Dear Bernard,,

How much do you know about America's independence? Do you remember what you learned in school about the Revolutionary War?

As we look to celebrate our independence tomorrow, so much of what actually occurred has been lost to the dusty pages of history books or romanticized by authors and revisionists. Yes, our history was revolutionary, but it was not always pretty. Our Founding Fathers had strong disagreements, very much like we see today. However, for the better of our country, while they did not always agree, they did work for the best of all (with maybe just a little bit of self-serving).

It's also easy to see while looking backward how misunderstandings changed the course of our nation. For example, did you know that even George Washington considered his initial role in the Revolutionary Army as a way for the colonists to not separate themselves from England, but to settle various other grievances?

With tomorrow in mind, I received this on Monday from First Trust Portfolios, one of our favorite providers:



 No one puts it better than Ronald Reagan; the excerpt below comes directly from his Commencement Address at the University of Notre Dame back on May 17, 1981.

"This Nation was born when a band of men, the Founding Fathers, a group so unique we've never seen their like since, rose to such selfless heights. Lawyers, tradesmen, merchants, farmers – fifty-six men achieved security and standing in life but valued freedom more. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Sixteen of them gave their lives. Most gave their fortunes. All preserved their sacred honor.”

“They gave us more than a nation. They brought to all mankind for the first time the concept that man was born free, that each of us has inalienable rights, ours by the grace of God, and that government was created by us for our convenience, having only the powers that we choose to give it. This is the heritage that you're about to claim as you come out to join the society made up of those who have preceded you by a few years, or some of us by a great many.”

“This experiment in man's relation to man is a few years into its third century. Saying that may make it sound quite old. But let's look at it from another viewpoint or perspective. A few years ago, someone figured out that if you could condense the entire history of life on Earth into a motion picture that would run for 24 hours a day, 365 days – maybe on leap years we could have an intermission – this idea that is the United States wouldn't appear on the screen until 3.5 seconds before midnight on December 31st. And in those 3.5 seconds not only would a new concept of society come into being, a golden hope for all mankind, but more than half the activity, economic activity in world history, would take place on this continent. Free to express their genius, individual Americans, men and women, in 3.5 seconds, would perform such miracles of invention, construction, and production as the world had never seen.”

In addition, I encourage you to listen to a podcast by History that Doesn't Suck. I placed a link to the site below. It will take a little effort, but scroll down the episodes to #8. It is very appropriate for tomorrow.

History Podcast

As always, thank you for reading and have a wonderful Independence Day weekend.

Bernie & Chad