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WeThePeople-Patriots-Pilgrims-Prophets
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776. which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer under British rule. Instead they formed a new nation--the United States of America.
More details can be found on the following sites, or google: Declaration of Independence
WeThePeople-Patriots-Pilgrims-Prophets presents a sample of historical founding documents
Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address is a speech by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. It was delivered on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863. This speech was made during the American Civil War, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This was four-and-a-half months after the Union Army had a victory over the Confederate States Army at the Battle of Gettysburg.
The address is one of the greatest speeches in the history of the United States. Lincoln spoke of how humans were equal as it said in the Declaration of Independence. He also said the Civil War was a fight not simply for the Union, but "a new birth of freedom" that would make everyone truly equal in one united nation.
The speech famously begins with "Four score and seven years ago", referring to the American Revolution in 1776. "Score" in this case is an old word meaning "twenty." Lincoln used the ceremony at Gettysburg to encourage the people to help America's democracy, so that the "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".
More details can be found on the following sites, or goggle: Gettysburg Address
American Creed
The American Creed is a statement of principles and beliefs that proclaims loyalty to America. The American Creed was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives April 3, 1918.
The text and words of the American Creed are as follows:
"I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity
for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."
More details can be found on the following sites, or google: American Creed
President's Oath of Office
The Oath of office of the President of the United States is the oath or affirmation that the President of the United States takes after assuming the presidency but before he or she begins the execution of the office. The wording is specified in Article II, Section One, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution:
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The completion of this thirty-five-word oath ends one president's term and begins the next. From the day George Washington placed his hand on the Bible and recited the oath, the inaugural ceremonies have been an important symbol of our government's continuity and permanence.
More details can be found on the following sites, or google: President's Oath of Office
Pledge of Allegiance
The American Pledge of Allegiance is a statement that proclaims loyalty to the U. S. The pledge, or oath, was inaugurated in 1892 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, also known as Columbus Day. The Pledge of Allegiance words are a national symbol of America. The Pledge of Allegiance words were not officially recognized by Congress until June 22, 1942, when the Pledge of Allegiance words were formally included in the U.S. Flag Code.
The text of the Pledge of Allegiance words are as follows:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
The Pledge of Allegiance words are accompanied by the hand-over-the-heart gesture as the salute to the flag of the United States of America.
More details can be found on the following sites, or google: Pledge of Allegiance
