Today we celebrate Independence Day, Fourth of July, Happy Fireworks Day, and maybe just a "day off". A national holiday to commemorate the birth of our nation... the United States.
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - The Declaration of Independence ~ July 4, 1776
"Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to Him for benefits received and to implore such further blessing as they stand in need of; and it having pleased Him in His abundant mercy not only to continue to us in the innumerable bounties of His common Providence to smile upon us... " - Continental Congress November 1, 1771 First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving (partial quote)
"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry March 23, 1775
"It is in an especial manner our duty as a people with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God, and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experienced." - George Washington; Jan. 1, 1759 National Thanksgiving Proclamation
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep,
O, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!
William Whiting (1825-1878) The Hymn of the U.S. Navy also know as Eternal Father Strong to Save
O Beautiful for Spacious Skies,
For Amber Waves of Grain,
For Purple Mountain Majesties
Above the Fruited Plain!
America! America!
God Shed His Grace on Thee
And Crowned They Good with Brotherhood
From Sea to Shining Sea!
O Beautiful for Pilgrims Feet,
Whose Stern Impassioned Stress
A Thoroughfare for Freedom Beat
Across the Wilderness!
America! America!
May God Thy Gold Refine
Till All Success Be Nobleness
And Every Gain Divine!
O Beautiful for Patriots Dream
That Sees Beyond the Years
Thine Alabaster Cities Gleam
Undimmed by Human Tears!
America! America!
God Shed His Grace On Thee
And Crown Thy Good With Brotherhood
From Sea to Shining Sea!
America the Beautiful - Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929)
On this the 232nd Birthday of America, let's remember to pray for her leaders, her peoples and her land. That God would heal our land! America, bless God!
"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." Leviticus 25:10
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