battlefield!

October Update

Who was the only "founding father" to sign ALL of the these documents:  Declaration of Independence (1776), Treaty of Alliance with France (1778),  Treaty of Paris (1783) and Constitution of the United States (1787)?

None other than our dear friend, Benjamin Franklin, who died in Philadelphia, approximately three years after the signing of the Constitution.

Does the Declaration of Independence mention God?

Yes.  The Declaration makes a direct reference to God four different times:

• "... the laws of Nature and of Nature's God ..."
• "... Men are created equal...[and] endowed by their Creator ..."
• "... appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World ..."
• "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Who was Robert Treat Paine and why is he important in American history?

• He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  He was one of the four signers from Massachusetts.  But prior to that signing he was the Prosecutor of the British soldiers charged in the "Boston Massacre."
• Incidentally, his opponent?  Well, he was another one of those signers from Massachusetts - and Defender of those same British soldiers.  Thats right -  he was none other than the future president, John Adams.

E Pluribus Unum, found on our currency, what does it mean?

It is a Latin phrase meaning "One out of the many."  Actually it appears many places since it is a part of our National Seal, also known as "the Great Seal."    It is one of three Latin phrases found on the seal, the others being Annuit Coeptis - "He[God] has blessed our undertakings" and Novus Ordo Seclorum - "A New Order of the Ages".  Incidentally, shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence a committee was formed to create such a national seal.  And what a committee of patriotic giants it was - Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams.

Who was widow Martha Custis?

She was a young widow with two children.  In 1759 she met and married her husband George.  That's right.  She became Martha Washington, our first First Lady and wife of our first president. 

September Update

Did Benjamin Franklin want the eagle to be America's symbol?

No.  He considered the eagle to be inappropriate because it was a bird of "bad moral character."  His choice for the American bird was . . . the turkey!  An appropriate historical choice on one hand . . . and a perfect example of a delightful "Franklinism" on the other.

The original American flag was designed by whom?

It was created by an artistic man.  His imagination flourished as a poet, writer and composer.  His imagination touched many, including friends Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.  You see he was more than an artist - he was a statesman and a founding father.  The American flag designer?  He was Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

August Update

Who were the first two signers of the Declaration of Independence?

• John Hancock - the signer everyone knows - the presiding officer of Congress -  the one with the "large signature". 
• Charles Thompson - the one very few know - not a real "signer" or "founding father" - he was the secretary of Congress. 
• Incidentally, the date was July 2, 1776 - the date the declaration was "approved" by Congress 

Was there really someone named George Washington Adams?

Yes.  His dad was John Quincy Adams, our sixth president.  His grandfather was John Adams, our second president.  And yup, our first president, George Washington, was a very good friend of the Adams', thus the name.  We know a great deal about the high expectations of George Washington Adams through letters written to him from his father, "Letters of John Quincy Adams to His Son".  Despite the star-studded name, loving guidance from his father and numerous heritage advantages, George Washington Adams led a troubled life.  The future of this up and coming man never happened.  On a return trip to America he fell overboard and drowned near New York.  Suicide was suspected.  He was only 28 years old.

July Update

Who was the brilliant founding father, known as "America's Schoolmaster", who did not sign either the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution?

Noah Webster

• He is primarily known today because of the dictionary which bears his name, Noah Webster's Dictionary of the American Language.
• But he also authored many books, graduated from Yale, fought during the American Revolution, was one of the first founders to  recommend writing a United States Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation, was well-liked by some rather famous people who often were invited to eat at his home (George Washington, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, etc.) taught school, served three terms in the Massachusetts legislature, helped found Amherst Gollege, established New York City's first daily newspaper, the American Minerva, and that is just the beginning!  This prolific author who took two decades to write the dictionary, containing over 40,000 definitions and 12,000 words which had not been found in any other dictionary, learned over twenty languages.  He impacted America like no other.  In fact, shortly after his death the publishers of his book Speller wrote "...Only two men have stood on the New World whose fame is so sure to last - Columbus, its discoverer; and Washington, its savior.  Webster is, and will be, its greatest teacher; and these three make our trinity of fame."  

