July 4, 2019

Dear Reader,
Hey. I hope you're doing well!

Today is Independence Day. A day I believe every independent country can relate to. For America, it began in 1776. At least, that's when the Declaration of Independence made the break with Britain Decisive. The "Revolutionary War" officially began when the first shot was fired at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts in April 1775. General George Washington (who would go on to become the first President of the United States of America) led the American army to war. The war went back and forth.

It lasted eight years before finally comping to a conclusion after France joined the 13 colonial revolutionary war on America's side on October 17, 1777. After the first decisive colonial victory at Sartoga.

In 1781, surrounded by American forces and the French navy, General Charles Cornwallis and British forces surrendered. The fighting stopped and the war was formally ended by the Peace of Paris, which recognized USA's independence.

The revolution was a successful revolt by the thirteen colonies in North America against British rule. A number of issues provoked that conflict such as restrictions on trade and manufacturing imposed by the navigation acts, restrictions on land settlements in the west, and attempts to raise revenue in America by way of the Stamp Act in 1765 and the Tea Act in 1773. Which led to the Boston Tea Party.

"No taxation without representation" became the colonials rallying cry. You've heard the chant, "The British are coming! The British are coming!" Yeah... now you know the meaning of it.

The intellectual side of this war from dependence was led by Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.

Thomas Paine was an Anglo-American revolutionary writer. He emigrated from England to Pennsylvania (USA) in 1754. He demanded independence for the North American colonies. He returned to England in 1787 and published The Rights of Man (1791-1792), a defense of the French Revolution. He was accused of treason and fled to France in 1792. After becoming a French citizen and elected into the National Convention, he was imprisoned from 1793-1794. He returned to the U.S.A. in 1802. He was born in 1737 and died in 1809.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), the third U.S. President (1801-1809) and former vice president (1797-1801), was a leading member of the continental congress and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He was George Washington's Secretary of State (1789-1793). The landmarks of his first administration are (1801-1805), the Louisianan Purchase (1803) and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806). His second term (1805-1809), he became the Aaron Bugb Conspiracy. He avoided war with Britain instead passing an embargo act (1807). He founded the University of Virginia (1825).

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790): American statesman, scientist, and inventor. Most known for being the father of electricity. When war broke out, he went to Paris to negotiate a peace treaty of alliance successfully (1778). His peace proposals formed the basis of the final Treaty of Paris (1783) with Great Britain. He was president of Pennsylvania's executive council (1785-1788) and, as a member of the Constitutional Convention (1787), helped form the U.S. Constitution.

So, after thousands sacrificed their lives in that war, Americans now celebrate Independence Day by spending time with friends and family. Cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, etc. on grills, shooting off and watching fireworks in the sky.

There are many wars that have led to the country that America has become. What makes this country so great is no matter what obstacle that impedes our path, no matter what battle that seeks to destroy us or villain or tyrant that wishes to tear us down, we progress! We progress into a future with more peace, equality, unity, and love!

Every country has their story. This is a part of ours. Feel free to share yours!

Until next time.

Yours truly,
Doug