Blog Post

246 Years ago today, On July 2, 1776, a group of fifty-six original American renegades undertook a revolutionary concept, pun intended. They decided to take a vote, not just any vote, but what was an unthinkable and unspeakable act of the time. By signing their names and pledging their lives, liberty, and sacred honor, our Father’s Fathers gave the most powerful nation at the time, led by King George, a middle finger salute that would change the world. While the vote to establish an American nation was cast on July 2, 1776, the vote was ratified two days later. Immediately some 200 copies, known as the Dunlap Broadsides, were sent about to hail and pass the world. The message was that our first representatives had declared Freedom in the New World and that a new nation was set to chart her course. But first, she would have to fight for it.

The name America is attributed to explorer Amerigo Vespucci, similar to Columbus, an Italian Explorer working on behalf of the Portuguese. Yes, even five hundred years ago, we had a gig economy. He hypothesized that Columbus was off in his calculations at reaching India. He sent his findings to Martin Waldseemuller, a German cartographer who declared this unknown space on behalf of Amerigo as America. On a side note, George Friedman’s first chapter in his book The Storm Before The Calm explores how our nation laid her keel in fascinating detail.

The American Revolution saw brutal fighting on both open oceans to the cities and remote farmland. But our struggle for dangerous Freedom was underway through our strength and guile, traits equally valued today, and above all, courage and bravery to act in the face of adversity. 

Through boldness and bravery and with the help of our first, and still today, oldest friends, the French, America outfoxed and cut off the British at Yorktown. America had secured her foothold in the world and history.

Looking back today, it almost seems our ascent to the most powerful nation was destined or preordained. History tells us that was hardly the case. It was a rough and precarious journey. For 246 years, our country has had to fight tooth and nail to carve out our existence. The timeline of our American experiment has ebbed and flowed through our history. There have been terrible times, such as the Civil War, where neighbor vs. neighbor and brother vs. brother engaged in open warfare. The war was fought for states’ rights, but more importantly, it was waged to put a stop to the asinine idea that it was acceptable to own another human being.

On the other hand, Americans have also created peaceful, prosperous times when they joined and united. During times of peace and prosperity, Americans, through their hands and minds operating under a free capitalistic society, have advanced every aspect of the human experience. From submarines and skyscrapers to modern medicine to one of our pinnacle achievements, landing men on the moon. 

After leaving the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, we created our most crucial foundation, a rulebook that constrains the government and outlines freedoms for individuals. That rulebook and the Freedom to operate and innovate make us Americans. A lady observing the proceedings asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government had been created. As the story goes, “A Republic madam if you can keep.” Ben Franklin’s advice is just as important today as it was 246 years ago.  

So on this day, let us enjoy everything that makes us unique as Americans. But let us not think anything is guaranteed in this world. From our Freedom, liberty, and security as individuals and a nation. To our families and health. Even the sharpest blade will dull if not sharped. So let us continuously strive to advance ourselves in all areas of life because strong people in mind, body, and spirit make us a great nation.

If you are reading this, chances are you are an American or a nation with Western ideals and values. Yet, you were born with the greatest lottery in human history. You were born with Freedom. It is up to you to cash your lottery ticket. After all, no one except yourself will stop this America. So, let us all make excellent use of our two ultimate commodities – Freedom and time. 

Here is to 246 years of dangerous Freedom, and America, long may she continue to be free under the sun and sky.

To Freedom and Capitalism.

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Further Reading

National Archives – Declaration of Independence 

What Happened to the Founders

The Constitutional Convention

 – https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/educational-resources/historical-documents/perspectives-on-the-constitution-a-republic-if-you-can-keep-it