June Update

What two women have been both the wife of a president AND the mother of another president?

Abigail Adams and Barbara Bush

• Abigail:     husband John Adams, 2nd pres.,  son John Quincy Adams, 6th pres.
• Barbara:   husband George H.W. Bush, 41st pres., son George W. Bush,  43rd pres.

George Washington refused to be addressed  as what?

• "His Highness, the President of the United States of America and Protector of Their Liberties".  That is how the Congress wanted to address George Washington.
• Instead, he simplified things - "Mr. President" was his choice - and the tradition began.

Did the founding fathers believe education along with family should play a role in training children to serve God?

Absolutely.

• In 1636, the Puritans founded Harvard College, not only to educate in the ways of the Lord but to educate clergy for the spreading of the gospel.²
• In 1642, the Massachusetts legislature passed a law requiring parents to be responsible for the elementary school education of their children including "...catechize their children and servants in the grounds and principles of Religion."²
• In 1647, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill making education a public responsibility including "...enhancing spiritual health: 'It being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of Scriptures...'.²
• "This idea to love and serve God and develop good citizens lived through the Revolutionary War.  In fact Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the declaration signers, urged the use of the Bible in all public schools in his essay "A Defense of the Use of the Bible as a School Book."
• Most of our founding fathers believed Christianity was to be taught in the home, the school, the church.  My goodness how different that is from todays secular charge that our Constitution somehow demands a separation between church and state. 
• The fact is friend, our founders opposed a national state church but had no problem whatsoever with Christian religious principles being absorbed into the education of our children and the policies of our govrernment.

May Update

Who served the shortest full single term as our president?

• It was John Adams. 
• The other ten presidents who served a full single term served for 1,461 days.   John served for 1,460.  Why?  Are you ready for this?  There was no Leap Year during John Adam's presidency!  Now that is trivia. 

Who were the only two presidents to sign the  Constitution?

• George Washington and James Madison

April Update

Do you know where these words “ring true?"

“Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”

• You biblical scholars will find them in … Leviticus 25:10.  While on Mount Sinai the Lord was telling Moses about the promised land he was going to give to the people of Israel and the upcoming Jubilee!
• You historians will find it in … Philadelphia.  They are the words inscribed on the Liberty Bell.  How appropriate.  They too would ring of a true Celebration!

Who proposed our government have three separate branches?

• It was James Madison, our fourth president. 
• Known as the “Father of the Constitution” it was Madison who at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 proposed the plan to divide our  govt. into three branches.  And guess where he got the idea?  Yup.  The Bible.  He discovered the model of government in Isaiah 33:22:

For the LORD is our judge (judicial)

The LORD is our lawgiver (legislative)

The LORD is our king (executive)

No wonder our constitution has survived – it came from rather good seed!

Who was the “forgotten founding father”?

His name was Algernon Sydney and he had a powerful influence on the thinking of John Adams, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers.  His idea that government is a contract between the leaders and the people was adopted by the Founding Fathers & undoubtedly cost him his life for allegedly attempting to help a group of rebels assassinate KING Charles II.  His own words reflect his chastisement of tyrannical regimes, the new born American spirit and his promotion of religious liberty:

• “That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed.”
• “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”
• “God leaves to Man the choice of Forms in Government.”
• “We are free men governed by our own laws, and . . . no man has a power over us which is not given and regulated by them."

March Update

Did you know our second president, JOHN ADAMS, was the first president to live in the White House?

He moved into the White House in November 1800 while the paint was still wet. It was an extremely sad time. Not only was it unfinished and uncomfortable, Adams and his wife Abigail were mourning the loss of one of their sons as well as preparing to end his presidential term which was only weeks away.

Did you know more presidents have come from Virginia than any other state?

Yes that’s right. There were 8.

• George Washington 1st 1789-1797
• Thomas Jefferson 3rd 1801-1809
• James Madison 4th 1809-1817
• James Monroe 5th 1817-1825
• William Harrison 9th 1841-died in office
• John Tyler 10^th 1841-1845
• Zachary Taylor 12^th 1849-1850 died in office
• Woodrow Wilson 28^th 1913-1921

Do you know which state had the most signers of the Declaration of Independence?

