We celebrate our nation’s independence every July 4th, but the creation of America didn’t happen in just one day.
Colonists started fighting the crown in April of 1775, declared independence in July of 1776, and fully established that sovereignty in September, 1783, with the signing of the Paris Treaty. It wasn’t until September of 1787 that we finally created a proper framework of government. Even then, that constitution didn’t come into force until 1789.
What’s more, we didn’t go it alone. France was instrumental in our revolution against England here in the Americas, while the war grew and spilled over into Europe, and even the sub-continent of India.
We like to wrap it all up neatly into a single date, so often pointing to this painting commemorating the event, but our fight for independence took over eight years of conflict and six more of politicking. It’s an amazing tale and well worth researching.
IT started long before 19 April, 1775. Read on the events leading up to the “Shot heard round the world”. Very similar to today.
Just wanted to add that Spain also added to that effort, with Bernardo de Gálvez being the most remarkable example and whose portrait was finally hung on the walls of Congress on november 2014 to honor his service to the United States.
A statue of him was erected in Mobile, Alabama in the 1960’s and another statue was erected in Washington D.C in 1976.
But it wasn’t until 2014 that congress granted Honorary Citizenship status to him for his war time contributions to America. That act makes him one of only 8 people to ever be granted that honor.
God bless America!
Despite having monuments, statues, and bridges named in their honor…
The heroism and military contributions of these two Polish citizens are often forgotten or overlooked in America when discussing the American Revolutionary War;
Kazimierz Micha? W?adys?aw Wiktor Pu?aski, started off as a volunteer fighter and after his first battle was commissioned as a Brigadier General (Cavalry). He died during the siege of Savannah while leading a cavalry charge of the French and American cavalry forces under his command.
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Ko?ciuszko, started off as a volunteer fighter and shortly after was commissioned as a Colonel (Engineer) and finished his service in the Continental Army as a Brigadier General. Well respected by General Washington, considered a “strategic mastermind” by General Nathanael Greene and General Horatio Gates.
Casimir Pulaski is the Father of American Cavalry. The Cavalry Guidon (red/white) comes directly from Pulaski and his Polish Hussar lance pennants.
I did not know that. Thanks, I had wondered why, if the Cavalry branch color is yellow, that the Cavalry guidon was red and white. Love these tidbits of historical meaning!
Happy birthday, Amerikanashen.