Happy Independence Day 2022!!! Our recent visit to Mount Rushmore made me feel so patriotic and appreciative of our founding fathers.
Mt. Rushmore and the all of the state flags of the United States of America
Carved on the side of a mountain are the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. This spectacular work of art was created over a period of 14 years, 1927 – 1941, the vision of artist Gutzon Borglum.
All four statesmen were involved in creating this beautiful country that we know and love – the United States of America. But it was George Washington and Thomas Jefferson who were involved before 1776.
On July 4 we celebrate Independence Day. This is the annual birthday celebration of nationhood and our freedom from British rule. On this date, 246 years ago, the Declaration of Independence, which was written largely by Thomas Jefferson, was passed by the Continental Congress. The vote for actual independence took place on July 2, 1776, but from then on
July 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.
Prior to that, the original 13 colonies were part of what was known as British America. That was the name that was used by Great Britain until the Treaty of Paris, which recognized the independence of the original thirteen United States of America in 1783.
These British colonies in North America rebelled against British rule in 1775, in the American Revolution in the United States and the American War of Independence in other countries. A provisional government was formed. And those original 13 colonies became the first 13 states with their ratification of the Uniited States Constitution. Here they are in chronological order: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island. Those original states were then joined by Vermont (which had been disputed between New Hampshire and New York, and was an independent republic from 1777 to 1791), Kentucky (which had been part of
Virginia until 1792), Tennessee (which had been part of North Carolina until 1790 and then the federally administrated Southwest Territory until 1796), Maine (formerly part of Massachusetts until 1820), and West Virginia (part of Virginia until 1863).
It was on April 30, 1789 that George Washington would stand on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York to take his oat of office as the first President of the United States.
The Traveling Locavores at Mt. Rushmore
So today, as we celebrate once again, I think we should reflect on just how lucky we are to be living in the greatest country in world! Thank you founding fathers for creating our wonderful country. Happy Independence Day 2022!!!
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