I love everything about the 4th of July, and the 250th anniversary is especially great for me because I am joining with family and friends for a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a BBQ, and fireworks.
As I reflect on what has happened over the 250 years that followed July 4th, 1776, it seems like an impossible dream come true. Think about it. Imagine that at the outset on July 4th, 1776, you were asked what odds for success a country would have if it would be mostly made up of poor immigrants coming from all different countries with very different cultures and religions and it would be governed by a political system in which the leaders reported to these people who themselves had to vote, compromise, and submit to life-changing decisions that many disagreed with. Would you bet that it would do exceptionally well and improve for 250 years? I would have thought that virtually impossible, yet America has been exceptional for 250 years.
I also see that it was shockingly terrific and lucky for me to have lived through the best part of those 250 years because I was born four years after the 1945 post-World War II beginning of the new American world order, which gave me the best time in history in the best place in the world.
These reflections give me a deep appreciation for the principles and practices—the secret sauce—that created and sustained this remarkable American story, a fear that we are losing sight of them, and a sense of responsibility to contribute to sustaining them.
I had no idea..
"This man was born in 1809.
In 1816, at age 7, he was forced to work because his family was expelled.
In 1818, he lost his mother.
In 1828, he lost his sister.
In 1831, he opened his first business and went bankrupt.
In 1832, he stood in the legislative elections and lost.
In 1833, he borrowed money to open another business and went bankrupt again.
In 1835, he met a wonderful woman. He falls in love with her, they get engaged, and she dies.
In 1836, he entered a dark period of his life: deep depression.
He remains bedridden for 6 consecutive months. But he gets up.
He gets up and in that same year of 1836 he runs in the legislative elections and loses again.
In 1840 he presented himself as an elector; he loses.
In 1842, he met the woman he would end his life with.
They fall in love, get engaged, get married and she gives him 4 children and they lose 3 (three).
In 1843, he appeared at the congresses and lost.
In 1845, he appeared again at the congresses and lost again.
In 1850, his son died.
In 1854, he ran for the Senate and lost.
In 1856, he ran for Vice President, he didn't even have 100 votes.
In '58, he ran again for the Senate and lost again.
And in 1860 ABRAHAM LINCOLN was elected President of the United States of America 🇺🇸.
He was elected for two exceptional terms (he was assassinated in beginning of the second term.) He was one of the most respected and impactful Presidents in the history of the United States 🇺🇸.
It's important to tell this story of perseverance because we see the hero, but we don't see the backstage of the afflictions. "
Wow. ...
I think this is a great example of Never Never Never Give Up! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Ages of Founding Fathers in 1776:
James Monroe, 18
Aaron Burr, 20
John Marshall, 20
Alexander Hamilton, 21
James Madison, 25
John Jay, 30
Thomas Jefferson, 33
Thomas Paine, 39
John Adams, 40
George Washington, 44
This nation was built by brilliant young men.
Age of each of these countries:
USA: 250 years
Netherlands: 445 years
Sweden: 503 years
Spain: 547 years
Monaco: 729 years
Switzerland: 735 years
Thailand: 788 years
Mongolia: 820 years
Portugal: 883 years
Hungary: 1,026 years
Poland: 1,060 years
Denmark: 1,061 years
England: 1,099 years
Norway: 1,154 years
Russia: 1,164 years
France: 1,183 years
Morocco: 1,238 years
Bulgaria: 1,345 years
China: 2,246 years
Iran: 2,575 years
Japan: 2,685 years
Ethiopia: 3,000 years
Egypt: 5,125 years
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