9 of the 56 signers were from Pennsylvania:

• George Clymer
• Benjamin Franklin
• Robert Morris
• John Morton
• George Ross
• Benjamin Rush
• James Smith
• George Taylor
• James Wilson,

Did you know many of America’s most well-known universities were established by Christian communities?

That’s right. “106 of the first 108 colleges in America were founded on the Christian faith.”¹ Amazing. Today, looking at the humanistic thrust of some of these universities one can only wonder what happened to the original seeds of Christian influence.

• Harvard (1638) - started as a Congregational institution - motto - “For Christ and the Church.”
• College of William and Mary (1692) - Episcopalian - charter - “…the Christian faith may be propagated…to the glory of God…”
• Yale (1701) - Congregational - charter - “…for the liberal and religious education of suitable youth…to propagate in this wilderness, the blessed reformed Protestant religion.”
• Princeton University (1746) - Presbyterian - motto - "Under God’s Power She Flourishes.”
• Rutgers University (1766) - Dutch Reformed Church - motto - “Son of Righteousness, Shine upon the West also.”

GROVER CLEVELAND was our 22nd president and our 24th president. He was the only president to have been elected in nonconsecutive terms. Incidentally he was also the first president to have a child, Esther, born in the White House.

Who became known as the “Father of the American Revolution”?

It was SAMUEL ADAMS, a cousin to President John Adams. Samuel’s unequaled efforts to promote the Revolution andhisrealization that to do so he must get all colonists to understand the cause for liberty united the colonies. His proposed “Committees of Correspondence” to educate all colonists took years but his first circular, “The Rights of the Colonists” was the first real public denial of the right of the British Parliament to tax the colonists. The “Great Awakening” (1740-1760) had planted the seeds of the American Revolution (1760-1790) - and Samuel Adams was one of the earlier seeds to blossom.

Do you know what unusual event happened on July 4, 1826?

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of the key signers of the Declaration of Independence both died within a few hours of one another on July 4^th …on America’s 50^th birthday 1826.

What did GEORGE W. BUSH and JOHN QUINCY ADAMS have in common?

Well of course each was president of the United States, George W. the 43^rd and John Quincy the 6^th. But more than that. Each followed in their fathers’ footsteps. That’s right, their fathers were both presidents - GEORGE H. W. BUSH the 41st and JOHN ADAMS the 2^nd - making the Adams and the Bushes the only father-son combinations to hold America’s highest office.

Was July 4, 1776 the real birth of this nation?

Well … yes, but here is a closer look.

• July 2, 1776 13 colonies proclaim independence from British rule
• July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence is approved (thus the birth of the nation?) by the Continental Congress and signed only by JOHN HANCOCK, as President of the Continental Congress, and CHARLES THOMSON, as secretary of the Continental Congress
• July 6, 1776 the Declaration is printed on the front page of the Pennsylvania Evening Post
• July 8, 1776 the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia
• July 9, 1776 in New York George Washington ordered his troops assembled in a hollow square for an official reading of the Declaration
• August 2, 1776 most delegates add their signatures to the Declaration of Independence, but several not present added their signatures over the course of the next year 

Do we have a responsibility to elect Godly leaders?

Absolutely. Our founding fathers insisted that God gave us the opportunity as well as the responsibility to be governed by such men. Isn’t it interesting that a founding father and a “politician” would answer such a question which targets the “church and state“ controversy of today:

“The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.  Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” - John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Did you know the Preambles of all 50 state constitutions have a reference to the Almighty?

Yup - amazing!  All 50!  The Founding Fathers intended for this country to acknowledge her spiritual legacy. To see a list of all the PREAMBLES and their references to God, click here.

 

1) Mark Beliles and Stephen McDowell, America’s Providential History (Charlottesville, 1989) p. 109.

2) William J. Murray, The Pledge, (Chattanooga, 2007) p. 30-31 - paraphrase