America's Story (part 23) - Countdown to 250!

 

Declaration of Independence/wkipedia.com

July 4, 1776

The United States of America was born on that date, recognized as the signing and final approval of the Declaration of Independence.

One of its most well-known statements:

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.

And the signers ended this declaration on a solemn note:

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.

The anniversary of this quarter of a millennium milestone is coming up in two years: 

1776 to 2026

Countdown to 250 years!

And many across America are preparing for this celebration....

https://youtu.be/e0TxB7g4jT0?si=FmaJFsT4RMmAUyah

For more information on the big 250: America 250

Since 1776, America grew and met many challenges. Who are we as a people? Some have tried to answer that best in poetry and song:

I am the nation

https://youtu.be/Fw4Z6Hdxyo0?si=VufZN5v2bl4AUBL3

John Wayne has been seen as a personification of America throughout her evolution. 

For more information: John Wayne: Icon Of America's Booming Confidence

And in 1970, John Wayne and other well-known celebrities of the 20th century ended their show of American History with this patriotic song:

https://youtu.be/JnPbhbluS6Y?si=bATJzXLdXOFOcQad

Happy Birthday, America

as we countdown 

to her 250th!

And 

God Bless America!

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For other posts on this thread, search:

America's Story

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Photo: Declaration of Independence/wkipedia.com

 

Patriots (part 1) - Taps

next of kin/everystockphoto.com

As Memorial Day approaches, I started another thread honoring all patriots that sacrificed, home and abroad, to keep us safe. It's a debt none of us can repay.

Words often fail to capture the depth of gratitude for those who have given their all. But John Wayne telling the story behind Taps from the American Civil War followed by Amazing Grace come close, as seen in the clip below:

( reference: https://youtu.be/VDakzCZ3ZdE )

Though there are no "official" words to Taps, here is a popular one:

Day is done,

gone the sun,

From the hills,

from the lake,

From the skies.

All is well,

safely rest,

God is nigh. 

from Taps information

God bless all our patriots, who have given us a great country and the freedoms we enjoy, this Memorial Day!

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Similar posts in the series:

America's Story (part 8) - Memorial Day, Gettysburg, and Amos Humiston (2012)

America's Story (part 13) - The Enola Gay (2013)

Pray4America (part 14) - We are Americans  (2014)

Nostalgia (part 5) - Big Band and World War II  (2015)

Music (part 4) - Armed Forces Medley (2016)


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Photo: next of kin/everystockphoto.com