On this date in 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Take a minute today to read it: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to … Continue reading The Gettysburg Address | 158th Anniversary
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, 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 … Continue reading The Declaration of Independence | 245th Anniversary Edition
August 17, 1858, Lewistown, Illinois At two o’clock, Judge Kellogg introduced Mr. Lincoln, who was again greeted with vociferous applause. After the noise had subsided, he commenced and delivered the ablest, and, as I think, the most powerful argument ever … Continue reading Abraham Lincoln on the Declaration of Independence
President Calvin Coolidge delivered this speech at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. ~~~~~ Fellow Countrymen: We meet to celebrate the birthday of America. The coming of a new … Continue reading Calvin Coolidge on the Declaration of Independence
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, 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 … Continue reading The Declaration of Independence
Today is Abraham Lincoln’s 210th birthday, in honor of which, according to the custom of my blog, I re-post this post about Lincoln’s religious beliefs, such as they were. Enjoy! ***** In 1920, William E. Barton published The Soul of Abraham Lincoln, a now classic study of the development of Lincoln’s faith. “Lincoln’s religious was an evolution,” Barton wrote, “both in its intellectual and spiritual qualities.” Lincoln’s religious identity seems to have moved through three stages: (1) a Calvinist Baptist in childhood; (2) a skeptical, freethinker in young adulthood; and (3) and a not-altogether-orthodox Christian in mature adulthood. “Too much of … Continue reading The Creed of Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words | 2019 Edition
On the Fourth of July, when I have raised the American flag over my house, I will step back, put my hand over my heart, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance aloud. No one will see me do this. No one will join me. It will be a personal expression of love for my country as well as a fervent prayer that “the Republic” will indeed become “one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” My patriotism is part family history, part intellectual conviction. As far as I can tell, my father’s and mother’s ancestors all came … Continue reading The American Creed and the Christian Gospel
On this Memorial Day, which began as a commemoration of the Civil War, I am posting the most profound meditation on that war ever written, in hope that we always remember its lessons about war, partisanship, and the divine will. Fellow-Countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on … Continue reading Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
In the federal calendar of holidays, today is Washington’s Birthday, though it is commonly called Presidents Day. Originally celebrated on February 22, the date of Washington’s birth, the holiday was moved in 1971 to the third Monday of February in order to create more three-day weekends for workers. In order to help citizens better understand the Father of our Country, Leon and Amy Kass have put together a wonderful e-book, Washington’s Birthday: The American Calendar. It includes classic readings about Washington, as well as several speeches and writings by him. I encourage you to read Washington’s Birthday, both to better … Continue reading Happy Washington’s Birthday!
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