Marking our Independence

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“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

— John Adams

John, you were right about so many things, we’ll give you a pass on being a couple days off.  It is the Fourth of July, not the Second, that has become the most celebratory day in American history, and although there are other days in which we celebrate America – Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, etc. – there is no day of patriotism quite like the day of America’s birth.

With this, I give you ten quotes from men that have defined America’s course, as published by great-quotes.com.

1) “I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.”
George Washington

2) “Diligence is the mother of good luck.”
Benjamin Franklin

3) “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!”
Patrick Henry
The speech was given as an opposition to the English Crown in 1775, however, this quote will always be heard wherever there is oppression of freedom. Life will not be worthwhile without being able to do the things we want to do.

4) “Determine never to be idle…It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”

Thomas Jefferson

5) “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Abraham Lincoln

6) “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
Theodore Roosevelt

7) “I [have] become death, the destroyer of worlds.”

J. Robert Oppenheimer

Quoted from the man who is the father of the atomic bomb.

8) “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

The person who fought for equal rights with a peaceful advocate.

9) “Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Ronald Reagan

Led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

10) “You are either with us, or against us”
George W. Bush

The culmination of the war against terror that changed the United States.

Stop reading about football and celebrate America today!  Happy Fourth of July everyone!

— Zain Gowani