I haven’t checked this out myself yet, but I’ve been told that the word Independence, although it’s in the title, is not in the body of the document. How can that be? Time to read it again.
It should be noticed that of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, only two went on the become Presidents of the United States of America. And they were the two who had the most to do with the writing and adoption of that historic document. Those two were Thomas Jefferson (3rd President) and John Adams (1st Vice President and 2nd President, to serve only 1 term).
George Washington and his soldiers, such as they were, established camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It was a week prior to Christmas. They stayed there until June, 1778. During those six months as many as 2,000 men died. It was cold during the winter months, but the men didn’t die due to the weather.
Numerous strange stories come out of the Revolutionary War. For one thing, the practice of hanging criminals and spies was often the case in that war. We know about Nathan Hale, who regretted that he had only one life to give for his country. Hanging was popularized in the Old West.
Benjamin Franklin, who took part in most of the life changing events of his time, lived to be 84. He died in 1790.
Christ the Lord is risen today,
The parents of Benjamin Franklin don’t receive much fanfare, notoriety, or acclaim about the lives they lived. Ben talks a little about them in his Autobiography. One of the things they taught Ben was to obey the commandments of God. As a result, he did honor them. After all, Honor thy Father and Mother is the first commandment with a promise—that your life may be long in the land.
About all that anyone knows about Patrick Henry is that some time in history he gave a great speech which included the words: “Give me liberty, or give me death!” And that he did. But he did much more.