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Tag Archives: Declaration of Independence
On This Day: July 3, 1776: “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”
John Adams, in a July 3, 1776 letter to Abigail, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 2 in Philadelphia: The Delay of this Declaration to this Time, has many great Advantages attending it. The Hopes of … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers, On This Day
Tagged Declaration of Independence, John Adams
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On This Day: April 13, 1743
Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia. James Parton: A gentleman of 32 who could calculate an eclipse, survey an estate, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, dance a minuet, and play the violin. From … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers, On This Day
Tagged Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson
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Today in history: April 13, 1743
Thomas Jefferson was born. James Parton: A gentleman of 32 who could calculate an eclipse, survey an estate, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, dance a minuet, and play the violin. From David McCullough’s … Continue reading
Today in History: July 3, 1776
John Adams, in a July 3, 1776 letter to Abigail, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 2 in Philadelphia: The Delay of this Declaration to this Time, has many great Advantages attending it. The Hopes of … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers, On This Day
Tagged Declaration of Independence, John Adams, war
11 Comments
Today in History: July 3, 1776
John Adams wrote to Abigail on July 3, 1776 after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 2: The Delay of this Declaration to this Time, has many great Advantages attending it. The Hopes of Reconciliation, which … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers, On This Day
Tagged Declaration of Independence, John Adams, politics, war
2 Comments
The Books: “Thomas Jefferson : Author of America” (Christopher Hitchens)
Next Daily Excerpt: Next book in my American history section is Thomas Jefferson: Author of America by Christopher Hitchens. I admit it. I’m a Hitchens addict. I am also a US History addict – so this book was a particular … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Founding Fathers
Tagged Christopher Hitchens, Declaration of Independence, politics, Thomas Jefferson, US history, war
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Presidents: “an Angel rides in the Whirlwind”
John Page to Thomas Jefferson, July 20, 1776 – on the signing of the Declaration of Independence: God preserve the United States. We know the Race is not to the Swift nor the Battle to the Strong. Do you not … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers
Tagged Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, war
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Presidents: “it shall be a rebuke and a stumbling-block”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, on Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence: All honor to Jefferson, to the man who had the coolness, forecast, and capacity to introduce into a merely revolutionary document an abstract truth, and so to embalm it there, … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Declaration of Independence, politics, Thomas Jefferson
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Presidents: “sacred and undeniable” became “self-evident”
From Paul Johnson’s superb book A History of the American People: Jefferson produced a superb draft, for which his 1774 pamphlet was a useful preparation. All kinds of philosophical and political influences went into it. They were all well-read men … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers
Tagged Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence, politics, Thomas Jefferson, war
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Presidents: “the eloquent lines of the second paragraph”
Excerpt from David McCullough’s John Adams: [Jefferson] worked rapidly [on writing the Declaration of Independence] and, to judge by surviving drafts, with a sure command of his material. He had none of his books with him, nor needed any, he … Continue reading
Posted in Founding Fathers
Tagged David McCullough, Declaration of Independence, politics, Thomas Jefferson
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