Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

“This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith.”

A government of more stability is much wanted in this colony, and they are ready to receive it from the Hands of the Congress,

“Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare the truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere:
They only live who dare.”

“I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation’s destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost.”

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that their Creator endows them with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”

A lady [Mrs. Elizabeth Powel] asked Dr. Franklin “Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy – A republic, replied the Doctor, if you can keep it.”