1776

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
 
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

John to Abigail Adams

2015 – May all Chicagoboyz and readers have a safe and joyous Fourth.

From Johnny Tremain
My students wanted me to add the Disney clip to the pre-class music – perhaps they were moved as children, but I like it.

1942 – Yankee Doodle Dandy & Conclusion

In 2011, Subotai Bahadur recommended Pauline Maier’s From Resistance to Revolution; he’s right, it gave a context I hadn’t known, when I finally read it this summer. It helped me appreciate our dual heritage – from our cousins and our founders. The ordered resistance is an attractive concept & there is Instapundit at Amazon recommending it, too.

America from Pike’s Peak