The pages come alive whenever I read about American history that I cannot put it down! We always hear about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. But what about the unknown signers of the Declaration of Independence? Or other facts about American History? For example, did you know that our public schools were founded in order for The Bible to be taught? I bet you won't hear that anywhere today. In 1791 Benjamin Rush a physician, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, founded 4 schools: Philadelphia Dispensary for the relief of the poor, Dickinson College, he was a trustee at Franklin College, and incorporated the Young Ladies Academy of Philadelphia. He was a staunch Abolitionist and was one of a few men who founded the Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.
Noah Webster. Noah Webster is responsible for establishing Webster's Dictionary. He was 16 years old when he went to college. He help found Amherst College in Massachusetts and created the first New York Daily Newspaper. Noah Webster hated public schools because, like today, they were crowded and the books were old and from England. He didn't like that. He figured we were in America, so it ought fitting to learn American language. So in 1793 He wrote his first textbook entitled, "A Grammatical Institute of the English Language". Also that year, he wrote what some call the first dictionary created in the US, aptly named by most as the "blue backed speller" because of its blue back. At the age of 43 Noah Webster started writing the first American Dictionary, and didn't finish it until 27 years later at the age of 70 in 1828.
Did you know that in 1892, the Supreme Court of the United States declared the U.S a Christian Nation? (Well, sort of.)
Did you know that in September 12, 1782, Congress passed a resounding yes resolution for the printing of the Bible?
Did you know that on June 30, 1775, Congress passed the Articles of War which stated, "earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers to attend divine services." Punishment was prescribed for those who behaved "indecently or irreverently" in churches, including courts-martial, fines and imprisonments. Chaplains who deserted their troops were to be court-martialed"
Fascinating to read this! I have always had a fondness for history. Reading about our Founding Fathers and American History you understand what is going on in today's world is out of sync with what these men had in mind. It also makes you aware that some had already hijacked the country before it was firmly planted. Those that didn't want to see America be formed. This is why the Founders warned about who you elect as leaders, because they knew who they were dealing with then. Just like some of us know who we are dealing with now. Its been going on for centuries.
etcweb.princeton.edu/…/Companion/rush_benjamin.html
The Noah Webster House, Museum of West Hartford History:
Justia.com US Supreme Court Center http://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/143/457/case.html
Congressional resolution, September 12, 1782, endorsing Robert Aitken's Bible [page 468] -- [page 469]
Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1782 from the Journals of Congress
Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress (115)
Rules and Articles, for the better Government of the Troops . . . of the Twelve united English Colonies of North America [page 4] - [page 5]
Philadelphia: William and Thomas Bradford, 1775
Rare Book and Special Collections Division,
Library of Congress (111)