citizens particpate in self-governance
The war of independence from tyrant - American revolution
Join or Die - Promoting the 1754 Albany Plan
Benjamin Franklin wrote an article in the Pennsylvania Gazette promoting the Albany Plan - A union of the Colonies. This cartoon was published with his article. The snake cut into parts represents the separate colonies. Franklin's point was the colonies would not survive external threats if they did not join together.
The Gadsden Flag - Don't Tread On Me
Journal of the South Carolina Provincial Congress, 9 February 1776: "Col. Gadsden presented to the Congress an elegant standard, such as is to be used by the commander in chief of the American navy; being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a rattle-snake in the middle, in the attitude of going to strike, and these words underneath,
"DON'T TREAD ON ME!"
By the time of the War of Independence, the rattlesnake, frequently used in conjunction with the motto "Don't Tread on Me," was a common symbol for the United States, its independent spirit, and its resistance to tyranny.
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/banners/usnavy-jack.html)
God & The Golden Rules - The Foundation of LifE & Law
The Golden Rules of a Civil Society
America was founded on the Judeo-Christian principles expressed in the Ten Commandments. The Biblical Abraham, has been widely accepted by Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions as the Father of all nations. Moses, as told by the Old Testament, brought the tablet of Commandments as stated by God, to all the People of the World to follow.
Throughout the ages, the Commandments IV-X (4-10) have been accepted universally as the "Golden" Rules, which are the basic behaviors expected in a civil society, and are the foundation of many laws in America and throughout the world.
In God We Trust
"In God We Trust" refers to trusting the Creator of life and the Universe, and does not refer to a particular religion or a government body which might claim to rule by divine right.
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God in the United States refers to the Creator (referenced in the Declaration of Independence). This Creator created everyone at birth with equal and unalienable rights, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -
The U.S. Declaration of Independence begins:
”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness . . ."
E-Pluribus Unum
Latin for "Out of Many, One."
There are many religions practiced in the United States, and the First Amendment of the Constitution provides the People the guaranteed freedom to believe or not believe in a religion or God - without government interference. Also, the government can not establish a religion which all citizens must follow.
The First Amendment begins:
"Congress shall make no laws respecting an
Establishment of religion, or
Prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
Or Abridging the Freedom of speech . . ."